Hello Ogden Families!

Thank you all so much for your support of the Ogden PTC, the Ogden students and the Ogden staff this year.

Take a look at the generosity of our Ogden community in supporting the Cub Scout Pack 39 Toy Drive for the Children's Center of Cicero and Berwyn!

This is the final newsletter of 2023. The next one will be in your inbox on Thursday, January 11.

Don't forget that tomorrow, Friday, December 22, is an all-school pajama day!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! See you all in 2024!

Leah Burkiewicz & Sarah Barus 

Ogden PTC Presidents

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Rebecca Ramana.

Registration deadline tomorrow, Friday, December 22!

CPCFRO is an athletics program within District 102 that introduces volleyball and basketball to 5th and 6th graders. In Fall 2023, boys played volleyball and girls played basketball. In Winter 2024, boys will be playing basketball and girls will be playing volleyball.

Games will begin by the last week in January. The goal of the program is to introduce the basic skills of each sport, get children excited about playing, and allow for the inclusion of all kids in our district. All the teams within CPCFRO are coached by parent volunteers, and the games are refereed by IHSA referees. While we keep score during the game, we do not keep track of wins/losses... the focus is strictly instructional and for the kids to HAVE FUN! Each team will play 6-7 games and receive a team shirt. The cost to participate is $40/player.

To register your child by tomorrow, Friday, December 22, click here. Don't delay! This registration is for Winter 2024 only!

The 5th/6th Grade Drama Club is back!

This year the Ogden Drama Club will be putting on the comedy Help Desk by Don Zolidis. The cost will be $40/student. The official registration runs Monday, January 8 through Friday, January 19, but we are accepting early registration at this time by clicking here.

The show will take place on risers in the Ogden gym in the morning in front of students and in the evening for parents and anyone else! This will all take place on a Thursday/Friday in April 2024.

If you like to act, direct, do stage make-up, design sets, or do anything under the sun that relates to putting on a play, this is the club for you! There are no cuts for this student-directed play. We will meet 2Xs/week February through April (with a few possible meetings in January for improv games/casting). We are happy to work with your schedule to make it work!

So what is this play about anyway? Read below:

When you call the help desk, you're looking for a solution - but your problems might just be beginning. Whether you're getting shamed about your inability to log in, giving your credit card information to a scammer, or having serious conversations with a clown, customer service calls spiral into absurdity for the customers and employees alike in this hilarious comedy.

There is a part in this play for you! To register, please click here.

Be on the lookout after winter break for even more information! Happy Holidays!

Questions? Please email Samantha Sordyl or Nichole Veihman.

Chicago Wolves Game

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 at 3PM

Wolves vs. Manitoba Moose

Join Ogden Avenue families and friends for an afternoon of fun at a Chicago Wolves hockey game. Everyone will receive a free Chicago Wolves hat and will be seated together.

Register by Jan. 17 by clicking here or using the QR code below!

Learn more by clicking on the flyer here.

Questions? Contact Kelly Walker.

Ogden Beanies for the Holidays

Snag a beanie for the Panther on your list this holiday season. Great for adults or kids (see sizing in details) for $20. Easy pick up just in time to fill your stocking. Order today by clicking HERE!

Questions? Contact Annie Davidson or Danielle Lombardo.

December Book Recommendations

This year, the OPEN Committee is selecting five books per month from notable book awards to donate to our school’s Library Resource Center (LRC) in collaboration with our school librarians. Below are this month’s selections, which you can also read about clicking here. Be sure to tell your children to check them out in the library this month!

Cheri's Caring Closet Donations and Volunteer Opportunity

Cheri's Caring Closet is prepping for the winter season and is in need of donations. With every donation, you are helping a student or family in need within District 102. The donation bin is located at Congress Park, 9311 Shields Ave., Brookfield.

Cheri's Caring Closet is also looking for volunteers, ages 5 and up, to assist with sorting donated clothes.

