Our first week in May ended with sunshine and many celebrations! As we journey into May and closer to the end of the school year, we appreciate your support with our focus on learning. Students did a nice job of showing off their learning on the MAP test this week. This reading and math assessment is nationally-normed which allows staff to track progress and target skill growth.
Fifth graders had their final rounds of their chariot races today! Students designed chariots and coded their chariot robots to race on a track. All students should be proud of their design engineering skills!
Please join me in celebrating our staff by submitting a shout-out HERE! I will personally email the staff during staff appreciation week with your shout-out to thank them for a job well done!
The end of the year brings many dates. Here are a few things you may want to know about, however, this certainly does not include everything across all individual classrooms!
- May 8-12: Staff Appreciation Week!
- May 18: Courtesy Cub Countdown - Each day will have a different theme to help countdown the end of the year.
- May 19: Field Day - All grade levels will enjoy a day outside engaging with their friends in games. The rain date is May 25.
- May 23: Early Release & Kindergarten Transition Day - Country Meadows will welcome our incoming 1st graders to meet the 1st grade team and specials teachers!
- May 25: Country Meadows End of the Year Party - Join other Country Meadows families from 5:30pm-7:30pm to celebrate the end of the year.
- May 26: Half Day
- May 29: No School
- May 31: 5th Grade Transition Day - Country Meadows 5th graders will get a sneak peek at Woodlawn.
- June 1: 5th Grade Party - During the school day, our 5th graders will celebrate their hard work in elementary school with a party organized by the PTO!
- June 2: Last Day - Half Day
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:
1st Grade - Hyleigh, Emma R.
2nd Grade - Richard, Angie Z., Diana T.
5th Grade - Reagan, Arav M., Kylie Y.
Kindly,
Michelle
*PTO Message*
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 8-12
We are so excited to spoil our teachers next week and let them know how much we appreciate them! The PTO has various things planned for the week following the theme "You're Hitting it Out of the Park". The committee still needs some donations and volunteers to make the week a success! Please sign-up on the link below to donate gift cards, make monetary donations, or to volunteer.
We are seeking gift card or monetary donations to host a fun giveaway event where “Every Teacher is a Winner” on Thursday May 11th. Monetary donations can be made on MTK. Gift cards can be dropped off at the office labeled with your family name and "Teacher Appreciation Donation". All donations are greatly appreciated and our goal is to have something for every teacher.
Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4CA9AF29A3F94-cmstaff1
On Tuesday May 9th we will have a "Major League Praise" day where students can share their appreciation for teachers and staff members. We will have students write why they are grateful for their teachers to create a display by the lounge room.
Here is a list of other ideas to celebrate our teachers that you can do from home:
- Have your child draw a picture or make a card for their teacher/s
- Send in flowers
- Record a video of your child saying thank you and send to the teacher/s
- As a parent, send a note to your child's teacher/s expressing your gratitude
- Make a craft
- Donate a book to your child’s classroom
- Create a list of what your family loves about the teacher/s.
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We are proud to announce our 2023-2024 PTO Board! A big thank you to those who served this past year, we appreciate all your contributions! Looking forward to another great year!
*Upcoming Dates*
- May 23 - Early Release
- May 25 - Country Meadows End of the Year Family Party 5:30pm-7:30pm
- May 26 - Half Day
- May 29 - No School
- June 2 - Last Day of School & Half Day
NEW *New Middle School Parent Coffee - May 16th*
For all incoming 6th Grade parents and anyone new to Woodlawn for the 2023-24 upcoming school year: Join us at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Enjoy coffee with fellow parents to learn more about the fun programs supported and funded by the PTO. You will have the chance to connect with other parents and learn about opportunities to be involved in your child’s middle school experience. Please let any friends with incoming 6th graders know about this program. We look forward to meeting you!
NEW *Library Books*
Parents if you happen to see any school library books at home please return them to school. All library books need to be returned by May 19th.
NEW *Fire Drill*
On May 8, Country Meadows and Woodlawn campus will be conducting a fire drill. Students will be evacuating the building during the drill. If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule the drill and communicate the rescheduled drill date.
Repeat *Cross-Cultural Expert Speaks May 23*
An expert in the raising of children cross-culturally will share her wisdom with District 96 families at the end of next month. Author Ruth E. Van Reken speaks virtually on “Raising Children Cross-Culturally: Maximizing the Benefits, Minimizing the Challenges'' on May 23, 2023 (7-8:30 p.m.). She is the author of “Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds (3rd edition).”
Here’s what she will discuss:
“There is no question that there are many gifts for those who grow up interacting with different cultural communities. Learning to ‘code-switch’ positively in certain situations can be a great asset in today’s globalizing world. Being a cultural bridge is another gift that can come with such a childhood. But the realities of juggling the differing expectations between different cultural contexts can also introduce certain challenges. Questions related to identity, attachment, and belonging are often common during this process. This session will not only help to normalize why these challenges frequently arise, but also share practical strategies for how parents and other caregivers can help children maximize the gifts and grow from the challenges as well.”
To pre-register, please visit: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArduCsrTwrGNL2dHxfbVHDgroIyXKYP1hP
For questions, please contact Lubna Andrabi, Community Parent Liaison, at [email protected].
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