Dear Parents,
It’s been a wonderful week at school, and in particular for outdoor activities. With the beautiful, warm weather we’ve had this week, the students have had lots of fun playing outside during recess and going for fitness walks in P.E.
As the school year rapidly comes to an end, there are many activities and events. Be sure to keep your eyes out for activities and event dates that are included in the Principal’s Message. Our PTO has wonderful events coming up very soon. Please see the PTO section below for more details so you and your child(ren) don’t miss the fun. We hope to see you next week at Pizza Bingo!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mike Senatore
NEW *Upcoming Dates*
Friday, April 21st - 1/2 Day of School
Monday, April 24th - 5th Grade Parent Transition to Middle School Zoom @ 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 25th - Early Release Day
NEW *Upcoming Spirit Week*
Monday, April 24th - Sports Day
Tuesday, April 25th - Hat Day (Baseball Theme Special Lunch)
Wednesday, April 26th - Neon Day
Thursday, April 27th - Mismatch Day
Friday, April 28th - PJ Day
NEW *Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)*
Students in grades 5 and 8 take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) each spring. This year the district will be administering the ISA to students in grades 5 and 8 in the mornings on Tuesday, April 18th through Thursday, April 20th.
NEW *5th Grade Choral Concert*
Dear Parents,
The 5th graders are so excited to put on their music show, I NEED A VACATION! Wed. May 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Some students have volunteered to do an extra part. If your child has an extra part, they may have already brought home a note explaining what their part is. Please try to put together any kind of costume to represent the part.
If your child is not doing an extra part, please have them wear normal clothes, but please nothing with letters or numbers.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Jane Coleman
Music Director
NEW *Heelys Shoes*
Heelys shoes are not allowed to be worn at school as they can be considered skates and potential disruptions to the learning environment as well as safety concerns. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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.
- Pre-orders due for Pizza Bingo on Sunday night
- Spring Book Fair, April 17th - 19th
- Volunteers wanted!
- Staff Appreciation Week - donations wanted
- Eat at Culver’s - Support the PTO
- 2023-2024 Supply Kits on Sale
REPEAT *2nd Grade Choral Concert*
Dear Parents,
The 2nd graders are so excited to put on their music show, HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW, on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:30 p.m.
Some students have volunteered to do an extra part. If your child has an extra part, they came home with an additional note explaining what their part is. Please try to put together any kind of costume to represent the part. Nothing fancy - simple is good with me.
If your child is not doing an extra part, please have them wear spring-colored clothing such as green, blue, purple, yellow, etc.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Jane Coleman
Music Director
REPEAT *Parent Night for 5th Graders Transitioning to Middle School*
On Monday, April 24, parents of 5th Graders can join the “Transition to Middle School,” where they can get answers to questions they may have about their student entering sixth-grade at a District middle school.
This information-packed virtual program begins at 7 p.m. April 24 (via Zoom).
Hear from Twin Groves Principal Jessica Barnes and Woodlawn Principal Greg Grana, who will discuss academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that middle school years bring. A highlight? Current 6th-grade panelists sharing their perspectives.
Questions? Contact KCSD 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, at 847.459.4260, ext. 8136, or at [email protected].
REPEAT *Spring Conference Feedback Request*
Whether you decide to schedule a student-led conference or not, we would love to hear from you. Please CLICK HERE for a very short survey concerning Spring Conferences.
If the link above does not work please copy/paste the following link into your browser: https://kcsd96.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NUbeIG55AjvsP4
REPEAT *Parent Input for Class Placement Survey*
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult task that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. We take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
Teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
Grade-level teachers, principals, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering peer dynamics. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. This team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.
This team of educators creates a draft set of class lists taking into consideration parent input.
Class lists are then revised in August with summer changes for students who move in or out of the district.
Class rosters are never final until they are released to families in August.
This process happens for grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders. Our 5th-grade team actively works with Twin Groves to provide data and input related to placement decisions at the middle school level.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal team, we do not make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received before Sunday, April 30th by 11:55 pm. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher or friend placement requests will not be honored.
I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are provided through the 2023-2024 Class Placement Parent Input Form. As you can imagine, we receive a lot of parent input, and verbal information is impossible to track. The information you provide in the survey will remain confidential between you, me, and Mrs. Heinrich.