While Oak Grove says goodbye to three important staff members, Fayette County welcomes them into leadership positions serving all our elementary schools.

Jeannie Malone, Brooke Fuller, and Chris Riecke are accepting new challenges and new opportunities at the district level.

Join us in a brief podcast where they share their journey and what it means to carry a bit of Oak Grove to other schools!

An audio version of a message for parents on:

• what Lexile is
• how it is used for book selection
• how we mark our books

OGES Video: https://www.youtube.com/@OGES_Broadcast

• daily announcements
• messages from admin
• podcasts

OGES Podcast: https://oakgrovebraves.buzzsprout.com

Available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, YouTube, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, and other podcatching applications.

What if we've been underestimating the power of play? Teacher Andrea Camp has been digging into the latest research and is excited to share some surprising findings that will change how you view your child's playtime.

Play brings the benefits of:

• Concentration
• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Connectivity

Resources used:

• Camp, Andrea. The Importance of Unstructured Play. Personal Interview. 9 Sept. 2025.
• ‌Powers, Richard. Playground: A Novel. W. W. Norton & Company, 24 Sept. 2024. This fictional book explores the idea that play is more than just fun and games. It's an essential part of survival, creativity, and healing. It suggests we move away from games we "win" and instead embrace games of connection and imagination to navigate today's challenges. From childhood games to the complex systems of nature, this story argues that play is a vital force that helps us evolve and imagine a better future.

Articles:

• https://hechingerreport.org/want-resilient-and-well-adjusted-kids-let-them-play/
• https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
• https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/23/05/embracing-learning-through-play
• https://www.joincoralcare.com/blog/stages-of-play-development-solitary-play-parallel-play-and-associative-play
• https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/kid-confidential-teaching-parents-the-power-of-play/full/
• https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/my-baby-can-play-how-productive-play-promotes-literacy/full/