Dear Kildeer Families,
When I say my heart is full, I mean it. Thursday meant the world to us all and we are so fortunate that the weather cooperated. I had the opportunity to have many brief (and socially distanced) conversations with families and staff. I can tell you the overwhelming feeling was the following: this was exactly what we needed to kick off the school year. Again, I have to say pulling this off took a village. Luckily, we have the absolute best village around.
For some of you, this was your first time setting foot at Kildeer. We hope you felt our welcome of warmth. For some, you are returning this year. It sure looks different, doesn't it? For some, this was the first day of your last year. I spoke with a parent that has been with us for 17 years and this will be her family's very last year at Kildeer. I'm feeling proud that we could provide even a small sense of normalcy during this time.
Over the past week, our educators have been engaged in professional learning every single day. Their brains are tired and backs are sore from sitting, yet their spirit is incredibly energized to make this year as amazing as possible. As I write this, I'm picturing each staff member's face, and I have a story about each and every one of them regarding perseverance, empathy, strength, and a positive mindset to put kids first. Truly Kildeer, we are so fortunate.
I can go on and on. However, I'll just pause right here and say thank you. Having the ability to pause, appreciate, and express gratitude is the step in the right direction to build our resilience. I am working on this every day, because, well, I'm human. We all are.
As we continue on with the first day of school on Monday and write the year ahead that has never been written before, let's partner together and write a happy story. Let's remember there will be mistakes along the way, and we may not always feel like the best version of ourselves. However, when we give ourselves grace and know we are not alone, we can and absolutely will do this together.
NEW *Video for Logging In For the 1st Day of School*
This video provides directions for logging into the Zoom session on Monday morning. All families should have received an email from the district with Google Login and Password information. The Google login and password are needed for initial access to Clever through Google. When the steps provided in the video are followed, students should see a page where all the Zoom links they will need for each day exist.
NEW *Teacher’s Office Hours*
Please remember that Parent Office hours are available on Monday and Wednesday from 7:45-8:25am. Parents should use the link sent out by the classroom teacher to access parent office hours. Teachers will be utilizing the waiting room feature and will let parents in one at a time. In order to ensure that we get to all parent questions, we will limit each session to no more than 5 minutes. Please remember that you can always email the teacher and he/she will get back to you as quickly as possible.
NEW *School Day Schedule*
This is a reminder that Monday, August 24th we will operate on a HALF DAY SCHEDULE.
Willow Grove Hours
AM - 8:30-11:00 AM
PM - 12:30-3:00 PM
Elementary Schools: Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, Prairie
8:30am-11:45am
NEW *Elementary Remote Learning Schedule*
This is a copy of the FULL DAY ELEMENTARY REMOTE LEARNING MASTER SCHEDULE and this is a copy of the HALF DAY ELEMENTARY REMOTE LEARNING MASTER SCHEDULE. Please look for information from your child’s classroom teacher for specifics related to their classroom schedule such as when Student Office Hours, Intervention Block, and specials classes are scheduled.
NEW *Family Expectations in the Remote Learning Environment*
We appreciate all that parents are doing to create a conducive learning environment at home. Please refer to the Family Expectations in the Remote Learning Environment document for information to enhance your child(ren)’s remote experience.
NEW *Missed Student Materials Pick-Up*
If you were unable to attend our Materials Pick Up opportunities on Thursday and Friday, please contact the front office to arrange a time convenient for you to pick up your student(s) materials.
NEW *Curriculum Night Dates/Info*--MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Save the Date! Curriculum Night is September 2nd. Curriculum Night will be a virtual opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher. We talk about what your children will be learning and teachers review routines and classroom procedures, etc. It’s a nice evening to get to know your child’s teacher and our school. More details to come!
