E-NEWS 96, September 15, 2023

District 96 Families:

Congratulations, families and students, you have completed your first month of school!  Classrooms are humming and most importantly, students are learning new material and skills as they meet new teachers and perhaps some new classmates.  Let’s keep moving forward!  

Here’s what’s coming up:

Coming Up:

• Tuesday, September 19:   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 (including Structured Kindergarten) dismisses at 2:05 p.m.
  • Early Childhood Structured Learning: 8:40 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.
  • Blended Early Childhood/ECSE AM: 8:40 to 10:10 a.m.
  • Blended Early Childhood PM: 12:35 to 2:05 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 19:   Board of Education meeting  (7 p.m., Mat Room, Ivy Hall Elementary School)
• Wednesday, September 20:  Family Tech Talk (webinar, 7 p.m.)
• Monday, September 25:  No School (District Holiday)

Student Family Directory Update Coming

The District’s Student Family Directory is scheduled to be updated next week.

Questions about the Student Family Directory can be directed to D96 Community Parent Liaison at [email protected].

Due October 15: Outstanding Health, Vision Exams

Reminder:  October 15 is the deadline for families to turn in outstanding Child Health Exam or Proof of Dental Exam forms or waivers/exemptions.  If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment for your child’s health examination and request that your medical provider complete the required form and return it to your child’s school. 

• Child Health Exam/Immunization: Due for new students, including Kindergartners, and current 6th graders who are returning D96 students
  • State of Illinois Child Health Examination/Immunization Form
• Proof of Vision Exam:  Due for new students or those entering Kindergarten
  • State of Illinois Proof of Vision Examination Form (for new students or those entering K)
• Waivers/Exemptions
  • State of Illinois Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations
  • State of Illinois Eye Exam Waiver Form

These forms are to be turned in to the office at your child’s school.

To learn more, visit https://www.kcsd96.org/student-services/student-health.

REMINDER

Reminder: Family Tech Talk on Wednesday

You still have time to register for Wednesday’s “Family Tech Talk” with District 96’s Director of IT Services,   Bob Hanrahan, and School Resource Officer Edyta Zuk.  Hanrahan will discuss the District’s technology offerings and Officer Zuk will talk about ways to keep your children safe online. This virtual discussion starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 20.             

To register, visit https://kcsd96.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrd--prDgsEtL37I_8lcdMFfBLqGvQMl_x

Wanted:  Parents to Join GCI and TEP

KCSD 96 invites parents to consider joining our two parent groups, Thought Exchange Partnership (TEP) and Guiding Coalition of Interculturalism (GCI).

TEP offers parents opportunities to share ideas and receive information about instruction, programs and initiatives. Understanding parent perceptions is helpful for planning and communications.

The purpose of GCI is to help form a learning community that reflects and connects the KCSD96 values of diversity and inclusion; align parents, educators, and students in cultural and educational experiences; and engage with a wide audience.

Learn more about both organizations here: 

• GCI:  https://www.kcsd96.org/parent-organizations/guiding-coalition-of-interculturalism
• TEP:  https://www.kcsd96.org/parent-organizations/thought-exchange-partnership

If interested, please contact Community Parent Liaison Lubna K. Andrabi at [email protected].

Virtual Backpack

Check the District and your school’s virtual Backpacks for information on the following events and other items that may be of interest to you.

Virtual Backpack:  https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack

• SHS presents “The Bully Plays:” September 23
• Register Now for SHS Math Carnival, October 10
• Bowling With Buddies, October 25
• Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF): Ends October 31

In Our Schools

Strumming Right Along: Students in Mrs. Wesbecher’s class are learning to play chords on the guitar in their class on Thursday morning. Guitar and keyboard are the instruments used at the middle school as a    part of the music curriculum. This is not a performance-based class, although the students will perform for Mrs. Wesbecher for a grade at the end of the unit. They also work on composing music as well as listening to and analyzing music.

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 at [email protected].

The next issue of E-NEWS 96 will be September 22, 2023.