Matters on Student Growth : Oak Grove Elementary School Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:24:14 -0400 http://www.fcboe.org/oges en-us © 2026 Matters on Student Growth : Oak Grove Elementary School yes Oak Grove Elementary School, Fayette County, Log House Road, Peachtree City, GA, USA b55fc17c-650e-55ae-88c9-a66920932c73 Kenneth Blum episodic false Matters on Student Growth is a forum for discussing education topics for the Oak Grove Elementary School community (Fayette County Public School, GA).

Play below or add to your podcast manager. 

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]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Kenneth Blum https://storage.buzzsprout.com/g19h5neo03xian8ahg615y9o0r70?.jpg Matters on Student Growth : Oak Grove Elementary School http://www.fcboe.org/oges S3E2: Lexile and the Library S3E2: Lexile and the Library 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. 

]]> 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. 

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-18757123 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0500 494 full false S3E1: Importance of Play S3E1: Importance of Play 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/
]]> 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/
]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-17823505 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0400 648 3 1 full false S2E8: ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages S2E8: ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages At-home and school strategies that help our non-native English speakers are beneficial to ALL our students!  Join us in a talk with Mrs. Brittan Parker on the challenges and rewards in teaching ESOL at Oak Grove ES!

]]> At-home and school strategies that help our non-native English speakers are beneficial to ALL our students!  Join us in a talk with Mrs. Brittan Parker on the challenges and rewards in teaching ESOL at Oak Grove ES!

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16828598 Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400 1180 2 8 full false S2E7: Erin Barnes, Teacher of the Year S2E7: Erin Barnes, Teacher of the Year Introducing Mrs. Erin Barnes, Oak Grove's 2025 Teacher of the Year! Get to  know our TOTY in this interview on why she became a teacher, what inspires her, and what challenges her!  

]]> Introducing Mrs. Erin Barnes, Oak Grove's 2025 Teacher of the Year! Get to  know our TOTY in this interview on why she became a teacher, what inspires her, and what challenges her!  

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16616188 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500 641 2 7 full false S2E6: ECS - Exceptional Children's Services S2E6: ECS - Exceptional Children's Services Join our discussion with several of our veteran Exceptional Children Services teachers on how support student growth in their program and for all our students. 

]]> Join our discussion with several of our veteran Exceptional Children Services teachers on how support student growth in their program and for all our students. 

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16570924 Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0500 1276 2 6 full false S2E5: ENR - Enrichment Program S2E5: ENR - Enrichment Program Our Enrichment teachers have a unique approach to challenging our students -= meeting them where they are and encouraging growth. Mrs. Barfield was unavailable, but Mrs. Price sat down with Mr. Blum to talk about our ENR program at Oak Grove ES. 

]]> Our Enrichment teachers have a unique approach to challenging our students -= meeting them where they are and encouraging growth. Mrs. Barfield was unavailable, but Mrs. Price sat down with Mr. Blum to talk about our ENR program at Oak Grove ES. 

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16454576 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 737 2 5 full false S2E4: EIP - Early Intervention Program S2E4: EIP - Early Intervention Program Mr. Blum talks with our Early Intervention Program teachers - also known as EIP - Mrs. Fuller, Johnson, and Willis on how that program supports student growth.  



]]> Mr. Blum talks with our Early Intervention Program teachers - also known as EIP - Mrs. Fuller, Johnson, and Willis on how that program supports student growth.  



]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16154458 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0500 540 2 4 full false Admin: State of the School Admin: State of the School Mr. Riecke and Mrs. Holland talk about the first 90 days of school and what our expectations for the next 90 days are!

]]> Mr. Riecke and Mrs. Holland talk about the first 90 days of school and what our expectations for the next 90 days are!

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-16010846 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0400 536 full false S2E3: Leader In Me: interview with Betsy Wierda S2E3: Leader In Me: interview with Betsy Wierda Want to know more about our Character Traits initiative? Wonder what Leader In Me is? Scratching your had over you children talking about 'Make First Things First" and other sayings?

Listen to our most recent podcast where Mr. Blum sits down with Besty Wierda, Consultant with FranklinCovey Education.

]]> Want to know more about our Character Traits initiative? Wonder what Leader In Me is? Scratching your had over you children talking about 'Make First Things First" and other sayings?

Listen to our most recent podcast where Mr. Blum sits down with Besty Wierda, Consultant with FranklinCovey Education.

]]> Buzzsprout-15989749 Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400 496 2 3 full false S2E2: Veterans Day S2E2: Veterans Day Get all the details on our Veterans Day program in this podcast featuring just a few of the many staff members involved in managing this event: Mrs. Toering, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Price, and Mrs. Turk.

  1. We have many international families, so for those who may not be aware, what is Veterans Day?
  2. How is that different than Memorial Day? 
  3. When is Veterans Day?
  4. Why do we host an assembly (why is it important to our elementary students) on Veterans Day?
  5. Who all is invited?
  6. What can a visiting Veteran expect?
  7. Do veterans need to RSVP?
  8. Can we honor Verteans who have passed or who are unable to attend?
  9. How can parents help out?


]]> Get all the details on our Veterans Day program in this podcast featuring just a few of the many staff members involved in managing this event: Mrs. Toering, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Price, and Mrs. Turk.

  1. We have many international families, so for those who may not be aware, what is Veterans Day?
  2. How is that different than Memorial Day? 
  3. When is Veterans Day?
  4. Why do we host an assembly (why is it important to our elementary students) on Veterans Day?
  5. Who all is invited?
  6. What can a visiting Veteran expect?
  7. Do veterans need to RSVP?
  8. Can we honor Verteans who have passed or who are unable to attend?
  9. How can parents help out?


]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15904153 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0400 372 2 2 full false S2E1: Mrs. Holland S2E1: Mrs. Holland Two fifth graders working on a Podcast for the Technology Competition try the hosting spot in this podcast's interview with Mrs.  Holland

]]> Two fifth graders working on a Podcast for the Technology Competition try the hosting spot in this podcast's interview with Mrs.  Holland

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15862441 Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0400 458 2 1 full false S1E6: Science Olympiad S1E6: Science Olympiad Three of our 5th graders, Abby, Elly, and Jerrick, recently competed at the Science Olympiad. They sit down to talk about their experiences in this hands-on Science fun!

]]> Three of our 5th graders, Abby, Elly, and Jerrick, recently competed at the Science Olympiad. They sit down to talk about their experiences in this hands-on Science fun!

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15862706 Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400 811 1 6 full false S1E5: Technology Competition S1E5: Technology Competition Lyla and Liam tell about how much fun they had and how much they learned in Technology Competition!

]]> Lyla and Liam tell about how much fun they had and how much they learned in Technology Competition!

]]> Buzzsprout-15862703 Thu, 29 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0500 840 1 5 full false S1E4: PTO President, Kim Bodnaruk S1E4: PTO President, Kim Bodnaruk Buzzsprout-15864172 Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0500 559 1 4 full false S1E3: Teacher of the Year S1E3: Teacher of the Year Mrs. Liz Bunker

]]> Mrs. Liz Bunker

]]> Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15862698 Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0500 526 1 3 full false S1E2: Healthy Kids S1E2: Healthy Kids Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15862685 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0500 727 1 2 full false S1E1: Leader In Me S1E1: Leader In Me Kenneth Blum Buzzsprout-15862640 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:00:00 -0500 521 1 1 full false