Dear Kildeer Families,
We have an additional family and Kildeer favorite tradition in the books! Thank you to all of the families that came out last night to attend Family Reading Night. We hope you were able to enjoy the time together and be fully present as a family. This night would not have been possible without the extensive planning and volunteering from Ms. Jones in the learning center, as well as the staff that dedicated time to the evening. Also, let's give a big shout-out to our student council representatives!
I personally had a great time. This is one of my favorites to be able to bring my own children. I was proud to represent "Piggie" in our reader's theatre and then see our families spending time together.
Thank you for making this Kildeer tradition a priority. We value YOU!
NEW *I AM ME...WE ARE KILDEER family celebration*
It’s that time of the year where we start to get very excited about our 4th annual I AM ME...WE ARE KILDEER family celebration. Last year we pulled it off virtually. However, we’ve come to appreciate even more the importance of human connection.
We are proud to say that we will be hosting our 4th annual celebration IN PERSON at Kildeer on Thursday, January 13th from 6:00-7:30.
As always, we need YOUR HELP! This year may look a little different with the mitigation measures in place, however, we remain committed to learning from and about each other.
Want to help in an easy way? Let’s start here! One of our events for the evening will be family trivia. Where will the trivia come from? YOU! Please CLICK HERE to submit something you think other Kildeer families should know. We will use the responses to create our trivia for the night.
That is just one example of the fun things in store for our family celebration. Keep your eyes out for future blogs!
NEW *Message from Mrs. Norman and the Art department*
Art Contest for ALL Fourth and Fifth graders
I have the privilege and honor to teach Art to the most talented and creative students in Lake County.
I would like to encourage every Fourth and Fifth-grader to participate in this art contest. Last year the winner of this contest was our very own Kildeer Fourth-grader Paulina! Let’s try to win again!
For the 2021 Holiday Season, Congressman Brad Schneider is hosting a holiday greeting card competition open to all fourth and fifth-grade students in the Tenth Congressional District. The winning artwork will be used as the cover design for the Congressman’s annual Holiday Card.
- There are no size restrictions, as the winning artwork will be scaled to fit the card cover. You can use any media of your choice.
- All submissions are due by Wednesday, November 24th and the winner will be announced in early December.
- The holidays are a time of year that brings families, friends, and communities together, the theme of this year’s competition is “Time Together”.
I would be happy to talk about your ideas and how this might look on a holiday card if you need me.
You are all so incredibly talented and demonstrate your love and interest in Art all the time, why not give it a try.
All entries should be sent electronically [email protected]. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Perez at 847-302-4920 if you have any questions.
Mrs. Leslie Norman
Art Instructor- Kildeer School
NEW *Vernon Area Public Library*
The newest booktalks are here! Check them out!
NEW *Report Cards*
Families should have received access to their student’s report card at 3:00pm this afternoon. Please click HERE to listen to a brief explanation of our standards-based reporting system.
NEW *MAP TESTING*
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day. Testing will take place on Monday, December 6th, and Tuesday, December 7th.
Students who are quarantined during those testing days will take the MAP assessment after they return to school.
NEW *Calendar Reminders*
This is a friendly reminder that next week Monday (11/22) and Tuesday (11/23) we will operate on our normal school schedule. Students will not be in attendance on Wednesday-Friday next week (11/24-11/26).
Tuesday, November 30th is an Early Release for students. Students will be dismissed at 2:00 pm.
NEW *Student Council News*
Dear Kildeer Families,
Toys for Tots, is an organization started by the US Marine Corps reserve to give toys to children
who are less fortunate, and aren’t able to get presents for the upcoming holiday season.
We are accepting NEW, UNWRAPPED toy donations at our school! There are two bins in the entranceway of our school.
Kildeer school has been the largest donor in Lake County. Let’s try to keep this tradition up.
Ages of toys can be for infants to eighteen-year-olds. The toys must be packaged and brand new. Please do not wrap them. All toys, games, and new books are welcomed.
If the toy requires batteries, no need to include them, as Toys for Tots will provide batteries along with the toy.
Donations are accepted until Wednesday, December 17th.
All donations are very much appreciated!
Please support this very worthy cause and put smiles on faces.
Let’s help these children.
Kildeer Student Council
Repeat *Parent Drop-off REMINDER*
For the safety of our Kildeer students, please do not get out of your car when dropping your students in the Parent Drop-off line. If you would like to walk your student to the entrance, please park in the designated parking spaces and walk them on the sidewalk. Thank you.
Repeat *The Weather*
This is just a gentle reminder to ensure your children come to school with the appropriate outdoor clothing. We do our best to have recess outside as much as possible and want to ensure our students are dressed for the weather. Thanks for your help!
Repeat *Report Card Explanation*
Reports will be released to parents on Friday, November 19th at approximately 3:00pm. Please click HERE to listen to a brief explanation of our standards-based reporting system.
Repeat *Parent to Parent Network*
Parent to Parent Network is hosting a wonderful opportunity to learn more about security and safety on virtual platforms from two of our own. This virtual session is “Family Tech Talk,” featuring Lucas Cowden, the District’s Director of Technology, and Buffalo Grove Police Officer Essig, KCSD 96’s Resource Officer.
“Family Tech Talk” runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. To register, click here.
Repeat *Symptoms, Close contacts, and Quarantine*
If you have any questions about symptoms, close contacts or quarantining please visit the IDPH Decision Tree posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage.
Repeat * Indoor Music Concerts*
We are excited to have our students perform in concerts to showcase their talents. Students will follow school health guidance protocols as they do in their music classes.
In order for District 96 to maintain safety and health guidelines, each child will be strictly limited to 1 guest only. Guests will be provided seating in the gym that has been spaced for social distancing. Masks will be required.
The event will allow for live virtual access and will be recorded to later share with other family members or relatives unable to attend due to attendee restrictions. More information on how to access the live link will be coming soon.
Repeat *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
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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Toy Drive begins November 15th: we love to be able to help the community. Be on the lookout for when to send in your new, unwrapped toys to help kids in need!
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Ladies Night Shopping Fundraiser, TBA: get ready to shop & help support the PTO! We will be providing an update soon on when and where!
Check out the blog!
I attended my daughter's parent-teacher conference this week and loved being in the "parent" seat. To me, having a child in an elementary school is such great perspective as a principal. I was able to see her locker, her freshly cleaned desk, and some samples of work. At the end of the conference, we thanked her teacher for all that she's doing for our daughter.
As I mentioned, perspective is everything. As a principal, I see just how incredibly hard our teachers work every day for kids. Teachers are my heroes, especially seeing what a positive impact my daughter's teacher has on her every day.
Thank you, teachers. We are grateful for YOU!
Next week we will see our students on Monday and Tuesday. After that, I'm hopeful that everyone can spend time with the ones they love and enjoy making some memories together. I am really looking forward to being fully present as a mommy and getting those extra snuggles while I still can!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal