Dear Kildeer Families,
What a great virtual spirit week! Thanks to all of our families and staff that participated in each of the days! We kicked off Monday with our sports teams but I must say, pajama day was my favorite! Spirit weeks are always a great way to bring us together and bring a little extra joy in our days. I wonder what other ideas students might have for spirit days?
Additionally, congratulations to our Kildeer Cougars for making us all proud during conferences. Each and every student has worked SO hard during remote learning. We know it's not always easy, but I admire the perseverance of our students (and adults at home)! We had excellent attendance from our families and it's always a great opportunity to connect with each other.
Once again, our PTO did not disappoint! We were treated with Lou Malnati's for our conference dinner and we could not be more grateful for the tasty meal. Thank you PTO!
NEW *Fall Family Educator Conference SURVEY*
Thank you for attending conferences. Please fill out one survey and communicate specific differences between conferences for each child in your comments. We value your feedback and use these results to continuously improve the conference process. We have asked that you include your email address so that we can improve our data collection process and follow-up with you if necessary. Thank you for your response.
NEW *Approved Snack List*
The District has not revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST from the 19-20 school year. The items the list includes are free of the Top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
This list includes the foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks within the classroom.
IMPORTANT: All items for Daily Snacks– with the exception of fruits and vegetables– MUST be prepackaged to allow staff to easily check that snacks meet the approved requirements. Thanks for keeping our students safe.
NEW *Halloween Information*
Given the unique circumstances we are faced with this year, we will not have students wear Halloween costumes or partake in our annual Halloween parade. More information will be forthcoming regarding activities that will be done in classrooms on Wednesday, October 28th.
NEW *Upcoming Calendar/Schedule Reminders*
Monday, October 12th, there is no school.
Tuesday, October 13th, there is no school due to the recent approval of a Remote Planning Day for all staff.
Repeat *Commitment to Partnership*
As emphasized in Superintendent Schmidt's message sent on Tues., Sept. 29, implementing a hybrid in-person learning model is and must be a partnership.
We know that some surrounding districts or schools that began their in-person learning plan have had to revert to full remote for a period of time. In many situations, this has been due to positive cases about which families were not truthful with the school or with the health department regarding symptoms and the diagnosis or with those conducting the contact tracing process.
We are confident that the District 96 community will rise to the occasion and partner with us to ensure safety and success. Please think carefully about your commitment to our partnership before sending your kids to school.
Repeat *I AM ME...WE ARE KILDEER virtual family celebration*
Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 14th, 2021. Yes, you heard us right! We aren't going to let this year slow us down! We will hold our 3rd-annual family celebration where the entire purpose is to learn from and about each other at Kildeer. It's going to look different, but our goal and commitment remain the same! More to come!
Repeat *Updated Student Schedules and In-Person Learning Protocols*
UPDATED SCHEDULES will take effect for ALL of our students on the following schedule:
Kindergarten – schedule effective beginning Oct. 15
Elementary – schedule effective for Grades 1–5 beginning Oct. 19
(NOTE: Hybrid in-person learning begins for Grades 1 and 2 on Oct. 19. Hybrid in-person learning begins for Grades 3–5 on Oct. 29)
Middle – schedule effective beginning Oct. 29
For those returning to schools in the hybrid model, please review the IN-PERSON LEARNING PROTOCOLS thoroughly, so that you are prepared to complete and submit the required one-time annual self-certification and acknowledgment of protocols via a link in an email communication you will be sent after Oct. 5.
Repeat *Updated COVID-19 Metrics*
This UPDATED COVID-19 METRICS is the information “dashboard” that maintains transparent and open communication around COVID-19 metrics. As a user of the dashboard, the District has access to COVID-19 data as recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium. We review this data daily, update the dashboard weekly, and consider this data in making many decisions.
Repeat *Make-up Picture Day & Exploration Lab Materials Pick-Up*
For those that cannot attend Picture Day or would like a retake, this will be done on Thursday, November 5th at the same location & using the same procedures.
*If you have not picked up your exploration lab materials, please call the front office: 847.632.3243.
Repeat *Specials Weekly Materials*
Please CLICK HERE to access the materials your child will need each week for specials.
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]*
Repeat *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.
Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.
*** PTO News ***
- THANK YOU to our incredible PTO for arranging dinner for our staff at conferences. Lou Malnati's was delicious!
- THANK YOU for the treats on Monday! Kildeer staff appreciates the love!
- 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
For those of you that remember, October 10th marks one year since we lost Candy Anderson, our beloved school nurse. I think of her often and how much she'd be shaking her head regarding what has transpired over the past year. She continues to be in our thoughts and hearts.
On another note, during the last couple of weeks, we've been preparing for the return of students in-person. I actually saw a school bus in my neighborhood this morning and felt excited to see buses returning to Kildeer once again. Just a reminder, whether your child is returning in-person for the hybrid model or remaining fully remote, the choice you made is right for YOU!
There will continue to be a lot of information coming your way from the district to ensure we are all prepared and crystal clear on our safety guidelines. Thank you ahead of time for reading the information thoroughly and reaching out with any clarifying questions.
I'm thrilled to have staff join us on Tuesday during the remote planning day where we will continue to learn about some new technology, safety protocols, and ensure as smooth of a transition as possible with the hybrid model. I cannot promise perfection, but I know this staff well and they are dedicated to our kids. Thanks for your patience as we enter a new chapter of our adventure together!
Enjoy the gorgeous weekend ahead. We look forward to "seeing" students back for learning on Wednesday, October 14th.
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal