December 10, 2021

December 10, 2021

Dear Families,

We have a new face in the Ivy Hall front office. We welcome Janet Rotman to our Ivy Hall front office support staff. Mrs. Rotman will be our new clerical aide.  Please include Janet on all communication regarding attendance or dismissal changes.  Ms. Rotman can be reached via email at [email protected] or 847-459-0022 x1702. Welcome, Janet!

A friendly reminder that Tuesday, December 14, 2021, is an early release day. Students will be dismissed from school at 2:00 pm. Contained in the Principal’s Message this week is important information about winter parties. In order to ensure that we can celebrate safely together, all health and safety protocols must be followed. Please take the time to review the information contained in this message to ensure that you understand how winter parties will operate. Also, included in this week’s message is information regarding COVID-19 symptoms, close contacts, and travel quarantine. We are looking forward to another great week before the winter break.

Respectfully, 
Bob Hanrahan, Principal

NEW *Winter Parties December 17, 2021*

Parties will begin at approximately 2:00 pm and end at 2:45 pm. Only PTO-approved parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties. Please see more party volunteer information below.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PARTIES

District 96 remains vigilant in our efforts to slow/stop the transmission of COVID-19 and works hard to help to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. We are asking that all winter parties adhere to the following guidelines:

  • No food items should be present at winter parties, even if they are part of a craft
  • No goody bags/party favors containing food are permitted to be handed out to be taken home

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PTO PARTY VOLUNTEERS

Parents attending the parties may not bring additional family members, other children, etc.  We need everyone to abide by this and will have to ask you to leave if you come with other attendees.  

Every PTO volunteer approved to come into our school MUST have their license or ID scanned through our security system to enter. You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There can be a long line if you wait until the day of the party to scan your ID, so please anticipate this.  We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Ivy Hall sometime in December before the party to have their license scanned, which will speed up the process. The more people who come in early to be scanned, the shorter the line! Again, you may also come on the day of the winter party.  

All volunteers must have followed our procedures for verifying vaccination or have proof of a negative Covid test. Call the office with questions.

All volunteers must wear a mask at all times and remain socially distanced.

NEW *Volunteers & Vaccination Verification or Proof of a Negative Test*

This year Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed Executive Order 2021-20, regarding educational employee vaccination and testing requirements. The Executive Order which applies to all “school personnel,” volunteers are included in the definition unless they are present for only a short period of time and whose movements of close physical proximity are “fleeting”.   

Those who have been identified as a current or upcoming PTO volunteer recently received a survey asking that you provide proof of vaccination and notifying them that if unvaccinated they would need to provide proof of a negative Covid test within 48 hours of reporting to volunteer.

If you have already uploaded proof of vaccination, please disregard this information.

How do I provide proof of vaccination proactively should I choose to volunteer at my student(s) school this year?

By following this link, you may provide proof of vaccination to your school(s).  

https://kcsd96.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6umRb91nGZZ74xg

What if I am unvaccinated but want to volunteer this year?

Unvaccinated volunteers must provide proof of a negative Covid test when they arrive at the school on the day they are scheduled to volunteer.  Negative test results are only good for the 48 hours prior to arrival.  For example, if an unvaccinated volunteer is scheduled to be in the school the next week, they would have to provide a new test result.

What type of Covid test qualifies?

You may present a negative antigen or PCR test.  Home testing kits do not qualify as the test must be observed and documentation of the result is provided to you.

Why can’t unvaccinated volunteers take a Covid test at the school?

The BinaxNow test provided to schools is in short supply at this time.  As a result, schools have been notified that we cannot use the test for any screening purposes.  If we were to do so, they would no longer supply the test to us.  We are only allowed to use the test for symptomatic individuals on campus (students or staff) or when a person qualifies for test-to-stay.  If and when test supplies increase, those restrictions may be lifted.  If they are, we will be in a position to reconsider testing unvaccinated volunteers in our schools at that time.

What is the process for volunteers to either provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test?

