Dear Kildeer Families,
Can you believe it? We are less than two weeks away from opening our doors for students! My name is Vail Kieser and I am proud to be the Principal at Kildeer Elementary School. I am returning for my third year and I am more excited than ever for us to partner together and do great things for students this school year.
Over the course of this summer, my husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. We took a short trip to Michigan with both sides of our family and we tried to enjoy every drop of the time together. One of the best things that ever happened to me was becoming a mom so it was an especially special summer to spend time with my children.
Spending time with my own two kids helps me to reflect on how important what we do at Kildeer is for YOU! We recognize that you are entrusting our staff with the most precious little ones in your life. We make it a priority to create a welcoming and nurturing environment where all children can succeed both academically as well as socially and emotionally!
You will receive information via email on Thursday, August 9th at approximately 3:00 p.m. with your child’s bus route information and classroom assignment for the upcoming year. The staff worked diligently to make sure each child was placed in the classroom in which he/she will find continued success. This is a process that takes a lot of time as well as careful thought and consideration. Thus, thank you ahead of time knowing that no changes will be made. We truly appreciate your support and trust that we have your child’s best interests in mind when making these decisions.
As we kick off the school year, please make note of a few important items below:
Meet Your Teacher Day and PTO Fair ~ Students are welcome to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and drop-off school supplies from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14th. Please keep in mind this is not an individual conference time, as many individuals will be meeting the teacher within the hour timeframe. If you ordered school supplies from the PTO, they will be in the classroom. Please visit the PTO in the large gym from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and get signed up for membership toolkit if you have not already!
New Family Meeting ~ If your family is new to Kildeer, we welcome you and look forward to getting to know your family! Please meet me in the learning center from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14th (just prior to Meet Your Teacher Day). This is a great opportunity to find out more about Kildeer!
IMPORTANT: Office Closed immediately following Meet the Teacher on 8/14 from 9:45-12:30. Thank you for your understanding so that we are able to have our entire faculty together to celebrate the start of a new school! We will reopen at 12:30!
Curriculum Night ~ Curriculum Night is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd. This is a “parents only” meeting, and I hope you can attend. Please come directly to the large gym for a brief presentation followed by classroom visits.
Grades 1-2 @ 6:30p.m.
Grades 3, 4 and 5 @ 7:00 p.m.
Times overlap for grade levels on curriculum night with the intention that you only need to hear/see the principal portion one time. We start as a large group in the big gym space and after a few messages from us, you’ll go to your children’s classrooms. Conference sign-ups will not be a part of this evening as we will use an online sign-up process again this year!
School Hours ~
• Arrival time is between 8:10 a.m. and 8:20 a.m.
• The tardy bell rings at 8:25 a.m. Parents/adults must accompany tardy students into the office and sign them in if you arrive after 8:25 a.m. Do not drop your child off at any door since all doors are locked and secured at this time. Please be aware that while we try to keep clocks on time, they can sometimes run a minute or two fast. If there are no adults outside, please walk your child into the front office.
• Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.
• Regular Day: 8:25 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Half Day: 8:25 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
• Early Release Day: 8:25 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
An Invitation to Newcomers to Our District 96 Community
Has your family recently moved to the United States or are you and your student(s) new to this area?
On Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m., parents of registered students in Kindergarten–Grade 8 are invited to Twin Groves Middle School, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, for a program to welcome you to our community and introduce you to our District 96 culture.
Learn about and understand our home-school connection, classroom dynamics, patterns of communication to expect from our teachers and administrators, and more. Ask questions and help us understand how we can best support you in acclimating to the culture of a new school district, neighborhood, and community.
While all interested parents are welcome, please note that the focus of this evening is not specifically curricular and general procedural information, which will be shared with all District 96 parents on their students’ designated grade-level Curriculum Nights. Rather, this is an informational opportunity for parents who–like their students–are experiencing our social customs and practices for teaching and learning for the first time.
Questions? Need an interpreter? Please contact Director of Language and Early Literacy, Katie Sheridan at [email protected]
The partnership with our PTO is extremely important at Kildeer. Please take a moment each week to review the information to learn how you can get involved, support Kildeer, and dates to mark your calendar!
Click HERE to catch up on very important information from our PTO!
In closing, I want to remind our families of a very special evening we will be hosting on Friday, September 14th. Please mark your calendars and read below for more information!
I am ME…
WE are Kildeer!
Come join us on Friday, September 14th for a fun night celebrating, honoring, and learning about and from our Kildeer families and what makes us special. The hope for the evening is to continue to develop a culture of acceptance, understanding, and mutual respect. Come and join to experience what makes us an amazing community!
We will need your family’s help! How?
Do you have a special dish?
Talent?
Language?
Customs?
Traditional dress?
Family traditions?
Art?
Music?
Anything else that makes your family special?
Please be ready for further information and submitting your interest in my next blog!
Enjoy the last week of summer and we will see those smiling faces very soon!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal