What a joy it was to welcome students back to Ivy Hall this week! The 2022-2023 school year is off to a great start and my face surely hurts from smiling so much as I was able to finally meet all of our young Wildcats. Mrs. Heinrich and I were able to visit each classroom and were able to attend almost every lunch and recess period. It was great to see students getting to know their teachers, connecting with peers, and engaging in learning after a long summer. It sure is good to be back! We have a full week of learning ahead of us and it will be nice to begin settling into our routines. I wish you a wonderful and restful weekend.
Take care,
Mike Senatore
NEW *Erin’s Law*
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go to www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2
The focus of this developmentally appropriate and interactive program is to teach children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation to Ivy Hall students will be during the school day on Tuesday, September 6th . If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected]
NEW *Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION*
On Wednesday, August 31st, Ivy Hall will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION. Students will be learning age appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill EDUCATION with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with the other peers, please contact Mike Senatore at [email protected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill.
NEW *Curriculum Night*
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 25th. This is a “parents only” event and I hope you are able to attend. Curriculum Night presentations will be in person. There are different timings for presentations based on grade-level to allow parents to attend more than one session if they have children in different grade levels.
6:30 pm - 6:40 pm - Principal’s Presentation (1st and 2nd Grade)
6:45 pm - 7:15 pm - Classroom Presentations (1st and 2nd Grade)
7:15 pm - 7:25 pm - Principal’s Presentation (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade)
7:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Principal’s Presentation (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade)
NEW *NWEA MAP Assessment*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Monday, August 29th and Wednesday, August 31st. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day.
NEW *Orchestra Information*
4th Grade Students: In District 96, 4th graders can choose to participate in orchestra, learning string instruments (violin, viola, cello, or bass). We have pull-out weekly lessons and rehearsals (sometimes twice a week), work hard, and have a lot of fun. We will be having 3 concerts this year.
It is not too late to sign up. CLICK HERE for a slide presentation. CLICK HERE to register.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Ok at [email protected]
NEW 5th Grade Students: If your child is new to the district and is interested in joining orchestra, please contact Mrs. Ok at [email protected].
NEW *5th Grade Band Recruiting Information*
Beginning band is a great way to offer your student the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument, help them learn to communicate through music, work on discipline, and become part of a team of friends that could last all the way through high school. All interested 5th grade students looking to be a part of the 5th grade band for this year please look over these links.
Beginning Band will start next week: Ivy Hall - Wednesday August 24 and Prairie - Friday, August 26.
Beginning Band Information 2022-2023
Beginning Band Registration Link
Any questions please email Mr. Daniel Nagle: [email protected]
NEW *PTO Blog*
Our PTO maintains a weekly blog that has useful information for opportunities to get involved in the Ivy Hall School community. Please follow the link HERE to see their second post of the school year. Highlights include…
Classroom Party Volunteers
Ice Cream Wednesday
Special Lunch
REPEAT *Student Picture Day*
Ivy Hall’s student picture day is Tuesday, August 30th. Please follow the link below and use the unique code provided to look at Prepay Online ordering options for school pictures of your child.
Online Order Code: 69712H
REPEAT *Important August Dates*
Wednesday, August 24th Curriculum Night at Country Meadows, Kildeer, & Prairie
6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
Thursday, August 25th Curriculum Night at Ivy Hall
6:30 to 7:15 p.m. (Grades 1 and 2)
7:15 to 8 p.m. (Grades 3-5)
Tuesday, August 30th - Early Release at 2:05 pm at Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, & Prairie. Please see the Twin Groves, Woodlawn, and Willow Grove Principal’s Message for attendance times.
REPEAT *Approved Snacks: What Parents Need to Know*
The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST. The items on the list 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, Bob Hanrahan, 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 any food items, 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.
REPEAT *School Lunch Programs*
The federal program that allowed school districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income, expired on June 30, 2022. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During the 2022-23 school year, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals at no cost or at a discounted rate. Applications for free and reduced meals are available on the District’s website. Within this link, you will find menus and how to complete pre-payment for meals. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
REPEAT *Lost and Found*
Our lost and found accumulates items very quickly. Items that remain when school goes into a break such as winter, spring, and summer breaks, these items are donated to local charities. To avoid the loss of costly coats, bike helmets, lunch boxes, water bottles, you name it, please label everything with your child’s name. Labeled items are returned to students. Thank you for your help!
REPEAT *Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for the ‘22-23’ School Year*
There are many rules and procedures regarding arrival and dismissal. These procedures have been developed with student safety as the most important consideration. 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 arrive and depart from here at Ivy Hall.
REPEAT *Changes to Dismissal Plans*
Please contact the school office at least 1 hour prior to dismissal in the event that your dismissal plans change. Your child will be at the designated dismissal location unless the school is notified in accordance with the above. Please notify the office in writing in accordance with the district handbook. Please see Section 9.4 in the Parent/Student Handbook regarding permission for students to ride other buses, as in most cases, this is not allowed.