Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. The Ivy Hall staff is very excited to be working with you and your child(ren) this year. If this is your first experience as an Ivy Hall family, I know that you will be pleased with our school and staff. We have a positive and vibrant community that makes us all - staff, students, and parents - proud to be Wildcats! It has been my honor to be Ivy Hall’s Principal since 2017 and it is my true privilege and joy to serve this community.
I’m excited for this school year and the transition of getting back to normal. The pandemic challenged everyone in ways that we could not have imagined, but from it, we have emerged a stronger community. That experience has proved that we are all resourceful, creative, and flexible and that our students, teachers, and staff care deeply about being at school.
Positive relationships continue to be of the utmost importance. Last year we implemented a daily meeting time to ensure that students and staff had a structured forum to get to know each other and socialize in a non-academic setting. I’m happy to share that we will continue to allot this time in our master schedule for classroom family and personal relationship development. As we start the school year we will continue to communicate strongly with you through emails, regular teacher newsletters, and the weekly Principal’s Message.
Teachers and administrators have been working tirelessly over the summer months to prepare for this school year participating in curriculum development, technology tools workshops, social-emotional learning workshops, professional book studies, and so much more. I could not be more proud of our staff for their dedication and preparation for this school year.
The staff and I are looking forward to seeing all our students in person. We deeply value our partnership with you and are so appreciative of your support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with your questions.
Kindly,
Bob Hanrahan, Principal
NEW *Reminder to Complete the Consent Forms*
This is a friendly reminder to complete your Consent and Acknowledgements by Monday, August 9th. The acknowledgment of sending your child to school symptom-free is required for all students.
This is a friendly reminder to complete your acknowledgment forms by August 9th. It is required that each family acknowledge they will send their child to school, symptom-free, every day.
Each family has received the following Consents and Acknowledgements:
1) Consent to participate in weekly screening using the RT-PCR nasal swab at home (not required)
2) Consent to test on campus when symptomatic or when identified as a close contact (please see the presentation for more information - not required)
3) Acknowledgements that include that by sending a student to school parents are certifying that they are symptom-free (REQUIRED).
NEW *Health Form Deadline*
The district website lists today as the deadline for immunization forms. All immunizations should be completed to avoid school exclusion. Please refer to the D96 Student Health website for more information.
NEW *Class Placement Information*
This year your child’s class placement and bus route information will come to you electronically on the morning of Thursday, August 12, 2021, to all families that have a designated email address on file. If you do not have an email address on file, class placement and bus information will be mailed on the same day, so please look for it to arrive via mail.
A team of staff members worked diligently to make sure each child was placed in the classroom in which he or she will find continued success. We know you appreciate the fact that, with such careful thought and consideration put into these decisions, including your input, no changes will be made and we thank you for your support. This year’s class lists were developed with the following teaching teams in place to ensure student success.
NEW *Meet the Teacher*
Elementary Schools (Ivy Hall) - Tuesday, August 17th. All must wear a well-fitting mask that covers their mouth and nose.
Last Name Reporting Times
- Last Names A-L 8:30am - 9:15am.
- Last Names M-Z 9:15am - 10:00am.
Attendance Criteria
- Everyone must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. We will have masks available for those that need one.
- Please be aware of social distancing.
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All children must be supervised by their caregiver for the duration of the event.
NEW *First Day of School - Thursday, August 19th*
- Ivy Hall Elementary School: 8:25 AM - 11:45 AM. This is a half-day of attendance for students.
- Please see the District 96 calendar link for more information
NEW *New Family School Tours*
Ivy Hall Elementary School will provide two new family tours on Friday, August 13, 2021. If your student’s last name begins with the letter A-L or M-Z you can find the reporting times below. Please enter through the front office.
- Last Names A-L 10am - 10:45am.
- Last Names M-Z 2pm - 2:45pm.
- Please RSVP HERE.
New *New Staff Members*
Sherene Kurian - Ms. Kurian has taught previously as a special education teacher at NSSEO and at Goodwin Elementary School. Ms. Kurian has an undergraduate degree in special education from Loyola University Chicago and a master's degree in special education from Concordia University Chicago.
Katie Knutson - Ms. Knutson has been in education for over a decade and has most recently completed a maternity leave here at Ivy Hall for grades 3 through 5. Ms. Knutson has an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in Education. Ms. Knutson will be working on our 5th-grade team this year as a classroom teacher.
Ivette Martinez: Ms. Martinez was named Carthage College’s educator of the year. Ms. Martinez has an undergraduate degree from Carthage College in Wisconsin. Ms. Martinez will be working on our 4th-grade team this year as a classroom teacher.
Kimberly Rycon: Ms. Rycon has taught previously in Buffalo Grove District 102 and in Crystal Lake District 47 before taking time away from education to support her family. Ms. Rycon returned to education in 2019 and taught last year in District 21 as a special education teacher. Ms. Rycon will be working at Ivy Hall as a special education teacher.
