12/20/19
TGIF..Twin Groves it’s Friday!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Winter Vacation! See you on January 6th, 2020!
In an effort to spread positivity, Twin Groves uses our 5 Traits to recognize exemplars of the following qualities: Responsible, Accountable, Respectful, Safe, and a Community. In addition to the 5 Traits, we are also recognizing students for being an Upstander.
As part of this focus, the Twin Groves Staff would like to recognize and reward students who consistently demonstrate these qualities each month. For this month’s recognitions, we are pleased to announce that the following students have been selected for displaying these characteristics.
Hanglen Chang
Natalia Grzeda
Sohini Jana
Julia Jeon
Rachel Keer
Sharanya Maulik
Kaavya Naresh
Ryan Poplar
Sydney Shifrin
Meredith Steciuk
Andrew Tran
Elisa Varghese
What’s Happening at TG?
6th Grade
The 6th grade teams enjoyed seeing many of you at conferences, and we look forward to talking with you again in the spring! Here is what’s coming up in December:
Language Arts/LA Advanced:
This month, students continued their study of author’s tone, perspective and purpose, and have been working hard to develop their skills writing a theme analysis. They are also having fun with creative writing, as they write stories that engage the reader with detail, description, and dialogue.
Pre Algebra Survey:
6th Pre-Algebra Survey will begin the expressions unit, which involves understanding variables, combining like terms, and writing mathematical expressions. A big focus will be on using mathematical properties to create equivalent expressions. This is the foundation of so much of their future math work, so it is great to see how hard the students are working. Last month we talked about encouraging students to be precise in their work. This has been evident as they showed their work properly and labeling with units. This month the focus will be on modeling with mathematics. It is an integral part of Algebraic, numeric, and ratio reasoning and will truly show understanding. Thanks for all your support!
The students have access to these apps that they should be using regularly:
Math Facts Ninja - For students who need extra practice with their math facts.
Knowre - This app covers topics in line with the Common Core Curriculum which the students are covering this year. This program is designed to develop critical thinking skills. Each class has expectations for completing lessons in Knowre each week, and students are welcome to work ahead and extend their learning.
Pre Algebra:
Pre-Algebra will begin working on the equations unit. They will extend their work with 1-step equations to multi-step on both sides of the equals sign. This is the foundation of so much of their future math work, so it is great to see how hard the students are working. Last month we talked about encouraging students to be precise in their work. This has been evident as they showed their work properly and labeling with units. This month the focus will be on modeling with mathematics. It is an integral part of Algebraic, numeric, and ratio reasoning and will truly show understanding. Thanks for all your support!
The students have access to these apps that they should be using regularly:
Math Facts Ninja - For students who need extra practice with their math facts.
Knowre - This app covers topics in line with the Common Core Curriculum which the students are covering this year. This program is designed to develop critical thinking skills. Each class has expectations for completing lessons in Knowre each week, and students are welcome to work ahead and extend their learning.
SS:
In social studies this month, students are continuing their study of different civilizations in the ancient world. This new road will take us through the world of Egypt and how different groups in Ancient Egypt developed. Students will then continue their journey by looking at the impact that these groups had on building such an amazing, advanced society! The highlight of this unit will be our investigation of pharaohs, and how they ruled, were honored, and entombed to preserve their legacy.
Science:
6th grade scientists are truly feeling like chemists now! We are working our way through chemistry learning about elements, compounds, and mixtures! We’ll also learn about how molecules change state through various physical and chemical changes. In fact, one of our favorite lab activities will take place “White Before Your Eyes!”
7th Grade
Language Arts:
We’re wrapping up book clubs, and students should be finishing their books over winter break. As your child finishes, please help us continue the momentum of a daily reading habit by getting another book into your child’s hands quickly! The public library might be a fun vacation spot for an hour or two over break, and the librarians can help your child pick a new book based on what he or she liked about the one we’ve just finished. In fact, all of the book club books were the first in a series, so if your child enjoyed that one, he or she can continue reading book #2! After break we will begin “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton!
Language Arts Advanced:
We’ve just completed a unit on Julius Lester’s novel “Day of Tears,” examining the different perspectives of each character on the same central event. Your child was part of some very insightful discussions during this unit. Now that Day of Tears is over, we’d like to have your child continue to read daily at home from a book of his/her choosing. We have gone to the Learning Center to select books, but if your child comes home for break with nothing to read, please support us by making sure a good book gets into your child’s hands. The public library might be a fun vacation spot for an hour or two over break, and the librarians can help your child pick a new book based on what he or she likes to read, watch, learn about, or do. As the new year begins, we head into dystopian book clubs, so watch for a permission slip in early January listing the novel choices your child will have for this unit. Historically, students have really enjoyed both the book selections and the communal reading experience of book clubs, so we look forward to sharing those experiences with your child.
Bridge to Algebra 1:
In Bridge 2 Algebra 1, we are in the middle of our Solving Systems of Linear Equations unit. The students are learning what a system is and the different ways of solving systems (Graphing, Substitution, and Elimination). We will use these methods to solve systems of word problems, which makes a connection to the real world as they will have to compare different scenarios and make a choice about which option would be better. We will finish this unit after winter break and start the unit on Congruence and Similarity.
