Dear Kildeer Families,
If you viewed today's morning announcements, then you saw and experienced the power of student voice. Our student council has challenged us all with continuing kindness during this time and I know we can do it!
This past week I was able to finish up my "Snack and Story" with all 1st-grade classrooms and besides my dramatic reading of The Day the Crayons Quit, we also read The Caring Me I Want to Be!
We discussed how now is such an important time to take care of each other, reach out to friends, help our parents, and even support our siblings! Be on the lookout for a special appearance from our 1st graders in the morning announcements!
*NEW INFORMATION*
Thoughts with the DiFranco Family
As you may be aware, earlier this month Officer Marco DiFranco, a Kildeer parent and first responder, passed away from COVID-19. He was the first officer on the front lines in Chicago to lose his life. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his children, Olivia and Peter, and his wife, Maria. If you'd like to consider contributing, please click here.
*NEW INFORMATION*
Student Material Pick-Up
We know that with the buildings being closed for the remainder of the school year, students have materials and possessions that need to be picked up. Please know that district administrators are working to develop a plan and protocol for this to take place, and we will communicate that plan as soon as we have information to share with you. We are working diligently to ensure the plan we develop adheres to health and safety guidelines to protect our school community.
*NEW INFORMATION*
Dual Language Update & Info
Dual Language Interest Forms are due from interested parents of 2020-21 incoming kindergartners by 3 PM on May 15.
INTEREST FORM - English
INTEREST FORM - Spanish
The Dual Language Program Public Lottery will be at 6 PM on May 27.
This Dual Language Parent Screencast VIDEO (17 minutes) presented by KCSD96 Director of Language and Early Literacy Kathryn Sheridan gives detailed info about the program.
More info: Dual Language in KCSD96
*REPEATINFORMATION*
5th Grade Placement Update
Because the traditional assessments used for 5th to 6th-grade placement could not be administered due to the school closure, the Curriculum Office is currently working to revise the placement process. More information will be available in mid-May.
Parents of current 5th graders: Learn what to expect for your middle school student in the 20–21 school year ahead...
Although the Transition to Middle School program for parents of current 5th graders had to be canceled, Middle School Principals Jessica Barnes (Twin Groves) and Greg Grana (Woodlawn) have collaborated to provide THIS INFO (pdf), addressing academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that middle school years bring for your student.
Please email your questions about Woodlawn Middle School to Principal Greg Grana: [email protected].
*REPEAT INFORMATION*
Tech Support (Kindergarten-5th Grade)
I’m having technical issues while accessing slideshows in the Google Slides app. What can I do to get around these issues?
DELETE the Google Slides app from your student’s device. (It can always be re-downloaded from Self-Service at a later time)
Open the Google Drive app on your student’s iPad and locate the shared slideshow that you are trying to view.
Play the slideshow from within the Google Drive application or OPEN IN SAFARI if given the option.
As students are home with their iPad devices to access remote learning plans, we do anticipate there may be some tech needs that arise. If you run into any difficulty with your child’s school iPad, just send us an email explaining your problem and we can support you and your device.
Check out this short video to see this in action!
*Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.*
*REPEAT INFORMATION*
Do Your Kids Need Some Good Books to Read?
Students with iPads have no reason not to be reading. It's important to read every day. CHECK OUT ways to find great books to read (online) and more.
*REPEAT INFORMATION*
Buffalo Grove Park District Clubhouse New Parent Webinar
The Buffalo Grove Park District has scheduled a New Parent Webinar on Apr. 30 at 5 p.m. for prospective families interested in learning about before- and after-school childcare through the Buffalo Grove Park District Clubhouse Program. SEE INFO to log in to attend the prospective Clubhouse New Parent webinar.
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION*
LAST CALL FOR PARENT INPUT----DUE TODAY!
Creating Balanced Class Lists - Parent Input for Class Placement
Creating balanced class lists 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 at Kildeer School 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, the principal, 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 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 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 at grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders. Our 5th-grade team provides data to Woodlawn 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, we are very reluctant to 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 FRIDAY, APRIL 24th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.
If you'd like to share your input, please take the following survey: Kildeer Class Placement Survey for 20-21.
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION*
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!
Catch up on very important information from our PTO!
Highlights:
Dear families,
To give you another means to provide books and activities to your students during this Stay at Home Directive, we are hosting a Virtual Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, April 13th through Sunday, April 26th.
The Virtual Fair is a fantastic way to get books in the hands of your students now to keep them reading at home.
• All purchases benefit Kildeer Countryside and earn rewards
• Shop Book Fair exclusives, best-sellers, skill-builders and more
• Orders ship directly to your home
• Book-only orders over $25* receive FREE shipping
• Over 6,000 items to choose from through the Scholastic Store Online
Starting Monday, April 13th visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/kildeercountrysideelemsch1
Happy reading!
Spring Book Fair Committee
It's difficult to comprehend that our doors to Kildeer are closed for the remainder of the year. However, learning absolutely continues. We commit to finishing this year as strong as we can AND together.
Enjoy your weekend ahead!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal