Dear Kildeer Families,
It was a refreshing week to be back to our normal schedules! We had a taste of nicer weather and I think we are all optimistic for what’s yet to come with warmer temperatures, flowers blooming, and longer-lasting sunshine into the evenings. After this week we will be down to only 6 full weeks of school. These last weeks are all about partnering together to support our students and ensure we finish out this grade in the best way possible. We couldn’t do it without you and feel grateful for this incredible community.
Speaking of partnering together, next week we are going to reveal THE GOLDEN PAW at Kildeer. What is this? Students will learn about this on Monday morning. Please be sure to ask your child about this special paw next week. I'll keep you posted with more details soon!
NEW *Calendar Reminders*
As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, April 15. We will see students return on Monday, April 18. Additionally, Friday, April 22 is a half-day with student dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
NEW *D96 Humanitarian Relief Support*
Thank you to all of the community members that donated to the relief effort for Ukraine. We had boxes overflowing on multiple occasions and this is one small indicator of the generosity of our community. Thank you!
Repeat *Front Office*
We are actively searching to replace our administrative assistant position in the front office. In the meantime, please reach out to Mrs. Wright, our clerical aide. She can be reached by calling the front office, or through email: [email protected].
Repeat *End of the Year Dates of Interest*
There is a LOT that happens in the last 8 weeks of school. Here are a few things you may want to know about! This does not include everything, yet puts some important dates on your radar!
- April 18-21: Spring book fair
- April 20: Evening Story Time- Incoming Kindergarteners and current 1st graders are invited to attend this fun event hosted by the PTO! See the information in the PTO section!
- April 29: 5th Grade Night Out (see PTO for more information)
- May 2-6: Staff Appreciation Week!
- May 4: PTO Volunteer Breakfast- all parents that have worked to volunteer alongside the PTO will be invited to a gathering at Kildeer before school. More to come!
- May 11: 5th Grade Musical- we are trying an outdoor musical this year as of right now! The rain date will be May 24th. More to come from Mr. Tatar in the coming weeks!
- May 17: Kindergarten transition day- Incoming Kindergarteners will take a field trip to Kildeer to meet our 1st-grade teachers and specials team. More to come from Willow Grove!
- May 18: Field Day-this fun tradition returns with a rain date of May 19. More information to come from our PE teachers.
- May 20: Family Picnic & Music performances from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th graders- This is an incredible tradition hosted by the PTO! Given that we were unable to hold musicals for all grades, 1st-4th graders will be featured this evening at the picnic. More information coming soon!
- May 31: 5th grade transition day- 5th graders will take a field trip to Woodlawn Middle School in the morning, followed by fun afternoon of activities planned by the PTO!
- June 1: 5th Grade Variety Show- we had to reschedule this a couple of times this year. More information coming about this Kildeer tradition put on by the PTO!
- June 2: Last Day of School!
Repeat *2022-23 KINDERGARTEN KICK-OFF EVENT - MAY 3, 2022*
Kindergarten Kick-Off is an opportunity for all FULLY REGISTERED incoming kindergarten students and families to tour Willow Grove and for incoming kindergarteners to experience an activity in a classroom. Families must be fully registered by Monday, April 18, to receive the invitation link for the event. Kindergarten Kick-Off sign-up closes on Tuesday, April 19. During the time children are in classrooms (30 minutes), parents will meet with Willow Grove Principal, Jenny Smith, for Kindy 101 to learn about Willow Grove and common questions families have.
YOU MUST BE FULLY REGISTERED AND SIGN UP TO ATTEND. For information on registering your incoming kindergartener, CLICK HERE. If you are fully registered and do not believe you've received the link to sign up for Kindergarten Kick-Off, call the Willow Grove office for support or email [email protected].
Repeat *Transitioning to Middle School session*
Parents of 5th Graders: Who is more excited or nervous, you or your fifth-grader, as you both contemplate transitioning to sixth-grade and a whole new school?
Find answers to some questions you may have in the “Transition to Middle School” virtual meeting, an information-packed program for parents of all current KCSD 96 fifth-graders. This program begins at 7 p.m. April 20 (via Zoom).
Middle School Principals Jessica Barnes (Twin Groves) and Greg Grana (Woodlawn) will discuss academics, extracurricular opportunities, and changes that middle school years bring. Also, current 6th-grade panelists will share their perspectives.
Click here to pre-register for this session: https://kcsd96.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdOmopzovH9Gf4GSdemIUYKJ39yg0Y6js
Questions? Contact KCSD 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, at 847.459.4260, ext. 8136.
Repeat *Parent Input for 2022-2023 Class Placement Survey* (TWO WEEKS LEFT)
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and specialists. We at Kildeer School take this process very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
-Teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision-making process.
-Grade level teachers, the principal, specials area teachers, and specialists meet together to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. This team of educators considers each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.
-This team of educators creates a draft set of class lists taking into consideration parent input.
-Class lists are then revised in August with summer changes for students who move in or out of the district.
-Class rosters are never final until they are released to families in August.
This process happens at grades 2-5. Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming 1st graders. Our 5th-grade team provides data to Woodlawn related to placement decisions at the middle school level.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, specialists, parents, and the principal, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire class, impacting all students.
We welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. We will take into consideration pertinent information received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 29th. Please remember, while we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.
If you'd like to share your input, please take the following survey: Kildeer Class Placement Survey for 22-23.
Repeat *Proof of Dental Exam
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 Kindergarteners, 2nd, and 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is due no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form
Dental examination forms, as well as dental waiver forms, can be downloaded from the District’s website.
Thank you for your prompt cooperation.
Repeat *2022-23 REGISTRATION OPENED*
Registration now open for the 2022-23 school year
Registration is now open for the 2022-23 school year. This week, parents and guardians of returning students and pre-registered Kindergartners were emailed Notification letters with a SnapCode to start their registration process.
Register today to avoid the $20 late fee (per child) to be charged on registrations completed after April 15.
If you have questions about the 2022-23 Registration Notification email, please email [email protected] or call 847-459-4260, ext. 8022.
For information on registering a new student, visit https://kcsd96.org/registration.
Repeat *APRIL 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.
*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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(NEW) FALL BOOK FAIR IS HERE!!
Please join us Monday, April 18th- Thursday, April 21st to preview & purchase some wonderful books at the Kildeer Fall Book Fair! Teachers will bring their students to the small gym throughout the week to view books they would like to buy. If you would like to VOLUNTEER and help your child's class pick out books, please sign up and join us!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0445AEAA2CA5F49-parent1
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(NEW) Kindergarten and 1st Grade Evening Story Time
Calling all incoming and current 1st graders! Please Join us for a night of reading fun!!! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20th from 6:30-7:30pm at Kildeer Countryside School. Kindergarten students, who will be attending Kildeer Countryside next year (2022-2023), can visit the school with their parents and meet the current (2021-2022)1st grade teachers! Current 1st graders can share their classrooms and show our future students how much fun it is to be a Kildeer Cougar!
Current 1st graders, please wear your favorite cougar wear and let’s show our new families our cougar pride!! Kindergarteners, please wear your favorite Willow Grove wear so we can make sure to know who will soon be a part of our Kildeer family!
Doors will open at 6pm. Our Spring Book Fair will be open in the small gym to ALL families from 6-8pm. Evening Storytime for Kindergartend and 1st grade will begin at 6:30pm in the library.
Please RSVP with the following Google Form HERE by April 18th. Please include your student’s name and classroom teacher with your RSVP! Please do not hesitate to reach out to Rebecca Bacci with any questions you may have at [email protected].
- 5th Grade Night out - April 29th 6:00-8:00pm: our volunteers are planning a great event for our 5th graders. Please see Membership Toolkit to register and find out more information!
Check out the blog!
We are THRILLED to have the PTO bookfair back at Kildeer next week. It's amazing to me the number of hours our volunteers put into planning this wonderful event for students. Please remember there will be evening hours open to purchase books on Wednesday, April 20th and we will also welcome incoming 1st graders as well as current 1st graders to Evening Story Time! We hope to see your family there!
Fondly,
Mrs. Vail Kieser
Principal