Elementary Grades 1 & 2: September 2 at 6:30 PM
Elementary Grades 3-5: September 2 at 7:15 PM
Willow Grove Early Childhood & Kindergarten: September 1 at 6:30 PM
NEW *Attendance Information*
Attendance is required as we return to school this August. This is different from remote learning in the spring. Please contact the school office if your student will be absent from class at any time throughout the school day. Parents will be required to provide a reason for the absence. If your student is ill, symptoms will need to be provided to the school office. If your child will be absent for any portion of the day for any reason, please contact the office to let us know.
NEW *Tech Support*
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. Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.
If we did not have your child’s iPad at Material Pick-Up, contact [email protected]. They will check the status of your child’s enrollment and work to provide your child’s iPad as quickly as possible. Pick-up for all tech-related items will be housed through Ivy Hall School.
REPEAT *Kildeer Teams 20-21*
First Grade: Ms.Dolin, Mrs. Lushpynskyj, Ms. Koldon, and Mrs. Keller
Second Grade: Mrs. Kroes, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Strauss, and Mrs. Holmes
Third Grade: Ms. April, Ms. Lynch, Ms. Ohnsted, and Mrs. Scheribel
Fourth Grade: Ms. Markiewicz, Ms. Jaeckel, Mrs. Satoh, and Mr. Pazol
Fifth Grade: Mrs. Herlihy, Ms. Sadowski, Ms. Rickel, Mr. Lyles, and Ms. Wlodek
Specials: Mrs. Norman (Art), Ms. Groessl (P.E.), Mr. Emde (P.E.), Mr. Tatar (Music), Ms. Jones (EXL), Mr. Craw (Band), and Mrs. Ok (Orchestra)
Student Services Team: Ms. Avedon (Social Worker), Ms. Mullarkey (Special Education), Ms. Cristofaro (Special Education), Ms. Brand (Occupational Therapist), Mrs. Harty (Psychologist), Mrs. Shvartsman (Speech and Language Pathologist), and Ms. Flaskamp (Reading Specialist)
Instructional Coaches: Mrs. Kramer (Math Coach), Mrs. Emde (Language Development Coach), Ms. Chan (Language Development Coach), Mrs. Bodenlos (Language Development Coach), Mrs. Shilkaitis (Language Development Coach), Ms. Orlov (iCoach), Mrs. Treshansky (iCoach), Mr. Frishman (iCoach), Mrs. Groncki (Literacy Coach), and Mrs. May (Literacy Coach)
REPEAT *Remember to Meet Health Form Requirements*
Health form requirements vary by grade level and for new/returning students. New to District 96 (all grade levels)? See MORE INFO regarding grade-level specific health form requirements.
All students entering Grade 2 must have a DENTAL EXAMINATION FORM on file at their school office by May 15, 2021.
REPEAT *See the Revised Quicklist 20–21 Calendar*
Please see the Revised Quicklist 2020–21 CALENDAR, including school hours information and dates for Early Release Days, Half Days, holidays, and winter/spring breaks.
REPEAT *Supporting Our D96 Community Families*
The pandemic is creating challenging situations for many families in our community.
Community members who are able to are invited to donate these items: macaroni & cheese (cups or boxes), canned foods (veggies/fruits/tuna/chicken/beans), granola bars, tortillas, cheese (shredded/sliced), eggs, deli meats, frozen ground beef/chicken.
Please deliver to collection boxes outside the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) front entrance, 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, from 8 AM–3 PM. Please observe social distancing when delivering donations and ring the doorbell when delivering perishable foods and/or gift cards.
Thank you to everyone that donated food items at Greet the Teacher! What a wonderful Kildeer community we have to give back to those in need!
Questions? Contact [email protected]
*** PTO Blog ***
I wanted to share how we started our week at Kildeer. This set the best tone possible for the year. It's incredible how these acts of kindness can positively impact a person. I remember walking in on Monday morning and just watching our teachers admire the words. There were smiles, and there were even tears. It hasn't been easy being a teacher and this small gesture went a LONG way. Thank you to our incredible PTO and our families for your continued support. We are about to write a chapter in history. Let's do this together.
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal