Country Meadows Families,
Students worked hared while taking their NWEA assessments this week. Please know that if students missed the testing dates due to quarantine or absense they will have a chance to complete makeup testing when they return (including after winter break for those who need it). As we head into our final week before winter break we have many things to look forward to! In addition to a fun spirit week (see below for details), Fireman Tony will be here on Monday, 12/13 to meet with all grade levels about fire safety, and we are grateful for the opportunity to enjoy another PTO sponsored classroom party on Friday, 12/17! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered and planned to make next week so much fun for our Country Meadows Cubs!
Kindly,
Meghan Bird - Principal
NEW *Symptoms, Close Contacts, and Travel Quarantine*
If you have any questions about symptoms, close contacts, or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
NEW *Spirit Week*
Monday, 12/13 - Morning Monday: Wear your pajamas to school!
Tuesday, 12/14 - Tip Top Shape Tuesday: Wear your favorite activewear/workout gear!
Wednesday, 12/15 - White Out Wednesday: Wear winter white to add to the CM "snow storm"!
Thursday, 12/16 - "Thankful for Our School" Thursday: Wear your favorite Country Meadows gear!
Friday, 12/17 - Festive Friday: Enjoy the holiday party while wearing festive attire (ugly sweaters, hats, etc.)
NEW *In-Person Pre-Registration Option*
Pre-registration for 2022–2023 kindergarten is in-person or online. Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1, 2022 to register for the 2022-23 kindergarten school year.
In-Person Pre-Registration Option:
When: Thursday, January 13, 2022, 5–7 PM drop-in (Parents may also pre-register online during the month of January for the free T-Shirt)
Where: Willow Grove Early Learning Center, 777 Checker Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL
Parents of incoming kindergartners will need to prove residency with required documents and District forms and to complete a brief online pre-registration form. (Incoming kindergartners do not need to be present.)
Required documents:
- CURRENT monthly mortgage or lease statement or property tax bill AND
- CURRENT utility bill AND
- Student’s birth certificate, passport, or visa (photocopy not accepted) AND
- Parent or Guardian photo ID (Passport or Driver’s license)
- RESIDENCY FORM
- HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY
- ENROLLMENT FORM
Online Pre-Registration Option:
You do not have to attend in person to pre-register. Details coming soon. Please continue to watch for updates in the Principal's Message and on the District 96 website.
Click here to learn more about Kindergarten in District 96.
Questions? Please contact our D96 public info coordinator at [email protected] or 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.
NEW *PTO Sponsored Winter Parties*
Parties will begin at approximately 2:00 pm and end at 2:45 pm on Friday, December 17th. Only PTO approved parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties. Please see more party volunteer information below.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PARTIES
- District 96 remains vigilant in our efforts to slow/stop the transmission of COVID-19 and works hard to help to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. We are asking that all winter parties adhere to the following guidelines:
- No food items should be present at winter parties, even if they are part of a craft
- No goody bags / party favors containing food are permitted to be handed out to be taken home
NEW *PTO Volunteer Info & Vaccination Verification or Proof of a Negative Test*
This year Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed Executive Order 2021-20, regarding educational employee vaccination and testing requirements. The Executive Order which applies to all “school personnel,” volunteers are included in the definition unless they are present for only a short period of time and whose movements of close physical proximity are “fleeting”.
Those who have been identified as a current or upcoming PTO volunteer recently received a survey asking that you provide proof of vaccination and notifying them that if unvaccinated they would need to provide proof of a negative Covid test within 48 hours of reporting to volunteer.
If you have already uploaded proof of vaccination, please disregard this information.
How do I provide proof of vaccination proactively should I choose to volunteer at my student(s) school this year?
By following this link, you may provide proof of vaccination to your school(s).
What if I am unvaccinated but want to volunteer this year?
Unvaccinated volunteers must provide proof of a negative Covid test when they arrive at the school on the day they are scheduled to volunteer. Negative test results are only good for the 48 hours prior to arrival. For example, if an unvaccinated volunteer is scheduled to be in the school the next week, they would have to provide a new test result.
