Dear Kildeer Families,
When I say we hit the jackpot with our school nurse this year, I mean it! Nurse Ali has gone above and beyond navigating this school year. It's been anything but normal, yet she has handled it with grace. I've had the opportunity to see her kind and encouraging interactions with students, the patient and empathic telephone calls with parents, and even taking care of our staff this year.
Last week was National Nurse's Week and this week was School Nurse Day! I'd love to invite you to send a note of appreciation to Nurse Ali and congratulate her for a great job in her first year at Kildeer: [email protected].
We are so fortunate to have you caring for us all Nurse Ali!
NEW *Protocol Update*
On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing in any setting–whether indoors or outside.
Consistent with our practice throughout this pandemic, we are in conversation with local health officials at the Lake County Department of Public Health to understand how this announcement from the CDC will affect our learning environments.
Be advised that our current mitigation strategies remain in place as we await local guidance.
That is–regardless of whether they have been vaccinated–our faculty, as well as our students, will be expected to continue to wear masks and practice social distancing at school and at a school-sponsored event such as 8th-grade Graduation. As you know, at this time students in our elementary district have not yet been vaccinated.
As local guidance is updated, be assured that we will share it and its implications with you promptly, as we’ve done consistently throughout the year.
NEW *Transition to Middle School Program*
We had our annual program (virtual) for parents of current fifth graders on May 10. It offered information and insights about what to expect in the middle school years ahead. Middle School Principals Jessica Barnes (Twin Groves) and Greg Grana (Woodlawn) discussed academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that the middle school years bring. Our current sixth-grade student panelists shared their perspectives. It was a fun and informative evening!
If you were unable to attend, HERE is the recording. Please note that the recording will be available for two weeks only.
Passcode: 3&JcDia.
NEW * iPad Exchange Info for ALL KCSD96 Students*
Action needed! This summer District 96 will exchange your student's old iPad, charging cable, charging brick, and iPad case for new equipment. You'll need to schedule an appointment to make the exchange and the exchange must occur before Aug. 1. READ DETAILS about this process and how it affects ALL District 96 students.
NEW *Math, Literacy, and Technology Materials Return*
There are only a few materials the district is looking to collect back from those that were distributed throughout the year. We are asking for all of the materials listed below to be returned to schools during the week of May 24th. For those students who are remote, a bin will be available inside the vestibule. Please be sure to bag your materials when possible, and please label materials with name, grade, and homeroom. Thank you so much for your help with this!
1) Literacy Books: After Friday, May 21st, we will no longer need any of the ”ReadyGen”Literacy materials as part of our lessons. Please return all books beginning Monday, May 24th. It is important to return these as soon as possible so that we can inventory them accordingly and make purchasing decisions for next year. Some students have already begun to return these materials. for a convenient drop-off. The grade level links below show a complete list of books that need to be returned to school.
2) Omni-fix cubes: These were distributed to 5th-grade students in August in a plastic bag. Each 5th-grade student received 30 cubes in a plastic Ziplock bag. The Omni-fix cubes are no longer needed for 5th-grade math. Please return these to schools at your earliest convenience. For a picture of the cubes click HERE.
3) Logitech Keyboards: Each student in grades 1-5 received one of these keyboards in September. Middle school students received a keyboard upon request. For a picture of the keyboards click HERE.
- If your child is planning on taking IAR (Grades 3-8), please bring the keyboard to school on May 23-25 for use during the assessment. It will be collected after IAR is completed on Wednesday the 25th.
- If your child is not using the keyboard, please return the keyboard at your earliest convenience. Early returns will help us ensure each student that wants one for IAR has one to use.
NEW *IAR Dates*
Monday 5/24: Grades 3-8
Tuesday 5/25: Grades 3-8
Friday 5/26: Grades 3-8
K-2 Students:
Students in grades K-2 do not take IAR. Kindergarten students will follow a typical schedule.
Students in Grades 1 and 2 will have typical arrival and dismissal times but may have a special schedule during the day.
In-person students in Grades 3-5
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.
Remote students coming to test in-person
These students will arrive at the designated time below. Teachers will communicate the appropriate class to log on to after students return home.
Grades 3-5 Monday Arrival: 8:45
Grades 3-5 Monday Dismissal: 11:55
Grades 3-5 Tuesday Arrival: 8:45
Grades 3-5 Tuesday Dismissal: 11:55
Grades 3-5 Wednesday Arrival: 8:45
Grades 3-5 Wednesday Dismissal: 11:00
Click here for a description of arrival procedures, safety considerations, and needed materials.
Remote students
These students will be provided with asynchronous experiences while their grade level peers are testing. They will log onto the teacher Zooms and resume instruction at the times listed below.
Elementary students in Grades 3-5 log back into teacher Zooms at the times below on Monday and Tuesday.
Grade 3: 11:20
Grade 4: 11:35
Grade 5: 11:30
Elementary students in Grades 3-5 log back into teacher Zooms at 10:35 on Wednesday.
NEW *Attention current 4th-grade parents*
The opportunity to learn about and sign up for next year's 5th-grade band is happening now! Please open this letter from the band teacher Mr. Craw to learn more about band, and to find out how to sign up.
NEW *Attention current 3rd-grade parents*
Beginning Orchestra Parent Info Night - All current 3rd-grade parents are invited to join this virtual meeting to find out about Beginning Orchestra on Tuesday, May 25th at 7:00 pm at this link: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/s/81551810731
NEW * 41st Consortium 125 Virtual Artfest*
We are pleased to invite you to….
NEW *Virtual New Woodlawn Parent Tour and Coffee*
The Woodlawn PTO invites parents new to Woodlawn Middle School in the 2021–22 school year to join a virtual school tour and coffee on May 26 at 11 AM. Meet Principal Grana and Assistant Principal Garlick and ask a Woodlawn parent panel the questions you have. All newcomers are warmly welcomed. SEE DETAILS AND ZOOM LINK .
Repeat *VAPL Book Talks*
Take some time in MAY 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
Repeat *ABC Countdown from the Student Council*
Click HERE to view the countdown, designed by our incredible student council leaders!
Repeat *Exploration Lab Materials-please read*
Click HERE to see which materials in-person learners should bring back to school!
Repeat *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 *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.
*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 Celebrations- Check out our PTO BLOG for our end of year events for our 5th Graders--included in this is our 5th Grade Night Out next Thursday 5/13
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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- Want something sweet for your 5th Grader...Graduation Cookie kits are available now. Go HERE for more info and to order.
Check out the blog! CLICK HERE!
Our 5th graders are on all of our minds. After today, they have 13 days left of elementary school. Our staff and PTO have been actively planning how to ensure a positive and meaningful end to this school year for all students, and especially our 5th-graders.
I have more words for our incredible 5th-graders, but we will save those for later.
For now, please enjoy this beautiful weekend ahead with your family! Oh yes, I have a homework assignment for families, too. Please consider taking your children out for a treat such as ice cream, a donut, or something else special. They have truly worked so hard this year and deserve to know how much we ALL are proud of them!
Best homework assignment ever or what?!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal