9/6/19
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday!
What’s Happening in the Classrooms?
PE- This month in PE we will start our football unit. They will work on the concepts of football and basic skills in football. They will have this activity twice a week, and twice a week we will have cardio days. During cardio days the students will work on improving their cardiovascular endurance. On Fridays, we will have choice days were the students can choose from a variety of activities. They will also use this time to make up any fitness days they missed.
Health- This rotation in health, the students in 8th grade have begun learning about human sexuality. The key focus for this rotation is abstinence, but we will discuss other forms of contraception as well. The students also created a court case about sexual harassment. In 7th grade we are learning about the health triangle and what makes up health. Students are diving into self-esteem and what it means to stay positive. Finally in 6th grade, students are working on decision making skills along with being an up-stander when confronting a bully.
Art - We are off to a good start!
6th grade is working on drawing people using correct body proportions. We looked at graffiti artist Keith Herring and his use of simple deconstructed figures to create art with a message in the NYC subways!
7th grade is learning how to draw using several techniques such as looking at negative space, creating angles based on the hands of a clock, and drawing in horizontal and vertical lines for reference. We looked at Pop Artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein who also drew cartoon characters.
8th grade is digging into the concept of the face and identity. We looked at artists Chuck Close and Frida Kahlo to see how they approached self-portraiture. Finally, our goal is to sculpt a bust (shoulders up) that incorporates a message with the intention that others will be able to correctly interpret the work.
Lastly - I am having an Art Fair Art Club that will meet on Mondays. We will be sharing the artwork in a Twin Groves Art Show in early March.
Music-Welcome back to TG Music. As the school year started all grades began working on their songwriting skills. 6th grade created a short phone RAP message to focus on rhyming skills and keeping a steady beat with an accompaniment they created in Garageband. 7th grade created a “Concept Song” where students had to teach concepts they learned in classes, and 8th grade create a “Protest Song” against bullying. It was a great start to the year to get their creative juices flowing. Now we are off to a Rhythm unit, and then start Guitar.
Anyone interested in chorus? We have rehearsals on Thursdays. See Ms. Bussert if you have any questions.
TASOL- Welcome back! This month in TASOL we are working on a career choices and budgeting for 7th and 8th grade. Students have chosen a career to research and create a presentation for the class. They are also investigating how to budget and how to make educated choices when purchasing . We will start the laundry and sewing units in the next few weeks. In 6th grade, we have been looking at the family functions and created a family crest to represent those functions within each individual's family. Students are currently exploring different career clusters and will begin creating a resume next week.
Charity of the Year Suggestions
Colt’s Council is currently accepting suggestions for our yearly charity. Please send any suggestions, along with a charity mission statement, and explanation to Mrs. Barnes OR use this LINK to submit your suggestion.
Suggestions can be sent via letter, email or you can use this QR code. All suggestions are due by 2 pm on Friday, September 20th!
Youth Leadership Program
Please read the information below regarding the Youth Leadership Program (YLP).
Students can find the application in their Schoology account under the lunch course for their grade.
About the Program
The District 96 Youth Leadership Program (YLP) provides students with the opportunity to serve as a leader in the following areas academics, social emotional learning, and study skills. The YLP will develop the leadership of the student members while supporting the growth of our school community. Students will form connections to create an inclusive student body.
The YLP provides students with:
Peer Tutoring and Study Skills Supports- An opportunity to participate in study teams and/or have access to tutorial assistance
SEL Leadership- Create and present social and emotional learning activities in FLEX classes
Professional Learning Community Visit Tours- Provide tours to outside educators throughout the year
New Student Ambassador- An ongoing orientation for new students that enables students to become familiar with its physical layout, policies, procedures, programs, traditions, and personnel
Student Activities- A mechanism for increasing students awareness regarding academic and co-curricular opportunities
Building Leadership- Leadership around new technology, District initiatives, and at events
YLP Student Characteristics:
Positive influence and contributor in all environments
Serves as a peer role model for other students
Demonstrates a growth mindset by taking ownership and learns of their mistakes
Believes all students have strengths and weakness and refrains from judgements when someone struggles
Celebrates successes
Courage to step up and speak out in front of your peers
Student Requirements:
One after school (2:30-3:15) meeting per month with Faculty Advisor
One after school (2:30-3:15) peer tutoring session per month
One day a week committed to peer tutoring during your FLEX period
Lunch meeting once a trimester with administration
Meets eligibility requirements
Meets all requirements in application HERE
YLP Faculty Advisor Expectations
Weekly after school meetings (2:30-3:15) coordinated schedule with the other advisors while honoring band and orchestra
Is able to get to know more students outside of the classroom's teacher/student atmosphere
Provides a teacher for the students to speak with
Designs and teaches the leaders skills necessary in their various roles
Communicates regularly to ensure the peer tutoring during FLEX periods is running smoothly
Updated Approved Snack List
The District has revised the APPROVED SNACK LIST. This list includes foods that are approved for students' Daily Snacks.
It also includes foods approved specifically for Special Events such as birthday treats for a class or for PTO class parties.
Find links to the District's Approved Snack List and Approved Snack List FAQs on the homepage of the KCSD96 website and the homepage of each school website.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 ~ Thought Exchange Partnership
Now seeking parents to fill open positions on our district Thought Exchange Partnership. If you are looking for a way to get involved, be a voice for Twin Groves, and learn about the wonderful things happening in District 96, please consider joining. If you are interested in this opportunity, email me to express interest by September 13th! Please know this will be a lottery for open spots. I will contact everyone to let you know if you have been selected! The first meeting is scheduled for September 26th in the evening.
Purpose:
1. To share with parents information regarding district goals and initiatives, curricular and instructional innovations, programs and other informational topics. (i.e. District Goals, MAP and PARCC Results)
2. To review school board or school code required topics (i.e. Handbook, Discipline Policy, Grants, Calendar)
3. To understand parent perceptions and solicit feedback on school district topics to assist the district in communication and planning.
Membership:
Members serve a two-year term on a rotation basis. Once any two-year term is served, new members will be identified. Unless a parent has children at WG for both years of their term, they will serve as a representative for their elementary school for the final year if they are able. If all parent review positions are not filled, members may serve additional terms to fill parent review roster. In this manner, each committee member can receive information about a greater number of topics and share feedback over the two-year period and committee composition is more stable than reforming the entire committee annually.
Committee Composition Includes:
● Two to four parent members-at-large for each school and any PTO member.
● One special education district representative.
● One ELL district representative.
● One Bilingual district representative.
● One Board of Education representative and alternate.
● One representative appointed by the Board of Education.
● Teacher Representative(s) – to be invited based on agenda topic.
● Administrative Representative(s) – to be invited based on agenda topic.
Roles of the Members:
1. Active participant sharing opinions, questions, suggestions and feedback in positive ways
2. Act as district ambassadors to promote the district in the community
3. Direct other parents to the appropriate district personnel and resources as needed
4. Invite other parents to attend district sponsored meetings and events including identified
Thought Exchange Partnership meetings Administrative Chairperson:
Mrs. Jeanne Spiller, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Community
Parent Liaison: Lubna Andrabi
Examples of Potential Discussion
Topics:
Topics Aligned with current District goals
Discipline Procedures/Student Handbook/Bully Plan
Communication Norms Transition to Middle School and High School
PARCC/School Report Card Data District Committee Reports
MAP Testing/Growth
Data/Goal Setting
District Communication with Stakeholders
Health/Wellness/Social Emotional
D96 Learning Targets
Collaboration between Stevenson and D96
Common Core Standards and Assessments
Transition to Middle School and High School
This committee meets at Ivy Hall in the MAT Room from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on: 9/26/19, 10/24/19, 12/05/19, 01/30/20, 2/13/20, 4/23/20
Access your child's MAP Student Progress Report
The District will send a School Messenger email today between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm with instructions for accessing your child's MAP student progress report online. The message will include links to more information about understanding student growth, RIT scores, and general information about the MAP assessment.
Please contact Jeanne Spiller, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching for Learning, if you would like more information about your child's report. (847) 459-4260 ext. 8010 [email protected]
STEM Conference for Girls
The STEM for Girls Conference for Lake County is September 14th, 2019, at Round Lake High School. This conference is for girls in grades 6-8 and will engage each participant in several sessions with a presenter who works in the field. Registration is required and will be open until September 8th. Sessions fill quickly so please register early by visiting our webpage at: EYH Lake County.
Daily Announcements
The Daily Announcements will be posted daily. 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
Upcoming Events:
9/18- Dessert Day
9/25- Special Lunch
10/23- Dessert Day
10/25- Fall Bash 3-5PM
10/30- Special Lunch
11/13- Dessert Day
11/20- Special Lunch
11/25- Book Fair
11/26- Book Fair
12/11- Dessert Day
12/18- Special Lunch
Please click HERE to access the Membership Toolkit. All items for sale from the PTO will be available on this website.