E-NEWS 96, October 21, 2022

E-NEWS 96, October 21, 2022

District 96 Families:

It's hard to believe we're in one of October's final weeks, one that started with nippy temps and the season's first snow flurries and wound up in the 70s today.  This is a note to remind you to ensure your children are coming to school properly outfitted for the range in temperatures ... and that you are labeling clothes and reclaiming items lost at school.

Here’s what’s coming up:

 

Coming Up

  • OCTOBER:  Principal Appreciation Month
    • Principals Appreciation Day:  October 21, 2022
  • October 25:  Early Release Day 
    • Early Release Dismissal Times are:
    • Grades 1-5 dismiss at 2:05 p.m.
    • Grades 6-8 dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
    • Kindergarten dismisses at 2:05 p.m.
    • Structured: 8:30 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.
    • Blended AM: 8:30 to 10 a.m.
    • Blended PM: 12:35 to 2:05 p.m.
  • October 27:  Twin Groves Fall Play:  “Stone In The Road” @ 7 p.m. (Twin Groves Middle School; free)
  • October 31:  Halloween Parade and Parties (see your Principals blog for more information)
  • November  2 & 3:  Woodlawn Fall Play:  “Beauty and the Beast (Jr.)” @  7 p.m. (Woodlawn Middle School; free)

 

Check Your Principal's Blog

With the Halloween activities coming up, please be sure to read your Principal's blog, which will give pertinent details about costumes, parties and other items.

Also, be sure to check on the numerous fall festival-themed events and fundraisers your school's PTO is organizing:

 

Working With Our Students

This week, area parents heard from nationally recognized author and parenting expert Ned Johnson, speaking about how parents can raise children who are self-motivated.  Here is a link to his presentation:  https://youtu.be/HNO1mHa0fic. (This video will be available through next Wednesday, October 26, 2022.)                                   Ned Johnson

Here are also some major points made by Mr. Johnson:

  • Kids need control
    • "Without a healthy sense of control, kids feel powerless and overwhelmed and will often become passive or resigned." (Ned Johnson)
  • Practice empathy, active listening and validation and respect autonomy.
    • Parents should be consultants.
    • "Remember that your job is not to solve your children's problems but to help them learn to run their own lives.” (Ned Johnson)
  • Less stress, more flow
    • "Just as frequent exposure to high levels of stress can sculpt a young brain in ways that are unhealthy, frequent exposure to states of flow can sculpt a young brain to be motivated and focused." (Ned Johnson)

      "Parents should be a non-anxious presence.” (Ned Johnson)

  • Adequate sleep is important
    • “Sleep deprivation is a form of chronic stress. … Rest is not idleness.” (Ned Johnson)

 

IN OUR SCHOOLS

Touring the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC)

The KCSD 96 Board of Education hosted its October 18 meeting at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC), where guests got a tour of the facility. During the meeting, they heard from ELC Supt. Meghan Clark and D96 Director of Special Education Jennifer Dunne, who gave an overview of special education services from early childhood through adulthood.  

BOE meeting at ELC in October 2022

 

In the Virtual BackPacks

Check out the Virtual BackPacks for information on news and events of interest to students and families.  (Find the District’s main Virtual Backpack page at https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack.)

In the BackPacks: 


QUESTIONS                                                                                                                     

District 96 will communicate with you every Friday through E-NEWS 96 and through Principal’s Messages from each school in which you have a student enrolled. It’s important to read these messages weekly. Questions about KCSD96 communications? Call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022, or send email to the Media & Communications Specialist @ [email protected].

The next issue of E-NEWS 96 will be Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.