Country Meadows Families,
Winter break brings a time for reflection and new beginnings. A wise person once told me to first say "thank you" and then say "please". I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, staff, and parents for contributing to the Country Meadows community that we are all so proud to be part of. Thank you for the tremendous efforts ensuring we do what is best for our students, even though we all deeply wish to be in-person learning together. This week our incredible PTO hosted a virtual event with the Glen Echo Park Aquarium which is just another example of their continued partnership and commitment to providing fun and engaging opportunties for students and their families.
When we return in January, we will do so with our batteries charged and with the prospect of new circumstances, hopefully on the horizon. Celebrations are so important. The Country Meadows community celebrates our partnerships with you all! So now I say "please"… as you celebrate, please do so safely, and please have a joyous and relaxing winter break. Sending you warm holiday wishes from my family to yours!
Warm Regards,
Meghan Bird - Principal
NEW *Materials Pick Up*
District 96 has identified Friday, January 8th as the date for our next materials pick up. When we return from break, you will receive additional details/communication regarding the pick up logistics. Please save the date, and we will provide more information the week of January 4th!
NEW *Superintendent’s Message*
The following information was shared via email on December 16, 2020, however I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the information shared by Superintendent Julie Schmidt at last Tuesday’s board of education meeting. LINKED HERE is a video presentation and other information, including a review of additional mitigation measures that lower the risk of transmission in our schools. There will be future updates on January 6 and January 12. If conditions allow there will be an announcement for the reinitiation of the hybrid/in-person model. Please read Superintendent Schmidt’s message and view the video to learn more.
NEW *Preregister for 2021–22 Kindergarten Beginning Jan. 11*
Preregister incoming 2021–22 kindergartners beginning January 11 and no later than January 31 to receive a free T-shirt for your incoming student. SEE MORE INFO
NEW *Calendar Reminders*
This is a friendly reminder that students will not be in attendance December 21st through January 4th. Learning will resume on Monday, January 4th!
NEW *Certified Kind Classroom*
We have very exciting news to share with our Country Meadows community this week! This week Mrs. Larson's 4th grade class was officially notified that they are a Certified Kind Classroom! Beginning in August, the class has been working on the nationally recognized activity of filling their "kindness jar" with over 100 acts of kindess that they have completed this year (not an easy feat virtually!). The activity is inspired by the book "Wonder" which the class has used as their read aloud book this year! The class filled their jar in mid November, and then applied for the certification. We are SO proud of you! Keep inspiring kindness within our school community!
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NEW *Specials Materials*
Here is the updated Specials Materials Schedule. Please reach out to specific specials teachers with any questions.
NEW *Yearbook Photo Submission*
We've had so much fun with our spirit week this week! If you have any photos to share of your child(ren) enjoying the fun themed days, please follow the steps below!
Option 1: Download the HJ eShare app, enter the school code: CM2021 tag and upload your pictures
Option 2: Go to www.hjeshare.com, enter the school code: CM2021, tag and upload your pictures
Option 3: Go directly to http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=CM2021 tag and upload your pictures
NEW *INFO REGARDING PREORDERING FREE MEALS*
Families Can Preorder Free Meals for Pick-Up During Winter Break
NOTE: Preorders must be in by 10 AM on THURSDAY for pick-up in the week ahead.
Preorder by 10 AM on THURSDAY, Dec. 17, to pick up meals (meal packs for 5 days) on Mon., Dec. 21.
Preorder by 10 AM on THURSDAY, Dec. 24, to pick up meals (meal packs for 5 days) on Mon., Dec. 28.
Preordering Free Meals in 2021
IMPORTANT: The last day to preorder free meals for the week ahead is changing. You’ll need to preorder by 10 AM on Thursdays, rather than Fridays.
To preorder meals for the first week after Winter Break (Jan. 4–8)
Preorder by 10 AM on THURSDAY, Dec. 31, to pick up meals on Mon., Jan. 4 (meal packs for 3 days) and Thurs., Jan. 7 (meal packs for 2 days).
NEW *November Artisitic Design Winners*
This Monday we recognized all of the incredible Scarcrow creations that were submitted as part of the November Artistic Design challenge! We are incredibly excited to announce our three winners who will each receive a generous gift card from our amazing PTO! Our three winners were:
Rishabh S.
Teoman G.
Angela L.
Congratulations, and thank you to all of the students who participated this month!
NEW *PTO Blog*
Please take a moment to read the updated PTO blog this week.
REPEATING *December Artistic Contest*
The month of November did not disappoint, and we are incredibly impressed with the creativity students utilized to design their very own scarecrows! Winners will be announced once staff have a chance to review the submissions and vote (which is super difficult given how wonderful each submission was!).
Our incredible PTO is sponsoring another fun challenge this month! Please see this flyer for information regarding our December Artistic Contest! We can't wait to see all of the student drawings and celebrate the cultural diversity in our Country Meadows community!
REPEATING *Monthly Asynchronous Wednesdays *
Once per month, beginning in December, students will participate in asynchronous activities for a portion of their school day. The dates for each of these asynchronous Wednesdays are identified below. You will notice that each date is identified as either AM or PM. If for example, AM is indicated, this means that students will participate in the asynchronous activities during the morning or AM portion of the school day and then transition to their regularly scheduled school day in the afternoon or PM. Specific times are indicated below with each identified date. Teachers will communicate with students to be sure that they understand the expectations for each of these days.
These monthly asynchronous days were created to give students the opportunity to participate in topics that will enhance our current curricular content, and so that teachers have time to collaborate and plan with each other to determine the best way to approach future instruction.
Future Asynchronous Wednesdays will take place on the following dates.
- January 13: AM Asynchronous
- February 24: PM Asynchronous
- March 17: AM Asynchronous
- April 21: PM Asynchronous
REPEATING *ComEd Bill Payment Assistance Options*
ComEd has provided bill payment assistance options for families experiencing financial hardship.
REPEATING *Updated COVID-19 Metrics*
This UPDATED COVID-19 METRICS is the information “dashboard” that maintains transparent and open communication around COVID-19 metrics. As a user of the dashboard, the District has access to COVID-19 data as recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium. We review this data daily, update the dashboard weekly, and consider this data in making many decisions.
REPEATING *Family Tradition Survey*
Last year, families filled out a form to share their family traditions with us. We shared those traditions in a daily slideshow for students and the kids absolutely loved reading about themselves and other students in the school. We would love for you to participate again this year!
Read more about how you can share your family traditions this year. It will show you a QR code and a link you can use to participate.