Dear Kildeer Families,
The weather certainly took a turn this week! I had the pleasure of hanging out with many of our students during recess over the past couple of days and what a chilly reminder to make sure that we are dressed appropriately. We do everything we can to make sure students can get outside and take full advantage of their unstructured play during recess. Thanks so much for helping your child to bring the right attire for the ever-changing weather. I'd say, we are officially in the fall!
NEW* Picture Day Retakes*
Picture retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th! Click HERE to access directions on how to prepay! If you have any questions, please reach out to the front office.
NEW *Attendance at School*
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and having your student in their seat, ready to learn for the entire school day will benefit them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Let’s work together to make sure your child has great attendance and can get the most out of their learning opportunities this school year.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school, from health concerns to transportation challenges. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time. We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school. Our parent handbook reflects legislative updates from the state and is ready for you to review.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
We miss your student when they are not at school as we value their contributions to our school community. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the school in advance. If an absence was unplanned, please contact the school office as soon as possible.
HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
- Send your child to school unless they are truly sick, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious rash or showing any other COVID like symptoms.
- Avoid appointments and travel when school is in session.
- Keep track of your child’s attendance.
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
- Have a backup plan for getting to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, roads, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
- Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance.
OUR DUTIES UPON A STUDENT’S ABSENCES
- If your child has five unexcused absences we will reach out via phone and follow up with an email.
- If your child has seven unexcused absences we will schedule a conference with you and your child to create a student success plan and help continued supports.
- After 10 days of unexcused absences, and our supports and interventions haven’t helped get your student to school consistently, we are required to file a petition and you will be notified by formal letter that the case will be forwarded to the truancy department and the Lake County ROE, alleging a violation of RCW 28A.225.010, Illinois’s mandatory attendance law.
WHAT IS EXCUSED AND WHAT IS UNEXCUSED:
- Excused: Medical appointment, illness, quarantine, death in the family, mental health day, religious holiday
- Unexcused: Most other reasons for absence including travel/vacation, sporting event, missing the bus, sleeping in, day before a special occassion
NEW *Go, Kildeer, go!
We are so proud to announce that Kildeer has been ranked #47 in elementary level schools in the state of Illinois by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report has ranked high schools, colleges, and universities for many years, but this is the first time the organization has ranked elementary-level schools. Six of the District's seven schools made the list. There are no qualifying metrics for the early childhood level, therefore, our early learning center was not ranked.
We could not be prouder of our entire Kildeer School community!
Repeat *After School Clubs-PLEASE READ IF YOUR CHILD ATTENDS ONE*
As several clubs have started recently, we want to make sure that our students get to the right location after school. We assume your student will stay after school for the club they signed up for. If there is a change in their plans, please contact the Front Office. We appreciate your help.
Repeat *FAMILY READING NIGHT....Mark your calendars!*
Our annual Family Reading Night takes place on Thursday, November 18 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Our goal is to provide families with a fun night out where you can experience two different rounds of literacy-related activities (i.e. flashlight reading, reading for two voices, Sora eBook app) in partnership with the Student Council. While walk-ins are welcome, please consider using THIS Google Form to RSVP if you would like to attend and indicate your ideal preferences for the evening activities. It will help us plan for the event and do our best to make a match for your choices. We look forward to seeing you at the event!
Repeat *Law Enforcement Safety Drill*
On Monday, October 25, Kildeer Elementary School will be conducting a Law Enforcement Safety Drill. Students may be evacuating the building during the drill.
In compliance with the New Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill.
If you do not wish your son or daughter to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill, please contact Principal Kieser through email: [email protected]. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill.
Repeat *Halloween Costumes*
Stores are full of Halloween costumes, and I'm sure that your child is excitedly looking forward to getting a Halloween costume together for this year's festivities. When selecting or creating a costume with your child to wear at school, please be sure that the following expectations are followed:
- Must be appropriate for school
- No masks, blood, super scary stuff, general ickiness, or weapons
- No cigars or cigarette items
- No bare tummies
- Please keep hair coloring and make-up simple
**If you are unsure about a costume or costume prop, please contact your child's classroom teacher. Students whose costumes do not meet these expectations will be asked to adjust their costume for the school festivities.**
Repeat *Halloween Parade & Parties*
On Friday, October 29, all students will have the opportunity to participate in a parade outdoors (dependent upon the weather) as well as the classroom party. Please see some reminders below:
- The parade will start for family viewing (weather dependent) at approximately 1:30
- The parade may be viewed by families outdoors along the front of our school, starting by the large gym doors. Families should remain across the driveway to view students on the sidewalk. Thank you for being mindful of social distancing.
- If it rains, it will be indoors for students and staff only.
Parties will begin at approximately 2:00 pm and end at 2:45 pm. Only PTO-approved parent party volunteers may attend classroom parties. Please see more party volunteer information below.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR PTO PARTY VOLUNTEERS
- Parents attending the parties may not bring additional family members, other children, etc. We need everyone to abide by this and will have to ask you to leave if you come with other attendees.
- Every PTO volunteer approved to come into our school MUST have their license or ID scanned through our security system to enter. You have to bring this with you or you will not be able to enter. There is always a very long line at this first party, so please anticipate this. We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Kildeer sometime in October before the party to have their license scanned, which will speed up the process. The more people who come in early to be scanned, the shorter the line! You may also come on the day of the Halloween party BEFORE THE PARADE to have your license scanned.
- All volunteers must have followed our procedures for verifying vaccination or have proof of a negative Covid test. Call the office with questions.
- All volunteers must wear a mask at all times and remain socially distanced.
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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Dessert Day Dates: Please note we had incorrect dates listed for Dessert Days. We have now updated to the correct dates. Please make note that the correct dessert days are as follows: October 28, November 18, December 16, January 27, February 24, March 17, April 21, and May 26. We apologize for the error.
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3rd & 4th Grade Movie Night: Our 3RD & 4TH Grade movie night is Friday, November 5th, 2021 from 6:00-8:30. We will be showing Raya and the Last Dragon. Please pre-order your tickets and snacks through Membership Toolkit: www.kildeercountrysidepto.membershiptoolkit.com **Please note that this is a PRE-ORDER ONLY event** Due to Covid precautions we will not be accepting walk-ins.
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School Fundraiser - Culvers Night! On Wednesday, October 27th Culvers of Buffalo Grove will be donating 25% of all orders to our school when you mention this when ordering. Take a night off and help support Kildeer! We hope to see you there!
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Coat Drive- This runs from now through November 18th! NEW coats, hats, mittens, snow gear, etc. ONLY, please!
Check out the blog!
We are certainly looking forward to some fun festivities next week and wanted to make sure you were aware of a few things in a one-stop-shop:
- Tuesday, October 26 is an early release at 2:00
- Wednesday, October 27 is picture retake day (and Culver's restaurant night!)
- Thursday, October 28 is BUDDY CLASSROOMS! Please have your child wear spirit wear! (It's also dessert day!)
- Friday, October 29th is our Halloween parade and party!
We can use your help! Please DO NOT send your child in their Halloween costume to school. They will have an opportunity to change after lunch. It would be very helpful if all they need to do is put the costume on over their clothes! Thanks for helping us to keep this as simple as possible.
Also, don't forget the parade is at 1:30 outside starting at the large gym doors and going along the front sidewalk of Kildeer! We hope to see you there (weather dependent)!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal