August 9, 2019

August 15 ~ First Day of School (Also Below Repeated)

The first day of school is Thursday, August 15th from 8:25-11:45. It is a half-day and we will dismiss at 11:45 am. In the morning, students will line up in the parent drop off lot on the blacktop (southwest lot by the playground). Teachers will be outside to meet the students. Parent drop off will be on Penny Lane for the first day only. In the event that it is raining, students will assemble in the cafeteria gym by class. Parents and/or guardians are not to enter the building due to security. Thank you for keeping our building safe for your student.  

Newcomer’s Night 

I want to thank the families, the Guiding Coalition for Interculturalism, Betsy Fresen, Katie Sheridan, and all the building administrators that came out to Twin Groves last Wednesday evening. Our new families met and learned about District 96 and their specific schools. Families had the opportunity to ask specific questions and we all had a great time meeting and sharing our schools with you. We look forward to this school year. Welcome to District 96!

Student Dismissal Information (Please fill out for each child)

In order to centralize, organize, and standardize the collection of student dismissal information, the front office at Ivy Hall has formatted and grouped the forms that we use to collect student dismissal information. We understand that students will join clubs and change dismissal plans throughout the course of the school year which will not be reflected in the initial collection of dismissal plans, however, we will use this as a starting point for tracking student dismissal. This allows us to quickly and efficiently track, monitor, and record changes to student dismissal plans, all in one location. You will also receive this form from your child’s classroom teacher. If you have a moment, please complete the form for each child that attends school at Ivy Hall. As dismissal plans change, simply inform the front office and we will make changes so that we can stay apprised of student dismissal plans.

Biographies for New Staff at Ivy Hall Elementary School

Emma Dalton (5th Grade)

Emma Dalton has worked previously as an interventionist at Oakland Elementary and Sugar Grove Elementary Schools in Southern Illinois. Emma will be teaching 5th grade this year at Ivy Hall Elementary School. Ms. Dalton attended llinois Wesleyan University where she earned her degree in elementary education.

Tina Nowicki (4th Grade)

Mrs. Nowicki comes to us from Antioch District 34. Tina has taught 3rd grade for the past several years. During her time in District 34 she has served as a PBIS coach and brought Girls on the Run to District 34. Mrs. Nowicki obtained her master’s degree in teaching and special education from National Louis University and has an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University. Mrs. Nowicki will be joining our 4th-grade team.

Bri Savic (3rd Grade)

Mrs. Savic comes to us from Highland Park District 112 where she served most recently as a curriculum coordinator. Mrs. Savic has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from DePaul University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois in educational leadership, and a master’s degree from Lewis University in curriculum & instruction, literacy,  and English language learning. Ms. Savic has over 20 years of experience in education and has served as a classroom teacher, coach, and district curriculum coordinator. Mrs. Savic will be joining our 3rd-grade team.

Marissa Gillis  (Psychologist)

Ms. Gillis comes to Ivy Hall from Deerfield School District 109 where she served as a school psychologist. Ms. Gillis has a masters degree in psychology from Loyola University Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. 

Beth O’Toole (Special Education Teacher)

Beth O’Toole comes to Ivy Hall from Wilmette District 39 where she served as a special education teacher for over 10 years. Mrs. O’Toole has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Saint Louis University and a masters degree in special education from Northwestern University. Mrs. O’Toole will primarily be working with 1st and 2nd students this year at Ivy Hall.

Melissa Himes (Language Development Coach)

Mrs. Himes come to us from Loudoun County Schools in Sterling, Virginia. Mrs. Himes has a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in the area of early childhood education & special education and a master’s degree in English language learning from Western Governors University. Mrs. Himes will work as a co-teacher on our 4th-grade team here at Ivy Hall.

Lindsay Schumacher (Special Education Teacher)

Ms. Schumacher comes to us from Woodland District 50. In District 50, Ms. Schumacher served as a special education teacher. Ms. Schumacher has an undergraduate degree from National Louis University in elementary education and a masters degree in special education from Concordia University Chicago. Ms. Schumacher will work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Ivy Hall.

