Good afternoon Country Meadows Families,
Students have been hard at work this past week and we are truly in the swing of things for the 2024-2025 school year! Please be sure to read all of this week’s Principal’s Message as there is plenty of information on parent involvement opportunities as well as club offerings. Please remember that this Tuesday, the 17th is an early release day for students.
Have a great weekend!
Kindly,
Aska Lempke
NEW *Early Release Reminder*
Tuesday, September 17th is an Early Release Day across KCSD96. Kindergarten and grades 1-5 dismiss at 2:05pm. Grades 6-8 dismiss at 1:30pm. Structured Early Childhood and Blended PM dismiss at 2:05 pm. ECSE/Blended AM dismisses at 10:10am.
NEW *Leaving a Positive Digital Footprint*
As we navigate an evolving digital age, it is important for our children to learn how to use technology safely and responsibly. To best support our students in developing these lifelong skills, KCSD96 will be introducing the Common Sense Digital Citizenship Lessons to our K-8 students throughout the year. These age-appropriate lessons will cover essential topics like online safety, protecting personal information, and recognizing positive and negative online behaviors. It’s important that we set our students up for lifelong success.
Common Sense is a widely-used resource used by school districts across the country, including in our region. We encourage you to review the material with your child and have open discussions about what they learn in class. You can access the resources and learn more by visiting the Common Sense Digital Citizenship website.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/curriculum
By working together, we can help our children become thoughtful, safe, and respectful digital citizens. If you have any questions, please reach out to Aska Lempke (alempke@kcsd96).
NEW *FAMILY TECH TALK*
Technology plays an important and evolving role in your child's education. It's critical that you and your family have open discussions about your use of technology. KCSD96 is hosting its annual "Family Tech Talk” in the Educational Development Center (downstairs of Ivy Hall Elementary at 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove). This discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at 7pm. Presenters are Director of Information Technology Services Bob Hanrahan and School Resource Officer Edyta Zuk. Mr. Hanrahan will talk about the district and its technology initiatives. Officer Zuk will discuss online safety awareness and tips.
If you have questions, contact the Community Parent Liaison, Lubna K. Andrabi, at [email protected]
NEW *Parent Engagement Opportunities - GCI and TEP*
KCSD96 is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships with our community, offering a range of opportunities for parent engagement. Through these programs, we empower parents to actively contribute to and enrich the educational environment for all of our students. This information, including meeting dates for the 24-25 school year, will be sent to all families in Friday's E-News. We encourage our teachers to relay this information to families who may be interested.
Guiding Coalition of Interculturalism
GCI is a learning community that reflects and connects the KCSD96 values of diversity and inclusion; aligns parents, educators, and students in cultural and educational experiences; and engages with a wide audience. This year our Bilingual Parent Advisory Council will merge with GCI to create a more cohesive group focused on cultural diversity, inclusion, and language support. We will align their missions to create a unified group that addresses both interculturalism and bilingual education and create one communication platform for parents, educators, and community members. GCI meeting dates for the 24-25 school year are:
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October 1st, 2024
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November 12th, 2024
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January 21st, 2025
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February 25th, 2025
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April 22nd, 2025
Meetings are at 6:30pm in the Educational Development Center at Ivy Hall Elementary (1072 Ivy Hall Lane). Please fill this Google Form to indicate your interest. For questions, please contact, Community Parent Liaison: [email protected].
Thought Exchange Partnership
TEP offers parents the opportunity to share their thoughts and receive information about instruction, programs, and district initiatives. TEP is a committee that seeks parent feedback in developing student discipline policies and procedures related to the Student Handbook and provides information and feedback to the Board. District 96 values two-way communication, and a deep understanding of parent perception supports district planning and communication. TEP meeting dates for the 24-25 school year are:
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October 8th, 2024
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December 10th, 2024
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January 28th, 2025
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March 11th, 2025
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May 6th, 2025
Meetings are at 6:30pm in the Educational Development Center at Ivy Hall Elementary (1072 Ivy Hall Lane). Please fill this Google Form to indicate your interest. For questions, please contact, Community Parent Liaison: [email protected].
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDk4k-xHYTEr3jhAo6zZpPQzwGq84g__oqzfU2mEogqnRY8Q/viewform
NEW *PHYSICALS AND IMMUNIZATION FORMS DUE by 10/15*
Please ensure that all physicals and immunization forms are turned into the school nurse by October 15th.
*REPEAT* FIRE CONTEST
You still have time to participate in a poster contest for Countryside Fire Department!
We are providing the 11x17 poster board for students. Please have your child pick it up in the office. Contest runs till September 20, 2024.
*NEW* Yoga Club (1st - 5th Grade)
In yoga class we will learn how to calm mind and body through meditation and simple yoga poses. This club will start on Monday, September 23 to May 22. The first 15 students will be accepted into Yoga Club. If there are more than 15 students, we will break the sessions into two (Fall and Spring). Once registration has closed, you will receive an email confirming your child has been enrolled in Yoga Club.
Students need to be picked up at 4pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Pandey ([email protected]).
Sign up here: Yoga Club
*REPEAT* Rise and Shine Club (1-5th Grade)
Students are invited to come in before school for a relaxing start to their day. Join us to walk and run outside while the weather is nice.
Sept. 10- Nov. 26th
April 8th- May 27th
This club starts at 7:20 am and students need to be dropped off at school.
Please contact Ms. Almdale ([email protected]), Ms. Cannistra ([email protected]), Mr. Carley ([email protected]), or Ms. Petrella ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Sign up here: Rise and Shine Club
*REPEAT* *5th Grade Sports Club*
Students will learn some new games, strategies, and develop their skills in a variety of different sports! This club will start on Thursday, September 12th 2024 and run until May 15th 2025. The first 40 students will be accepted into after school sports. Once registration has closed, you will receive an email confirming your child has been enrolled in after school sports.
Students need to be picked up at 4pm.
Please contact Mr. Carley ([email protected]), Ms. Petrella ([email protected]), Mr. Dowdy ([email protected]), or Ms. Morales ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
Sign up here: 5th Grade Sports
Mrs. Meucci's class earned a Pajama Day for following expectations! Way to "BE Ready".
