Principal's Message 1/18/19

1/18/19

TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!  

Just a reminder...there is no school on Monday, January 21st. See you all on Tuesday, January 22nd.

What’s Happening at TG?

PE

For the second half of January, the students will be participating in a Volleyball unit.  During the unit, the students will stay with their own class for games and skills.  Then the last week all classes will come together for a tournament. During this unit, we will continue with fitness days.  Classes will rotate to small gym for a fitness activity. Every three days each class will have a fitness day. These fitness days will focus on muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. The unit that will follow Volleyball will be floor hockey.

Health

During this second rotation, sixth graders are learning about first aid and medical emergencies. This is very useful for those that are babysitting, hanging out with friends, or while cooking in TASOL class. We had a guest speaker from the Buffalo Grove Fire Department speaking to us about exit routes and fire safety in our homes. In 7th grade, students spent time understanding stress and what that does to the human body. We also looked at relationships and good communication skills. The 8th-grade curriculum is all about nutrition. We looked at the nutrients and what those do to our bodies. Students had a fitness project in which they were fitness trainers with a client. They needed to create a food plan and exercise plan for their client. During this rotation, we had our school lunch provider Organic Life in to listen to what the students had to say about the cafeteria and suggestions for new food items.

Music

Happy New Year! In music class, we have finished our keyboard unit and now we forge ahead working on our rhythms, and all grades transition to the guitar units. In 6th Grade with will introduce TABulature and half chords, while 7th and 8th grade with continue their work in both TAB and chords using half and full chords. Each grade will be composing a guitar piece and performing in a class recital. 8th grade will end with a combined guitar/keyboard partner piece.

Art

After break, our 6th graders got to glaze their clay elephants. We moved on to learning the proportions of the human body so that we can learn to draw people in motion correctly.   7th grade just finished up their surreal assemblage wood figures. We are now working on creating value scales with both pencil and pen. Both materials require different processes for increasing values from white to black.  We will use this skill to draw 3D shapes. 8th grade is continuing to work on creating a painting based on a favorite quote. They will be introduced to the "tone" of fonts, how format and spacing affect the interpretation of words, and how color also plays a role. These are being painted with tempera cakes and acrylic paints.

TASOL

We have started the new year off very busy in TASOL. The 7th- and 8th-grade students are working on multiple recipes in the kitchens. They are learning new cooking techniques and familiarizing themselves with different utensils and cooking tools. Students will be continuing to work in the kitchens for the remainder of the trimester. They will also complete a mini unit on consumerism. They will look at how to make purchases using informative decision-making procedures. Sixth grade completed their own resumes in the career unit. They have started on their sewing projects which consists of a pillow with detail using three different stitches. Later this month, the 6th-grade students will start working in the kitchens with introductory recipes.
 

Student Safety at Pick Up and Drop Off

Student safety is very important to the entire Twin Groves Community. We would like to remind everyone to practice caution when entering and exiting cars during morning drop off and after school pick up. In the morning, we are asking that students wait until their ride has pulled up to the curb closest to the school to get out of the car. The same is required for dismissal. We do not want students running across the parking lot or between cars to get to their rides. When exiting the front lot, please form a single file line.  This practice is to ensure the safety of our students.

Create a Sticker for Our Teachers!  

On March 1st teachers from District 96, 102, 103 and 125 will meet at Stevenson High School to participate in a workshop.  The workshop will focus on the diversity within our community and how educators can create an equitable learning environment for all students.  Our aspirational goal is to create a community in which all students feel they belong as their authentic selves. We are reaching out to students to help design a sticker with a slogan that will unite all of us around a common theme of respect and inclusion of all.  

If you are interested in submitting a design and slogan for consideration, please email a document as a .pdf with your design to [email protected] or turn in a paper copy to the main office in your school.  With your submission, please include your full name, grade and school you attend.  Your slogan and design may contain images, words or a combination of both and should not be bigger than 6 x 3 inches.  Your submission must be an original creation.

Designs need to be turned in on or before Friday, February 8th.  If your design is selected you will be contacted by email by February 15th.

6TH-ANNUAL LINDSEY DURLACHER WRESTLING TOURNAMENT - THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Please click the LINK for details.

Stevenson High School Fine Arts Tour

Earlier today, the 8th graders were treated to wonderful performances by the Stevenson Fine Arts Department. This gave the 8th graders the opportunity to see the different course offerings and clubs available through the Fine Arts Department. 

Stevenson High School Project Lead the Way Visits 8th Grade Science

During all 8th grade Science classes on Wednesday, January 23rd, the 8th graders will be treated to a wonderful presentation by Stevenson Project Lead the Way teachers from Stevenson. This will give the 8th graders the opportunity to see the different course offerings in the area of Engineering and Architecture and Media Arts and Technology Education. 

Assembly on January 24th

Twin Groves will be hosting Terrence Talley, a motivational speaker, on January 24th.

Please check out Terrence HERE.

WINTER BASH 2019!

Shake off that winter chill! Twin Groves Winter Bash is Friday, February 8th, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm (right after school).

Advance tickets are on sale NOW, through February 6th: $8 includes admission, snacks, water, and 2 raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets are $1 or 6 for $5. Tickets at the door: (CASH ONLY) $10 and includes admission, snacks, water, and 1 raffle ticket. Please visit twingrovesmspto.membershiptoolkit.com to register now and avoid the lines at the door!

Please note: Bus service will not be available; you must pick up your child after the event. Please contact Kari Siegall at [email protected] or Angie Park at [email protected] with questions.

We are Twin Groves...A Celebration of Culture

Please save the date…..May 7, 2019

Given the rich diversity of the cultures in our shared community, we are looking forward to engaging students and families in a night where we celebrate our own culture, learn/celebrate the cultures of others, and build on a shared community culture. The event will run from 7:00PM to 8:30PM.  

This evening will be open to all Twin Groves Families.

If your student and/or family is interested in performing or presenting during the event, please indicate by completing this Google Form. When we have a better understanding of how many presenters sign up, we will be communicating logistics of the event.
 

Take Note, Parents of Current 8th-Graders:

As you prepare to send your student to high school, what questions would you like to ask Stevenson students?

A popular D96 tradition, the 16th-annual Simplifying Stevenson program for parents of current 8th graders is  Tues., Jan. 22, Twin Groves Middle School Learning Center, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, 7–8:30 PM. A panel of Stevenson seniors and freshmen (District 96 alumni) and SHS Principal Troy Gobble, are ready to answer D96 parents’ questions on how they managed the transition to high school, choose classes and extracurriculars, and balance the workload. This program is presented by the KCSD96 Parent (P2P) Network. No registration/RSVP needed. Questions? Please contact the District 96 Community Parent Liaison Lubna Andrabi, [email protected]  

SHS Event- Kiva Club’s S-Factor

Please see below for more information.

Video Link:

https://youtu.be/DQYTEZORamE
 

Notice of 5Essentials STUDENT Survey Administration

We are writing to inform you about a student survey for 6th–8th graders that will be administered at Twin Groves Middle School on Jan. 25, 2019.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago. The survey asks students about their experiences in school, giving school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans.

Students will be required to log in using their student ID and birth date in order to complete the survey. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Teachers or administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions. Instead, they will receive only aggregated information, such as the total percentage of students who agree homework assignments help them learn the course material, for example.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions your student(s) are asked. Find survey questions on the Illinois 5Essentials website (https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois).

If you do not want your son or daughter to participate, please contact me: Jessica Barnes, [email protected]

5 Essentials Survey Information for PARENTS

District 96 parents are asked to complete online the parent portion of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by Jan. 18, 2019. Access the survey: https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

As a parent, this is your opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of your child’s school’s effectiveness. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeanne Spiller

Current Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process

Over the last few years, Stevenson High School and the feeder middle schools have created a scope and sequence and aligned the curriculum to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics, as well as created common benchmarks for the end of each unit for both the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 courses. The consortium has created criteria that defines the four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight the attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. The criteria are grouped into three categories (See chart on second page):

• Procedural Skills & Fluency (How well you can correctly use mathematics.)
• Conceptual Understanding (How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.)
• Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence (How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.)

Over the course of the year, the mathematics teachers will be discussing these criteria with the students in class to create a portrait of each student. This portrait will be used to recommend the students into the mathematics course at Stevenson High School that matches their content knowledge as well as the level of mathematics proficiency at this time.

As a district and consortium, it is our vision that each student move on to the next course in the sequence providing that there are not significant gaps in content knowledge. If there are significant gaps in content knowledge and a change in recommendation occurs, we will contact you. We feel that this process allows a mathematical picture of the student to develop over time, which will provide a more informed recommendation.

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

Attention PTO Volunteers!

When you are volunteering for an event at Twin Groves, please don’t forget to sign in and out in the front office. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

-Dessert Day is on January 23rd

-Special Lunch is on January 30th

-Winter Bash is on February 8th from 3PM-5PM

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.