Kildeer Principal's Message- December 10th

dismissal

Dear Kildeer Families,

We had another great week of learning at Kildeer. I must say, the feeling in the air is definitely a "countdown" for winter break! Students participated in MAP testing this week as well as our fluency screenings. These are the exciting times when we get to check in on how our students are progressing and celebrate the hard work!

Today I visited the third-grade lunchroom and it's amazing how much students can fill my bucket. I had some good laughs with my third-grade buddies telling me some great jokes! I tried some of my jokes, too. Let's just say they may have fallen "flat" and there is a reason Mr. Higgins was in charge of the jokes last year!

I leave today with a smile on my face for so many reasons, but most of all, our Kildeer students! Don't forget to read the final thought to see what our student council cooked up for next week!


NEW *Early Release*

This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, December 14th is an Early Release, and students will be dismissed at 2 pm.


NEW *Winter Parties December 17, 2021*

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 PARTIES

District 96 remains vigilant in our efforts to slow/stop the transmission of COVID-19 and works hard to help to ensure a safe learning environment for all students. We are asking that all winter parties adhere to the following guidelines:

  • No food items should be present at winter parties, even if they are part of a craft
  • No goody bags / party favors containing food are permitted to be handed out to be taken home

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 can be a long line if you wait until the day of the party to scan your ID, so please anticipate this.  We highly encourage PTO room party volunteers to swing by Kildeer sometime in December 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! Again, you may also come on the day of the winter party.  
  • 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.

NEW *Symptoms, Close Contacts, and Travel 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. 

LINK: https://www.kcsd96.org/covid-19

Additionally, as winter break approaches, please note the guidelines for unvaccinated individuals and international travel posted on the District 96 COVID-19 webpage. 

LINK: https://www.kcsd96.org/covid-19


NEW *CALLING ALL KILDEER COUGAR ARTISTS- LAST CALL due Monday, December 13*

We need YOUR help!

Our 4th annual I AM ME...WE ARE KILDEER family celebration is rapidly approaching to be held on Thursday, January 13th!

We are looking for our students’ artistic talents to express the following themes that connect to not only our family celebration but also our book of the year, The World Needs More Purple People. Need a refresher? Click HERE to have the story read to you by Mrs. Kieser and Mr. Higgins!

Your artwork should include any or all of the following themes:

  • We ask really great questions
  • We laugh a lot
  • We use our voice all the time
  • We are really hard workers
  • We are totally Kildeer

Your artwork MUST include the following words:

I AM ME...WE ARE KILDEER family celebration 2021-22

 

Be creative, use your imagination and have fun!

This is due by Monday, December 13, 2021. The top winner (voted on by staff) will be featured in the Principal's Blog and on the cover of the program for the family celebration.

We can't wait to see what you create!

ANY MEDIUM IS ACCEPTABLE (DRAWING, PAINTING, MIXED MEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC.)

  • Your artwork should be uploaded to artsonia. Mrs. Norman will review with all art classes the week of 11/29. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Norman at [email protected].
  • The Artsonia Class Portal login instructions are attached HERE. Parents can login as the student or the parents can login to their parent account, click to add artwork, and choose the class portal option. 
  • Tutorial video- https://www.artsonia.com/teachers/docs/videos.asp?id=ClassPortal-Students

NEW *Vernon Area Public Library Book Talks*

For more book talk recommendations, please visit our Book Talks Help Guide at https://guides.vapld.info/booktalks. For graphic novel suggestions, please visit our J Graphic Novel Help Guide at https://guides.vapld.info/graphic novels or our Junior High Graphic Novel Help Guide at https://guides.vapld.info/jh graphic novels. 


NEW *Volunteers & Vaccination Verification or Proof of a Negative Test*

This year Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed Executive Order 2021-20, regarding educational employee vaccination and testing requirements. 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).  

What if I am unvaccinated but want to volunteer this year?

Unvaccinated volunteers must provide proof of a negative Covid test when they arrive at the school on the day they 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 is 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. 


