Country Meadows Families,
Happy November! We hope that all of you who observe Diwali enjoyed the celebration this week. It is hard to believe that the first trimester is quickly coming to a close! Please note that Trimester 1 report cards are scheduled to be issued online on Friday, November 19th. Please make sure that you have your login information for TeacherEase so that you can access your student(s) report card(s).
I also want to remind all families that given the cooler weather, we want to make sure that students are coming to school dressed appropriately for the weather. If your child is in need of appropriate winter gear, please reach out to the front office, and we will be happy to help provide what is needed.
Kindly,
Meghan Bird - Principal
NEW *Road Work - Potential Impact*
Please be aware that Lake County has notified us that Old McHenry Rd. will be closed (from Hawthorn Woods to Rt. 22) to through traffic beginning Monday, November 8th and is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, November 21st. This will likely impact traffic patterns for the duration of the closure.
NEW *Indoor Music Concerts*
We are excited to have our students perform in concerts to showcase their talents. Students will follow school health guidance protocols as they do in their music classes.
In order for District 96 to maintain safety and health guidelines, each child will be strictly limited to 1 guest only. Guests will be provided seating in the gym that has been spaced for social distancing. Masks will be required.
The event will allow for live virtual access and will be recorded to later share with other family members or relatives unable to attend due to attendee restrictions. More information on how to access the live link will be coming soon.
NEW *Spirit Week*
We are so excited to announce that our Country Meadows students met our goal of earning over 1,000 Paws for the month of October! Students earn paws for being respectful, responsible, and creating a peaceful community. To celebrate our achievements, we are excited to have our first spirit week next week (11/8-11/12)!
Monday 11/8 - Hat Day - Wear your favorite school appropriate hat!
Tuesday 11/9 - Animal Day - Wear animal print, dress like an animal (no full costumes), or your favorite sports team with an animal mascot!
Wednesday 11/10 - Mismatch Day - Mix and match your clothing into wacky combinations! (Shoes should match for safety and comfort)
Thursday 11/11 - Pajama Day - Wear your favorite school appropriate sleepwear!
Friday 11/12 - Spirit Day - Wear CM Spiritwear and/or our school colors of blue and white!
NEW *Reader of the Month*
In our Learning Center, we are highlighting a reader from a different grade every month. For the month of November, 5th grade teachers nominated students who are passionate about reading, and one lucky student was chosen at random to be featured in the library on a special board and also choose a free book. The 5th Grade Reader of the Month for November is Salvador!
What do you think is the best thing about reading?
When I get to read, I learn cool things and go on fun adventures with the book.
What is your favorite book and why?
My favorite series is Plants vs. Zombies because the plants are trying to defeat the zombies, and it’s full of adventure.
NEW *PTO Update*
Upcoming events:
- 11/12: Special Lunch (Real Urban BBQ)
- 11/15-19: Scholastic Book Fair
Please take a moment to read the PTO Blog this week.
NEW *Golden Paws*
At Country Meadows we are working to be PROs (People Respecting Others) by being respectful, responsible, and creating peaceful community. Staff members are able to award students with paper paws slips when students are exhibiting behaviors consisent with our building values (respectful, responsible, peaceful).
New this year is the exciting GOLDEN PAW. Golden paws are earned when an entire class is seen exhibiting PRO behavior that is respectful, responsible, or peaceful. For example, a class may earn a Golden Paw for being respectful to a substitute the day a teacher is absent, listening and adhering to lunch room expectations, walking quietly/peacefully in the hallways. Each week we will report to you the classes who have earned Golden Paws!
This weeks Golden Paws winners include:
- Sabath - 5th
- Cannistra - 3rd Grade
- Perales - 5th Grade
- Eisinger - 4th Grade
- Charpentier - 3rd
- Jacobson/Widmaier - 2nd
- Humphries - 5th
Keep up the great work, Country Meadows PROs!
REPEATING *Indoor Air Quality Report*
In response to a recent parent concern, District 96 contracted with our Environmental Consultants from JMS Environmental Associates to do an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Survey. The IAQ analyses test for this IAQ included the following: 1) Airborne Microbial Spores; 2) Direct Microscopic Swab Examination; 3) Airborne Ultra-Fine Dust Particulates; and 4) Volatile Organic Compounds / Carbon Dioxide / Temperature / Relative Humidity.
In summary, during our consultation with JMS to review the results of the IAQ, the consultants indicated the following:
- A high level study was conducted.
- The ultrafine particles results indicate that the system is working very well and that a good filtration system is in place.
- The air quality indoors is excellent and presents no health risks or concerns.
- It is accurate to say that the indoor air quality inside our schools is better than the air quality outdoors, due to good ventilation and filtration.
- In District 96, we have both processes and metrics in place as a part of our ongoing facilities-management plan that would trigger the need for any future assessment. As always, we will continue to implement and monitor those on an ongoing basis.
- Below you will find a link to the full report as provided by JMS and a document where you can submit any questions that you may have regarding the results.
REPEATING *Clubs and Activity Sign Up*
We are excited to offer clubs and activities at Country Meadows. Please use the correct form/s below to indicate your child's interest in participating in the clubs/activities described. Clubs beginning next week include:
Monday:
- After School Sports (Grades 1-3) Start dates for Grades 4-5 will be communicated via email.
Tuesday:
- Introduction to Indian Culture (Grade 1-5)
Thursday:
- Art Club (Grades 4 & 5) - Start dates for Grades1-3 will be communicated via email.
- Culture Crew (Grades 1-5)
Given our challenges with transportation this year, we are NOT able to provide an after school bus. All students must be picked up promptly at 4:00pm.
Art Club Sign Up (Hosted on THURSDAYS)
Culture Crew (Hosted on THURSDAYS)
Introduction to Indian Culture (Hosted on TUESDAYS)
After School Sports (Hosted on MONDAYS)
REPEATING *Lunch Updates*
- Organic Life has informed us that now that lunch procedures are up and running, their Snack Bar is open! Students can purchase a snack from the snack bar after they are done eating their lunch. Money must be preloaded to student lunch accounts in order for snack to be purchased. If you need to load money on your child's account, please do so using Meals Plus.
- If you are interested in purchasing Dessert Day treats for your child to enjoy on Wednesdays and/or Special Lunch for your child on select Fridays, please do so on Membership Toolkit.
REPEATING *Family Reading Night*
This year our annual Family Reading Night will take place on Thursday, 11/18 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Our goal is to provide families with a fun night out where you are able to experience two different rounds of literacy-related activities (i.e. flashlight reading, reading for two voices, Sora eBook app). Families will also have access to our PTO sponsored Book Fair in the learning center to shop as a family! Please use this Google Form to RSVP if you plan on joining us, and indicate your ideal preferences for the evening activities. This information will help us plan for the event and do our best to make a match for your choices. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
REPEATING *New Attendance Information*
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your child has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. Our parent handbook reflects legislative updates from the state and is ready for you to review.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
We miss your student when they are not at school as we value their contributions to our school community. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school please contact the school office as soon as possible.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
- Send your child to school unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious rash or showing any other COVID like symptoms.
- Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
- Keep track of your child’s attendance.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
- Have a back-up plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
- Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.
OUR DUTIES UPON A STUDENT’S ABSENCES
- If your child has five unexcused absences we will reach out via phone and follow up with an email.
- If your child has seven unexcused absences we will schedule a conference with you and your child to create a student success plan and help continued supports.
- After 10 days of unexcused absences, and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition and you will be notified by formal letter that the case will be forwarded to the truancy department and the Lake County ROE, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Illinois' mandatory attendance law.
WHAT IS EXCUSED AND WHAT IS UNEXCUSED:
Excused: Medical appointment, illness, quarantine, death in the family, mental health day, religious holiday
Unexcused: Most other reasons for absence including vacation, sporting event, missing the bus, sleeping in, day before a special individual occasion.
REPEATING *O’Hare PCR Results*
If you do not receive your child’s PCR results over the weekend, we apologize for the inconvenience.
Please feel free to contact O’Hare Labs by sending an email to [email protected]. This email is monitored frequently each day and is the preferred method of contact. Please be sure to include your child’s First Name, Last Name, DOB, and test date in the email.
If preferred, you can also call the Call Center at (800) 604-0197 Monday-Saturday between the hours of 10am-5pm.
REPEATING *Covid Metrics*
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.