Mathew Boyd (Physical Education Teacher)

Mr. Boyd is joining the Ivy Hall physical education team. Mr. Boyd comes to us from District 118 South View Upper Elementary School in Forsyth, Illinois. In District 118, Matt taught physical education. Mathew has a teaching degree from Illinois State University. Mr. Boyd also has an associate degree in the area of science from Parkland College.

Ashley Serpico (Psychologist)

Ms. Serpico comes to us from Waukegan District 60 where she supported students in EC-5th grade and served as a member of the Behavior Problem Solving/Interventions and Leadership Teams.  She has an undergraduate degree from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned her education specialist degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Serpico will be working with our special education team at Ivy Hall.
 

TEAMING FOR THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR

• 1st Grade: Mrs. Levin, Mrs. Slivnick, Mrs. Litvan
• 2nd Grade: Mrs. Cappelen (Ms. Feld- Maternity Leave Sub), Mrs. Yario (formally Ms. Comin), Ms. Innocentini, Mrs. Wachta (formally Ms. Valle)
• 3rd Grade: Mrs. Hock, Mrs. Dorfman (formally Ms. Heineman), Mrs. McNamara, Ms. Savic
• 4th Grade: Ms. Balek, Ms. Nguyen, Ms. Lima, Mrs. Nowicki
• 5th Grade: Mrs. Holzhauer, Mrs. Kirberger, Ms. Dalton, Mr. Pangilinan
• Resource Providers: Ms. Sladek, Mrs. Sherlock, Mrs. Jarrett, Ms. Gillis, Mrs. Fooden, Mrs. Balmer, Mrs. Rybinski (formally Ms. Monica), Mrs. O’Toole, Ms. Lee, Ms. Deger, Mrs. Carlson, Ms. Schumacher, Ms. Brighton, Ms. Marks, Ms. Serpico, Mrs. Sullivan, Ms. Hepler
• Specials: Mrs. Lindgren, Ms. Coleman, Mrs. Heimer,  Mrs. Cigrand, Mr. Spangler, Ms. Flavin, Mr. Boyd
• Instructional Coaches: Ms. Driscoll, Mrs. Himes, Mr. Halstead, Mrs. Wang, Ms. Klein, Mrs. Gord, Mrs. Dolan

General Communication Expectations for Teachers 

Teachers will communicate with parents, at a minimum, twice a month. Staff use different forms of electronic communication. Some examples include emailed newsletters, blogs, email, and websites. You will learn this information at meet the teacher and/or curriculum night as well if you are in attendance. If you can’t make it to either one of these events, please connect with your student’s teacher to learn how he or she communicates.

Homework General Guidelines for Parents 

I wanted to include some handbook information around homework so that you can know what to expect from the staff. Please take some time to review the Handbook Language because there are some good guidelines and information to review and/or learn about homework.

Approved Snacks: What Parents Need to Know 

The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST, adding more items to this list to give families more choices. The items the list includes are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. 

This list includes the foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks. It also includes (for children in Grades 1–5) foods approved for Special Events such as birthday treats for a class or for PTO Halloween, Winter, or Valentine's Day parties.

IMPORTANT: All items for Daily Snacks–with the exception of fruits and vegetables–MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements.

Director of Educational Services Amy Gluck also has provided responses to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) about foods approved for daily snacks/special events.
For your convenience, find links to the District 96 Approved Snack List and Approved Snack List FAQs on the homepage of the District 96 website and the homepage of each school.

August 13 ~ New Family Presentation (Ivy Hall Library) 

8:00am - 8:30am on Tuesday, August 13th (just prior to Meet Your Teacher/Information Day). This is a great opportunity to be welcomed to the building and to receive a building tour. 

August 13 ~ Information Day and Meet Your Teacher 

Students are welcome to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and drop-off school supplies from 8:30am – 9:30am on Tuesday, August 13th.  If you pre-ordered a school supply kit from the PTO, it will be in the classroom. PTO representatives will be available at their table outside the Learning Center for all your PTO needs! Don’t forget to sign-up for Special Lunch and more on the Membership Toolkit database.

August 15 ~ First Day of School 

The first day of school is Thursday, August 15th from 8:25-11:45. It is a half-day and we will dismiss at 11:45 am. In the morning, students will line up in the parent drop off lot on the blacktop (southwest lot by playground). Teachers will be outside to meet the students. Parent drop off will be on Penny Lane for the first day only. In the event that it is raining, students will assemble in the cafeteria gym by class. Parents and/or guardians are not to enter the building due to security. Thank you for keeping our building safe for your student. 

