Dear Ivy Hall Families,
It was so nice to see so many Wildcats and parents at PTO’s recent Pizza Bingo. It’s so special when our school community can come together and experience an exciting event together. A big shout out to our hard-working PTO for making this event, as well as the Book Fair, possible!
Nice weather is upon us, please be mindful of more students walking and biking to school. Speaking of biking to school, please read the blurb below about bike safety.
Have a great weekend,
Mike Senatore
P.S. - Last chance to get your early bird discount for school registration! (see below)
NEW *Upcoming Dates*
- Thursday, April 18 - 1/2 Day of School
- PTO Assembly during the school day
- Grade-level Cat Pack Activity during the school day
- Friday, April 19 - No School; Teacher Institute Day
- Tuesday, April 30 - Early Release Day
NEW *Bike Safety*
One of my favorite things of being a part of a neighborhood school is seeing students ride their bikes to school. If your student rides his or her bike to school, please encourage them to park it and lock them to the bike racks located on the north side of the school. Also, please encourage your child to look both ways before crossing all streets. Students should avoid biking down the hill near the south playground. Helmets are recommended.
Parents, please be mindful of your driving speed in our school zone during dropoff and pickup hours.
Thank you for your support!
NEW *April 17: Transition to Middle School*
The "Transition to Middle School" program — designed for District 96 families with fifth-graders who are entering Middle School in the fall — begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Twin Groves Middle School (Large Gym).
Questions? Contact Lubna K Andrabi, District 96’s Community Parent Liaison, at [email protected] or at 847.459.4260, ext. 8136.
REPEAT *Parent Input for Class Placement Survey*
Creating balanced class rosters that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. We take this process very seriously. The process for class roster 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 rosters that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships. 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 that also takes 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 rosters 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, 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 on or before Tuesday, April 30th. 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 Ivy Hall Parent Feedback Survey. 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.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
REPEAT *2024-25 School Supply Kits Sales Are Live*
Families can now order the 2024-25 School Supply Kit from Educational Products Inc. (EPI) at https://www.educationalproducts.com/shoppacks/ (enter code KCS096).
Order by July 9 for home delivery before the start of school in August.
For questions about your order, contact Educational Products at 800-365-5345.
The School Supply Kits are a fundraiser for the PTOs. Parents can buy the grade-level materials on their own; access the School Supply Lists at https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/school-supply-lists.
REPEAT *Opening March 1: Registration for 2024-25 School Year*
Registration for the 2024-25 school year opens on Friday, March 1. Parents and guardians of new Kindergarten students and returning District 96 students will be emailed a link to register their child for the 2024-25 school year.
Complete registration by April 15 to receive a $20 Early-Bird discount. Families with returning students who register after April 15 will pay the standard registration fee. Registering early helps us to plan for the upcoming school year.
Registration fees paid by April 15 for the 2024-25 school year are:
- Early Childhood Blended Tuition: $2,870 (or $335.07 monthly)
- Kindergarten: $90
- Grades 1-4: $110
- Grade 5: $120
- Grades 6-8: $135
REPEAT *Proof of Dental Exam*
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form - Click Here
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form - Click here