8/24/18
TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Welcome from the Instructional Coaches at Twin Groves!
My name is Sarah Gord, and I am the literacy coach at Twin Groves. As the literacy coach, I assist staff members in implementing research-based practices related to reading and writing. I meet weekly with the language arts teachers to analyze student data and plan instruction to meet the needs of all students. In addition, I collaborate with teachers to develop literacy assessments, model and co-teach with classroom teachers to introduce new targets and skills to our students, and assist teachers in working toward our district goals. I am looking forward to working with another great group of students at Twin Groves and can’t wait to see all of the progress they make as readers and writers this year! If you need to reach me throughout the school year, please contact [email protected].
My name is Rachel Heiden and I am the new math coach at Twin Groves. My role as the math coach is to help the math teachers, as well as other staff members, with various math practices. I attend weekly meetings with the math teachers to examine student data, discuss various differentiation techniques, and plan instruction accordingly. Aside from working with teachers on data, I assist them with developing math tasks and assignments, activities, and assessments. I am excited to be in this new role this year and have the opportunity to help every student work towards teaching their math goals! If you need to contact me, my email is: [email protected]
Welcome back to the 2018-19 school year! My name is Jaime Appell and I am the technology coach at Twin Groves. As the technology coach, I work with teachers to support the integration of technology into the daily lessons, and together, we work to design lessons that promote 21st-century learning skills. Throughout the year, you might find me in classrooms, modeling and co-teaching with classroom teachers to introduce new programs and applications, working one-on-one with students who are interested in implementing something new on the iPad, or researching and learning about new innovative ways to bring technology into the hands of our students. I am looking forward to a great year and can not wait to see the creativity of our students! If you need to reach me throughout the school year, you can contact me at [email protected].
My name is Nicole McRee and I'm excited to be joining the Twin Groves community as the Science Instructional Coach. I have been a middle school science teacher for over 10 years and am thrilled to enter a new phase of my career with District 96! I am at Twin Groves on Monday and Wednesday collaborating with science educators to enhance instruction with hands-on activities, innovative ideas, and current best practice initiatives. I will be in classrooms modeling scientific questioning techniques in small groups, working with students as they problem solve as engineers, and co-teaching alongside classroom teachers. I look forward to seeing our students' critical thinking skills increase as we use assessment data to reflect on instruction and refine student learning experiences. If I can be of any assistance throughout the school year, please reach out at [email protected].
My name is Mark Weiland and I am the Information Literacy Coach at both Twin Groves Middle School and Woodlawn Middle School. As the Information Literacy Coach, it is my goal to help teachers incorporate best practices in their teachings. I meet weekly with the Social Studies teachers to discuss lesson planning, best pedagogy, student assessments, historical content, and student data. I also provide teachers with resources and other tools to help with their lessons. It is my goal to make sure that every student receives the best education to reach his or her maximum potential. I am looking forward to another great school year. If you need to get a hold of me during the school year you can reach me at [email protected].
Counseling Corner
Tips and Resources from your school Occupational Therapist, Lauren DeWilde:
Back to School Backpack Safety!
The following are direct selections from "Back-to-School: Backpack Safety" By Sara Butler of The Joint Chiropractic, and the "1, 2, 3s of Backpack Safety" put out by The American Occupational Therapy Association. Full resources are linked below.
The Risks of Backpacks
Backpacks offer a practical way for your child to carry all they need (and some of what they don’t) to and from school each day. It helps to distribute the sometimes heavy loads of schoolbooks across the back and shoulders. The biggest health risk for your child is overload, which can lead to strain of the neck, shoulders, and back.
Over time, your child’s back will compensate for any load it carries for an extended period of time. This can result in:
- Rounding of the shoulders
- Distortion of natural curves in the back
- Muscle strain
- Irritation to the spinal joints and ribs
- Disturbance of the natural center of gravity, reducing balance
What can make it even worse is your child attempting to look cool by carrying their backpack on just one shoulder. This can cause the muscles on the opposite side of the body to compensate for the uneven distribution of weight, leading to joint dysfunction and restriction. Basically, it can cause your young and resilient child to develop back, neck, shoulder, and even hip pain. They’re too young for that and you probably feel too old for it!
Bad backpack habits can also lead to chronic headaches. So if your child starts to complain of headaches, their backpack may be to blame.
What You Can Do
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Full sources:
https://www.thejoint.com/2017/08/01/back-to-school-2017-backpack-safety
https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Backpack/meet-your-backpack-8-2014.pdf
Colts Council- Charity for the Year
Colt’s Council is currently accepting suggestions for our yearly charity. Please use the QR code below to submit a suggestions.
If you are having trouble with the QR code, please feel free to email your suggestions All suggestions are due by 2 PM on Wednesday, August 31st!
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Attention District 96 Athletes
The Patriot Middle School Conference has made some changes to the format.
For boys and girls basketball and volleyball there will be two teams per grade. There will be an "A" team and a "B" team. No longer will there be two equal teams.
Soccer will have a girl team and a boy team. 6th, 7th and 8th graders will be allowed to tryout for soccer.
iPads
Technology Information for the 2018-2019 School Year
The policy concerning iPad damage will be different this year. This change is reflected below and in greater detail in the 2018-19 Student Handbook. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
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Curriculum Night
6th Grade Curriculum Night, ILC Curriculum Night, and SLC Curriculum Night:
Monday, August 27th.
7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night: Tuesday, August 28th.
Our program will begin at 7:00 PM each evening. Our teachers are looking forward to meeting you and sharing information about their classes.
Please meet Mr. DeMuth and me in the Big Gym first, then follow your child’s schedule to meet each teacher. Please enter through the South Entrance near the gym doors.
Please note that this event is for parents only.
LAWN TREATMENT APPLICATION NOTICE
District 96 uses Integrated Pest Management--a program that combines preventive techniques, non-chemical methods (such as bait traps), and the appropriate use of pesticides (with a preference for products least harmful to human health and the environment). On the August 23rd , 2018 the Anderson Pest Control treated for a Wasps nest on the school grounds of Twin Groves. This was an emergency treatment to remove any risk or hazard from the school property. The chemical applied was Talstar. If you have any questions please contact Sam Miranda at the District Business Office (847-459-4260).
Daily Announcements
The Daily Announcements will be posted each morning. Please see Twin Groves website for up to date school announcements. The announcements let you know what exciting activities and clubs are going on at Twin Groves. Please click HERE to access the Daily Announcements.
PTO
Please click HERE to access the Membership Toolkit. All items for sale from the PTO will be available on this website.
Band & Orchestra Boosters
Please click the BLOG to access the latest news from the Band & Orchestra Boosters.