Happy Friday, Ogden families,

The PTC had its first meeting of the year. Thank you to all those who attended, especially Mrs. Smolarek for the teacher input and to Principal Leeberg and Assistant Principal Brown for the administration input. We discussed all of this year's upcoming exciting events. The financial plan for the year was voted on unanimously. You can see the meeting minutes HERE and the budget HERE.

We had a great author visit on Wednesday! Thank you to Max Greenfield for coming to visit grades K-4 and to our amazing librarian Julie Pitelka and committee members Erin Klunk and Heather Minchella for making it happen. The students and teachers all loved having Max Greenfield visit.

A few extra reminders:

• Bike Parade: we need your help to make this a safe and fun event for all by clicking HERE. And parents, don't forget to set a good example and wear your helmets too.
• Don't forget to support our wonderful Playground Renovation committee.
• Pay your annual PTC dues HERE.

Have a nice weekend,

Jenna Tassoni and Marissa Claxon

Ogden PTC Co-Presidents

Join Our Panther Pack at the Tour de Ogden

We're less than 3 weeks away, register for the Tour de Ogden today - purchase T-shirts and lunch HERE. 

Want to support the Tour de Ogden? Click HERE to get involved. 

Our panther pack will roll through Harding Woods for a 1.5 mile ride while raising money for the PTC.

When: Sunday, September 22 at 11:15 a.m.

Where: 1.5 mile ride starts at Ogden

Cost: Suggested Donation $25/family + signature Tour Tee ($13 for kids, $15 for adults)

Join us on the blacktop for lunch following the ride from Ogden family-owned Pisa Pizza.

Bike Lessons with the Bike Whisperer



Is your child excited to participate in the Tour de Ogden but training wheels are slowing them down? Are you struggling to teach your child how to ride a bike?

You need the “Bike Whisperer,” Coach Louie Burrel.

He has been featured on WGN news and in Chicago Parent magazine, but he has helped many kids in our area learn to ride a bike!

Coach Louie will be joining us for the Tour de Ogden and available to answer questions and to schedule future lessons.

To reserve a spot BEFORE the Tour de Ogden in three weeks on September 22nd, please see the SUG by clicking HERE - *spots are limited!

Learn more about Coach Louie by clicking HERE!

Questions? contact Lisa Brzezicki and Holly King.

Message from Our Principal

Ogden Avenue Parents/Guardians of 3rd-6th Graders,

We need to know which students do and do not ride their bikes to school, and we want to ensure everyone knows the safety expectations.

Could you please take 30 seconds to complete and submit THIS FORM to let us know whether your child rides their bike to school?

Please submit a form for EACH of your 3rd-6th grade children (whether or not they ride their bike to school). I promise it takes less than 30 seconds. :)

Thanks so much.

Regina Leeberg

Principal

Ogden Online Directory Now Available

2024-2025

We are excited to announce that the Ogden 2024-2025 online student directory is now available! Existing users should be able to access their account using same login and password as before. New users can download the Directory Spot app for free from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users), or you can also access the data from the web (www.directoryspot.net). Your username is the email address you provided to the school when registering your student.

For New Smartphone Users:

1. Download the DirectorySpot app by going to your app store and searching "DirectorySpot" or by clicking on the appropriate link here: iPhone - http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq or Android - http://goo.gl/iBK9lY

2. Launch DirectorySpot, enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password."

3. Click on the link in your email to set your password, relaunch the DirectorySpot app, and login with your username and password.

For New Tablet, Mac, or PC Users:

1. Go to directoryspot.net and click on "Login" in the upper right hand corner.

2. Enter your email address as your Username, and click on "Reset Password." An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password.

3. Click on the link in your email to set your password and login.

If you see an error with your family information, you should have the option to edit your own family record from a desktop computer. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Meg Probst.

CPCFRO Athletics for 5th/6th Graders

Cost is $45/student. The cost can be waived for those who qualify in D102.

To register, click HERE.

CPCFRO is an athletics program within D102 that introduces volleyball and basketball to 5th and 6th graders. The fall session is September to November with teams consisting of combined 5th/6th grade girls' basketball and combined 5th/6th grade boys' volleyball, playing 6-7 games.

Max Greenfield Books

Our author visit was a success! We have a limited supply of autographed copies available for purchase through September 11. To purchase a copy, click HERE.

Questions? Email Julie Pitelka.

Banned Books Week

Did you know that in 2023 more books were banned in US schools and libraries than

any other year for which records have been kept?

Among those books were commonly taught novels such as Lord of the Flies and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Banned Books Week (September 22 – 28) is an annual event that highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community—librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. 

Throughout the month of September, OPEN will be highlighting banned books from the LRC in the front hall display case, including favorites such as The Harry Potter series, A Wrinkle in Time and Where the Wild Things Are.

Both the La Grange Library and La Grange Park Library will commemorate Banned Books Week with special activities – be sure to check them out (pun intended!) and encourage your little ones to read a banned book this month!

Looking ahead: We will host a Banned Book Club meeting for parents and caregivers on November 11. Our book selection will be Blubber by Judy Bloom.

We’ll share more details soon!

FALL SUG LIVE!

Hello Ogden Families!

The Fall Sign Up Genius (SUG) for Parent Volunteers is open!

There is still time to sign up!

Positions go quickly! Find a way to get involved today!

To view the Fall SUG, please click HERE.