Vaccinated volunteers may submit their proof of vaccination at any time by following the link provided and completing the survey and uploading proof of vaccination.  

The list of those who have done so will be made available to the school (principal, assistant principal, administrative assistant, and nurse) and updated periodically by Lubna Andrabi in our district office.

Unvaccinated volunteers must bring proof of a negative test to the main office on the day they are scheduled to volunteer. The main office will make a copy of your negative test. The test result must be within the previous 48 hours.  The staff at the front desk in the main office will assist you.

What if I am fully vaccinated but forgot to upload my proof of vaccination?

If you have not uploaded your vaccination card, you may provide proof of vaccination when you arrive (vaccination card).  We strongly encourage you to upload your card so that you do not need to present it each time you report to volunteer.

NEW *Spirit Day- Friday, December 15, 16, 17*

Wednesday - Warm and Fuzzy/By the fire clothes (Wear your favorite pjs or comfy clothes)

Thursday School Spirit Day (sport some gear from your favorite school-College, High School, or any other school)

Friday - Student Council’s next spirit day will be Friday, December 17. It will be grade-level color day. The colors are rainbow): 

  • 1st Grade- red
  • 2nd Grade- orange 
  • 3rd Grade - yellow 
  • 4th Grade - green 
  • 5th Grade - blue

NEW *Symptoms, Close Contacts, and Travel Quarantine*

If you have any questions about symptoms, close contacts, or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage

Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.

NEW *PRE-REGISTER FOR 2022–2023 KINDERGARTEN (and Get a Free Willow GroveStudent T-Shirt!)*

Pre-registration for 2022–2023 kindergarten is in-person or online. Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1, 2022, to register for the 2022-23 kindergarten school year.

In-Person Pre-Registration Option:

Thursday, January 13, 2022, 5–7 PM drop-in (Parents may also pre-register online during the month of January for the free T-Shirt)

Willow Grove Early Learning Center, 777 Checker Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL

Parents of incoming kindergartners will need to prove residency with required documents and District forms and to complete a brief online pre-registration form. (Incoming kindergartners do not need to be present.)

Required documents:

  • CURRENT monthly mortgage or lease statement or property tax bill AND
  • CURRENT utility bill AND
  • Student’s birth certificate, passport, or visa (photocopy not accepted) AND 
  • Parent or Guardian photo ID (Passport or Driver’s license)
  • RESIDENCY FORM
  • HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY
  • ENROLLMENT FORM

Questions? Please contact the public info coordinator at [email protected] or 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.

Date: January 13, 2022 - 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Online Pre-Registration Option: You do not have to attend in-person to pre-register. Details coming soon. Please continue to watch for updates in the Principal's Message and District 96 website.

Click HERE to learn more about Kindergarten in District 96.

NEW *PTO Blog*

  • PTO BLOG Contents Below - Link: https://www.kcsd96.org/ih/pto/blog 
  • Friday Night Food Truck Frenzy! (TONIGHT!!) TONIGHT, Friday, December 10, 5:00-7:30pm
  • Do Good With Chipotle and Raise Money for Ivy Hall on Sunday, December 12 (THIS SUNDAY)
  • Classroom Teacher Gifts (DEADLINE DECEMBER 16)
  • Indoor Recess Games - PTO Match
  • SAVE THE DATE - January 21 - Sports Equipment Swap Night 
  • Ice Cream Wednesday and Special Lunch Volunteer Sign-up 
  • Earn money for Ivy Hall by grocery shopping!
  • Ivy Hall PTO Link Tree: http://linktr.ee/ivyhallpto 

NEW *Ivy Hall Author*

This week we welcomed a former student named Mallika into our library. Mallika left Ivy Hall last year as a 5th grader, but she began writing a book at Ivy Hall over the course of the last three years. Mallika's book is entitled "The Coral Key." The following italicized text describes the story that "The Coral Key" tells is summarized in the following ...

Everything is normal until one day...

