Dear Country Meadows Families,
As the crisp air begins to settle in and the leaves start to change, we’re reminded that fall is upon us—a season of reflection, growth, and new opportunities. Here at Country Meadows, our students are settling into their routines, and we’re excited about all the learning and activities ahead.
Our students are doing incredible work, and I want to take a moment to commend them for their curiosity and enthusiasm. As we head into October, our focus is on fostering creativity, exploration, and a sense of wonder in all our students. The theme for this month is “Be Curious,” and we’re challenging our students to think outside the box, ask questions, and discover new ideas.
I also want to express my appreciation to our families for your continued support. Together, we are creating a learning environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to do their best.
Kindly,
Aska Lempke
Principal
Upcoming Dates
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October 22 - Early Release Day
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October 23 - Fire Drill at Country Meadows and Woodlawn
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October 24 - Cub Buddies at Country Meadows
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October 31 - Halloween Parade and Parties
NEW *Fire Drill at CM and WL*
On October 23, Country Meadows and Woodlawn 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.
NEW *Human Growth and Development*
Illinois State law requires all school districts with a comprehensive health curriculum to provide instruction on specific health topics including human growth and development. These topics align to the Illinois Physical Development and Health Standards. KCSD96 recognizes that parents/guardians are the primary educators for their families on these topics.
This instruction falls under a specific list of topics that you may elect to have your child excused from, as outlined by Illinois School Code. If you choose this option, please submit a specific request, in writing, to the school principal, asking that your child be excused from the class during that specific period(s) of instruction, and we will provide an alternate assignment.
For questions about the 4th grade program, please consult the links below. Parents of 5th graders will receive more information after the start of the school year. If you still have questions, please contact the school’s principal or assistant principal.
For specific materials, please see below.
Fourth Grade
This year KCSD96 will be hosting Candor Health Education (formerly Robert Crown Center) on November 18th. Candor Health will provide the learning to 4th grade students, and 4th grade teachers will be present during this learning experience. As in the past, students will not be separated by gender during the presentation by Candor Health.
Please click on the links below for a helpful overview of the program. The letter contains tips for parents to start conversations with children at home. The video will show you everything the students will see during the presentation.
School Program Overviews for Parents – Candor Health Education VIDEO
Password Premier25
NEW *FINAL REMINDER: Parent Network - October 24th
PARENTS, please join us! On October 24th, Educator/Author/Speaker Michael Brandwein will be speaking at 7pm at Twin Groves Middle School. In partnership with D102 & D103, Brandwein will present, "Talking it Out: How to Have Great Communication with Your Kids to Build Positive Relationships, Model How to Express Feelings, and Facilitate Problem-Solving". Please join us for a nationally acclaimed, highly entertaining, practical presentation that is packed with specific things to do and say to improve family communication and teach your children (of all ages) essential skills for life. We look forward to seeing you there!
NEW *Thank a Bus Driver for School Bus Driver Appreciation on 10/22
October 22nd is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in Illinois! We would like to thank all of our bus drivers or all they do each day to make sure our students get to and from school safely. Please join us in thanking our drivers. The District couldn't run without you!
NEW *Halloween Costumes*
Our Halloween festivities will be here before we know it. We look forward to students dressing in their Halloween costumes for our Halloween Parade and classroom parties on Thursday, Oct. 31st. Please help us with the following costume guidelines. Students will change into their costumes after their lunch period at school. Please ensure that your child can get the costume on with no or minimal help.
Costumes must be appropriate for school. If costumes are not school-appropriate the student will be asked to remove their costume.
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Please no masks, blood, super scary stuff, general ickiness, or weapons
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Please no cigars or cigarette items
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Please no bare tummies
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Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple
REPEAT *Halloween Festivities on Thursday, October 31*
On October 31st, all students will have the opportunity to participate in a parade outdoors at 1:45 pm (dependent upon the weather) as well as the classroom party. Please see the image below for families wishing to view the parade outside.
Please see some reminders below:
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The parade may be viewed by families outdoors. If it rains, it will be indoors for students and staff only.
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The Halloween party in the classroom is only for volunteers already identified via the PTO. At this point, you know if you are a Halloween party volunteer (if so, please no extra siblings)!
Thank you for your help with this and we look forward to the creativity from our students this day!
Once students have walked around the school, they will come back inside the building for their class party. Only Halloween party volunteers will be allowed in the building after the parade. If you are a parent volunteer for the Halloween party, you must enter through the front door and sign in as usual. If you have questions about being a party volunteer, please reach out to our PTO. As a reminder, there is no outside food allowed at Halloween parties.
If the weather does not cooperate and we are unable to have the Halloween parade outside, we will email parents before 1:00pm notifying you that the outdoor parade has been canceled.
REPEAT *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. If you have never volunteered at Country Meadows then you must come in to scan your ID or license ahead of the party. You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There is typically a very long line to enter at this first party, so please anticipate this. The more people who come and complete this early, the shorter the line will be on October 31st, 2021.
