District 96 Families:
This week, we celebrated the work our families do with our teachers at our Fall Family/Educator Conferences, where families were able to chat with their children’s staff about their progress. (Happy World Teachers Day, teachers!) Thursday and Friday were non-school days, as will be Monday, a District holiday.
See you Tuesday, October 10!
Coming Up:
- Monday, October 9
- No School (District Holiday)
- Wednesday, October 11
- “Growing Up In Public” (7 p.m., Zoom)
- Sunday, October 15
- Outstanding Health / Immunizations & Vision Forms Due
- Tuesday: October 17
- Board of Education meeting (7 p.m., Mat Room, Ivy Hall)
- Tuesday, October 24
- Early Release (Early Release Times)
- 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.
Congrats, Board of Education Members!
Congratulations are in order for D96 Board of Education members Cynthia Zarkowsky, Marc Tepper, Mike Burns and Renee Klass, who received Annual Merit Recognition from the IASB Board Leader Recognition Program for Continued Learning.
These board members are now at the Distinguished level, for their continued attendance at IASB events and learning activities.
The service of these and other board members are celebrated on the upcoming School Board Member Recognition Day on November 15.
Talking Tuesday with Devorah Heitner: You Registered?
Did you register yet?
The District's Parent Network leads this session with writer Devorah Heitner, author of "Growing Up In 
Public" (new release) and "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and survive) in Their Digital World."
- Wednesday, October 11, 2023 (7 p.m., via Zoom)
- Pre-register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-up-in-public-raising-kids-in-a-social-media-world-tickets-633448671027
The Follow-up: SHS Hosts Discussion on Teen Digital Health
The school districts’ collaborative hosts a follow-up to Dr. Devorah Heitner’s visit with Dr. Adam Crane, of Psychological Pathways, discussing an issue dear to families’ hearts: screen time and well-being. He discusses “Screen Dependence & Digital Health,” from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 26.
“As children and teens become more and more reliant on digital media, it is important to understand when it has become a problem and how it interferes with their overall mental, social and emotional development. In this talk, we will explore how screens impact our youth, turn into over-reliance and addiction and create struggles within the family as parents try to set reasonable limits and foster healthier habits and interests."
Dr. Crane will share how screens impact brain development; appropriate and “at-risk” factors for screen use depending on age; strategies to help children and teens limit their screen use and find better balance in their lives; and ways to avoid power struggles and set reasonable expectations around screen use.
Join the conversation: https://zoom.us/j/93970729005
REMINDER: Outstanding Health, Vision Exams Due October 15
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 need the forms, please see last week’s “E-NEWS 96.”
Check the 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 Patriettes Poms Clinic: October 8 and 22
- Stevenson Math Carnival: October 10
- Growing Up in Public: October 11
- Lake County STEM for Girls: November 4
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Entrepreneurs of the Day: Last week, 2nd graders from Kildeer Elementary School showcased.png?mask=16)
and sold items and services they made to their fellow 2nd graders, from decorated purses and beads to many other items for Entrepreneur Day 2023. (Photos: Courtesy of Kildeer 2nd Grade staff)
See the photo gallery: https://www.kcsd96.org/k/kildeer-countryside-photo-gallery/gallery/1615121/2nd-grade-entrepreneurship-2023
A Great Day for Pajamas: Country Meadows students and staff celebrated a day in Pajamas this week, but there was no snoozing, as they tackled work in Dual Language classes, practiced literacy by reading their work aloud to each other and learned to use the school’s digital library system.
.png?mask=16)
Such a Fun Run! This week, Ivy Hall mascot Wiley Wildcat led students in a warm-up to the “Cha Cha Slide,” as they prepared to walk or run ~ or both ~ around the school field in celebration of wellness. A beautiful sight!
See the photo gallery: https://www.kcsd96.org/ih/ivy-hall-photo-gallery/gallery/1615142/ivy-hall-fun-run-2023
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 October 13, 2023.