This week has been filled with sunshine and learning! Our fifth graders have been gearing up and practicing for their chariot races in Exploration Lab. They have engineered chariots & block-coded their chariot to follow a set course. The 5th grade winners will receive student designed and 3D-printed trophies. Best of luck to our 5th graders in their upcomong races! The PTO-sponsored 5th grade Night Out is approaching and registration needs to be completed this weekend on MTK.
Fireman Tony visited our 4th grade classrooms with the smoke trailer. Our students put their knowledge and skills to practice in the simulation!
On Wednesday, our PTO sponsored another amazing cultural arts assembly. Richard Hight is a professional artist and shared his story with Country Meadows. Students were in awe as he created a masterpiece with chalk in less than 10 minutes!
Lastly, this week's PAWSitive Office Referrals recognizes students that go above and beyond! Students that are recognized will have their name displayed in our school slideshow and should stop by the office for a special prize! The following students received PAWSitive notes from staff:
3rd Grade: Dorian
4th Grade: Mable
5th Grade: Kayla H, Maryam, Harshitha
Kindly,
Michelle
*PTO Message*
Book fair next week NEEDS your help volunteering! If you are able to volunteer, please sign up on MTK.
Check out the latest on the Country Meadows PTO Blog.
*Upcoming Dates*
- April 17-21 Scholastic Book Fair
- Thursday, April 20 - PTO Ice Cream Social @ 5:30-7:00pm
- Friday, April 21 - Half Day @ 11:45am
- Monday, April 24 - 5th Grade Parent Transition to Middle School Zoom @ 7:00pm
- Tuesday, April 25 - Eary Release @ 2:05pm
NEW *Parent Night for 5th Graders Transitioning to Middle School*
On Monday, April 24, parents of 5th Graders can join the “Transition to Middle School,” where they can get answers to questions they may have about their student entering sixth-grade at a District middle school.
This information-packed virtual program begins at 7 p.m. April 24 (via Zoom).
Hear from Twin Groves Principal Jessica Barnes and Woodlawn Principal Greg Grana, who will discuss academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that middle school years bring. A highlight? Current 6th-grade panelists sharing their perspectives.
Families do not need to pre-register. Click here to join the virtual Parent Night: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/j/82731393669?pwd=d1hTMExvY2RJZndjV0tXNDVlNUl1UT09
This session will not be recorded.
Questions? Contact KCSD 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, at 847.459.4260, ext. 8136, or at [email protected].
NEW *Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)*
Students in grades 5 and 8 take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) each spring. This year the district will be administering the ISA to students in grades 5 and 8 in the mornings on Tuesday, April 18th through Thursday, April 20th.
NEW *5th Grade Night Out*
Registration MUST occur this weekend on MTK!
NEW *Book Fair Donation Drive*
As part of the Scholastic Book Fair next week, we are promoting that kids have the power to help! The Book Fair Donation Drive is running from April 10 to 28, 2023. Please see the flyer below with info about it.
Repeat *Parent Input for Class Placement Survey*
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. We take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
Teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
Grade-level teachers, principals, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. This team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.
This team of educators creates a draft set of class lists taking into consideration parent input.
Class lists are then revised in August with summer changes for students who move in or out of the district.
Class rosters are never final until they are released to families in August.
This process happens for grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders. Our 5th-grade team actively works with Woodlawn to provide data and input related to placement decisions at the middle school level.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 29th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher or friend placement requests will not be honored.
I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are provided through the Country Meadows Survey Link. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information is impossible to track. The information you provide in the survey will remain confidential between you, me, and Julie Shaver.
Repeat *Current Kindergarten, 5th Grade Families Need to Reprove Residency*
District 96 families of current Kindergarten and fifth-grade students are reminded that they will need to reprove their residency by April 15.
To reprove residency, scan or take a photo with your phone and email to the administrative assistant at the school your current kindergartner or 5th grader now attends:
1. a current monthly mortgage OR lease statement OR property tax bill OR Warranty Deed, and
2. a current utility bill (e.g., water OR electric OR waste collection), and
3. this Proof of Residency Form (completed and signed)
Your current kindergartner’s or current 5th grader’s teacher assignment/schedule will not be provided for the 2023–24 school year until residency is reproved.
For more information, visit https://www.kcsd96.org/about/registration/the-requirement-to-re-prove-residency
Repeat *Proof of Dental Exam*
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form