This past week Ivy Hall Wildcats celebrated the 100th day of school! I know we say this all the time, but time really is flying!
Back in a November edition of the Principal’s Message, I informed you that I would be joining a class or two each week for a class meeting and a Principal Lunch. These classroom visits and lunch times have become highlights of my week. I’ve been asking students, “what makes a great principal?” They’ve provided me with some great feedback! It’s been an honor to lead Ivy Hall for the first 100 days and I look forward to each day beyond #100.
Have a great weekend,
Mike Senatore
NEW *Human Growth and Development*
To review Superintendent Sheridan’s letter with details concerning the 4th and 5th-grade human growth and development unit please visit our website HERE. This letter contains information on when materials will be available for review and how to access them as well as a timeframe for when instruction will begin.
NEW *Friendly Reminders about Student Drop-off*
Please remember that the only car dropoff location in the morning is the southwest parking lot of the school. Please enter from the south and turn right into the parking lot. Left-hand turns into the parking lot are not allowed. Additionally, do not drop students off on Clohesey Drive or Ivy Hall Lane. Thank you for adhering to these procedures to ensure student safety.
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.
- Ivy Hall Spirit Wear - Last Call!
- Donations still needed - If you give a teacher a cookie
- Ivy Hall PTO Board Meeting Next Week
- Second Chance to Order Yearbook
REPEAT *5Essentials Student Survey*
Beginning the week of February 6th, District 96 students in 4th-8th grade will be administered the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This 25-minute survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago and asks students about their experiences in school with the purpose of providing school leaders with critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. Students’ identities will be completely confidential, and teachers and administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information.
Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the UChicago Impact Support Center.
If you do not want your child’s input to be considered for school improvement purposes, please contact Mike Senatore at [email protected] by February 3rd.
REPEAT *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
Beginning January 24 through April 2nd, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
REPEAT *D96 Dual Language Program*
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English 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 Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartner in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2023. This process should be completed by April 15, 2023, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 Website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program and our Dual Language Lottery.
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on MARCH 8 for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
REPEAT *Crafting Club - Session 2*
Come redecorate the Ivy Hall hallways with us! We will continue to meet once a month to update the shared bulletin boards in the hallways and special spaces to establish and create a positive and welcoming school environment. The second session of this club 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 2 please fill out this permission slip and return it to school by Friday, February 3rd. If your child was enrolled in session 1 and would like to continue to craft with us, please fill out a NEW permission slip for session 2. We look forward to crafting with you!
Session 2 Dates:
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 *Valentine's Day*
I like to try to catch parents before they buy valentines, should you choose to do so. If you choose to include an item with your child's valentines, please note for the safety of our students only non-food items are permissible. This practice is consistent for all classrooms in District 96 elementary schools including Ivy Hall. Your child's teacher will send home any classroom specific information related to Valentine's Day.