Dear Kildeer Families,
Can you believe it's October already? I'm not sure the weather is making it feel that way but I'll take it. We had our first fire drill of the school year and our students did a great job! I must say, fire drills are much more enjoyable when the sun is shining. I want to give a shout-out to Mrs. Keller. Given that it's her last year at Kildeer, we had her play a special role in the drill!
Also, I need to take a moment to honor and recognize our incredible custodians. Tomorrow is National Custodian Day. Our crew goes above and beyond to keep Kildeer a safe and clean school. Hats off to Mr. Kenny, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Mladen, and Mr. Jose! We appreciate you more than you know!
NEW *Schedule changes for the week*
- Thursday, October 7th - Early Release with student dismissal at 2:00 (Family Educator Conferences)
- Friday, October 8th - No School (Family Educator Conferences)
- Monday, October 11th - No School
NEW *Superintendent Survey*
Parents, staff and community members: You have one more week to take the KCSD 96 Superintendent Search Survey and offer input on suggested priorities for the District and important characteristics for the next school leader. The Superintendent Search Survey closes next Friday, Oct. 8.
The Search consultants will use the results from this survey and the Focus Groups and Open Forums to create a New Superintendent Profile, to be shared with the Board of Education.
The Board plans to announce a successor to Supt. Julie Schmidt, who is retiring, at its Dec. 14 meeting.
To access the survey, visit the KCSD 96 website and click on the Superintendent Search Survey link or click here.
NEW *Bus Route And Time Changes Effective Monday, October 4, 2021*
Given the recent survey results and families that chose to opt-out of bus services, some bus routes have been reallocated. If you are continuing to use the buses, your child’s pick-up and drop-off times will change, and in some cases bus route numbers have changed as well. Please make sure that you received this bus communication on Thursday, 9/30, from the district with updated route numbers and times. Due to these changes, all students will receive new assigned seats. We appreciate your continued patience as we navigate these changes that go into effect on Monday, October 4.
Repeat *Volunteers & Vaccination Verification or Proof of a Negative Test
As you may or may not know, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker held a COVID-19 press conference on August 26, 2021, where he issued new rules regarding indoor masking, and signed an Executive Order 2021-20, regarding educational employee vaccination and testing requirements. In the Executive Order which applies to all “school personnel,” volunteers are included in the definition unless they are present for only a short period of time and whose movements of close physical proximity are “fleeting”.
Those who have been identified as a current or upcoming PTO volunteer recently received a survey asking that you provide proof of vaccination and notifying them that if unvaccinated they would need to provide proof of a negative Covid test within 48 hours of reporting to volunteer.
If you have already uploaded proof of vaccination, please disregard this information.
How do I provide proof of vaccination proactively should I choose to volunteer at my student(s) school this year?
By following this link, you may provide proof of vaccination to your school(s).
https://kcsd96.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6umRb91nGZZ74xg
What if I am unvaccinated but want to volunteer this year?
Unvaccinated volunteers must provide proof of a negative Covid test when you arrive at the school on the day you are scheduled to volunteer. Negative test results are only good for the 48 hours prior to arrival. For example, if an unvaccinated volunteer is scheduled to be in the school the next week, they would have to provide a new test result.
What type of Covid test qualifies?
You may present a negative antigen or PCR test. Home testing kits do not qualify as the test must be observed and documentation of the result provided to you.
Why can’t unvaccinated volunteers take a Covid test at the school?
The BinaxNow test provided to schools is in short supply at this time. As a result, schools have been notified that we cannot use the test for any screening purposes. If we were to do so, they would no longer supply the test to us. We are only allowed to use the test for symptomatic individuals on campus (students or staff) or when a person qualifies for test-to-stay. If and when test supplies increase, those restrictions may be lifted. If they are, we will be in a position to reconsider testing unvaccinated volunteers in our schools at that time.
What is the process for volunteers to either provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test?
- Vaccinated volunteers may submit their proof of vaccination at any time by following the link provided and completing the survey and uploading proof of vaccination.
- The list of those who have done so will be made available to the school (principal, assistant principal, administrative assistant, and nurse) and updated periodically by Lubna Andrabi in our district office.
- Unvaccinated volunteers must bring proof of a negative test to the main office on the day they are scheduled to volunteer.
- The main office will make a copy of your negative test.
- The test result must be within the previous 48 hours. The staff at the front desk in the main office will assist you.
What if I am fully vaccinated but forgot to upload my proof of vaccination?
If you have not uploaded your vaccination card, you may provide proof of vaccination when you arrive (vaccination card). We strongly encourage you to upload your card so that you do not need to present it each time you report to volunteer.
Repeat *Snacks and Second Lunch Update*
We are excited to announce that students are now able to purchase a second lunch and/or snack. *The first lunch is still free for the remainder of the school year.
Students will be charged for a snack and/or a second lunch. You can add money to their account through Organic Life link HERE where you will need their student ID number.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Front Office: [email protected] and [email protected].
Repeat *Tech Chess Club*
Technology Chess Club is NOT a chess class! Beginners will learn the basics of the game and more seasoned players will hone their skills through practice on boards and with Computer Software / iPads / Safe Internet Chess Sites.
Tech Chess Club is offered to 2nd – 5th graders and will meet in the LEARNING CENTER on THURSDAYS from the end of the school day until 4:00 p.m. and will be facilitated by Mr. Pazol & Mrs. Goyke.
Please be aware that students may register for other clubs in the school even if they conflict with the club.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEND A NOTE TO YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER EACH WEEK TO REMIND THEM AND THEIR TEACHER THAT THEY WILL BE ATTENDING!
*** This year there will be TWO different sessions during the year. Students will be assigned to ONE session only.***
Tech Chess Club will be held on THURSDAYS from:
SESSION #1: OCTOBER 14 - FEBRUARY 3
and
SESSION #2: FEBRUARY 10 - MAY 19
IMPORTANT NOTES:
There is NO FEE for this club.
Pick up from the club will be in the BACK of the school building in the bus parking lot.
QUESTIONS? Call Mr. Pazol @ 847.634.3243 ext.6207 OR e-mail him: [email protected]
Click HERE to sign-up!
Repeat *September Book Talks from VAPL*
Vernon Area Public Library is excited to offer the new book talks for the month of September! A note from the library:
"If we have a copy on our shelf, anyone, no matter the library card's origin, is able to call and have it set aside or walk in and check it out. We also have 2 popular pick copies of each title that are only available at the library for patrons to walk in and take them off the shelf for checkout. Those copies do NOT fulfill the holds on the holds list so turn around with much more frequency. If a student does have a card from Vernon, they are eligible to put a copy on hold. If a student has a card whose origin is from another library, they can check with their home library to see if these titles are available.
These books are all well-reviewed, popular books that are commonly purchased by all neighboring libraries. It's because of you, we are able to help many more students embrace the love of reading."
Repeat *Thought Exchange Partnership*
The District 96 Thought Exchange Partnership (TEP) offers parents opportunities to give feedback and receive information about District instruction, programs, and initiatives. Understanding parent perceptions is helpful for planning and communicating. Contact District 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, 847.459.4260, ext. 8136, with questions. In particular, the District invites parents who have students enrolled at Willow Grove Early Learning Center to consider joining the Thought Exchange Partnership. The first meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2021 from 7:00-8:30 via Zoom.
Repeat *Fall Parent/Educator Conferences*
The conference dates are Thursday, October 7th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 8th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
We will be using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign-up for conferences. A School Messenger email was sent to families on Monday, September 20th at 6:00 PM with a link to sign up for conferences.
PLEASE NOTE: The conference sign up will close at 11:55 PM on Monday, October 4th. After that you must contact the building administrative assistant to schedule a conference or make a change.
Conferences will be held over zoom unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. A document with all the staff zoom links will be sent out on Wednesday, October 6th at 2PM.
REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE
After selecting the teachers you wish to meet with and choosing a time for each conference, Meet the Teacher will prompt you to save the appointment and ask if you want to add a message for the teacher. If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via this messaging feature (see picture below).
Elementary parents will have the option to sign up with the classroom teacher as well as specials teachers and any related service providers their children see.
Repeat *Covid Metrics*
To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process.
*Tech Hub*
KCSD96 Family Technology Hub! The District 96 Family Technology Hub is designed to guide families through technology tools.
Please email [email protected] with any tech-related support needed.
*** PTO News ***
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This weekend marks a first for the Kieser family. We are taking our kids camping for the first time. It's been several weeks of preparation making sure we have everything we need. In the end, it's not about the "stuff". It's about the time we will spend together.
I hope you spend the weekend making some memories, too!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal