April 24, 2020

April 24, 2020

Families,

We know that the news of our D96 buildings being closed for the remainder of the school year, although in some ways anticipated, was difficult for us all to take in.  However, we want to assure you that teaching and learning remain open!  We care about your children deeply and will continue to provide learning, the school experience, and classroom connection opportunities.  

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.  

Sincerely & Respectfully,

Bob Hanrahan

Student Material Pick-Up (NEW)

We know that with the buildings being closed for the remainder of the school year, students have materials and possessions that need to be picked up.  Please know that district administrators are working to develop a plan and protocol for this to take place, and we will communicate that plan as soon as we have information to share with you.  We are working diligently to ensure the plan we develop adheres to health and safety guidelines to protect our school community.

NEW: Dual Language Update & Info (NEW)

Dual Language Interest Forms are due from interested parents of 2020-21 incoming kindergartners by 3 PM on May 15.

The Dual Language Program Public Lottery will be at 6 PM on May 27.

This Dual Language Parent Screencast VIDEO (17 minutes) presented by KCSD96 Director of Language and Early Literacy Kathryn Sheridan gives detailed info about the program.


Student Work Video (New)

Please enjoy this district video from Monday’s special activities.  Way to go, students! SEE INFO

5th Grade Placement Update (New)

Because the traditional assessments used for 5th to 6th-grade placement could not be administered due to the school closure, the Curriculum Office is currently working to revise the placement process. More information will be available in mid-May.

PTO Blog (New)

PTO Blog: This is always linked in my blog post below.


Do Your Kids Need Some Good Books to Read? (Repeat)

Students with iPads have no reason not to be reading. It's important to read every day. CHECK OUT ways to find great books to read (online) and more.

Buffalo Grove Park District Clubhouse New Parent Webinar (Repeat)

The Buffalo Grove Park District has scheduled a New Parent Webinar on Apr. 30 at 5 p.m. for prospective families interested in learning about before- and after-school childcare through the Buffalo Grove Park District Clubhouse Program. SEE INFO to log in to attend the prospective Clubhouse New Parent webinar.

Tech Support - Kindergarten-5th Grade (Repeat)

As students are home with their iPad devices to access remote learning plans, we do anticipate there may be some tech needs that arise.  If you run into any difficulty with your child’s school iPad, just send us an email explaining your problem and, we can support you and your device.  Please email [email protected] with any technology-related support needed.

Food Services (Repeat)

We understand these times may result in changes in employment for families.  If your family needs support with meeting basic needs, please know that all D96 families are eligible for food services.

Many of you have asked how you can support and help the District initiative to ensure our families are fed.  At this time, we do not need additional donations; however, we will let the community know when/if needs arise.  

KCSD 96 is working with our partners at Organic Life and the Exceptional Learners Collaborative to offer food services for our students.  We will have a packed breakfast and lunch available for you to pick up daily at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative’s NEW location at 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL.  

You may drive up to pick up a packed breakfast/lunch anytime between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm each day (Monday-Friday).  In the event you are not able to come to the ELC during this time, please contact us at 224-513-6448 or email [email protected] to see if other arrangements can be made.

You do not need to bring your child with you to pick up food.

Please contact the ELC if you have any questions at 224-513-6448.

20-21 - Parent Input for Class Placement (Repeat) 

*** Survey Closes Friday, April 24, 2020, at 11:55pm

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. At Ivy Hall, we take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:

Teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision making process.

Grade level teachers, the building administration, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. This team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.

This team of educators creates a draft set of class lists taking into consideration parent input. Class lists are then revised in August with summer changes for students who move in or out of the district. Class rosters are never final until they are released to families in August.

This process happens at grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders.  Our 5th-grade team actively works with Twin Groves to provide data and input related to placement decisions at the middle school level.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.

I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before 11:55 pm, FRIDAY, APRIL 24th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are provided through the Ivy Hall Class Placement Input 2020-2021 Survey.  As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information is impossible to track.  The information you provide in the survey will remain confidential between you and me.