Superintendent's Message

Welcome Back Oglesby Families!

We are excited to welcome students and families back for another great year at Oglesby School District 125! Our staff has been working hard to prepare a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every child can learn. We are truly looking forward to partnering with you as we make this school year a great success for your children.

This year, we’re also excited to introduce a few new members who are joining us:

Paula Taylor, Preschool Teacher
Lauren Mavity, 2nd Grade Teacher
Alexis Glupczyski, Junior High Science Teacher
Julie Strand, Aide
Jade Halm, Aide
Maureen Polster, Nurse at Washington/Aide

Please join us in giving them a warm Oglesby welcome!

Together, with our dedicated returning staff and these excited new faces, we look forward to a year filled with growth, achievement, and positive experiences for all our students.

Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to working with all of you and your children!

Mr. Michael Pillion

Superintendent

Extra-Curricular Sign Ups

There is a mandatory requirement to fill out this FORM before your child can participate in extracurricular activities.

Girls Basketball

7/8th Grade:

Practices are at Washington

5/6 Grade:

Practices are at Lincoln

iReady Benchmark Tests

Students completed their beginning of the year testing. These scores provide the staff information to help drive our plans to improve your child's academic skills, specifically in math & reading.

Often the most important things in life aren't always the ones you can measure. However within our walls we are wanting to meet the needs of each child and build upon their skills.

A major component of that hinges on the kids taking these tests serious so we can identify what your child needs. The score only matters so as to provide a baseline level and then the goal is to improve through hard work, focused efforts by the students.

Congratulations!!

These students were the TOP PERFORMERS on our Mathematics and Reading diagnostic tests! Students that test well receive:

Enrichment opportunities for Physical Education, STEM, Art and Independent Reading

Nurse Jordan Notes

Physical Examination & immunizations: Students in grades K & 6 must submit proof of physical examination and immunizations no later than October 15, 2025 to remain in attendance.

Dental Clinic: Orland Park Dental Services will be coming to OPS on 11/3 and 11/4! Eligible students will receive a cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants if needed. Sealants are a protective coating on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The dentist will also be using silver diamine fluoride this year. This treatment hardens cavities immediately and prevents them from getting worse while the student schedules a follow up appointment with their own dentist for treatment. This program is offered for all grades, but the state requires K, 2nd, & 6th graders to have a mandatory dental exam prior to May 15, 2026. This dental exam will fulfill this requirement. Forms will be sent home with your students. Please keep an eye out for the form and return it as soon as possible if you would like your student to receive treatment.

Vision examinations: All kindergarten students are required to submit proof of a vision examination.

When to keep students home: Students should be fever free without vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school following an illness. If your student has been prescribed an antibiotic for strep throat or pink eye, they should stay home for 24 hours after beginning the antibiotic.

School Nurses Page

Picture Day

Picture Day at Washington School is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th. All students are photographed and no money is needed on picture day.

Families will receive an email link to their child’s personal portrait gallery within 48 hours.

Orders are placed online.

All orders are shipped directly to the buyers.

School Meals

September Lunch Menu

September Activity Calendar

As a reminder school breakfast and lunch are free for all students.

Medicaid Data Release/Special Education Students:

If your child receives special education services and is also Medicaid eligible, District 125 can seek partial reimbursement from Medicaid for health services documented in your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Medicaid reimbursement is a source of federal funds approved by Congress to help school districts maintain and improve diagnostic and therapeutic services for students. The reimbursement process requires the school district to provide Medicaid with your child’s name, birth date and Medicaid number. Federal law requires annual notification of our intent to pursue this reimbursement opportunity. If you approve of the release of information to Medicaid, do nothing. If you object to the release of information to Medicaid, now or at any time in the future, please state your objection in writing and forward it to the district office. Regardless of your decision the district must continue to provide, at no cost to you, the services listed in your child’s IEP. Your continued consent allows the district to recover a portion of the costs associated with providing health services to your child.

Notice: Admission for Homeless Children

Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, any homeless child shall be immediately admitted, even if the child’s parent/guardian is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment. A homeless child may attend the District school that the child attended when permanently housed or in which the child was last enrolled. A home child living in any District school’s attendance area may attend that school. The child shall have access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children, including a public preschool education. Please contact Kelly Legrenzi, homeless liaison for the Oglesby Public School District for additional information about homeless issues.

Washington Elementary School SEL Program

In compliance with the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Act, Public Act 93-0495 (SB 1951), Washington Elementary School will deliver a comprehensive Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum to all students. This curriculum is designed to help students develop the essential skills of empathy, interpersonal problem-solving, and anger management.

To support this initiative, we will use the Second Step: Violence Prevention Curriculum as a valuable resource. By drawing upon its proven framework, we will develop and deliver a series of targeted SEL lessons throughout the school year. Our goal is to empower students with the skills necessary to build positive relationships, manage their emotions, and make responsible decisions for academic and life success.

September Newsletter - Washington