NEW *PRE-REGISTER FOR 2022–2023 KINDERGARTEN (and Get a Free Willow Grove Student T-Shirt!)*

Pre-registration for 2022–2023 kindergarten is in-person or online. Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1, 2022 to register for the 2022-23 kindergarten school year.

In-Person Pre-Registration Option:

Thursday, January 13, 2022, 5–7 PM drop-in (Parents may also pre-register online during the month of January for the free T-Shirt)

Willow Grove Early Learning Center, 777 Checker Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL

Parents of incoming kindergartners will need to prove residency with required documents and District forms and to complete a brief online pre-registration form. (Incoming kindergartners do not need to be present.)

Required documents:

• CURRENT monthly mortgage or lease statement or property tax bill AND

• CURRENT utility bill AND

• Student’s birth certificate, passport, or visa (photocopy not accepted) AND 

• Parent or Guardian photo ID (Passport or Driver’s license)

RESIDENCY FORM

HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY

ENROLLMENT FORM

Questions? Please contact the public info coordinator at [email protected] or 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.

Date

2022 January 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Online Pre-Registration Option:

You do not have to attend in-person to pre-register. Details coming soon. Please continue to watch for updates in the Principal's Message and District 96 website.

Click here to learn more about Kindergarten in District 96.


Repeat *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! 


Repeat *MAP TESTING*

Due to the proximity of the MAP testing window to Winter Break, families will receive NWEA MAP scores on Monday, January 10th. This allows building administration enough time to complete make-up testing and for each family to receive scores at the same time.


Repeat *Vaccination Cards for 5-11 year olds*

Once the district-sponsored vaccination clinics for second doses have been completed, a message will be sent out to all families. This message will include a link for vaccination cards to be uploaded. Please do not send copies of vaccination cards prior to the message going out the week of December 13.


*Student Council News*

Repeat

Hello, Kildeer! After our unwanted Halloween candy drive, we got 14 boxes of candy! We truly thank you, and all this candy will go to various food pantries and shelters. We saw many kinds of candy. For example, we saw Snickers, M&M's, Skittles, Lollipops, and more. This will all go from the pantries and shelters to people who don’t have the option to get all these kinds of treats, and this candy will help greatly. 

We want to thank everyone who donated and all the candy will be put to good use. We also want to thank these people that supported and helped us with the candy drive: Mr. Kenny, Mrs. Hagen, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Norman, and all the parents that are helping us donate the boxes of candy.

Thank you so much! 

 Student Council - Philip and Maddie

Repeat

 

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 *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 *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 ***

  • Winter Parties: Friday, December 17th the PTO will be hosting our annual winter parties in the classrooms! We are looking forward to our volunteers coming in and bringing a bit of fun before we head out on winter break. Please ask your child when they head home what they did at their parties!

  • Toy Drive: Our annual Toys for Tots toy drive is still going on! We've extended the deadline to December 17th to ensure that we give our community time to refill our boxes once again. Please bring in unused, unwrapped, new toys to our boxes that are in the main entrance of the school. We thank you for your continued support of the community!

Check out the blog


The student council has put together a fun spirit week for the last week before winter break! Not only that, but we have buddy classrooms and winter parties next week.

See below for how your child can participate in spirit week:

Hello Kildeer Cougars!

We are happy to announce Spirit week. December 13-17.

  • Monday, December 13 - Sports Day, wear your favorite sports team Jersey or colors. NO EQUIPMENT. 
  • Tuesday, December 14 - Hat Day, wear your favorite hat. 
  • Wednesday, December 15 - Tye Dye day wear any tye-dye clothes.
  • Thursday, December 16 - Kildeer Spirit wear or colors.
  • Friday, December 17-  Winter Sweater or Sweatshirt day. Wear your favorite winter sweater or winter-themed sweaters or sweatshirts. 

Have fun!

Jack from Student Council

 

We look forward to a great last week of the 2021 year together!

Fondly,

Mrs. Vail Kieser

Principal