Country Meadows students enjoyed a week full of learning and fun! Today our students entered their classroom to find a BIG SURPRISE from the PTO! Every student recevied a Country Meadows t-shirt promoting our theme of peaceful community. Thank you to the PTO for supporting our students! Our Cub Crawl kicked off on the blacktop. The Cub Crawl is an opportunity for students to celebrate fitness by running or walking together.
It’s hard to believe that yesterday was the last official day of summer. We sure have lucked out in the weather department. Students have enjoyed playing outside at recess and participating in P.E. outdoors. My hope is that we can keep the nice weather just a little bit longer! As always, the best part of my day is being with students and staff in classrooms and outside at recess. It is great to see students working hard on academics as well as building relationships with peers and focusing on social-emotional learning. In just a few short weeks our staff will have the pleasure and opportunity to update you at conferences! The conference dates are Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Due to conferences and days off, students are not in attendance October 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10th.
One last reminder during arrival and dismissal, it is prohibited for the driver to use cell phone while using a motor vehicle in a school zone.
Kindly,
Michelle Garlick
NEW *No School on Monday, September 26, 2022*
There is no school on Monday, September 26. All district buildings will be closed.
NEW *Band and Orchestra Reminder*
Band and orchestra lessons are well on their way. If your 4th or 5th grade child is in band or orchestra, it is important that they are prepared for the lesson, including having their instrument. Thanks for your support.
NEW *Attendance Visibility in TeacherEase*
District 96 is helping to support families by giving easier access to attendance information for elementary students. Below are three steps that will show you how to access student attendance information at primary and elementary schools in District 96.
Repeating “Fall Conferences”
Fall Family/Educator Conferences are right around the corner. The conference dates are Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign up for conferences. A School Messenger email was sent to families on Monday, September 19th at 6:00PM with a link to sign up for conferences.
Conferences will be held virtually using Meet the Teacher’s video conferencing platform unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. After you have scheduled your conferences, you will receive an email from Meet the Teacher with a link you will use to access the video conferences.
Elementary parents will have the option to sign up with the classroom teacher in 1 appointment slot as well as available specials teachers and any related service providers their children see.
If you are unable to schedule a conference with a specific teacher, please remember that conferences are not the only time to communicate with teachers. Please feel free to reach out any time.
REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via email by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 4th. Still sign up on the Meet the Teacher website.
NEW *UPCOMING PTO DATES TO REMEMBER*
UPCOMING PTO DATES TO REMEMBER
Visit our blog for more information on all of the below events!
Teacher Conference Meals: October 6-7
Sign up here to donate items to keep our teachers fueled throughout conferences!
Fall Festival: October 27
This year’s Fall Festival will be one for the books! Help us plan the best party yet for our kids! We are looking for volunteers to help on the Fall Festival Committee: You can help by signing up on MTK.
Classroom Halloween Party: October 31
Does your child's class need a volunteer? Most 2nd-5th grade classes still need volunteers to assist with their classroom Halloween Parties! You can help by signing up on MTK.
Book Fair: November 14-18
Save the date!
Repeating *Classroom Parties*
As always, we are looking forward to celebrating at holiday classroom parties with our students. Parties will continue to be food free. All classroom food must be checked through our nurse and it is not feasible for our building nurse to manage this, along with the day-to-day responsibilities to ensure student safety and wellness. Students will enjoy crafts and games to celebrate the festivities.
Repeating *Student Birthdays*
Teachers recognize student birthdays. Although it is not necessary, families may choose to send something for the class. We do not, however, allow food to be passed out in classrooms or sent home with children. Appropriate non-food items are allowed, such as a pencil or stickers. Please keep the age of our children in mind for the appropriateness and safety of the item.
Repeating *SMART Watches*
SMART watches are starting to show up here at the elementary schools. Many SMART watches have similar capabilities to SMART phones (game, voice, and text capabilities). If a SMART watch becomes a distraction or is used for communication, it may be confiscated and stored in the office to remove the distraction from the learning environment. Essentially, we will treat the SMART watches like a cell phone. Confiscated equipment may be picked up in the office at the end of the day by the student(s). If a pattern of distraction occurs, parents may be asked to pick up the technology.
Repeating *Letters to Veterans*
With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, we are inviting D96 students to write thank you notes or letters to veterans. These letters will be included in individualized care packages that will be given to veterans who attend an upcoming recognition event in Lake County. If your student is interested, please have them return their letter or thank you note to the front office no later than October 13th to ensure we are able to mail them in enough time to be included in the Lake County project.