Dear Kildeer Families,
Did you see the image I chose this week? Those are the faces of our incredibly talented staff with huge smiles on their faces. Why? Our students are back and it's felt refreshing!
As I popped into various classes this week, I was really impressed with the levels of engagement and the creative ways our teachers are creating a community already. Our focus is on building structures, routines, and a sense of safety during these first days.
When you think about it, we have asked our teachers to start a school year as they've never been asked to do before. Once again, I am in awe of this incredible staff that continues to go above and beyond for our students! We have the deepest appreciation of what they do for kids on a daily basis.
Was the week perfect? Nope. I have the emails to prove it! With the zoom outage on the very first day and other bumps along the road, we've definitely experienced some glitches.
On the other hand, I have received lots of communication with words of support and appreciation. I continue to be proud of all of us for persevering, giving ourselves and each other grace, and the critical feedback loop we have among all of our stakeholders.
In an effort to bring us more smiles, please enjoy these First Day of School photos:
NEW *Calling All Kildeer Cougars*
Last year our morning announcements were so special because we involved our staff AND students. This year, we are looking for brave students to recite the Kildeer Pledge to be featured on the Monday morning announcements. If you are interested, please record a short video introducing your first name, homeroom, and grade. Then say the following:
As a Kildeer Cougar,
I promise to start each day with a smile on my face and make Kildeer school a safe, happy place.
I pledge to follow the Cougar 5 each day, respecting others in every way.
I am proud to be a Kildeer Cougar.
*PLEASE SEND YOUR VIDEOS TO TRACEY WRIGHT: [email protected]*
NEW *Nurse News*
Hello Kildeer!
Be sure to check your email as I have been sending reminders to families if I do not have any health records on your child(ren) yet.
For all new students, we must have these forms on file for your child by October 15, 2020 in order to avoid exclusion:
Illinois Physical Examination Form & Immunization Form (link here)
**Please make sure you fill out the Parent/Guardian top portion of the physical with the Yes/No Questions and sign/date as well.
Illinois Vision Examination Form (link here)
Additionally, for new AND returning students, please remember to submit the following forms for this school year if applicable: Asthma Action Plan, Medication Authorization Form, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, and Diabetes Medical Management Plan. We want to be as prepared as we can when we are able to return to in-person learning and this will avoid a rush of an overwhelming amount of paperwork in the health office.
If your child is in 2nd Grade for the 2020-2021 school year, you may submit the dental form (here) at any time to the health office. It is due by May 15, 2021.
All forms can either be mailed to the school, faxed to our office, or emailed to me at [email protected].
It has been so wonderful being able to speak to many of you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions- that’s why I am here!
Be Well,
Alison Forsythe
School Nurse
New *Teacher Absence Protocol*
In the event that any of your child's teachers are absent, we have initiated a teaching partner system. Because our teachers plan instruction collaboratively as grade-level and specials teams, the teaching partner system will provide students the opportunity to learn grade-level material with students in another teacher's classroom in your child's home building or possibly across the district for specials. We believe this provides the best possible scenario for our students. In the event that partner teachers are unavailable, back-up plans have been put into place.
Building administrative assistants will notify families via email of any absences and provide directions for how students should access Zoom links. Classroom teacher Zoom links will be changed to the partner teacher's Zoom session when a teacher is absent. Students should click on their classroom teacher's usual Zoom link, and it will automatically send them to the partner teacher's Zoom session. For specials, a section will exist on the teacher Clever login page with access to partner teacher links. When there is a substitute for a specials teacher, the classroom teacher will guide students regarding how to access their specials class. This process will be in place beginning on Monday, August 31, 2020.
NEW *Tech Hub*
KCSD96 Family Technology Hub! The District 96 Family Technology Hub is designed to guide families through technology tools related to Enhanced Remote Learning. On this site, you can find links to the recordings and the corresponding Slides decks for the parent/family informational sessions from last week. You can also find tutorials on how to use ZOOM, Schoology, Seesaw, Clever, Notability, and other iPad essential tools for student learning. Additionally, there is a link to email the technology support desk. Please save or bookmark this site. It will be updated with tools, resources, and tutorials through remote learning to better support your family.
New *Curriculum Night Update*
Curriculum Night is September 2, 2020. Curriculum Night will be a virtual opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and learn other ways that the school can support your family and your child. Your child’s classroom teacher will email you a ZOOM link and directions to access Curriculum Night. At curriculum night staff will review curriculum, daily routines, and classroom procedures. Your child’s teacher will share a short presentation from the administration at the beginning of the curriculum night time slot.
Live Zoom sessions will take place during the times below.
Grade 1-2 : September 2, 2020 - 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
Grade 3-5: September 2, 2020 - 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM
New *MAP Testing*
NWEA MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day. Testing will take place during the MAP window, September 8-18. Your child’s teacher will be in communication regarding details and the specific dates of testing in the coming week.
New *Still Need Materials?*
If you have not picked up curriculum materials for remote learning, please contact the school office.
REPEATING *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.
REPEATING *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.
REPEATING *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.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
*** PTO Blog ***
I wanted to share this image and have us all reflect on the meaning for just a moment. You can easily replace the word teachers with many other options: parents, students, caretakers, administrators, Board of Education members, etc.
Here is where I'd like you to pause and pat yourself on the back.
Per a discussion at our leadership meeting today, we posed the following question: "What was your superhero moment this week?" Do you want to know the consensus of the group? It was that we are ALL surrounded by superheroes: our students, our parents, our staff. Thank you for all of your time and commitment to making this a memorable first week back!
I hope your family can take some time to enjoy each other over the weekend. I believe we have an ice cream date in store for our big girl completing her first week of Kindergarten!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal