Dear Country Meadows Families,
The first day of school is quickly approaching and I am so excited to begin another wonderful school year. Teachers have been hard at work setting up their classrooms and planning learning activities. The custodial staff has been working around the clock in order to prepare the building for students. We all can't wait to welcome students on Thursday, August 15th!
I wanted to introduce to you the two building leaders who will be making sure that Country Meadows is running smoothly in my absence. Mike Senatore, Assistant Principal, and Michelle Garlick, Assistant Principal at Woodlawn have written brief introductions so you can better get to know them. Please join me in welcoming them to Country Meadows!
Message from Assistant Principal, Mike Senatore
Hello! My name is Mike Senatore and I couldn't be more excited about starting my new role as Assistant Prinicipal at Country Meadows! Even though I have only been in District 96 for just over a week, it is clear what a special place it is and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
I enjoy playing slow-pitch softball, exercising and watching sports.
Please do not hesitate to reach out and introduce yourself! I am looking forward to meeting all students and families and I know we will have an excellent school year.
.JPG?mask=1)
Message from Assistant Principal, Michelle Garlick
Hi! My name is Michelle Garlick and I started my career in District 96 as an eighth grade science teacher at Twin Groves Middle School for 5 years. Being a giant science nerd, I jumped on the opportunity to be the science instructional coach. Stepping out of the classroom to a coaching role allowed me to interface with the most dedicated, caring, and collaborative student-focused group of educators at the elementary and middle schools.
Personally, my husband and I have two daughters, Kinley (4.5) and Nora (2). They are adventurous, kind, goofy, sassy, and love all things princesses. I love to travel to unique landscapes and explore local places with my family.
I feel privileged to serve the Country Meadows and Woodlawn community. I am passionate about engaging all students in learning both academically, socially, and emotionally at high-levels. I look forward to our partnership and please do not hesitate to reach out!
Welcoming New Staff!
Country Meadows will be full of new faces this school year. Please take a moment to review who will be joining our staff.
Ashley Almdale (P.E.)
Lexi Cannistra (3rd grade)
Lorrene Dressel (Instructional Aide)
Theresa Eisinger (4th grade)
Monica Feld (Instructional Aide)
Howard Frishman (iCoach)
Michelle Garlick (Assistant Principal)
Larissa Geyer (Instructional Aide)
Alexandra Gorodoski (3rd grade Biliteracy)
Jessica Groncki (Literacy Coach)
Janet Gruenwald (iCoach)
Nicole LeTourneau (1st grade)
Lisa May (Literacy Coach)
Anne Orlov (LDC)
Stephanie Rodriguez (LDC)
Jessica Rhee (Nurse)
Mike Senatore (Assistant Principal)
Kelly Truppa (Occupational Therapist)
Tracie Widmaier (2nd grade)
REMINDER *New Family Meeting*
If your family is new to Country Meadows, please feel free to meet us in the learning center from 8:00am-8:30am on Tuesday, August 13th (just prior to Meet The Teacher). This is a great opportunity to learn more about Country Meadows and receive a quick tour of the building!
REMINDER *Meet The Teacher*
On Tuesday, August 13th, from 8:30-9:30, students are welcome to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and drop-off school supplies. If you pre-ordered a school supply kit from the PTO, it will be in your child’s classroom. The PTO Fair (see below) will also be taking place during this time!
NEW *PTO Update*
Please read the latest PTO update!
PTO FAIR
Calling all Country Meadows families and students! The annual PTO Fair–held during the Country Meadows Teacher Meet and Greet, is on Aug.13 from 9:30-11 AM.
At the PTO Fair, families can:
— Register for the PTO
— Sign up for volunteer opportunities such as Classroom Volunteers, Room Parent, & Committees
— Purchase Special Lunch, Dessert Day, Yearbook, and Spirit Wear
Grades: All
Date: August 13th
Time: 9:30-11:00 AM
Location: Cafeteria
Find more information in the COUNTRY MEADOWS PTO BLOG!
NEW *Approved Snacks: What Parents Need to Know*
The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST, adding more items to this list to give families more choices. The items the list includes are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
This list includes the foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks. It also includes (for children in Grades 1–5) foods approved for Special Events such as birthday treats for a class or for PTO Halloween, Winter, or Valentine's Day parties.
IMPORTANT: All items for Daily Snacks–with the exception of fruits and vegetables–MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements.
Director of Educational Services Amy Gluck also has provided responses to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) about foods approved for daily snacks/special events.
For your convenience, find links to the District 96 Approved Snack List and Approved Snack List FAQs on the homepage of the District 96 website and the homepage of each school.
REMINDER *First Day of School*
The first day of school is Thursday, August 15th. This will be an Half Day schedule which means the students will be dismissed at 11:45 am.
REMINDER *Curriculum Night*
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21st, for ALL grades. This is a “parents only” meeting, and we hope you can attend! Please come directly to the gym for a brief presentation, and then we will send you on your way to your child’s classroom.
Grades 1, 2 begins at 6:30 p.m. - Doors will open 15 minutes prior.
Grades 3, 4 & 5 @ 7:00 p.m. - Doors will open 15 minutes prior.
REPEATING *School Hours*
Arrival time is between 8:10am and 8:20am. The tardy bell rings at 8:25am. A parent/adult must accompany tardy students into the office and sign them in if you arrive after 8:25am. Do not drop your child off at any door since all doors are locked and secured at this time. Please be aware that while we try to keep clocks on time, they can sometimes run a minute or two fast. If there are no adults outside, please walk your child into the front office.
-
Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.
-
Regular Day: 8:25 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
-
Half Day: 8:25 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
-
Early Release Day: 8:25 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Fondly,
Mrs. Meghan Bird, Principal