This is a great way to give back to the community during the season of giving. More information and sign-up can be found by clicking here.

Village of La Grange Park

Crossing Guards Needed at Ogden

The Village of La Grange Park is hiring school crossing guards! If you are looking for a rewarding part-time job or know someone who is, please click here to sign up for more information.

Questions? Please email Madelyn Dow.

New from Green Team

Ogden's Green Team is collecting many different items for recycling: 

• Personal Care–all brands, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc. 
• Oral Care–Old toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes, floss and mouthwash containers
• Broken holiday lights
• Lonely and holey socks

Please make sure the containers are as empty as possible and the socks are clean.

Wrap with Purpose 

Join the movement towards a greener planet with these eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas:

1. Recyclable Wrapping Paper:

• Choose simple paper or paper made from recycled materials.
• Look for FSC-certified or soy-based ink options.

2. Reusable Gift Wrap:

• Invest in reusable cloth gift wraps or furoshiki.
• Reduce waste and give twice the gift.

3. Natural Elements:

• Use twine, dried flowers, or leaves for a rustic touch.
• Celebrate the beauty of nature.

Click HERE for even more information from Go Green La Grange.

Green Team would like to wish the Ogden community happy holidays and an amazing new year!!!

Go Green!!!

Playground Committee Survey

The Ogden PTC has assembled a playground committee to plan and implement play space improvements, and we need your input! Both short and long-term projects are being considered for the next 2-3 years. To learn more, see our flyer.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey here.

Holiday Cards!

Did you know that all orders on the Minted website are 20% off and will generate a 15% donation to the Ogden PTC? Perfect for holiday cards and gifts! Please use the PROMO CODE: FUNDRAISEOGDEN at checkout to receive the discount and school donation! We appreciate your support!

"My favorite Christmas memory: waking up early on Christmas morning and reading books with my brothers. We weren’t allowed to wake our parents 'until the sun comes up,' so we would read books with flashlights to pass the time."

--Mrs. Metzen, 1st grade teacher

"My family lived in the Netherlands when I was in Second Grade. Sinterklaas (the Dutch Santa) came to my house and talked to me and my older brother. I was excited and terrified."

--Mrs. LeGare, music teacher

After School Clubs

Are your kids looking for something fun to do after school in January?

Sign up for one of these popular after-school clubs at Ogden (some are even held in the mornings):

Art Club with Mr. Noffsinger or Sports Club with Mr. Zak.

Sign up through Friday, January 19!

The clubs will meet from January 8 through March 22.

For more information and to register, check out the Right at School Website.

Boogie and Brushes Ball

The annual Boogie and Brushes Ball is scheduled for Friday, January 19th from 6-9pm in the MPR and gym of Ogden Ave School.

Enjoy a night of painting, dancing, prizes and more! Link for tickets coming soon.

**This event has has been historically identified as Ogden's Father/Daughter event. It is our goal to create an inclusive environment for our children and welcome all caregivers to participate with their children.**

If you would like to be part of this special event or have any questions, please contact Jen Kairuz to join the committee. The vendors are already booked so the fun part of planning is all that's left to do!

Boys' Night Out

Please save the date for January 26th for a fun night out. Mom/special person and their sons will be invited to join in some fun at Ogden Elementary school gym. More details to come.

Questions? Contact Jenna Tassoni.

Once the chaos of the holiday season is behind us, it'll be time to reset and focus on YOU!

Join us on Saturday, January 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the Ogden Gym for Ogden's workout fundraiser!

This 60-minute bodyweight bootcamp will be led by fitness instructor Kelly Amshoff. The class is designed to accommodate all fitness levels and anyone over the age of 15 is welcome to join us to support Ogden's PTC ($30 donation). Participants will need to bring a mat and water bottle. Hope you can join us to sweat for a good cause!

To register, click here.

Questions? Contact Lauren Williams. 

To register or learn more, click here.

To register or learn more, click here.