Happy Friday Ogden Families,

The beginning of 2025 is certainly bringing on the cold weather! Good thing Ogden PTC has some great indoor events planned for all of you! Camp Ogden is tonight starting at 6:15pm. It’s sure to be a good time for all. You can still buy tickets online or at the door via Cheddar Up only.

A few more upcoming events:

• District 102 is hosting a wonderful speaker on Cyber Safety geared towards parents on January 30th at Park Jr. High. Learn more HERE.
• Club Panther (Grades 4-6 event) on 2/13 sign up is live HERE.
• Variety Show is 2/8
• Sign up for adult Trivia night (held on 3/7) goes live next Friday, 1/31!
• Find updates on the Renew D102 efforts HERE.

Have a great weekend and hope to see you all tonight!

Marissa Claxon and Jenna Tassoni

Ogden PTC Co-Presidents

Club Panther: Save the Date for the 4th-6th Grade Social Night

Students in 4th, 5th, & 6th Grades: Thursday, February 13th, 7-8:30 PM is the exciting one night pop-up event of the year! The grand opening of CLUB PANTHER! The hottest club in Harding Woods is only open for one night in 2025. Behind the velvet ropes at Ogden you will find a Blacklight Bash, so start prepping your white or neon outfit! Face/Body Paint will be offered so please dress for MESS! Leave your favorite white and neon jerseys, hoodies, and clothes at home and bust out those free camp and activity t-shirts or anything else you won't mind some paint getting on. Accessorize to impress and get ready to GLOW!

This is a FREE drop off event, sorry parents the only way for you to get in is to volunteer! Please register on CheddarUp so we can make sure your Panther is on the VIP List!

Please consider donating your time or party merchandise to help make this party a success! Sign up HERE.

See you at CLUB PANTHER!

Any Questions?: Contact Cathy Hernandez or Megan Novak

POSTPONED: Book Sales and 5th/6th Grade Virtual Author Visit with Remy Lai

The virtual author visit with award-winning author Remy Lai (originally scheduled for February 11 with 5th and 6th grade Ogden students) has been postponed until April due to a family emergency.

We look forward to hosting Ms. Lai in the spring to talk with Ogden 5th/6th grade students about her career as an author and to discuss her new book, Chickenpox. We will be kicking off book sales closer to the event.

Questions? Contact Samantha Sordyl or Erin Klunk.

Variety Show

We are looking forward to our 2025 variety show on Feb 8 at 1 pm at Park. The show is free to attend, so please save the date!

This show takes lots of hands to pull off, so please consider volunteering to help us! Looking for just a few great people.

Let Erin McPartlin or Nichole Veihman know if you have questions. We can't wait to see the kids dazzle!

Winter/Spring Menus available for ordering Marla's Lunch

As we are just starting the second half of the Marla's lunch program, a few reminders:

Double check that you have placed an order before Thursday's deadline. The menus for 2025 were just released in December, so when in doubt, please confirm. Also, make sure you don't have any orders that were left in your cart. You should get a confirmation email from Boonli after your order is placed. Also, you can go into your Marla's Lunch account and quickly see the lunch dates and whether an order has been submitted for your child.

Click HERE to order.

Use code oas424 if you're new to Marla's Lunch.

If you are new to Marla's lunch, click HERE for general instructions, FAQ's, and menus. As a reminder, you can order "lunches" (in the form of credits) for any staff at Ogden!

Questions? Contact Andreea Alm or Melissa Huitink.

OPEN Banned Book Discussion on All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Join OPEN for our second book discussion this year featuring banned or challenged books. This discussion will be around the young adult non-fiction memoir and manifesto All Boys Aren’t Blue by journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson. The book features a series of personal essays following Johnson’s journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia.

We will kick off the program with a bit of background on the history of banned books in the United States and then have an informal discussion of the book. We hope you will join us for what promises to be an informative and thought-provoking discussion!

• When: Monday, January 27, 7–8:30 pm
• Where: Betsy Shea’s home, 126 N. Waiola Ave. in La Grange
• Who: Parents/caregivers of Ogden students and adult members of our community at large
• RSVP here.

Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad



Experience a fascinating presentation by teacher, historian, and Illinois Humanities Road Scholars speaker Connie Martin. Ms. Martin will share her family's pre-Civil War stories that reveal hidden messages and secret codes, which helped guide enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She will also showcase replicas of 18 different quilt patterns sewn by her family over 200 years ago. Earlier in the day, Ms. Martin will share her story with 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students at Ogden. The evening presentation is intended for parents and caregivers. Learn more about Connie here.

• When: Wednesday, February 19, 7:00–8:15 pm
• Where: Ogden Avenue School Gym
• Who: Parents/caregivers of Ogden students and adult members of our community at large
• Register here.

For any questions about these events, please contact Betsy Shea.

January Featured Book



This month, OPEN's Featured Book (gifted to Fifth Grade students) is Inside Out and Back Again by Thannha Lai. Written in Prose Poem form, this book explores the experience of a young girl fleeing her home in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Ms. Lai wrote this story loosely based on her childhood experience. Here is an interview with the author about her writing (conducted by two elementary students). Read about Thannha Lai and learn more about her books here and check out our reading guide to use at home. 

For additional information on how to get involved with the OPEN committee, visit the OPEN webpage.

Mark your calendars and join us for these informative and inspiring events!

It is back baby–bigger and better than ever! Save the date for Ogden Trivia Night, a fun-filled, adults-only night to exercise your useless knowledge, win prizes, dress to impress and laugh A LOT!

**NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR** Countryside Conference Center (6200 Joliet Road) with way more space, stellar sound system, multiple flat screens and cash bar! No more schlepping coolers and homemade bean dips.

We are all about that theme! Each team is encouraged to show up in a group costume. Extra prizes will be given out for best team costumes.

Friday, March 7

Countryside Conference Center / Local 150

Doors open at 7 pm

Trivia begins at 7:30 pm

Teams of 10 will sit together and compete for prizes, bragging rights, and the title of Top Trivia champions. Curated, hosted and scored by none other than Hambone Trivia, it will be a night of laughs, brain teasers, and most importantly, fundraising for the students of Ogden.

Space is limited to the first 25 teams of 10 players who sign up and pay their table entrance fee ($400 per table of 10 players). One Captain for each team will be responsible for team registration, payment and all communications regarding the Trivia event including cash bar details (more details to come after registration).

Don’t have a team? No problem, we can help form teams among Ogden families looking to join forces. See our contact info below.

Registration will open at 9 am on 1/31 via CheddarUp, so start organizing your teams and themes and keep an eye out for that email. Registration will be first-come, first-served with a max of 25 teams. Space is limited. ONLY the team captain should register the team and pay for the team entrance fee. You all collect and square up amongst yourselves.

Interested in learning about the sponsorship opportunities in and around this event, email Melissa Seidelmann. Sponsorship packages include brand mentions, logo exposure, promotional reads and a lot of love from the Ogden community.

To register a table starting 1/31 at 9 am, your team will need:

• 1 Team captain who handles team registration and payment
• $400 table registration fee payable through CheddarUp

Again, stay tuned for the registration email on 1/31 at 9 am.

Any questions please reach out:

Gaelen Orbon (708)712-6363

Melissa Seidelmann (773) 814-3061

Jen Kairuz (630) 544-4751

Upcoming 6th Grade Events

Quick Checklist:

1. To register for the Pickleball Parent Social, click HERE.
2. Save the Date for the always-popular 6th Grade Pool Party, Sun, March 2, 6-8 pm.
3. To order a PJH T-shirt for your 6th grader, click HERE.
4. To sponsor 6th grade events, click HERE.

Pickle for Panthers

Calling all adult Panther Picklers to hit the courts for a good cause! Join us for a night of open play pickleball, snacks, drinks and fun all to benefit our 6th graders. The event will take place from 7-9:30 pm on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Net Game in Westmont. All levels of picklers are welcome. Players will be assigned to a court based on skill level (beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate), and a Net Game instructor will be on hand to teach those who are new to the sport. Gym shoes are required to play. If you have your own paddle, be sure to bring one. If not, we will have them available! 

