Dear Kildeer Families,
Our beautiful and sunny Monday afternoon of materials pick-up seems so long ago! We lucked out, once again, with the weather and we always love to see our families. Did I tell you to leave room in your vehicle or what? I know that our specials team, in particular, is thrilled to have some consistent instructional materials to use. I also want to send a huge shout-out to our families that donated food for our families in need. It's always touching to see just how giving this community truly is!
On another note, I had so much fun seeing students this week. I was able to join some of our 5th-grade classrooms and be a part of our fluency screenings. There is nothing more joyful than to experience first-hand the tremendous growth that our students have made over the years. In fact, these 5th-graders started Kildeer as 1st-graders the same year that I started as the Principal. We entered Kildeer that year likely feeling mutually nervous about the journey ahead. Who knew we'd start 5th-grade with the unknowns, too?
All in all, from what I've seen in our classrooms thus far, I see students that are persevering, thinking flexibly, and demonstrating resilience. Kildeer Cougars, YOU are our why! Thank you for working so hard and doing your best. On behalf of all staff at Kildeer, way to go!
NEW *Kildeer Picture Day*
Picture Day is coming! Please mark your calendars for Picture Day on Tuesday, September 29th. Pictures will be taken outside in tents and ordering photos will be completely digital this year. No forms needed! Click HERE for directions to get started! Pictures will be shipped directly to your home.
Please follow these guidelines to ensure Picture Day runs smoothly:
Arrive at the SPECIFIC time by LAST NAME:
- LAST NAME A-G (3:00pm - 4:30pm)
- LAST NAME H-Q (4:30pm - 5:45pm)
- LAST NAME R-Z (5:45pm - 7:00pm)
Park and bring students to the check-in area, waiting in a socially distanced line as necessary (students will wear masks except when being photographed & will maintain 6ft social distance when waiting in line).
After checking in, students will move to one of the three photography tents to have their picture taken (photographers will be masked and maintaining social distance).
Parents are asked to limit those attending and adhere to our schedule as much as possible to prevent crowding and ensure appropriate social distancing. Everyone MUST wear a mask.
*Please do your best to come during your assigned time. If this is not possible, you are welcome to come to one of the other times.
MAKEUP DAY: For those that could not attend picture day or would like a retake, this will be done on Thursday, November 5th at the same location & using the same procedures.
FAMILY CHALLENGE: We are looking for families to decorate fall pumpkins that represent things about your family! Let's get to know each other a little better this year. Starting on Friday, September 25th, feel free to drop off your family's pumpkin to line the front sidewalk of Kildeer. They will be on display during our student picture day for all to see! Happy Fall!
NEW *Specials Weekly Materials*
Please CLICK HERE to access the materials your child will need each week for specials.
NEW *Material Pick-Up*
If you were unable to pick up your child’s materials on Monday, 9/14, please call the front office and someone will bring them out to your vehicle.
NEW *MAP Testing Family Support*
Thank you so much for all of your support in ensuring our MAP Testing has been able to take place while students are learning remotely. We understand the challenges that come with this, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. If there is an adult available at the time students are signing into the MAP testing session, we have found that this has made the sign-in process more efficient. While this is not an expectation, and we do have District 96 staff available to support the login process, we are grateful for any support adults at home can provide support during the login process prior to students beginning their MAP testing sessions.
1st
If possible, adult support would be helpful during the MAP login process on September 30th beginning at 9:15 am.
2nd
If possible, adult support would be helpful during the MAP login process on September 30th beginning at 9:15 am and Thursday, October 1st beginning at 10 am.
NEW *MAP Makeups*
We apologize for any inconvenience NWEA MAP testing has caused this week, and we want to thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigate the technological issues NWEA has been experiencing.
Due to the ongoing technical issues that NWEA is experiencing, District 96 was advised by NWEA representation to suspend MAP testing on Thursday, September 17th and Friday, September 18th. An updated plan is indicated below for each grade-level.
3rd and 4th Grade
D96 suspended math MAP testing for Thursday, September 17th. *Testing is now scheduled for Tuesday, September 29. *Please know this date may change if NWEA issues have not been resolved.*
1st and 2nd Grade
D96 suspended math MAP testing for Friday, September 18th. *Testing is now scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 for both 1st and 2nd grade. *Please know this date may change if NWEA issues have not been resolved.*
*Reading MAP testing for 2nd grade is now scheduled for Thursday, October 1st. *Please know this date may change if NWEA issues have not been resolved.*
Repeat *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.
Repeat *Band Registration*
Registration for the 5th grade beginning band is STILL open, and band lessons will begin NEXT WEEK! Please click on the link to learn all about the band program and to sign up THIS WEEKEND. And please feel free to contact our band director Chad Craw ([email protected]) with any questions you may have.
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 *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 ***
- Virtual Fall Book Fair- Monday, September 21st thru October 4th! Click HERE to learn more about the virtual book fair. Click HERE for Kildeer's Scholastic Homepage. Click HERE for the Scholastic Book Fair Flier.
- Culvers Kildeer Day- Support Kildeer when you dine at Culver’s of Buffalo Grove on Wednesday, September 23rd any time from 10am-10pm. Culver’s will donate 25% of group sales back to Kildeer PTO!! Options for Food are DriveThru, Dine in, and pick up. Just make sure to mention you are supporting Kildeer School!
- Yearbook Pictures- Please help the yearbook committee by sending in the first day of school and remote learning pictures to [email protected].
- 5th-grade parents- Please submit a headshot of your child when he/she was 6-12 months old. The baby pictures will all be displayed in the yearbook and matched with your child's future dreams/favorite memories. Digital photos can be emailed to [email protected].
- Follow our PTO on: Kildeer PTO on Facebook and/or KildeerPTO on Instagram
One of our challenges in a remote setting is how to continue building our sense of community. In a normal year, we'd be enjoying the looks on students' faces when walking into the bookfair in the small gym for the first time. We'd be eating ice cream with sprinkles at the ice cream social, connecting with multiple families at the evening bookfair, and seeing smiles galore!
Well Kildeer, let's not let this hold us back. We can still get our students excited for the book fair and we can still eat that ice cream. Feel free to take a moment this weekend to watch these short videos (Grades 1-2) (Grades 3-5) of our Kildeer staff hyping up some books from the scholastic flier!
Also, if you can, feel free to swing by Culvers in Buffalo Grove on Wednesday! We invited our staff to treat themselves to custard and we hope to see your family there, too!
I have the greatest appreciation for our PTO that is making these events possible and for all involved in fostering a commitment to supporting our Kildeer family!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal