Dear Parents,
It has been another productive week at Prairie School. Students have been working hard in class honing their reading and math skills along with delving into Science and Social Studies content. Specials classes are doing cool activities too. In talking with some 5th graders today, they shared how much they are enjoying Ring Ball In P.E. Be sure to request of your child to “Tell me what you did today in Art/Reading/Math/Music Class.” You’ll be happy to hear about their work and interest in the content.
Next Friday, February 17th, we have a half-school day. At Prairie School, we are excited about the Exploration Activities that we have planned for the half-day. Examples of the options available to students are Coding and Robotics, Bingo Yoga, Optical Illusions, Poms Dance, Clay Creatures, and so much more. There are 22 options for students to choose from, and they will complete a survey so that staff members can make every effort to place them in their top choices.
4th and 5th Grade students completed the 5Essentials Survey this week. When students complete these surveys, we gain valuable information about their perceptions of academic work, their school environment, school leaders, collaborative teachers, and involved families. Once received, we will analyze the student data for actionable steps around our school.
Hopefully, the forecast is correct and there is sunshine coming our way. Get your sunglasses out to be ready.
Enjoy the weekend,
Christine
NEW *Puma Pals Club*
Another session of the Puma Pals Club will be happening this year to help 1st and 2nd graders build relationships with students outside of their classroom and grade level! We will have 20 slots available for 1st & 2nd graders. We play team-building games, have discussions, and get to know each other throughout the year! We meet on Thursdays from 3:05-4:00 pm in Room 13 in the Green Pod.
If you are interested in signing up for the Puma Pals Club please complete THIS Google Form. Because we can only have a limited number of students participating, Miss Weil and Ms. McHugh will send an email confirming when the club has been filled.
1st & 2nd Grade Club Meeting Dates: Thursdays - 2/16, 2/23, 3/9, 3/16, and 4/6
Please contact Ms. McHugh [email protected] or Miss Weil [email protected] with any questions!
NEW *Spirit Week*
The Positively Prairie Leadership Council is hosting Spirit Week starting on Monday, February 13th. We can't wait to see how students participate!
Monday: Twin Day
Tuesday: Heart Day! (Wear pink or red)
Wednesday: Celebrity Day!
Thursday: Prairie Day!
Friday: Slumber Day (Pajamas & stuffed animal)
REPEAT *Human Growth and Development*
To review Superintendent Sheridan’s letter with details concerning the 4th and 5th-grade Human Growth and Development unit please visit our website HERE. This letter contains information on when materials will be available for review and how to access them as well as a timeframe for when instruction will begin.
REPEAT *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
Beginning January 24 through April 2nd, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
REPEAT *D96 Dual Language Program*
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum that provides an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages. In the Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming Kindergartner in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2023. This process should be completed by April 15, 2023, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 Website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language) and our Dual Language Lottery (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language-lottery).
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on MARCH 8 for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
REPEAT *Valentine's Day*
If you choose to send Valentines to school and include an item for your child to pass out, please note that for the safety of our students only non-food items are permissible. This practice is consistent for all classrooms in District 96 elementary schools including Willow Grove. Your child's teacher will send home any classroom-specific information related to Valentine's Day. Willow Grove, Country Meadows, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, and Prairie will all be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 13th since February 14th is an Early Release Day.
REPEAT *Assessments for Middle School Language Arts, Math*
Each spring, students in 5th grade take several assessments that determine their placement in middle school Language Arts and Math classes. For more details concerning the placement process ~ including the number and type of assessments as well as dates ~ please CLICK HERE to access the information on our website.
REPEAT *Pre-Registration Open for Incoming 2023-24 Kindergartners*
Pre-Registration for incoming 2023-24 kindergartners is now open.
The 2023-24 Kindergarten Pre-Registration is open to students who live within District 96 boundaries and will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2023.
To begin the Kindergarten Pre-Registration process, parents must email all required documents to the administrative assistant at Willow Grove Early Learning Center at [email protected].
Parents need to supply the following:
Student’s Proof of Age (such as a Birth Certificate or Passport or Visa)
Parent/Guardian Photo ID (Passport or Driver’s License)
Proof of District Residency (a current mortgage statement or current lease or property tax bill)
Current Utility Bill
Click the link to download & complete: RESIDENCY FORM
Click the link to download & complete: HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY
Click the link to download & complete: ENROLLMENT FORM
After the submitted documents are approved, families will receive a Pre-Registration link to complete by January 31, 2023. Students pre-registered by January 31 will receive a free Willow Grove T-shirt. (T-shirts are not available after this pre-registration period.)
Families needing to pre-register their child in person may contact Kimberly O’Neill, administrative assistant at Willow Grove Early Learning Center, at [email protected] or at (847) 541-3660.
Learn more about Kindergarten in District 96: https://www.kcsd96.org/wg/kindergarten-in-kcsd96
Got questions? Email Kimberly O’Neill, administrative assistant at Willow Grove, at [email protected].