NEW *Maternity Leaves*
4th Grade Teacher: Ms. Brittany Balek ([email protected]) - 4th Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Renee Goff ([email protected])
2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Nikki Yario ([email protected]) - 2nd Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Sharon Anderson ([email protected])
2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Kendra Cappelen ([email protected]) - 2nd Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Carolyn Mohr ([email protected])
Math Coach & Math Interventionist: Ms. Kasie Dolan will begin the year on leave and her coaching responsibilities will be supported by other District 96 math coaches. Ivy Hall will utilize our existing intervention team to support Ms. Dolan’s interventions while she is out on leave. If your student receives tier 3 math intervention, you will be assigned an intervention very soon.
NEW *Ivy Hall Team Information*
1st Grade Team: Ms. Linda Litvan, Ms. Leslie Levin, Ms. Lindsay Slivnick, Ms. Courtney Carlson, Ms. Lindsay Schumacher, Ms. Kimberly Davis, Ms. Sandra Moore
2nd Grade Team: Ms. Kendra Cappelen, Ms. Emily Tyndorf, Ms. Bri Savic, Ms. Nikki Yario, Ms. Courtney Carlson, Ms. Lindsay Schumacher, Ms. Kimberly Davis, Ms. Sandra Moore
3rd Grade Team: Ms. Nicole Dorfman, Ms. Kelly McNamara, Ms. Teaghan Hock, Ms. Kelley Pabst, Ms. Hanna Lee, Ms. Katie Deger, Ms. Sherian Kurian, Ms. Kimberly Rycon, Ms. Nicole Guarino
4th Grade Team: Ms. Brittany Balek, Ms. Emma Dalton, Ms. Ivette Martinez, Ms. Kerry Nowicki, Ms. Hanna Lee, Ms. Katie Deger, Ms. Sherian Kurian, Ms. Kimberly Rycon, Ms. Nicole Guarino
5th Grade Team: Ms. Jessica Kirberger, Ms. Julie Holzhauer, Mr. Enzie Pangilinan, Ms. Annie Nguyen, Ms. Knutson, Ms. Hanna Lee, Ms. Katie Deger, Ms. Sherian Kurian, Ms. Kimberly Rycon, Ms. Nicole Guarino
Specials Team: Ms. Cigrand (PE), Mr. Spangler (PE), Mr. Boyd (PE), Ms. Flavin (PE), Ms. Coleman (General Music), Ms. Heimer (Exploration Lab), Ms. Lindgren (Art), Mr. Morris (Art)
Related Services Team: Ginger Hepler (Language Development Coach), Kayla Richardson (Recreational Therapist), Ashley Serpico (Psychologist), Lindsay Marks (Occupational Therapist), Kelley Balmer (Occupational Therapist), Alexis Jarrett (Social Work), Joann Sherlock (Speech-Language Pathologist), Felicia Sladeck (Speech-Language Pathologist), Marci Fooden (Literacy Differentiation Specialist), Megan Polchopek (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), Marissa Gillis (Psychologist), Brynn Brighton (Speech-Language Pathologist)
Coaching Team: Megan Klein (Literacy Coach), Sara Gord (Literacy Coach), Kasie Dolan (Math Coach), Christina Seung (Language Development Coach), Todd Halstead (Language Development Coach), Mina Wang (Language Development Coach), Jamie Driscoll (Language Development Coach), Howard Frishman (Technology & Assessment Coach)
*** The following teachers will begin the year on maternity leave. Next to each name is the contact email address for each maternity leave teacher.
- 4th Grade Teacher: Ms. Brittany Balek ([email protected]) - 4th Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Renee Goff ([email protected])
- 2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Nikki Yario ([email protected]) - 2nd Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Sharon Anderson ([email protected])
- 2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Kendra Cappelen ([email protected]) - 2nd Grade Maternity Teacher: Ms. Carolyn Mohr ([email protected])
Front Office Team: Ms. Mollerdino (Assistant Principal), Ms. Jodi Zachara (Administrative Assistant), Ms. Tabitha Reusch (Clerical Office Assistant), Mr. Bob Hanrahan (Principal), Ms. Nancy Adinolfi (Nurse)
Custodial Team: Jimmy Cichowski (Head Custodian), Dave Felson (Custodian), Maria Ibarra (Custodian), Fran Rocha (Custodian)
NEW *Student Picture Day*
Ivy Hall’s student picture day is August 31, 2021. More information to come.
NEW *Daily Snacks*
Children have daily snack time in their classrooms. Snacks must be from the approved snack list and can be found on the District 96 landing page. I will do my best to send a reminder out, when/if there are changes to this list. Abiding by this helps to keep our environment safe for all students to do their best learning. Any items not on the Approved Daily Snack List sent to school will be returned home.
NEW *Birthday Treats*
Our birthday treat policy has changed. Only school-appropriate, non-food items such as pencils, stickers, crazy straws, and so on will be allowed.
NEW *PTO News*
At Meet-The-Teacher, the PTO will have a table in front of the learning center. Please stop by to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can help support the Ivy Hall PTO.
Please take a moment to visit and familiarize yourself with the PTO’s page and their blog at your earliest convenience. Registering with the Ivy Hall PTO Tool kit will allow you to have access to sign up opportunities.