Oak Grove District 68 bi-annual gala to raise money for new gymnasium Saturday

Oak Grove Elementary District 68’s bi-annual gala will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Audubon Hall at​ Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

The Oak Grove School Education Foundation, a parent-led advisory board, will raise money to renovate the school gymnasium. The foundation’s gala provides the primary funding for initiatives that encourage teacher creativity, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and arts programs.

Each gala features a Spotlight project, a collaboration between the foundation and school leadership, where officials identify a need in the school community and direct the funds raised at galas to those projects.

This year’s Spotlight project aims to transform the Pat Patt Gym, Oak Grove School’s gymnasium, into a hub for larger gatherings.

Autumn Parrish, foundation president, said the board met with school administrators at the beginning of the year to identify a focus for their project.

“It all came down to needing a space to gather, whether it be for presentations or assemblies, where multiple grades or larger groups can gather in the community,” Parrish said.

The gym renovations include a new 18-foot scoreboard, a high-powered sound mixer and electrical work to accommodate installation of new technology.

Currently, scores are featured on a small Smartboard on wheels, according to Parrish.

The foundation aims to raise more than $58,000 for gym upgrades. Parrish said they are on track to do so. So far, they have raised $19,000 from local business sponsorships and donations, as well as a few family donations.

Parrish said the foundation has funded a number of projects to benefit the classroom experience for students and teachers, including the purchase of Project Lead the Way’s STEM curriculum for students as well as Apple TV products for classrooms to replace the projectors teachers were using.

“When you have the opportunity to fund some of these creative ideas, you feel really good about the impact on teachers and students,” Parrish said. “People in the community think very highly of Oak Grove and I’m just so happy to know we’re well supported by the community.”