August 16 ~ Second Day of School 

The second day of school is Friday, August 16th. Students will line up as classes in the grade level hallways. Staff will be available to assist students with line up. This is a FULL day of school 8:25-3:00pm.

August 22 ~ Curriculum Night 

Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd, for ALL grades. This is a “parents only” meeting, and we hope you can attend.  We will start as a large group in the big gym and after a few brief messages, you’ll be on your way to your children’s classrooms.

School Hours 

• Arrival time is between 8:10am and 8:25am
• The tardy bell rings at 8:25am. A parent/adult must accompany tardy students into the office and sign them in if you arrive after 8:25am.  Do not drop your child off at any door since all doors are locked and secured at this time. Please be aware that while we try to keep clocks on time, they can sometimes run a minute or two fast. If there are no adults outside, please walk your child into the front office.
• Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.
• Regular Day:  8:25 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.                                                                                
• Half Day: 8:25 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
• Early Release Day: 8:25 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

PTO NEWS

Please visit the PTO during Meet the Teacher Day on Tuesday, August 13th. All committee and volunteer sign-ups will be online as well as sign-ups for many of the fundraisers such as Special Lunch. The PTO will have laptops available for use from 8:30am - 9:30am.  If you would like to get a head start, log on to Membership Toolkit (https://ivyhallpto.membershiptoolkit.com/).

DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES 

*** THERE IS ONLY ONE ENTRANCE TO THE SOUTHWEST LOT. DO NOT ENTER WHERE IT SAYS “DO NOT ENTER.”

Students that take the bus will arrive and board the school bus on the east sidewalk (LOT containing most cars). Only cars that are parking and walking students into school will be allowed to enter the east parking lot from 8:10am-8:25am. At the end of the day, only buses will be permitted in the east parking lot between 2:40pm and 3:10pm. Cars that are parked in the east parking lot will not be able to leave during dismissal time due to the traffic pattern and student safety. If you are concerned about being able to leave during that time it is recommended that you park on the street to avoid being held in the parking lot.

Parents that drop off and/or pick up their children will enter a rolling drop off/pick up in the southwest blacktop area near the playground. Please approach parent pick up (clockwise) by driving east on Penny Lane.  Parents will exit the rolling drop/pick up by driving east on Penny Lane. All students that are being picked up will exit the building via the southwest doors where they will be met by faculty. Faculty members will direct cars through the rolling drop off and pick up and assist students (See Map below).

Students that walk home will only exit through the north and northwest doorways.  Students are not permitted to walk across the east parking lot OR exit via parent pick.

Please contact the school office at least 1 hour prior to dismissal in the event that your dismissal plans change. Your child will be at the designated dismissal location unless the school is notified in accordance with the above. Please notify the office in writing in accordance with the district handbook (PLEASE REVIEW HANDBOOK LANGUAGE). Please see Section 9.4 in the Parent/Student Handbook regarding permission for students to ride other buses, as in most cases, this is not allowed (PLEASE REVIEW HANDBOOK LANGUAGE).

When parking in the east parking lot at any time, please note that you will enter from Ivy Hall Lane. This is marked as an entrance only. Exit out to Clohessey Lane only. You will not be able to leave the parking lot onto Ivy Hall Lane (signs are posted indicating this). 

*** DO NOT FOR ANY REASON PARK YOUR CAR IN THE FIRELANE (WHERE THE BUSES LOAD AND UNLOAD). EVEN IF YOU ARE JUST RUNNING QUICKLY IN AND OUT OF THE FRONT OFFICE. YOU RUN THE RISK OF BEING TICKET OR TOWED.

There are many rules and procedures regarding arrival and dismissal. This can be challenging to get acquainted with and even frustrating. However, these procedures have been developed with student safety as the driving factor. These plans and procedures were developed in conjunction with our Facilities and Transportation Director (Sam Miranda) and the Buffalo Grove Police Department. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we establish these routines at the beginning of the school year. The first few dismissals can be slow due to staff and students learning their routines.

Again, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2019-2020 school year. Please feel free to contact