Teaching and learning is in full swing at Ivy Hall and we ended the week on a great note with our Fun Run. Each student and staff member ran and walked alongside each other and it was yet again another day of great school spirit. The students are continually settling into our instructional routine as our fall assessment window has now concluded. The little joys of my day include saying good morning to each student, distributing a birthday book coupon, or just taking five minutes out of my schedule to sit in a classroom and watch our amazing teachers deliver quality instruction.
The PTO Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Wednesday evening, please see the PTO Blog below for more details. As always, thank you for your partnership in your child’s education and have a fantastic weekend with family and friends.
Mike Senatore
NEW *CONFERENCES*
Fall Family/Educator Conferences are right around the corner. The conference dates are Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign up for conferences. A School Messenger email will be sent to families on Monday, September 19th at 6:00PM with a link to sign up for conferences.
Conferences will be held virtually using Meet the Teacher’s video conferencing platform unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. After you have scheduled your conferences, you will receive an email from Meet the Teacher with a link you will use to access the video conferences.
Elementary parents will have the option to sign up with the classroom teacher as well as specials teachers and any related service providers their children see.
If you are unable to schedule a conference with a specific teacher, please remember that conferences are not the only time to communicate with teachers. Please feel free to reach out any time.
REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via email by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 4th.
NEW *Classroom Parties*
As always, we are looking forward to celebrating at holiday classroom parties with our students. Parties will continue to be food free. All classroom food must be checked through our nurse and it is not feasible for our building nurse to manage this, along with the day-to-day responsibilities to ensure student safety and wellness. Students will enjoy crafts and games to celebrate the festivities.
NEW *Student Birthdays*
Teachers recognize student birthdays. Although it is not necessary, families may choose to send something for the class. We do not, however, allow food to be passed out in classrooms or sent home with children. Appropriate non-food items are allowed, such as a pencil or stickers. Please keep the age of our children in mind for the appropriateness and safety of the item.
NEW *Dogs on Campus*
As a general rule, dogs are not allowed on the school campus or grounds during school hours when children are present. The exception would be any time the assistance of a dog is required by a person’s disability. In all other cases, written permission must be obtained from the building principal before a dog is allowed on school grounds.
NEW *Special Lunch Theme Day 9/23*
During Special Lunch Days this year we will incorporate a theme. The first Special Lunch will be on Friday, September 23rd and it will be an Ivy Hall Day. Please have your child wear his or her Ivy Hall spirit wear. If you do not have any spirit wear, school colors of blue and white would work just as fine!
NEW *PTO Blog*
Our PTO maintains a weekly blog that has useful information for opportunities to get involved in the Ivy Hall School community. Our PTO hosted Book Fair begins on Monday, September 19th and save the date for Wednesday, September 21st for the PTO Ice Cream Social, see more details in their most recent blog post! Other informational items include E-Wallet for Book Fair, Domino’s Pizza Fundraiser, and more!
REPEAT *Bus Evacuation Drill*
On Wednesday, September 21st, Ivy Hall will be conducting the annual Bus Evacuation Drill. This will take place in the morning.
REPEAT *SMART Watches*
SMART watches are starting to show up here at the elementary schools. Many SMART watches have similar capabilities to SMART phones (game, voice, and text capabilities). If a SMART watch becomes a distraction or is used for communication, it may be confiscated and stored in the office to remove the distraction from the learning environment. Essentially, we will treat the SMART watches like a cell phone. Confiscated equipment may be picked up in the office at the end of the day by the student(s). If a pattern of distraction occurs, parents may be asked to pick up the technology.
REPEAT *Letters to Veterans*
With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, we are inviting D96 students to write thank you notes or letters to veterans. These letters will be included in individualized care packages that will be given to veterans who attend an upcoming recognition event in Lake County. If your student is interested, please have them return their letter or thank you note to the front office no later than October 13th to ensure we are able to mail them in enough time to be included in the Lake County project.
REPEAT *Yearbook Club for Grades 1-5*
We would love to have your student help us contribute to this year's school yearbook! Yearbook club will meet one-two times per month after school as well as a few times during student lunch/recess. Students will be tasked with creating pages for the 2022-2023 yearbook.. Students will help choose photos and edit stories for the yearbook! Additional days may be added as the deadline approaches. All grade levels are welcome and it is not mandatory that you attend all meetings to be a part of the club.
If your child is interested in joining the Yearbook Club, find the relevant permission slip on this psge, fill it out and return it to school.
REPEAT *Crafting Culture Through Creativity Club for 4th and 5th Graders*
Come redecorate the Ivy Hall hallways with us! We will meet once a month throughout the school year to update the shared bulletin boards in the hallways and special spaces to establish and create a positive and welcoming school environment. The first session will run from October-December and the second session will run from February-May. See session dates below. This club is open to 4th and 5th graders who enjoy crafting and are interested in keeping the climate and culture positive for anyone who enters our building. If your child is interested in joining Session 1 please fill out this permission slip and return it to school by Friday, September 30th. Session 2 forms will be sent out at a later date. We look forward to crafting with you!
Session 1:
October: Wednesday, 10/12, 3:05-4pm
November: Wednesday, 11/16, 3:05-4pm
December: Wednesday, 12/14, 3:05-4pm
Session 2:
February: Wednesday, 2/15, 3:05-4pm
March: Wednesday, 3/8, 3:05-4pm
April: Wednesday, 4/19, 3:05-4pm
May: Wednesday, 5/3, 3:05-4pm
REPEAT *Environment Clubs for Grades 1-5*
Students who are environmentally conscious–with ideas for recycling and helping to "save our planet"–will enjoy the Environmental Club.
2022-2023 Meeting Dates (Twice a month on Thursdays, 3–4 p.m.): 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/17, 11/29, 12/8, 12/15, 1/5 , 1/19, 2/2, 2/16, 3/9, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/12
Maximum enrollment: 12 students (selection by lottery)
REQUIRED PERMISSION FORM ON THIS PAGE
Sponsor: Mrs. Fooden
REPEAT *Stevenson Tutoring Grades 1-5*
The students will need to be brought back to school at 4:00 and picked up promptly at 5:00
Stevenson tutoring is a tutoring program for students in Grades 1–5 in need of a little extra support.
The program for Grades 1–2 is strictly a reading program with the focus on reading fluency and comprehension. All materials will be provided for your student.
The program for Grades 3–5 reinforces instruction occurring in the classroom. Stevenson student members of the Future Educators of America will support students in Grades 3–5 with homework and lead other activities to build reading and/or math skills. This is not an acceleration program.
Maximum enrollment: 20 students (selection by lottery)
2022-2023 Meeting Dates (Thursdays, from 4–5 p.m.): 9-22, 9-29, 10-13, 10-20, 10-27, 11-3, 11-17, 11-29, 1-5, 1-19, 1-26, 2-2, 2-9, 2-16, 2-30, 3-9, 3-16, 3-30
REQUIRED PERMISSION FORM
Sponsors: Mrs. White and Mrs. Fooden