Dear Parents,
It has been another productive week at Ivy Hall School. Students have been working hard in class honing their reading and math skills along with delving into Science and Social Studies content. Specials classes have also had engaging activities for all students. Be sure to ask your child about the highlights of their week!
Looking ahead to next week, we are excited about our Valentine’s Day class parties. Please check your classroom teacher's communication as to if Valentines will be distributed on Monday, the 13th, or Tuesday, the 14th. As a reminder, no food items are permitted at any classroom party. Thank you for your adherence to this guideline. Next Tuesday is an Early Release for students. Next Friday, February 17th, we have a half day of student attendance in the morning.
4th and 5th Grade students completed the 5Essentials Survey this week. When students complete these surveys, we gain valuable information about their perceptions of academic work, their school environment, school leaders, collaborative teachers, and involved families. Once received, we will analyze the student data for actionable steps around our school.
Hopefully, the forecast is correct and there is sunshine coming our way. Get your sunglasses out just to be ready.
Have a great weekend!
Mike Senatore
NEW *Variety Show*
It's that time of year again for students to participate in the Variety Show. We received fantastic news this year that the show will be IN PERSON! If your child has something special they want to share with their peers, like a dance, magic trick, or musical performance, the Variety Show is a perfect place to show off their skills!
The Variety Show will be Wednesday March 15th at 6:30.
To be a part of the Variety Show, your child must commit to attending all of the following dates.
Audition: Monday February 27th, 2023, 3:15-6:00 pm
Dress Rehearsal: Monday, March 13, 2023. 3:00-6:00 pm
Variety Show: Wednesday March 15, 2023. 3:00-6:00pm
**The audition is a time for us to see the act and make sure the performance and music is appropriate for school.
Sign ups have begun and the deadline to submit is February 24th. You can find the sign up sheet online in the virtual backpack labeled Variety Show Agreement. All children participating must have these papers turned in to participate. 5th graders - please let us know if you are interested in being an emcee for the show. Contact Mrs. Dolan at [email protected] with any questions regarding the Variety Show.
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.
- Yearbook Ordering
- Variety Show
- Culver’s Fundraiser
REPEAT *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.
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.