Dear Kildeer Families,
Can you believe we are three weeks into the school year? Even with a shorter week, we were full steam ahead with learning. I had an opportunity to make virtual visits to classrooms this week and it was incredible to see how remote learning continues to evolve. Our educators are placing an emphasis on high levels of student engagement as well as prioritizing time for social-emotional learning and class building. It's been great to see how connections are being made in this virtual environment!
Also, who had fun at our COUGAR FUN RUN today? Thank you to our P.E. team for putting together a virtual opportunity to come together and prioritize our health. Students were able to partake in the "Cha-cha Slide" and it helped us to feel like we were all back together at Kildeer for a moment with the video of our usual path. Smiles were had by all and I was, personally, out of breath. Thanks to our third graders for letting me join you!
NEW *Material Pick-Up Info*
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Monday, September 14th for our second round of materials pick-up. During the hours of 11:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m., please drive up to the side door located off of the small gym. With all members inside the vehicle and wearing masks, hold a sign in the window with your child’s grade, name, and homeroom teacher. One of our staff members (with a mask and gloves) will gather your child’s materials and bring them to your trunk.
During this pick-up, your child will be given materials for literacy, math, P.E., music, art, as well as an external keyboard. Once we are able to resume school in-person, you will be asked to return the materials. We recommend leaving plenty of room in your vehicle to take the materials with you (see the photo below)!
*If you received any specific communication regarding materials from the front office or your child’s teacher, please follow those directions. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our front office!
*We will once again have boxes for you to donate food items for the ELC! Please only bring non-perishable food items and drop them near the front office. Thank you!
NEW *Early Release Reminder*
This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, September 15th is an Early Release for students. Please view the ELEMENTARY EARLY RELEASE SCHEDULE for the day. Elementary hours are 8:30-2:00. If you have any schedule specific questions, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.
NEW *Fall Conference Sign-Up*
Fall conferences are rapidly approaching! Families will have an opportunity to sign-up the week of September 21st for a conference in October. Be on the lookout for more information from your child’s homeroom teacher.
As a reminder, conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, October 8th from 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. and Friday, October 9th from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Conferences were moved to October in order to provide teachers and families the opportunity to discuss action steps for improvement before the reporting period closes.
NEW *Band Registration*
Registration for the 5th grade beginning band is now open, and band lessons will begin soon! Please click on the link to learn all about the band program and to sign up. And please feel free to contact our band director Chad Craw ([email protected]) with any questions you may have.
NEW *LAST CALL FOR 4TH GRADE ORCHESTRA*
Learn a stringed instrument, make new friends, and have fun!
Register HERE by TOMORROW, Saturday, September 12th.
And visit a vendor to rent the instrument.
Check out the BEGINNING ORCHESTRA PRESENTATION.
Email Mrs. Kathy Ok with questions: [email protected].
Repeat *Calling All Photogs*
We love capturing photos of kids learning in the Principal's Message. While currently, students are learning in your homes, we'd love it if you wouldn't mind sharing a photo us to use in the Principal Message, Twitter, etc. If you are comfortable sharing, please email a photo and caption to Mrs. Wright in the front office: [email protected]. Thank you!
Repeat *MAP Testing Information*
Remote NWEA MAP Testing will take place over the next few weeks for your child. Our teachers and instructional coaches will serve as test proctors and will work to build and encourage student engagement during the test and respond to the needs of students in real-time. In addition, they will be watching student engagement closely to ensure that students are working through the test in a timely and typical manner. Students who are working too slowly or too quickly are tagged by NWEA and proctors are alerted.
Overall, the remote test-taking experience is nearly identical to its onsite counterpart, with changes mainly in proctor communication and the log-in process. However, the item bank, interface, and test management tools remain the same. From start to finish, the process is straightforward and easy to use.
See information in the box below regarding MAP growth, and this link below provides further information for families.
What is MAP Growth?
- MAP Growth helps teachers understand what students know today, so goals can be set to improve growth throughout the year. Students cannot pass or fail this test.
- This test will not affect grades. In fact, it’s normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly. Please don’t help them!
- Given the challenges of learning from home, MAP Growth test results are especially helpful for us this year. These results will help us know what students are ready to learn.
Please see the important Copyright Information from NWEA MAP below:
NWEA MAP assessments, including test questions, are copyrighted, and may not be copied or reproduced in any form, including but not limited to taking photographs, video and/or audio recordings. Any copying or reproduction of NWEA MAP assessments constitutes copyright and/or other intellectual property infringement and is a violation of NWEA’s Master Subscription Agreement. NWEA MAP assessments, including test questions and answers are proprietary information of NWEA.
The schedule for Elementary Remote MAP testing is as follows:
*All testing will take place in the morning
**Schedules are subject to change
September 10: 5th Grade Prairie and Kildeer
September 11: 5th Grade Ivy Hall and Country Meadows
September 14: All 5th Grade Students Districtwide
September 15: All 3rd and 4th Grade Students Districtwide
September 16: All 1st and 2nd Grade Students Districtwide
September 17: All Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th Grade Students Districtwide
September 18: All Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade Students Districtwide
Repeat *Instructional Interruptions*
We are so appreciative of our supportive families and school community. With that being said, we ask that parents/guardians utilize the scheduled parent office hours or emails to specific staff to address questions and concerns. Any questions or comments made during instructional time are disruptive to student learning. We understand that some parents may have questions while in close proximity to students engaging in Zoom sessions, but please know that you will be directed to take advantage of email and scheduled office hours when student instruction is interrupted.
Repeat *Release of Information*
If you have an academic tutor or private provider that you would like to be in contact with members of our school team, you will need to complete a Release of Information form in order for communication to take place. Please contact the front office or your child’s classroom teacher for one of these forms.
Repeat *Use the D96 Issued iPad*
Please make sure that your student is using the school-issued device during remote learning. The processes and procedures that staff are taught to help facilitate remote learning are specific to the device that the school has issued your student. Using a device other than or in addition to the school-issued iPad can complicate instruction and disrupt a smoother workflow for learning. Thank you for understanding. Additionally, if there is a problem with the school-issued device please be sure to let your child’s teacher know or contact the help desk at [email protected].
Repeat *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]*
*** PTO News ***
NEW- Please take a moment to follow your Kildeer PTO on Facebook and Instagram at;
- Kildeer PTO on Facebook
- KildeerPTO on Instagram
Repeat *A Fall Tradition for Kildeer Families, Coming Soon Virtually from the PTO*
Our wonderful PTO is offering Kildeer families the opportunity to buy books and activities that our students will enjoy–particularly during this home-centered time of living and remote learning. The PTO’s Fall 2020 Virtual Book Fair Reading Can Take You Anywhere! will open Sept. 21 and run through Oct. 4. The Scholastic Store Online has over 6000 items from which to choose (so many read-aloud opportunities!) and orders will ship directly to your home. Your purchases benefit our Kildeer school community. Read more about the virtual BOOK FAIR opening Sept. 21.
It's hard to imagine19 years ago and the events that took place on September 11th. I still remember sitting in English class and feeling a sense of disbelief. I can blink and I am there. 19 years later, I'm experiencing similar feelings regarding our current reality.
A staff member shared this beautiful tribute with me. I think we can make connections with the gratitude we have for our everyday heroes. If you have a few minutes, check it out.
Beautiful, right? Have a great weekend. I think we are all hoping for a little sunshine!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal