District 96 Families:
This week, District 96 shared resources to help you maneuver conversations with your children about the recent crisis in Israel. This information is filled with guides and tips to help you with any conversations you may have.
Should you have concerns about safety at your child's school, contact your Principal or Assistant Principal, either of whom can discuss this with you. Do not hesitate to contact your school team for any support your family may need.
As we move into next week, we also pause to recognize our school leaders during Principal Appreciation Week ~ October 15 to 21.
Here’s also what’s coming up:
Coming Up:
- Sunday, October 15
- Outstanding Health / Immunizations & Vision Forms Due
- Sunday-Saturday, October 15 - 21
- Principal Appreciation Week
- Friday, October 20
- Principal Appreciation Day
- Tuesday: October 17
- Board of Education meeting (7 p.m., Mat Room, Ivy Hall)
- Tuesday, October 24
- Early Release (Early Release Dismissal 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.
- Tuesday, October 31
- Halloween Parties
Follow-up: SHS Hosts Panel Discussion on Teen Digital Health
If you caught Dr. Devorah Heitner’s talk with area families on Wednesday night, you might want to follow up with a session on teens’ screen dependence and digital health.
Dr. Adam Crane, from Psychological Pathways, discusses this topic in “Screen Dependence & Digital Health,” from 6 to 7 p.m. 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,” promotional materials indicate. “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.”
In the discussion, 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 this (free!) conversation: https://zoom.us/j/93970729005
Watch the Replay: “Growing Up in Public” (updated)
Families can watch a replay of Wednesday night’s conversation with Dr. Devorah Heitner (author of “Growing Up In Public”) on the Vernon Area Public Library's YouTube channel. The video will be accessible till November 2, 2023.
Check the Vernon Area Public Library's YouTube channel for availability: https://youtu.be/N6BpIXutQvI
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 the September 29 edition of “E-NEWS 96.”
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 World Fair: October 21 and 22
- Thank A Veteran: Due by October 23
- Lake County STEM for Girls: November 4
IN OUR SCHOOLS
The Science of Plant and Animal Life: Miss Heuer’s Prairie 2nd graders studied about animal and plant life this week, understanding the elements ~ air, water sunlight ~ that they need to survive.
Go, Twin Groves Cross Country, Go!: All the best to the Twin Groves Cross Country team, which competes Saturday, October 14, at the State competition. The team placed second at IESA Sectionals (Division 4A) a few weeks ago. 
Though individuals have advanced to State competition previously, this is believed to be the first time in a long while that an entire Twin Groves Cross Country team has advanced to the State race.
Congrats to the team and coaches Anna Kopacz, Timothy Kile and Dan Nagle.
Check out the Twin Groves Boys' Cross Country Photo Gallery: https://www.kcsd96.org/tg/twin-groves-photo-gallery/gallery/1615185/twin-groves-boys-cross-country
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 20, 2023.