What type of Covid test qualifies?
You may present a negative antigen or PCR test. Home testing kits do not qualify as the test must be observed and documentation of the result is provided to you.
Why can’t unvaccinated volunteers take a Covid test at the school?
The BinaxNow test provided to schools is in short supply at this time. As a result, schools have been notified that we cannot use the test for any screening purposes. If we were to do so, they would no longer supply the test to us. We are only allowed to use the test for symptomatic individuals on campus (students or staff) or when a person qualifies for test-to-stay. If and when test supplies increase, those restrictions may be lifted. If they are, we will be in a position to reconsider testing unvaccinated volunteers in our schools at that time.
What is the process for volunteers to either provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test?
- Vaccinated volunteers may submit their proof of vaccination at any time by following the link provided and completing the survey and uploading proof of vaccination.
- The list of those who have done so will be made available to the school (principal, assistant principal, administrative assistant, and nurse) and updated periodically by Lubna Andrabi in our district office.
- Unvaccinated volunteers must bring proof of a negative test to the main office on the day they are scheduled to volunteer.
- The main office will make a copy of your negative test.
- The test result must be within the previous 48 hours. The staff at the front desk in the main office will assist you.
- What if I am fully vaccinated but forgot to upload my proof of vaccination?
- If you have not uploaded your vaccination card, you may provide proof of vaccination when you arrive (vaccination card). We strongly encourage you to upload your card so that you do not need to present it each time you report to volunteer.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PTO PARTY VOLUNTEERS
- Parents attending the parties may not bring additional family members, other children, etc. We need everyone to abide by this and will have to ask you to leave if you come with other attendees.
- Every PTO volunteer approved to come into our school MUST have their license or ID scanned through our security system to enter. You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There can be a long line if you wait until the day of the party to scan your ID, so please anticipate this. We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to come to the front office sometime in December before the party to have their license scanned, which will speed up the process. The more people who come in early to be scanned, the shorter the line! Again, you may also come on the day of the winter party.
- All volunteers must have followed our procedures for verifying vaccination or have proof of a negative Covid test. Call the office with questions.
- All volunteers must wear a mask at all times and remain socially distanced.
NEW *Early Release*
This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, December 14th is an Early Release, and students will be dismissed at 2pm.
NEW *Golden Paws*
This year we have introduced the exciting GOLDEN PAW. Golden paws are earned when an entire class is seen exhibiting PRO (People Respecting Others) 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, or walking quietly/peacefully in the hallways.
This weeks Golden Paws winners include:
- Cannistra
- Zimmerman
- Jacobson
Keep up the great work, Country Meadows PROs!
NEW *PTO Update*
Please take a moment to visit the PTO Blog this week!
Spirit Wear
Ongoing spirit wear sales continue online! Ongoing spirit wear sales continue online! Show some school spirit with a new shirt, sweatshirt or even pants!
Winter Party
Winter classroom parties are next Friday, December 17th. If you are a class parent, please make sure you have reached out to the volunteers for the part to begin planning if you have not already done so. If you volunteered to assist with your child's winter classroom party and have not yet heard from the classroom parent, please reach out to Sarah Baker at [email protected].
Yearbook Committee
The PTO is currently seeking a parent volunteer to chair the Yearbook Committee for the 2022-2023 school year. We are seeking to fulfill this position early to allow for training time on use of the software. Please reach out to us at [email protected] to express your interest.
REPEATING *Vaccination Cards for 5-11 yr olds*
Once the district sponsored vaccination clinics for second doses have been completed, a D96 message will be sent out to all families. This message will include a link for vaccination cards to be uploaded. Please do not send copies of vaccination cards prior to the message going out the week of December 13th.
REPEATING *Symptoms, Close Contacts, and Travel Quarantine*
If you have any questions about symptoms, close close contacts or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
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.