Happy Friday!
Who couldn’t help enjoying the bright sunshine this week, in spite of the 30- and 40-something temperatures and today's overcast skies? Yes, spring can’t be far behind …
Meanwhile, enjoy your long weekend and we’ll see you Tuesday!
Here’s what’s ahead:
Coming Up:
- Monday, February 19
- NO SCHOOL (District Holiday)
- NO SCHOOL (District Holiday)
- Tuesday, February 20
- Board of Education meeting (7 p.m., Mat Room)
- Friday, February 23
- Report period ends, EC-Grade 8
- Tuesday, February 27
- Early Release Day (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.
Dual Language: For Parents of Incoming Kindergartners
Do you have an incoming kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience? 
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum and provide an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages. In the Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartner in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2024. This process should be completed by April 15, 2024, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language) and our Dual Language Lottery (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language-lottery).
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on March 12th for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians
Through March 29th, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
Virtual Backpack
Check the District and your school’s Virtual Backpacks for information on the following events and other items that may interest you.
Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack 
- STEM Day for Girls (February 24)
- 211 Lake County Resources (free, with resources in many languages)
- SHS Hockey for Grades 7 & 8
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Year of the Dragon: This week, Kildeer Countryside Elementary School first-graders learned about Chinese New Year: The Year of the Dragon.
School parent and university professor Dr. Zhen Liu visited the school, sharing about the New Year and sharing the significance of the colors red and gold and symbols such as the lanterns, special food dishes and celebrations.
QUESTIONS?
District 96 will communicate with you every Friday through E-NEWS 96 and the Principal’s Messages from each school where 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 Friday, February 23, 2024.