May 14, 2021

May 14, 2021

Dear Families, 

It’s hard to believe that the 2020-2021 school year is upon us. The official last day of school is June 3, 2021, and it is a half-day. Students will be released at 11:45 am. 

MAP testing is now complete. Although MAP is only one assessment tool it is a valuable instrument that helps inform our understanding of individual student growth areas. Regardless of whether students tested in-person, or remote, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students, families, and staff for making the logistical arrangements to have students participate in testing. Please take a moment to review pertinent repeating items and new items below. Notably, there is important logistical information below about student iPad exchanges, below, that will take place over the summer. Please be sure to read the details, as the district will be collecting old equipment and replacing it with new equipment. Have a great weekend.

Kindly, 

Principal Hanrahan

NEW *Virtual Variety Show* 

Thank you for all the submissions for the virtual variety show this year. As I build the variety show, I have been reaching out to parents to send some videos in a different format. I also have still been receiving submissions. I will extend the FINAL date to submit the videos to Sunday, May 16th.  However, I will not accept any more submissions after that time. I hope to have the variety show ready for viewing at the end of next week! 

NEW *Protocol Update*

On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing in any setting–whether indoors or outside.

Consistent with our practice throughout this pandemic, we are in conversation with local health officials at the Lake County Department of Public Health to understand how this announcement from the CDC will affect our learning environments. 

Be advised that our current mitigation strategies remain in place as we await local guidance. 

That is–regardless of whether they have been vaccinated–our faculty, as well as our students, will be expected to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing at school and at a school-sponsored event such as 8th-grade Graduation. As you know, at this time students in our elementary district have not yet been vaccinated.

As local guidance is updated, be assured that we will share it and its implications with you promptly, as we’ve done consistently throughout the year.  

NEW *PTO Blog* 

As always, please check out our PTO blog for updates.

  • BOOK FAIR SUCCESS!!
  • GENERAL PTO BOARD MEETING ON MAY 20
  • 5TH GRADE PARADE
  • END-OF-THE-YEAR GIFTS FROM FAMILIES
  • YEARBOOK STATUS
  • MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT CREDITS

NEW *41st Consortium 125 Virtual Artfest*

We are pleased to invite you to the 41st Consortium 125 Virtual ArtFest. Please view the exposition of 1-8 student artwork from district 76, 79, 96, 102, 103, 125 CLICK HERE

NEW *Transition to Middle School Program*

We had our annual program (virtual) for parents of current fifth graders on May 10. It offered information and insights about what to expect in the middle school years ahead. Middle School Principals Jessica Barnes (Twin Groves) and Greg Grana (Woodlawn) discussed academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that the middle school years bring. Our current sixth-grade student panelists shared their perspectives. It was a fun and informative evening!

If you were unable to attend, HERE is the recording (Passcode: 3&JcDia). Please note that the recording will be available for two weeks only.

NEW *5th Grade Parade*

Ivy Hall families on May 27, 2021, we will attempt to have a vehicle parade to celebrate the send-off of our 5th-grade Wildcats. I am attaching detailed instructions HERE regarding the line-up, viewing, parking, and more. Please come out and observe the parade. All are welcome. Participation of vehicles will be limit to 5th-grade families only, but all are welcomed and encouraged to observe.

NEW *iPad Exchange Info for ALL KCSD96 Students*

Action needed! This summer District 96 will exchange your student's old iPad, charging cable, charging brick, and iPad case for new equipment. You'll need to schedule an appointment to make the exchange and the exchange must occur before August 1, 2021. READ DETAILS about this process and how it affects ALL District 96 students.

NEW *Math, Literacy, and Technology Materials Return*

There are only a few materials the district is looking to collect back from those that were distributed throughout the year. We are asking for all of the materials listed below to be returned to schools during the week of May 24th. For those students who are remote, a bin will be available inside the vestibule. Please be sure to bag your materials when possible, and please label materials with name, grade, and homeroom.  Thank you so much for your help with this!

  1. Literacy Books: After Friday, May 21st, we will no longer need any of the ”ReadyGen”Literacy materials as part of our lessons. Please return all books beginning Monday, May 24th. It is important to return these as soon as possible so that we can inventory them accordingly and make purchasing decisions for next year. Some students have already begun to return these materials. for a convenient drop-off. The grade level links below show a complete list of books that need to be returned to school.

