Kildeer Principal's Message- May 21st

outdoor reading

Dear Kildeer Families,

It’s surreal to think that in just 8 short days, it will be a wrap on the 2020-21 school year. We've been enjoying these past few weeks with our ABC countdown to get outside reading, giving ourselves new names, and even more fun next week.

A couple of weeks ago we were able to hear all about your celebrations for teachers. Taking the time to send your appreciation made a positive impact and truly made a difference.

Now, we want to hear about your children! This has been an incredibly difficult year to navigate. It has been full of constant change and our partnership together has been instrumental in helping support each and every child. Regardless of the difficult circumstances, our students and your children have persevered through a year that will be a part of history. They’ve conquered big obstacles and have grown in many ways. Please consider submitting a shout-out for your child(ren). What do you want to celebrate about them and this school year? We would LOVE to hear!


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 .


NEW *A Reminder About District Standards for Student Dress*


Appropriately and comfortably dressed students can focus more effectively. As the weather gets warmer and the end of the school year approaches, we remind you of these District standards for student dress that are included in our Parent/Student Handbook. We appreciate your support in enforcing the following guidelines:

1. Dress or appearance that provokes or distracts other students or otherwise causes a disruption to the education process is prohibited.

2. Shoes must be worn at all times.

3. Clothing, jewelry, or accessories may not have writing or pictures that advertise or advocate alcohol, drugs, tobacco, obscenity, violence, or gang activity.

4. Pants must be worn at the waistline.

5. Hats are allowed on designated hat days only.

6. Half shirts, cropped tops, spaghetti straps, and underwear or sleepwear worn as outerwear are not acceptable.

7. Undergarments may not be visible.

8. With the exception of appropriate jewelry, no chains may be worn.

 

Students who are not in compliance with the student dress code will be asked to comply either by changing to other clothing available at school or by having their parent/guardian bring them different clothing from home. 


NEW *2021–22 School Supply Lists and Kits*


See Info to download grade-level school supply lists or order school supply kits to be delivered directly to your home. (Order kits by July 9 for home delivery by Aug. 13.)


NEW *Student Report Card Access June 3 After 3 PM*

Your student’s report card will be available for you to access online Thursday, June 3, AFTER 3 PM. If you need assistance, please SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VIEW YOUR CHILDREN’S REPORT CARDS, to switch between your children’s report cards, and more. Report cards will be available for online access after 3 PM on June 3rd. 


Repeat *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.  


Repeat *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.


Repeat * 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.


Repeat *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.

Repeat *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.

 

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 

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.


Repeat *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.


TIME CHANGE-Repeat *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 6:30 pm  (please note the new time) at this link: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/s/81551810731


Repeat * 41st Consortium 125 Virtual Artfest*

We are pleased to invite you to….


Repeat *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!


*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 ***

  • 5th Grade Car Parade on Thursday, May 27th from 4-5 at Kildeer- A fun car parade all about our 5th graders!!! The parade date will be Thursday, May 27th from 4:00-5:00 pm. Parents can drive their 5th graders through the Kildeer parking lot and honk, wave, and celebrate with their peers, teachers, and staff members, and pose for an “in-car” photo op under the balloon arches. We will have music playing, yard signs displayed, and Volunteers will be handing out Woodlawn Sweatshirts at the end of the parade (Yard Signs will be available to pick up after June 3).

Check out the blog! CLICK HERE!


I promised I would return to the topic of our 5th graders. This is a group that holds a special place in my heart. I've been reflecting a lot about them lately. We have really grown over the years together. This is the first cohort of students I've had that I've been the principal at Kildeer the whole time. I look at their faces and still see our sweet 1st graders, now just bigger versions of themselves. It also just dawned on me the other day that my last group of students I taught is graduating high school this year. Where does the time go?

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, we have been committed to planning meaningful ways to end out this school year. For our 5th graders, it's their last experience as an elementary student. It's the last opportunity for recess and Cougar Pride Assemblies. In fact today, it was their last buddy classroom.

Given that, we are SUPER PUMPED to host a car parade for our 5th graders on Thursday, May 27th from 4-5p.m. Here is what you can expect:

  • Yard signs will litter the front of our school, recognizing and honoring each 5th-grader (not ready for pick-up until June 3rd!)
  • Music blaring in celebration of our 5th-graders
  • A balloon arch, our mascot CJ, and an opportunity for a photograph from the car! 
  • Staff and parent volunteers serving as the welcoming committee lining the front of our school to cheer on our 5th-graders
  • At the end of the line, each 5th grader will receive a sweatshirt on behalf of the PTO! 

How can you help this to be successful as a 5th-grade parent?

  • Stay in your vehicle the whole time!
  • Consider decorating your car for some added fun!
  • Do not park for any reason, we want to keep the parade moving and flowing for all! 
  • Have a sign with your child's name and homeroom teacher to show at the drive-up PTO table to get the sweatshirt.

What if I can't come?

  • Roomies will get their sweatshirts the following day or two while at school
  • Zoomies can come and pick up sweatshirts from the vestibule during regular school hours

Our 5th-grade team, specials team, and incredible PTO volunteers also have a few tricks up their sleeves for 5th-graders over the next couple of weeks. We are going to make this end of the year the best it can be!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather! 

Fondly,

Mrs. Vail Kieser


Principal