It’s been a joy seeing students engaged in learning throughout the week. I was able to spend some time outside enjoying the fresh fall air with students on Thursday at recess. It was great to connect with individual students and see all of our Wildcats playing freely in the crisp cool air.
I hope you’ll join us for Wildcat Wizardry this evening beginning at 6 pm! I look forward to seeing our Ivy Hall Wildcats in their Halloween costume and enjoying some Trunk-or-Treating. If you find yourself at Wildcat Wizardry, please stop by and introduce yourself to me if we haven’t become acquainted.
Please see all information for next week's Halloween festivities below.
Have a terrific weekend,
Mike Senatore
NEW *Family Reading Night - Thursday, November 17th*
Our annual Family Reading Night takes place on Thursday, November 17 from 6:30-7:30pm. Our goal is to provide families with a fun night out where you can experience two different rounds of literacy-related activities (i.e. flashlight reading, reading for two voices, arts and crafts activity) While walk-ins are welcome, please consider using THIS Google Form to RSVP if you would like to attend, as it will help us plan the evening activities. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
NEW *PTO Blog*
Our PTO maintains a weekly blog that has useful information for opportunities to get involved in the Ivy Hall School community. Their latest blog post can be found here, below are this week’s highlights.
Wildcat Wizardry Tonight!
Wiener Take All Fundraiser
Friday Night Food Truck Frenzy - November 11th
NEW *Friendly Reminders about Morning Drop Off*
Please remember that no left turns are allowed into our morning dropoff parking lot from Penny Lane. Please approach the parking lot from the south and make a right hand turn into the parking lot. Additionally, please be mindful of speed limits as there may be students walking to school or waiting at their bus stop. Thank you for helping keep all of our students safe.
NEW *Upcoming Spirit Days Hosted by Student Council*
Thursday, November 3rd - 50's Day (dress like it's 1950 in honor of the 50th day of school)
Friday, November 11th - Pajama Day
NEW *Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Score Reports*
Last year, students in third to eighth grade were eligible to take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). Individual score reports will be mailed out next week for any students who took the assessment.
If you have questions about your child’s IAR report, direct them to his or her teacher; your school principal; or Jason Keenon, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, at [email protected].
NEW *Student Sense of Belonging Survey*
In District 96, we believe that feedback from students regarding their perception of the school climate and teacher-student relationships provides valuable input about their sense of belonging. Our school district is committed to providing our students with every opportunity to succeed. Substantial research indicates that supporting students’ social-emotional development improves their readiness to learn, positive classroom engagement, and overall academic performance. As a result, District 96 will administer a student belonging survey to all students EC-8.
Please look at this LETTER that gives more information about the student belonging survey.
These surveys are below for you to look over. If you would like a physical copy, you can also get one from the district office.
Surveys Below
REPEAT *Halloween Festivities on Monday, October 31*
The Halloween Parade will begin at 1:35 pm outside of Door #6 also known as the “Buffalo Doors”. The parade route will run counter clockwise around the building. Students and staff will start together in the large gym. Parents are not allowed in the building during the parade.
Parents can enjoy the outside parade. We encourage you to wave and take pictures of your child during this time. Students will use the sidewalk to follow the parade route around the school.
Once students have walked around the school, they will come back inside the building for their class party. Only Halloween party volunteers will be allowed in the building after the parade. If you are a parent volunteer for the Halloween party, you must enter through the front door and sign in as usual. If you have questions about being a party volunteer, please reach out to our PTO. As a reminder, there is no outside food allowed at Halloween parties.
If the weather does not cooperate and we are unable to have the Halloween parade outside, we will email parents before 1:00pm notifying you that the outdoor parade has been canceled.
REPEAT *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 is typically a very long line at this first party, so please anticipate this. We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Ivy Hall Elementary prior to the parties to have a license scanned, which will speed up the entry process. The more people who come and complete this early, the shorter the line will be on October 31st, 2021. You may also come on the day of the Halloween party BEFORE THE PARADE to have your license scanned.
REPEAT *Halloween Costumes*
Our Halloween festivities will be here before we know it. We look forward to students dressing in their Halloween costumes for our Halloween Parade and classroom parties on Monday Oct. 31st. Please help us with the following costume guidelines. Students will change into their costumes after their lunch period at school. Please ensure that your child can get the costume on with no or minimal help.
Costumes must be appropriate for school. If costumes are not school appropriate the student will be asked to remove their costume.
Please no masks, blood, super scary stuff, general ickiness, or weapons
Please no cigars or cigarette items
Please no bare tummies
Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple