Dear Kildeer Families,
We truly lucked out this week with the weather. When I checked for the remainder of the weekend ahead the high starts with a "7". I hope we can all take advantage of safely being outdoors and savoring the sunshine while we can. I had an opportunity earlier this week to take my kids to Cuba Marsh. One of our favorite things to do as a family is to find new hiking paths and explore nature! Any recommendations out there?
We are almost a week into November and the season of giving is upon us. It feels more important than ever this year. In the past two weeks, I've personally observed a couple of situations that made me pause and reflect on giving more. Families all over continue to be affected in various ways and I know my family continues to work on how we can do our part to help.
Drive-up meals continue to be available for our families at the ELC. If you would like to make a food donation to help those closest to us in need, you can:
- Drop-off items at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative at 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills (Mondays through Fridays from 8am - 3pm.)
- Ship food items directly to the ELC
- Drop off non-perishable items at Kildeer during materials pick-up next Friday, 11/13
If you have any questions, please call Kristen Bordonaro at 224.513.6448.
NEW *Materials Pick-Up ~ November 13th*
On Friday, November 13th, we will be having a materials pick-up for all students from 12-4:30. Materials will be organized by grade level and classroom teacher. We will have items set outside under the main entrance. This will be "self-serve" so thank you for watching the 3 W's! If you have any questions, please call the office or email Mrs. Wright, [email protected].
NEW *Reminder: Fri., Nov. 13, is a Half Day*
Please note that Fri., Nov. 13, is a Half Day for Grades 1–8. See the revised elementary Half-Day SCHEDULE.
Willow Grove will not be in attendance on November 13th.
NEW *Library Book Drop Off*
If your child still has library books that were checked out in the 2019-2020 school year, we are still collecting them! Books can be dropped off in the main area vestibule and at future identified drop off dates paired with upcoming Materials Pick Up.
If you are curious about if/what books/titles your child needs to return to our school library, please contact [email protected] for details.
NEW *Academic Enrichment Fun Hosted By Stevenson Students*
Mark your calendar for creative learning on Sun., Nov. 15, from 1–3 PM.
Stevenson High School National Honor Society students have planned a virtual Academic Enrichment Exposition–fun Zoom activities to help students in grades 3–5 explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Engaging opportunities will include academic design challenges, coding projects, virtual field trips, scavenger hunts, and more–as well as the chance to win a $25 gift card.
NEW *Creative Holiday Card Design Opportunity for Grades 4 and 5*
Fourth- and fifth-grade students are invited to submit original artwork for a holiday greeting card competition sponsored by Congressman Brad Schneider, Illinois 10th District. The winning artwork will be the cover design of Congressman Schneider’s annual holiday card.
The theme this year is Winter Wonderland–favorite outdoor winter activities enjoyed on cold snowy days. No artwork entry size is specified (the winning artwork will be scaled to fit).
Submissions are due by Wed., Nov. 25, and Congressman Schneider’s staff will announce the winner in early December.
Please submit all entries electronically to Robert Perez at [email protected]
Questions? Call 847.383.4870.
NEW *Newcomer Families*
Has your family recently moved to the United States or are you and your student(s) new to this area? On Thursday, November 19th at 1 pm parents that are new to our area and have students at Kildeer Elementary, are invited to a casual conversation.
This is an opportunity for parents to meet some D96 staff, ask questions, share their thoughts, and also to meet parents that may have had similar experiences or have been in the district for a long time.
This is an informal opportunity for parents who–like their students–are experiencing our social customs and practices of teaching and learning for the first time. Here is the link to join virtually.
UPDATED *Vernon Area Public Library News*
Repeat: Despite not being able to visit the schools during this time, the librarians at the Vernon Area Public Library are still eager to share great books with you, your faculty, and your students. Every month, we will be sending you videos of great books for each grade in your school, recommended by our librarians. Please feel free to share these links with your faculty.
New:
VAPL is happy to be sharing two additional videos that the school services team has created for distribution to schools. Each provides an overview of remote resources available from the library and is tailored to a range of levels in order to highlight particular relevant databases. Check them out!
Remote Resources for K-2nd Grade
Remote Resources for 3rd-5th Grade
Repeat *Picture Day Retakes-Postponed*
Picture retakes, scheduled for Thursday, November 5th, have been POSTPONED. We will share the new date at a later time.
Repeat *Meals Are Available for Drive-Up Pick-Up*
Any KCSD96 family choosing to do so may pick up free breakfasts/lunches for their students weekdays from 11 AM–1 PM when District 96 students are in session. SEE DETAILS
Repeat *ComEd Bill Payment Assistance Options*
ComEd has provided bill payment assistance options for families experiencing financial hardship. Please find info HERE.
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 *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 ***
- 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
These are tough times. Sometimes this temporary situation doesn't feel so temporary. You probably know by now that I resonate with quotes and my school nurse recently shared one with me: "You can't pour from an empty cup." Huh. I had to pause and reflect on that one quite a bit.
As a result, today was day 5 of me waking up a little earlier to run before work and clear my head. In order for me to be as present as possible for my family and our school community, I need to remember to prioritize myself, too.
Let's work together (students, parents, educators, etc.) and remember to prioritize self-care, both mentally and physically. Our ultimate goal is to be the best version of ourselves. In education we have a phrase, "You have to take care of the Maslow's before you can take care of the Bloom's." I believe this applies now more than ever. Our team of educators at Kildeer is here to support ALL of our students. If your child is struggling, let us navigate and problem-solve together.
I hope that you enjoy every drop of the beautiful weather ahead this weekend. I'm serious about my question from earlier regarding nature hikes. If you have any recommendations that a 5 and 3-year-old can handle, we are all about a family adventure!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal