Dear Families,
Today, Friday, May 27, 2022, will be the last edition of the Principal’s Message for this school year. We made it! The 2021-22 school year will be behind us next Thursday. I want to thank our teachers for all their hard work in being flexible with both remote and in-person learners throughout the school year. Thank you to our support staff for their flexibility in supporting students as each day brought new challenges. This year brought some normalcy back to the Ivy Hall. Without your family’s flexibility, this year would have been much more challenging. Your grace and partnership are greatly appreciated. We wish our 5th graders the best as they leave Ivy Hall ready for the new experiences and environments that middle school will bring them. this is the last principal message of the 2021–22 school year. You should expect to receive the next principal’s message at the end of the first week of August.
Respectfully,
Principal Hanrahan
NEW *Ivy Hall Book Vending Machine (Ivy Hall PTO)*
If you haven't heard, the Ivy Hall library has a new feature. The Ivy Hall library has a book machine that was purchased by the Ivy Hall PTO. The Ivy Hall PTO also purchases the books that stock the vending machine. Each student this year received a book from the vending machine. There were some students that won the PTO Pizza Bingo Raffle expire for getting the first book. The following students are pictured (1-Sophia F, 2-Bento C, 3-Brielle F, 4-Dylan E, 5-Cito S) in the blog's cover page collage image today. All students moving forward will receive a birthday book from the book machine. In this way, we ensure that all students have an opportunity to receive a book of their choice from the super cool book machine.
NEW *Calendar Reminder*
This is a friendly reminder that Monday, May 30th, there is no school in observance of memorial day. On Thursday, June 2, 2022, students will attend the last day of the 2021-22 school year. All students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m.’
NEW *D96 Girls on the Run 5K*
The D96 Girls on the Run 5k was so much fun this past Saturday! It was a great way to end such a successful season as a D96 community, and fun was had by all! Click Here to view some of the photos of the event!
NEW *Refund of 8th Grade Lunch Account Balances*
Positive lunch account balances for graduating 8th graders of $5 or more will automatically be refunded at the conclusion of the school year. Parents wishing to transfer remaining balances to siblings still in D96 on the K12PaymentCenter.com should do so by Friday, June 3rd. Refund checks will be mailed by District Business Office staff on Wednesday, June 15, to the home address on record.
NEW *Summer Enrichment*
Take a look at our Summer Enrichment Page for students. Families can access summer activities and Summer Reading information using this site.
Families will find sections arranged by:
- EC/K-2 Grade Level Activities
- 3-5 Grade Level Activities
- 6-7 Grade Level Activities
Additionally, families are reminded of the Curriculum Resources website, which provides a treasure trove of fun, educationally-rich activities, and resources for children and parents.
(Link: tinyurl.com/KCSD96CurriculumResources)
NEW *Leadership Changes Next Year*
Mr. Robert "Bob" Hanrahan (Goodbye for now)
After five years I will be moving to a new position in District 96. My next role will be the Director of Educational Services. It’s bittersweet as Ivy Hall has grown to be a second home for me. It’s easier for me to make this transition knowing that my next opportunity is a very short walk to the doors of Ivy Hall Elementary School. I have grown close to many families, students, and staff and I feel a little sad leaving. When this journey began, my goal was to make a difference in the lives of as many students as possible. Part of that journey has been the esteemed privilege and honor of leading Ivy Hall Elementary School. The next stage in order to impact as many students as possible is to move into a position where I can help support the district as a whole.
I need to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your children’s education with me and with the staff here at Ivy Hall Elementary School. Whether you are just arriving at Ivy Hall or you have been an Ivy Hall family for years, thank you for being a part of this community. This community remains dedicated to supporting the school and our students. I’m very excited for the Ivy Hall community because I have known Mr. Senatore for quite a few years and I know that he is going to be a great fit and continue to work hard to support all the great things that you love about Ivy Hall Elementary School.
I promised that would share how far away I would be from Ivy Hall. Here is a one-minute video of my distance to Ivy Hall next year.
Mr. Michael Senatore (Welcome)
On March 15, 2022, the Board of Education announced that Prairie Assistant Principal Mike Senatore will be the next principal of Ivy Hall Elementary School. Mr. Senatore succeeds Mr. Hanrahan, who has been
Ivy Hall's principal since 2017. Mr. Senatore will assume the role of Ivy Hall principal on August 1, 2022. Mr. Senatore has been with District 96 since August 2019, when he joined the District 96 leadership team as the Prairie Assistant Principal. Mr. Senatore began his career in a kindergarten classroom at Willard Elementary School in Evanston; he then moved to Skokie’s Middleton Elementary School, where he taught both 2nd and 4th grades. Mr. Senatore earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois; a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest; and a Master’s degree in School Leadership from Concordia. Join me in congratulating Mr. Senatore on his new role!
Mrs. Kimberly Mollerdino (Goodbye for now)
Mrs. Kimberly Mollerdino will be moving on from Ivy Hall Elementary School at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year. Mrs. Mollerdino started at Ivy Hall in 2017. Many people may already know this, but Mrs. Mollerdino is a large part of what makes Ivy Hall a great school. Mrs. Mollerdino has worked tirelessly in the service of the Ivy Hall community for the last five years. Her work with students, teachers, and families is thorough, thoughtful, and focused on the best interests of kids.
Mrs. Mollerdino will be heading to Northshore District 112 after seventeen years of service to District 96. Mrs. Mollerdino has worked for District 96 in the past as a middle school language arts teacher at Twin Groves Middle School, a technology coach at Twin Groves Middle School, and most recently as the assistant principal of Ivy Hall Elementary School. Although Mrs. Mollerdino’s time with District 96 is coming to a close, we are excited for her to pursue her passion for curriculum, teaching, and learning in her new role as Coordinator for Teaching and Learning for Northshore District 112 (Press Release Here). The district is currently working to hire a new assistant principal and the information will be shared as soon as it is available. We look forward to Mrs. Mollerdino’s future success and wish her well.
NEW *Ivy Hall PTO*
PTO BLOG Contents Below - Link: https://www.kcsd96.org/ih/pto/blog
Ivy Hall PTO Link Tree: http://linktr.ee/ivyhallpto
- Culver’s Fundraiser on Friday, May 27 (TONIGHT) & Thursday, June 2, raise money for Ivy Hall PTO
- Ivy Hall/Prairie 5th Grade Night Out (REGISTER BY TONIGHT)
- End of Year Classroom Teacher Gifts (DUE JUNE 1)
- Shopping for summer? Earn $ for Ivy Hall by grocery shopping (in store or online)
- ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR (DUE JULY 8)
Upcoming Dates
- May 30, 2022 - Memorial Day - No School
- May 31, 2022 - Field Day
- June 2, 2022 - Half Day of School - Release @ 11:45am
RENEW *Summer Reading 6th, 7th, 8th Graders*
Incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be completing a summer reading assignment. The 5th grade, 6th grade, and 7th grade LA teachers will also be sharing this in class, and the assignment will be posted on the district website.
D96 Middle School Summer Reading Assignment
REPEAT *5th Grade Orchestra Registration*
Just a reminder to register for 5th Grade Orchestra. Even If your student is not sure, complete the Registration Form by May 31st.
5th Grade Orchestra Registration