Dear Kildeer Families,
It's hard to believe that next week is May! We've been so proud of our "roomies" and "zoomies" for persevering this school year. As I walked through classrooms and specials this week, I was in awe of the things our students do on a daily basis. Our partnership this year between home and school has been more critical than ever before to best support each and every student and we appreciate YOU!
Speaking of supporting students, it's time to celebrate our staff. Next week marks Staff Appreciation Week. I know that our PTO has some wonderful things in store to celebrate the commitment of our staff for our students.
Please join me in celebrating our staff by submitting a shout-out HERE! I will personally email the staff next week with your shout-out to thank them for a job well done!
NEW *ABC Countdown from the Student Council*
Click HERE to view the countdown, designed by our incredible student council leaders!
NEW *Exploration Lab Materials-please read*
Click HERE to see which materials in-person learners should bring back to school!
NEW *Assessment Update*
Elementary MAP: Dates for In-Person and Remote Students
Monday 5/3: Grade 5
Tuesday 5/4: Grade 5
Wednesday 5/5: Grades 2, 3, and 4
Thursday 5/6: Grades 2, 3, and 4
Friday 5/7: Grade 1
Monday 5/10: Grade 1
In-person students (Grades 1-5)
These students will have the same arrival and dismissal times as they normally would and complete the assessment as a part of the typical school day. Teachers will begin instruction at 10:55.
Remote students coming to test in-person (Grades 1-5)
These students will arrive at the designated time below. Teachers will communicate the appropriate time to log back on after they return home. No new instruction will be provided until 12:45 to ensure that these students have time to return home and eat lunch.
Arrival: 8:45
Dismissal: 11:35
Click here for a description of arrival procedures, safety considerations, and needed materials.
Click here for a copy of the self-certification form that all remote students must turn in before entering the building to test.
Remote students (Grades 3-5)
These students should log on to their teacher’s Zoom just as they do every day. The teacher will take attendance and provide them a Zoom link to the remote testing session. After the testing session, they will rejoin the teacher Zoom after testing is complete at 10:55.
Students not taking MAP (Grades 1-2 only)
These students will receive asynchronous activities and rejoin the teacher Zoom at 10:55.
NEW *Summer School Update*
Parents will have the opportunity to sign up their students for Enrichment Summer School courses soon. All classes will be virtual. The link to sign up will be accessible from the homepage of the District 96 website kcsd96.org on Mon., May 10, at 5 PM.
NEW *Student’s Art Appreciation Event – Consortium ArtFest (Virtual) is May 17–31*
KCSD96 families are invited to attend the 41st Annual Stevenson Consortium 125 ArtFest, showcasing our students’ artistic growth and achievements using a variety of media. This year you can view creative work by our Grade 1–Grade 8 students virtually. Exhibited art is selected by their District 96 art teachers. Access student artwork online May 17–31. CLICK HERE for more
Repeat *PARKING for Parent Drop-off and pick-up*
For the remainder of the school year, our staff will not park in the spaces circled in red. This allows space for parents to conveniently park in the morning or afternoon and either utilize the sidewalk or the crosswalk safely.
PLEASE DO NOT WALK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT IN THE CAR LANE WITHOUT USING A CROSSWALK. You are still welcome to park in the side lot if there are spots available to use that crosswalk.
Also please note, if you are dropping your child off in the morning and it's after 8:25, you will need to park your car and walk your child into the foyer to sign them in. Thank you!
Lastly, the parking lot is a busy place. Let's remember to treat each other kindly and recognize we are all doing our best. I appreciate your support with this!
Repeat *Transition to Middle School Program for Parents of Current 5th Graders*
Parents of all current fifth graders are invited and encouraged to attend the Transition to Middle School program presented by Middle School Principals Jessica Barnes (Twin Groves) and Greg Grana (Woodlawn). They'll discuss academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that middle school years bring. Current sixth-grade student panelists will also share their perspectives. The virtual presentation begins at 7 PM on Mon., May 10. Zoom link: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/j/88296995872?pwd=S0d6QnplZzh6S2t0dUMzYXcxSTVPZz09#success
Meeting ID: 882 9699 5872
Passcode: 450506
Repeat *STUFF THE SQUAD Food Pantry Drive*
The Buffalo Grove Police Department invites KCSD96 families to donate food and essentials to support food pantries serving our local residents. Collection via centrally located boxes in schools will be underway at all KCSD96 schools in the weeks ahead. The last day to donate to “Stuff the Squad” is May 5. SEE REQUESTED ITEMS.
LET'S DO THIS KILDEER!
Repeat *Make Lunch Plans*
Parents, please help. With many more students learning in person in KCSD96 schools, it's essential that parents place their students' free meal preorders by 6 PM on Thursday of the week before. Find preordering instructions HERE. Questions? Contact [email protected].
ALSO, please remind your students of the meal choices you preordered, so the meals they request at lunchtime are the meal options that you preordered for them. Thank you!
Repeat* Keeping Students (and siblings) Home Due to Symptoms
Per the IDPH COVID-19 School Exclusion Guidance, if any household member is showing any one of the symptoms listed below, ALL SIBLINGS must stay home from school. Please let the school office know when calling for attendance if your child is staying home due to illness, even if the student is participating remotely.
The symptoms in which a student must stay home due to COVID-19 protocols are: fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches from unknown cause.
*Repeat* Calendar Reminders
Revised March–June 2021 Calendar
Please refer to this REVISED March–June 2021 Calendar (1-page), reflecting in-person learning schedule changes announced in Superintendent Julie Schmidt's Mar. 17 message.
LAST CALL! Repeat *Parent Input for 2021-2022 Class Placement Survey*
Creating Balanced Class Lists - Parent Input for Class Placement
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. We at Kildeer School take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
-Teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
-Grade level teachers, the principal, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. This team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.
-This team of educators creates a draft set of class lists taking into consideration parent input.
-Class lists are then revised in August with summer changes for students who move in or out of the district.
-Class rosters are never final until they are released to families in August.
This process happens at grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders. Our 5th-grade team provides data to Woodlawn related to placement decisions at the middle school level.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 30th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.
If you'd like to share your input, please take the following survey: Kildeer Class Placement Survey for 21-22.
Repeat *VAPL Book Talks*
Take some time in APRIL to see some new recommendations by the Vernon Area Public Library. You won't want to miss this!
1st grade: 1st-grade favorites
2nd grade: 2nd-grade favorites
3rd grade: 3rd-grade favorites
4th and 5th grade: 4th and 5th-grade favorites
For more book talk recommendations, please visit our Book Talk Help Guide at https://guides.vapld.info/booktalks
*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 ***
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5th Grade Parent Volunteers Needed! The PTO is planning a few surprises for our 5th graders and could use your help...if interested in helping with 5th Grade Night Out, Transition Day, or End of Year Gifts/Parade please contact Rebecca Bacci at [email protected]
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5th Grade Night Out- Date and venue change!! All 5th-grade students from Kildeer and Country Meadows are in for a treat!! Save the date for an awesome virtual event Thursday, May 13 from 4-6 pm. More information will be emailed to parents with a link for the night!!
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Spring Flower Kits up on Membership Toolkit!!! The PTO has 2 kits available...Plant your own flowers or a cute Flower Suncatcher kit. Go HERE for more info and to order.
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Cookie and Rice Krispy Kits are back!! Due to popular demand, we have 2 kit options either a Spring Kit or a Graduation option. Go HERE for more info and to order.
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Kildeer Blankets. Looking to get rid of that Membership Toolkit Credit??? This awesome knit Kildeer Blanket is super soft and perfect for those outdoor picnics. Go HERE for more info and to order.
Check out the blog! CLICK HERE!
I ended this week in a really great way. The staff helped to celebrate Principal Appreciation Day with a thoughtful poem, a meal, and a trip to the salon. I also received this cool gift below:
"You don't need a cape to be super, but if you have one, you should rock it!"
This staff is incredible and I look forward to celebrating more together next week!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal