Welcome back!
Here’s hoping you all got the chance to rejuvenate during the break from the routine of school!
This week, we got back into the swing of school,.
Here’s what’s ahead:
Coming Up:
- Monday, April 8
- Solar Eclipse
- Monday, April 15
- Deadline to indicate interest for Dual Language Lottery
- Tuesday, April 16
- Board of Education meeting (7 p.m., Ivy Hall Mat Room)
- Thursday, April 18
- Half Day
- Friday, April 19
- No School (Teacher Institute Day)
About the Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross over the United States. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. In northern Illinois, there will be a partial eclipse. Changes will become noticeable around 12:30 p.m. Central Time, with the height of the eclipse occurring at 2:07 p.m.
Staff are working to provide an opportunity for students in grades K-8 and staff members to safely view the eclipse. This includes providing special viewing glasses and training on how to appropriately use them and safely view the eclipse.
Students who want to safely view the eclipse outside on April 8 will be able to do that under the supervision of their teacher. We will also have opportunities for students to indirectly view the eclipse from inside the school if parents do not want them to be outside. If you do not want your child to be outside during the eclipse, please contact your school’s principal or assistant principal to let them know.
Staff and students will be provided with eclipse glasses and the safety overview on April 8 so that they can safely view the eclipse.
2024-25 School Supply Kits Available for Ordering
Families can now order the 2024-25 School Supply Kit from Educational Products Inc. (EPI) at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/. This year, all district schools use the same code: KCS096
Order by July 9 for home delivery before the start of school in August.
For questions about your order, contact Educational Products at 800-365-5345.
The School Supply Kits are a fundraiser for the PTOs. Parents can buy the grade-level materials on their own; access the School Supply Lists at https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/school-supply-lists.
What is 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 began March 1. 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).
Registration Open for 2024-25 School Year
Registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open: Parents and guardians of new Kindergarten students and returning District 96 students were emailed a link to register their child for the 2024-25 school year.
Complete registration by April 15 to receive a $20 Early-Bird discount. Families with returning students who register after April 15 will pay the standard registration fee. Registering early helps us to plan for the upcoming school year.
Registration fees paid by April 15 for the 2024-25 school year are:
- Early Childhood Blended Tuition: $2,870 (or $335.07 monthly)
- Kindergarten: $90
- Grades 1-4: $110
- Grade 5: $120
- Grades 6-8: $135
Families new to District 96 can find more registration information here: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/registration
Additionally, beginning in the 2025-26 school year, delayed enrollment will not be permitted, including in Kindergarten.
Any child being registered in District 96:
- who is five years old on or before September 1st of a given school year will be enrolled in Kindergarten.
- who is six years old on or before September 1st of that school year will be enrolled in first grade.
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
- Making a Healthy Transition to Stevenson panel (April 10)
- SHS Belonging (April 15)
- Earth Day Celebration (April 20)
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Literacy Works: Ms. Elfering’s second-graders learned this week about writing different types of sentences ~ command and questions, for instance ~ and continued their literacy work by pairing up to read aloud to one another.
See more in the Prairie Literacy Photo Gallery: https://www.kcsd96.org/p/prairie-photo-gallery/gallery/1616009/prairie-literacy-work-april-2024
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Child’s Play: This week, this Prairie first-grade class visited the library to check out books and have a bit of STEM-related fun building this tower.
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, April 12, 2024.