February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

Please attend Ivy Hall Celebrates Diversity and stop by the PTO book fair on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. It is a drop in event that runs from 6:30pm-8:00pm. You can spend as much or little time as you like, but we would love to see you there. Food, performances, a Culture Expo, activities, Book Fair, and more!

Parent Communication about Spring Conferences (New)

SIGN UP HERE

Spring Conferences are coming on Thursday, March 7th from 5pm-8:30pm and Friday, March 8th from 10am-1:30pm .   

Spring Conferences are Collaborative Conferences!  

Collaborative conferences means that your child will be leading the conference.  The purpose of collaborative conferences is for educators, students and families to discuss, reflect and celebrate student work, and for families to experience school through their child's eyes.  Students have been working hard to prepare for the conference, and we are excited for you to learn about your child’s progress directly from your child!

Teachers will be available in the room as guides and will be available to answer student questions or elaborate on a point a student is making, but we ask that all participants respect that this is the student’s opportunity to lead the conference by sharing progress and reflections about their own learning.  

Please read below to learn specific information about how collaborative conferences will be structured for each grade level.  

Grades EC-2

Families will sign-up for a 15 minute collaborative conference. Grades EC-2 collaborative conferences will be structured with one student in the classroom at a time with the classroom teacher as the guide and the student as the leader of the conference.  

Grades 3-5

Families will sign-up for a 30 minute conference. Grades 3-5 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 3 students in the classroom at a time.  Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. Classroom teachers and other building staff will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference.  Specials teachers will be in classrooms as guides in addition to the classroom teacher. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.

Grades 6-8

Families will sign-up for a 20 minute conference. Grades 6-8 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 6 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. The grade-level team of teachers will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference.  Exploratory teachers, PE, Health, Spanish and Band and Orchestra teachers will host an exposition of their courses. More information coming soon. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.

What is the Role of Families during Collaborative Conferences?

  • Provide reinforcement, encouragement and praise
  • Listen and ask questions
  • Help students look realistically at quality of work
  • Facilitate student’s self-reflection and goal setting
  • Be a partner in learning
  • See school through their student’s eyes

Questions Families Can Ask During the Collaborative Conference

  • What is your favorite piece of work? Why?
  • Describe your favorite activities or subjects.
  • What experiences at school do you find the most exciting?
  • Are there experiences that frustrate you, if so why?
  • What goals have you set for yourself for this spring?
  • How can I help you at home?

Parent Learning Survey (New)

Over the course of the spring, Ivy Hall Elementary School is interested in offering some opportunities for parents to learn more about what happens here! Please take the time to provide some thoughts and to rate the suggestions of others in order to help us prioritize our offerings. Click on the link below to participate in your ThoughtExchange.

https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#186770159

Snack / Approved Food List Reminder (New)

The APPROVED SNACK LIST–is a list of options without the top 8 allergens and gluten. These options are all available at local stores and offer families even more organic/natural choices. Note that options approved for daily snack (found on Page 1 of this list) are for individual children and are not to be shared. Please discuss with your student this no-sharing restriction of individual daily snacks to help him or her understand this requirement. Special Events:  party and birthday-approved snack options must come only from Page 2 of this new list. Your support of safe classrooms is appreciated: No homemade baked goods can be served and we ask that you continue to check food labels carefully (manufacturers may change product ingredients without warning). Also, note that your child’s classroom may have a specific snack list to follow. Please direct your questions about the District’s new Approved Snack List or food allergy management procedures in District 96 to Director of Educational Services Amy Gluck at 847-459-4260 ext. 8019, or [email protected]

Valentine’s Day (New)

Special thanks to all the families that helped contribute to the success of our Valentine’s Day Parties. The students and staff really had a great time. Pictures Here

Band Concert (New)

On February 12, 2019, our 5th-grade students put on a terrific performance at Twin Groves Middle School. Ivy Hall students did a remarkable job representing the Wildcats! Special thanks to parents for encouraging students to practice at home and fostering a love of instrumental music. Also, special thanks to Dan Nagle for his direction of the 5th-grade band.

Ivy Hall Celebrates Diversity February 19, 2018 (New)

Next Tuesday, February 19, 2018, Ivy Hall Elementary School, students, and families are will gather to celebrate the diversity of our school community. Please attend the event. There will be a book fair, food, dancing, fun activities, and more.

*** For those of you not directly participating in the culture fair or performance stage… It would be great if you could attend in clothing or bring something that represents your culture!

Victor Pacini (New)

Thanks to Ivy Hall students and staff for helping our student participate in an Erin’s Law “Be Seen & Heard” presentation from Victor Pacini. This is a delicate and touch topic. Students were educated around strategies to report abuse should it occur.

PTO Blog (New)

PTO Blog: This is always linked in my blog post below. I am adding a table of contents this week to help.

  • Thank you Valentine’s Day Party Volunteers and Room Parents
  • Please Help Clean Up Book Fair: Shop Book Fair 6pm-8pm Tuesday, February 19, 2019
  • Book Fair Special: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
  • Box Tops Due February 25, 2019
  • Donate to Chicken Dinner
  • Fifth Grade Spring Fling
  • Yearbook Co-Chair Trainee Next Year
  • Volunteers Needed: Girls Night Out, Staff Appreciation, Variety Show, Ice Cream Wednesdays
  • Spirit Wear Online

Upcoming Events:

  • February 18, 2019: No School
  • February 19, 2019: Book Fair & Ivy Hall Celebrates Diversity (6:00pm-8:00pm)
  • February 21, 2019: Ivy Hall PTO Board Meeting 6:30 pm: Learning Center
  • February 22, 2019: ½ Day of School (School Improvement in the PM)
  • February 26, 2019: PTO Special Lunch
  • March 1, 2019: No School: Teacher Institute Day
  • March 1, 2019: No School: Progress Reports 3pm
  • March 4, 2019: No School
  • March 7, 2019: Early Release
  • March 7, 2019: Collaborative Conferences: 5pm-8:30pm
  • March 8, 2019: Collaborative Conferences: 10am-1:30pm