Country Meadows Principal's Message - August 20th

Country Meadows Principal's Message - August 20th

Country Meadows Families,

Wow!  What an incredible first few days with students!  It has been so refreshing to see all of our families and students in the hallways this past week.  The first day of school is always one of my favorite days of the school year, and this year was no exception.  While some students showed up with “smiling eyes”, and others were a bit more anxious, all of our students were warmly welcomed and are ready for a great year of learning and fun!

Next week we look forward to the opportunity for you to join us at Curriculum Night where you will learn more about your child's classroom experience.  Please see the information below for further details. 

Kindly,

Meghan Bird - Principal


NEW *Curriculum Night*

Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 25th. This is a “parents only” meeting, and we hope that you are able to attend and learn more about your child's specific classroom/procedures. This year we will be offering a hybrid format.  If you’d prefer to “zoom in”, the links for both the principal presentation and the classroom specific presentation will be sent out Tuesday evening.  If you would like to attend in person, please come directly to the gym for the principal presentation followed by teacher presentations in your child's classroom. Please note that due to safety and capacity, we are asking that only one parent per child attends in-person.  All in person attendees must wear a mask.

  •   Grades 1-2 @ 6:30 p.m.
  •   Grades 3, 4 and 5 @  7:00 p.m.


NEW *Bus Information* 

PLEASE NOTE:  There continues to be a workforce shortage on a national and local level.  This is significantly impacting the ability of all transportation companies to fill driver openings.  First Student continues to have unfilled driver positions for District 96 bus routes.  They have been using substitute and "borrowed" drivers from other regions to fill our needs the last few days but the reality is that the positions remain unfilled and a "band-aid" plan is being created for each day.  Our Director of Transportation continues to meet with First Student multiple times per day to problem solve.  We will continue to keep you updated on what is likely to be a ongoing challenge.


NEW *5th Grade Band Information* 

Fifth Grade band is beginning very soon!  If you have a 5th grader who would like to sign up for band, please review the information on the band website and sign up no later than Monday, August 23.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our band teacher, Chad Craw, at [email protected]. 


NEW *NWEA MAP Assessment*

All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth.  As in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day. Testing will take place during the MAP window, August 30-September 10.  The specific dates of testing will be communicated in next week’s Principal Message.


NEW *PTO Update*

Please take a moment to read the PTO blog this week!

Don't forget to set up a Membership Toolkit (MTK) account to sign your child up for Dessert Day, Special Lunch Day, purchase Spirit Wear, and more! 

The PTO board is also seeking parent volunteers to help plan our many events throughout the year.  Visit MTK to join a committee and/or stop by and chat with this year's board members in the cafeteria during Meet the Teacher on Tuesday, August 17th.  As always, visit the Country Meadows PTO Blog and join our group on Facebook for more info on upcoming events.


REPEATING *Food Services Information*

FREE MEALS IN SCHOOL:  Under the waivers to USDA Nutrition Programs currently offered, the District is able to provide free meals to all students.  One reimbursable daily meal will be provided free of charge to each student that chooses to participate on school days.  

SNACKS FOR PURCHASE IN SEPTEMBER: Snacks will start being offered at the beginning of September.  If you wish your child to be able to purchase snacks at that time, please be sure to have their account prepaid on the K12PaymentCenter.  This site will allow you not only to monitor balances but also transaction history.  There are no transaction fees related to this account.  To create an account you will need your student's 7 digit ID number, which will be emailed to you this evening with the subject line of D96 Food Service Information.

ORDERING PROCESS:  Each morning, students will tell their teachers which entree they will order and those numbers will be shared with the food service staff.  Please encourage your students to take the entree they ordered to ensure that all students receive the desired meal.  Menus can be viewed on the District website.

FINAL DRIVE THROUGH MEAL HANDOUT: Now that all students will be in person, the final drive through meal handout will occur on Monday, August 16th and will contain four days of meals.


REPEATING *Approved Snack List*

All students are allowed to bring an individual daily snack. It is required that snacks are only from our District Approved Snack List* for the safety of students.

The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST.* 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.  Daily snacks for your children must be from this list or they will be sent home.  

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.

Lunches packed from home may contain anything, and do not need to be from the Approved Snack List.  If your child is bringing in lunch, snacks must be packed separately from lunch.


REPEATING *Yearbook Cover Contest*

Is your child interested in submitting a drawing to be featured on the Country Meadows yearbook this year?  Click here for more information about our contest!

All submissions are due to the front office no later than Friday, September 17th!


REPEATING *Updated Birthday Treat Policy*

Our birthday treat policy has changed.  Please know that moving forward, only school appropriate, non-food items such as pencils, stickers, crazy straws, etc. will be allowed.  If you are unsure whether the item is school appropriate, please contact your child's classroom teacher for guidance.


REPEATING *Student Picture Day*

Although it may be hard to believe, our picture day at Country Meadows is just around the corner!  Country Meadows will host picture day on Thursday, August 26th.  Click here for more information!


* Link updated Tuesday, January 2, 2024.