Aqua is a young dolphin with exceptional speed of an unknown cause. She has a happy life in her ocean home, until an unexpected storm changes everything - from her way of viewing the world to her destiny itself. In this novel, Aqua embarks on a dangerous quest to reunite the stars, one step at a time. It is a wonder, however, how great one step can be. Great danger lies where she must go, great danger she has never heard of … until now.

The Coral Key will be available for check-out from the Ivy Hall library in the very near future. But I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight just how wonderful Ivy Hall Elementary School is. We are producing young authors and talented students of all kinds. Although this is just one example, I want to take this opportunity to thank our community, our staff, and our students for the partnership that we have and the amazing results this partnership can produce.

REPEAT *Vaccination Cards for 5-11-year-olds*

Once the district-sponsored vaccination clinics for second doses have been completed, a message will be sent out to all families. This message will include a link for vaccination cards to be uploaded. Please do not send copies of vaccination cards prior to the message going out the week of December 13. 

REPEAT *Free Breakfast & Breakfast Guidelines*

Breakfast is part of the free meal program offered in District 96. Students may enter the building beginning at 8:10 am and report to the cafeteria for breakfast. Students that are part of the clubhouse morning program can also eat breakfast during their time there. All food must stay in the cafeteria and may not be served or removed from the cafeteria. Why? We need to follow the same procedures as a lunch. This process keeps our classrooms and school safe for students with food allergies. Thanks for understanding and thanks for your support.

REPEAT *Covid Metrics*

To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process. 

https://ecriss.ecragroup.com/strategy/Home/Indicators?Dashboard=KIL096

REPEAT *Food Service*

FREE MEALS IN SCHOOL:  Under the waivers to USDA Nutrition Programs currently offered, the District is able to provide free meals to all students.  One reimbursable daily meal will be provided free of charge to each student that chooses to participate on school days.  

SNACKS FOR PURCHASE IN SEPTEMBER: Snacks will start being offered at the beginning of September.  If you wish your child to be able to purchase snacks at that time, please be sure to have their account prepaid on the K12PaymentCenter.  This site will allow you not only to monitor balances but also transaction history.  There are no transaction fees related to this account.  To create an account you will need your student's 7 digit ID number, which will be emailed to you this evening with the subject line of D96 Food Service Information.

ORDERING PROCESS:  Each morning, students will tell their teachers which entree they will order and those numbers will be shared with the food service staff.  Please encourage your students to take the entree they ordered to ensure that all students receive the desired meal.  Menus can be viewed on the District website.

REPEAT *Arrival & Departure Procedures & Reminders* 

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 Director (Sam Miranda) and the Buffalo Grove Police Department. The Buffalo Grove police and District 96 appreciate your patience and understanding as we have established these routines in the interest of safety. The first few dismissals can be slow due to staff and students learning their routines. Please be patient. The picture below denotes all the forms of transportation that we have here at Ivy Hall. Please observe the picture and note areas where walkers, bussers, and private transportation arrival and depart from here at Ivy Hall.

As the weather begins to cool we are seeing more and more students being dropped off and picked up via car.  If you are dropping your student off in the morning or picking your student up after school, please use and follow our parent drop-off and pick-up procedures in the South lot near the playground.  Safety for all is our number one priority.  

Parking or pulling off to the side of the road on the streets immediately surrounding the school (Penny Lane, Ivy Hall Lane, and Clohessy Lane) can cause dangerous and unsafe situations for students.

Additionally, if your student rides their bike to or from school, please review bike safety with him or her.  Please help your students keep themselves and others safe when riding their bicycles.

REPEAT *Daily Snack*

All students should bring an individual daily snack. It is required that snacks are only from our District Approved Snack List for the safety of students. Please label snacks with your child’s name.

Approved Snacks: What Parents Need to Know

The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST. 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.  Daily snacks for your children must be from this list or they will be sent home.  

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.

Lunches packed from home may contain anything and do not need to be from the Approved Snack List.  If your child is bringing in lunch, snacks must be packed separately from lunch. Please label lunch bags and snacks with your child’s name.