March 11, 2022

March 11, 2022

Dear Families,

We are looking forward to our conferences next week! Please remember, whether virtual or in-person, conferences are designed for your child to lead. Make sure your child is with you during the conference. Students are so excited to share their learning with you. Your child’s teacher will answer any questions you may have and assist your child, if needed, with their presentation. We can't wait to celebrate your child's growth with you!

Respectfully,

Bob Hanrahan, Principal

NEW *Spring Conference Virtual Zoom Links*

For those families that are attending conferences Monday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 15 remotely please use the ZOOM LINK DOCUMENT to find the link for the scheduled conference. See below for more information regarding conferences.

NEW *Calendar Reminders*

  • Monday, 3/14: Early Release & Student-led Family Educator Conferences. Students are dismissed at 2:00 pm, and Student-led Family Educator Conferences will be held from 5:00-8:30.
  • Tuesday, 3/15: No School - Student-led Family Educator Conferences will be held from 10:00-1:30.
  • Wednesday, 3/16 - School day on a normal schedule
  • Thursday, 3/17 - School day on a normal schedule
  • Friday, 3/18 - No School

NEW  **Dual Language Opportunity for 22-23 Kindergarteners*

Do you have an entering kindergartener or know a D96 resident that does?  Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?  

See the District website to learn more (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language) about the District's optional Spanish/English Dual Language program.

The Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum that provides an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages.  In the district’s Dual Language program, 50 percent of the academic day curriculum is delivered in Spanish and 50 percent of the academic day is delivered in English.

Parents interested in enrolling their entering kindergarten student(s) in the Dual Language Program are asked to fill out the Lottery Form at https://forms.gle/L9oLoHVU2EB6dost5 by 3 p.m. April 15.

NEW *D96 Community Relief Efforts*

Please read Mrs. Julie Schmidt’s March 9 Superintendent’s Message regarding community relief efforts.

NEW *Talking to Students about Events in Ukraine*

As indicated in Mrs. Schmidt’s Superintendent’s message, staff has received resources regarding how to support conversations with students who express personal and more global concerns and fears.  We will continue to provide the most up-to-date resources to them. Below you will find resources for parents on how to support your student at home. 

Many of our students need the guidance and safety of adults in their homes to navigate their own emotions and trauma in a healthy, safe, and productive way. A few reminders when speaking with your student: 

  • News like this can be scary to children if not handled in the right way. Support and conversations will look and sound different with different age groups.
  • Remain calm
  • Affirm that it is okay to feel upset 
  • Stick to facts from vetted sources
  • Keep explanations developmentally appropriate
  • Model coping strategies
  • Keep open lines of communication between school and home 

Each of the attached resources provides tips for families and educators, and some include what we can do as adults and how you can respond to students. 

Resources:

The following resources are from the National Association of School Psychologists:

NEW *PCR Screening for the Week of March 14*

Given that there is no student attendance on Tuesday, March 15 or Friday, March 18, PCR Screening will only occur one time next week. Students who have opted into screening will receive PCR kits on Monday, March 14. The PCR sample is to be returned to school on Wednesday, March 16.  If you have any questions regarding PCR screening, please contact Amy Gluck, Director of Educational Services, at [email protected]

The week following spring break will return to twice-weekly screening with PCR samples to be returned to school on Tuesday and Friday.  If metrics remain stable, we are targeting moving to once weekly PCR screening the week of April 11. 

NEW *Parent Input for 2022-2023 Class Placement*

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 other staff members.  We at Ivy Hall Elementary School take it very seriously.  The process for class list creation is as follows: First, 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.

Next, teachers meet together as grade-level teams to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships and other areas.  This is no easy task and often takes several meetings.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.  Specialists and the specials team collaborate with the teams as needed during this process as well, and I attend each of these meetings.

Each grade level team types a draft set of class lists that are then submitted to me.  One at a time, I will consider each student and his/her placement.  At this time, parent input is also considered.  Any changes in the draft lists are reviewed by the classroom teachers to ensure balance. 

Final class lists are then created in August with summer changes for move-ins/outs reflected.

This process happens in grades 1-4.  Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming kindergartners enrolled there and I will add in students who attend private kindergartens.  Our 5th-grade team actively works with Twin Groves Middle School to provide data and input related to placement decisions as well. 

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, parents, and administrators, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of a 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 about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 29th, 2022. While we welcome your input.

PLEASE USE THIS FORM TO PROVIDE FAMILY INPUT FOR CLASS PLACEMENT

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing.  As you can imagine, we receive lots of parent input, and verbal information is nearly impossible to track.  Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working. 

NEW *Illinois Assessment of Readiness

Students in grades 3-8 participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). The IAR consists of assessments for both literacy and math. The District 96 window for the IAR is April 4 - May 21. More information and specific dates within the window to come.

NEW *Ivy Hall PTO*

  • PTO BLOG Contents Below - Link: https://www.kcsd96.org/ih/pto/blog
  • SPECIAL LUNCH ADDED IN MARCH! (ORDERS DUE MARCH 18)
  • EAT & EARN AT PASTABILITIES THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 15!
  • ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR (DUE JULY 8)
  • Ice Cream Wednesday - Reminder To Purchase Your Punch Card
  • Are you starting to think about shopping for spring holidays?  Earn $ for Ivy Hall by grocery shopping (in-store or online)

Ivy Hall PTO Link Tree: http://linktr.ee/ivyhallpto 

REPEAT *The Super Talent In You! (Virtual) Variety Show*

It is that time again! We can't wait to see what talents the Wildcats bring this year! Please review the pdf document below to find out how to participate in this year's Variety Show. The Virtual Variety Show will be shown at the Pizza Bingo Night on April 27! Submissions are due April 13th to Mrs. Dolan ([email protected]). 

LINK: CLICK HERE FOR VARIETY SHOW INFORMATION

REPEAT *Proof of Dental Exam

Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:

Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year.  Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.

If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse. 

State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form: HERE

In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.

State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form: HERE

Dental examination forms, as well as dental waiver forms, can be downloaded from the District’s website.  

Thank you for your prompt cooperation. 

REPEAT *Reproving Residency for Kindergartners and 5th graders*

In KCSD 96, each year, parents of current Kindergartners and 5th graders are required to reprove their district residency.

To re-prove residency, parents are asked to provide three items to the Administrative Assistants at their child’s current school:

  • a current monthly mortgage OR lease statement OR property tax bill OR Warranty Deed AND
  • a current utility bill (e.g., water OR electric OR waste collection) AND

This Proof of Residency Form HERE

For the email address for your school’s Administrative Assistant, and to learn information for other questions, please visit https://www.kcsd96.org/about/registration/the-requirement-to-re-prove-residency.


REPEAT *Food Service Information (Breakfast / Lunch)* LINK HERE

REPEAT *Cold & Snowy Weather and Recess* LINK HERE

REPEAT *Arrival & Dismissal Procedures* LINK HERE