Not a pickleball player? Purchase a ticket and join us anyway! A cash bar will be available and Super Bowl squares will be on hand to purchase. Click here to register. Spots are limited, so purchase your tickets today! If you have any questions, please contact Karen Smith.

Pool Party Save the Date

Aloha, 6th Graders! 🌊🎉

Get ready for the ultimate pool party of the year! 🏊‍♂️💦 Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 2nd, from 6-8 pm at the Oakbrook Park District–it’s going to be an epic evening of fun in the water! 🌴✨

This splashtastic event is sponsored by the 6th Grade Committee, but we could use some help to make it even better! 🧃🍪 Keep an eye out in early February for ways you can donate snacks, drinks, or volunteer your time to help make this party unforgettable!

We can't wait to see you there for an evening of swimming, snacks, and awesome memories! 🏖️😎

6th Grade Park Junior High T-Shirts



All Ogden 6th graders will be presented with a new Park Junior High T-shirt on the last day of school. Please complete this t-shirt sizing form so we can order the correct size for your 6th grader.

Class Sponsorships

Thank you to those families and businesses who have signed on to sponsor our 6th grade activities. Your contribution will help fund special events, including the pool party, a bowling party, the class breakfast and more. If you are interested in being a sponsor, view the 6th Grade Committee Sponsorship sign-up genius here and you can pay via this Cheddar Up link.

Run for 102: Race to the Finish

Save the Date: District 102's annual Race to the Finish 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk taking place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Cossitt Avenue School. Kick off the spring right!

District 102 STEM EXPO

On Saturday, March 1st, STEM EXPO will showcase the talents of District 102 students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and creative Making. STEM EXPO provides an opportunity for students from Kindergarten–8th grade to explore a science topic of their choice. We encourage you to use your creative and inventive skills to create a project at home and share what you learned with other students, families, and teachers at EXPO. Projects range in complexity from simple observations to full experiments, inventions or technology projects. 

Who: All students grades K–8

When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 9:00 am–Noon

Set-up is Friday, February 28th 4:00–5:30 pm

Where: Forest Road School Gym | 901 N Forest Road, LaGrange Park  

Click HERE for more information.

Are you ready to start?  Register HERE

All participants will receive a participation certificate and this year’s STEM EXPO t-shirt. Register on or before Feb 15th to be guaranteed your t-shirt size. Exhibits will not be judged; students/teams will be assigned a 1/2 hour time period when they will be required to be at their table to answer questions and explain their project to an EXPO Official.

Do you have questions?  

Email Mrs. Hohl, hohlvi@dist102.k12.il.us or Mrs. V,  vaiciuliske@dist102.k12.il.us  

Call the Science Center 708-215-6405  

The Family Liaisons will once again coordinate Career Day events throughout La Grange School District 102 for the third year. 

We are excited to introduce students to a wide variety of career paths. Career Day aims to provide students with a close-up view of different career options, helping them connect their learning to the real world. This experience allows students to explore a broad range of careers and understand how a good education can lead to success in these fields.

We are currently looking for speakers to share their experiences with our students, and we would be delighted if you could commit approximately 75 minutes for elementary schools and 105 minutes for Park Junior High School. This one-day event will take place in January and February 2025. In the form below, you may select the school(s) where you are interested in speaking. Thank you!

Click HERE to express interest in a presentation of your career. 

Park Tutors 2024-25

The Park Tutors Program is back! Park Tutors are available after school to tutor and mentor District 102 elementary school students. See HERE for details.

RoboThink Chicagoland

RoboThink Chicagoland is excited to announce 2 school-break camps AND 2 new class series to really dig into robotics skills! These programs are all held at First United Methodist Church (right across from Cossitt Elementary).  

REGISTER HERE: Events | RoboThink Chicagoland

La Grange Library

Winter Reading Challenge

Sunday, December 15 - Friday, January 31

Chase away the winter chill! Complete six reading activities to earn a small prize packet and a ticket for our amazing prize baskets. Want to turn up the heat? Complete all the activities to earn an additional ticket for the baskets!

Register on Beanstack to participate online, or grab a paper form at the Library.

Click HERE for a video with more information.