*There will be more info at a later date about volunteer opportunities for the fall adult social and the k-3 halloween dance.

Love Art and Want to Spend Time in Your Child’s Classroom?



Are you looking for an opportunity to participate and have some fun in an Ogden classroom? We need a few more volunteers for Art Enrichment for 2024-25. All parents are welcome to volunteer. No art or art history background is required to participate.

We especially need more volunteers for:

2nd Grade - Oplawski-Sedlacek

2nd Grade - Wieczorek

3rd Grade - Plecas

3rd Grade - Tusek

3rd Grade - Vaupell

5th Grade – Revak

6th Grade – Schroeder

6th Grade - Shamet



The Art Enrichment Program, sponsored by the Ogden PTC, provides a supplement to the art curriculum at Ogden Avenue School. Parent volunteers lead art lessons at each grade level four times a year. The lessons consist of a presentation/discussion of a particular artist or type of art followed by a team of volunteers guiding students to create individual art projects.

Click HERE to sign up for the PTC Fall Sign-Up Genius Art Enrichment page.

For more information about the program, go to https://ogdenptc.org/art-enrichment.

Mom's Night Out

Join us to kick off the school year!

See the flyer for dates and times.

Questions? Contact Terese Kartholl or Jen Clark.

2024/25 Sponsorship Opportunities

If you are interested in learning more about supporting our Ogden PTC, please click HERE. Email Ogden PTC Fundraising with questions.

Pay Your 2024/25 PTC Dues!

Each year the Ogden PTC provides funds to support our children's growth through curriculum contributions, electronic learning platforms and books, school beautification and SEL programming. Please consider donating today by clicking HERE.

Order Fun Lunch!

We are thrilled to welcome Marla’s Lunches back at Ogden two Thursdays per month.

• See the FAQ's HERE.

• To see this year's 2024/25 Fun Lunch schedule sponsored by Marla's Lunch, click HERE.

• Online ordering is open! To register for Marla's Lunch, click HERE.

• NEW ACCOUNTS - password is oas424.

• Fall Menus are now available for orders through Dec. 5. Winter menus for the rest of the school year will be released in Dec. 

If you have questions, please reach out to the Fun Lunch/Marla’s Lunch Co-Chairs Melissa Huitink or Andreea Alm.

Ogden Spirit Wear for 2024/25

SPIRIT FRIDAYS ARE BACK!

Let's show up EVERY FRIDAY in your Ogden finest apparel. Panther Green is welcomed each Friday! Let's add some pep to that step and support Ogden.

If your panther grew or needs a refresh, please be sure to hit up the Spirit Wear Store. Items are fulfilled each week to the Ogden front office.

Shop HERE!

Yearbook Photos

Throughout the year we will rely heavily on our Ogden families to submit photos for consideration in the 2024/25 school yearbook.

We utilize an app called "ReplayIt." It is a simple way to upload photos from your phone or submit via their website. Further details and instructions on how to use ReplayIt can be found HERE.

Please note that yearbooks are ordered from Feb - May through the Jostens website. Further details and reminders will be provided around that time via the Ogden PTC Newsletter and reminder emails.

If you do not order a yearbook through the Jostens website, we cannot guarantee extras will be available in June when they are handed out.

Questions? Contact the Yearbook Committee.

Red Sled Volunteer Needed

Do you:

- Own a Cricut machine?

- Love painting?

- Want to help the PTC but want the flexibility to do it on your own time in the comfort of your home?

- Don't mind thinking about winter in August???

If this sounds like you, we would love your help personalizing the red sleds for this year's fundraiser! The red sleds are one of the PTC's largest fundraisers and a beloved tradition in our community. With your help, we will be able to continue offering personalization of the sleds!

Please reach out to Erin Klunk or Holly Sokolowski if you would like to hear more about how you can help.

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts provides girls a unique environment to learn about a wide variety of topics and explore new areas of interest. Girl Scouts promotes leadership, friendship, caring and giving back to their communities. The program also fosters confidence and strong character.

Girl Scouts at Ogden School are welcoming new members into a kindergarten troop now forming: we welcome any kindergartners with Ogden as their home school (girls may be half day kindergartners at Ogden or Barnsdale kindergartners with Ogden as their home school).

We are also looking for co-leaders to join supporting the kindergarten girls on their journey. If you have a kindergartner interested in joining Girl Scouts or if you are interested in becoming a leader and would like to find out more, please contact Jennifer Maresso.

An additional first grade troop is also now forming with limited spots. We are looking for interested first graders as well as an assistant leader to join Carol Medina in leading the troop. Any adults interested in being a leader, or any girls wishing to join the troop can contact Carol Medina.

Cub Scouts

Pack 39 Cubmobile Recruitment Event!

Join us tomorrow, Saturday 9/7 for the Cubmobile Recruitment Event!!!

Time: 3pm - 5pm

Where: Oak Ave, next to the LaGrange Park Library

What do you need: Bike helmet, closed-toed shoes & sense of adventure

Who: You! Pack 39 is a Family Pack, open to all K-5th graders. In 6th Grade? Great! Come meet Troop 39 Scouts!!

What does the Pack do: Camping, Nature, STEM, Service, Crafts! Pinewood Derby! We Do Our Best!

Cub Scouts Pack 39 has exciting changes to our program this year and looks forward to sharing them with you!