  1. Omni-fix cubes: These were distributed to 5th-grade students in August in a plastic bag. Each 5th-grade student received 30 cubes in a plastic Ziplock bag. The Omni-fix cubes are no longer needed for 5th-grade math.  Please return these to schools at your earliest convenience. For a picture of the cubes click HERE

  2. Logitech Keyboards: Each student in grades 1-5 received one of these keyboards in September. Middle school students received a keyboard upon request. For a picture of the keyboards click HERE.

  • If your child is planning on taking IAR (Grades 3-8), please bring the keyboard to school on May 23-25 for use during the assessment. It will be collected after IAR is completed on Wednesday the 25th.
  • If your child is not using the keyboard, please return the keyboard at your earliest convenience. Early returns will help us ensure each student that wants one for IAR has one to use.

NEW *IAR Dates* 

  • Monday 5/24: Grades 3-8
  • Tuesday 5/25: Grades 3-8
  • Wednesday 5/26: Grades 3-8

K-2 Students

Students in grades K-2 do not take IAR. Kindergarten students will follow a typical schedule. 

Students in Grades 1 and 2 will have typical arrival and dismissal times but may have a special schedule during the day.

In-person students in Grades 3-5

These students will have the same arrival and dismissal times as they normally would and complete the assessment as a part of the typical school day. 

Remote students coming to test in-person

These students will arrive at the designated time below. Teachers will communicate the appropriate class to log on to after students return home. 

  • Grades 3-5 Monday Arrival: 8:45
  • Grades 3-5 Monday Dismissal: 11:55
  • Grades 3-5 Tuesday Arrival: 8:45
  • Grades 3-5 Tuesday Dismissal: 11:55
  • Grades 3-5 Wednesday Arrival: 8:45
  • Grades 3-5 Wednesday Dismissal: 11:00

Click here for a description of arrival procedures, safety considerations, and needed materials.

Click here for a copy of the self-certification form that all remote students must turn in before entering the building to test.


REPEAT *Student’s Art Appreciation Event – Consortium ArtFest (Virtual) is May 17–31*

KCSD96 families are invited to attend the 41st Annual Stevenson Consortium 125 ArtFest, showcasing our students’ artistic growth and achievements using a variety of media. This year you can view creative work by our Grades 1–8 students virtually. Exhibited art is selected by their District 96 art teachers. Access student artwork online May 17–31. CLICK HERE for more information.

REPEAT *Exploration Lab Materials-Please Read*

Click HERE to see which materials in-person learners should bring back to school!

REPEAT *In-Person Learning Information*

MATERIALS

Please remember to check the IVY HALL MATERIALS SHEET (also good for remote learners) to see which materials your child will need for class.  If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate teacher.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL PROCEDURES 

Please arrive no earlier than 8:10 am as this is when staff is on duty to supervise students.  If your child is tardy you must enter the building to sign him/her in.

CHANGE IN AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP FOR YOUR CHILD

If your child will not be taking the bus home after school, please send a handwritten note or call the office to let us know.  Please DO NOT send emails of this nature, as we cannot guarantee that an email will be seen prior to school dismissal

ADDITIONAL ROUTINE ITEMS OF NOTE

It is still chilly!  We may go outside for short breaks so please ensure that your child has the proper outerwear. 

Children will be bringing iPads and Logitech iPad "crayons" between home and school daily.  Please develop a routine of charging both every night and putting them in their backpack each morning.  A helpful tip is to post a sign at child eye level on the door where your child will exit in the morning.  You can make a picture checklist of this and anything else to support your child to develop independence with morning routines.

Children may bring individual water bottles to school.  They should not be glass and should have a spill-proof top.  Please label your child's water bottle with his/her name.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

Parents must do the DAILY self-certification for their child.  Parents must submit a daily self-certification prior to their student being allowed to attend in person. Parents will need to download the TeacherEase app if they haven't already in order to access the daily self-certification form.  Please see this video for further instruction: (Dist 96: In-Person Parent Video Instruction).

COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP

We are confident that the District 96 community will rise to the occasion and partner with us to ensure the safety and success of our hybrid learning plan. Please think carefully about your commitment to our partnership before sending your child to school.  Please review our In-Person Learning Protocols