Algebra 1:
In Algebra 1, we just finished a unit on transformations on the parent functions (square root, absolute value, and quadratic). The students had to be able to identify what the different parts of the equation did to each function in order to graph them. This was important so the students could understand what the graphs of the functions would look like and not rely on the calculators to graph them. After winter break we will dive into the world of exponents and exponential functions.
SS:
The inquiry model of teaching and learning about history and social studies involves not only responding to and developing questions and questioning, but also the very critical skills of evaluation of sources for their reliability and credibility. This includes every possible outlet of information – books, magazines, TV, radio, and the omni-present Internet and social media. This is perhaps the most vital skill to possess as students continue through their High School years and beyond. Key attributes and elements that we discuss and analyze include: publisher/author, relevance to topic, bias, coverage/depth, accuracy, and being up to date. We are taught to drive defensively. In this world of 24/7 news with information and media at our fingertips, we need to navigate news and information defensively. Kids are presented with new information challenges growing up now, compared to the times that we grew up in. In regards to content, we’ve examined the great Declaration of Independence and the Federalists and Anti-Federalists debating the new Constitution replacing the problematic Articles of Confederation. After Winter Break, we will dive deeper into our Government and Constitution Unit. We will compare and contrast elements of government at the national level, state level, and local level.
8th Grade
Language Arts:
In Language Arts, we had just finished our first whole class novel, The Giver. This was a wonderful book to read with 8th graders as it is filled with a dystopian society setting, suspense, and author’s craft . We will be concluding our discussions on the novel when we return from break. Afterwards we will be continuing to study author’s craft through the use of poetry and short stories. At the end of January, we will begin our next book club project with books related to Expectations.
Language Arts Advanced:
In Advance Language Arts, we had just finished our first whole class novel, Great Expectations. This was a wonderful book to read with 8th graders as it is filled with author’s craft, relatable themes, suspense and plot twists. We will be concluding our discussions on the novel when we return from break. Afterwards we will be continuing to study author’s craft through the use of poetry and short stories. At the end of January, we will begin our next book club project with books related to expectations.
Algebra 1:
In Algebra 1, we are finishing unit 5: Transformations and Nonlinear Function Notation which will be extremely beneficial to be exposed to this prior to Algebra 2. This was a very difficult unit Algebra 1 students and we are proud of their hard work! After winter break, we are beginning Unit 6: Laws of Exponents & Exponential Functions. This again is a quite challenging unit and it is important that students are mastering the targets. Please remind your student that they should be completing all homework assignments and getting help when needed!
Algebra 2:
In Algebra 2, we have just began Unit 5: Exponential Functions & Equations. Students will be responsible for creating exponential equations and inequalities, using exponential properties, graph exponential equations, and evaluate and solve exponential expressions and equations. Please remind your student that they should be completing all homework assignments and getting help when needed!
SS:
In 8th grade social studies, students have been learning about World War II and the Holocaust. We started by researching the rise of dictators, including Adolf Hitler and his German “War Machine.” Students have used the Ladder of Prejudice to investigate the horrors of the Holocaust and the role that both bystanders an upstanders played in reaction to the Nazis. After winter break, we will focus on the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Students will focus on U.S. involvement on the war front and at home.
Science:
In 8th grade Science, students are learning about natural and artificial selection. We will be investigating superbugs, the current dilemma of antibiotic resistant bacteria faced by many hospitals. Students will also begin to look at genetically modified organisms as we investigate ways humans can impact the inheritance of desired traits.
ILC:
In Science, we have just begun a unit about food chains and food webs, and how greatly a change in the environment can impact the animals that live there. We will do several hands-on activities throughout this unit to learn about food chains and food webs in a variety of habitats! In Guided Reading, the students continue to work on answering -wh questions and demonstrating literal and inferential understandings through retells of the text. We use many thinking maps to show how different types of texts are organized. This helps the student to provide thorough summaries about what they have read. In Language Arts, the students continue individualized work in the areas of decoding, reading comprehension, thinking comprehension, language development and written expression. Each student works to show mastery of skills in small attainable chunks before moving on to more difficult concepts. In Math, students have refined their calendar skills, recite their personal information, engage in work on DreamBox and continue to receive individualized math instruction with the teacher. Our coffee cart business is booming as well! Students are becoming more independent with greeting customers, calculating purchases and handling money. The students have been working very hard every day… they definitely deserve this break from school! From our classroom staff to our families from the ILC -- We hope you enjoy a happy and healthy break!
Parents Asked to Complete 5Essentials Survey
School District 96 parents are asked to complete online the parent/guardian portion of the 8th-annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey by Jan. 10, 2020.
Access the survey at 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.
The survey includes 21 questions and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your identity and survey responses are completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. Please complete a survey for each school you have a student attending.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 866-440-1874 or [email protected] or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jeanne Spiller [email protected]
ACCESS YOUR CHILD'S MAP STUDENT PROGRESS REPORT JANUARY 8th
The District will send a School Messenger email January 8, 2020, between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm with instructions for accessing your child's MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) 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 and Learning, if you would like more information about your child's report. (847) 459-4260 ext. 8010 [email protected]
Preventing missed MAP and other emails from School District 96...
Delivery by several specific email service providers has been an issue on some occasions. If you use MSN, Outlook, Hotmail, or Live as your email provider, please consider taking the following steps to prevent missed emails from School District 96:
• Log into MSN, Outlook, Hotmail, or Live from a computer workstation
• Click the PEOPLE icon in the extreme lower left-hand corner of the page (next to the Mail and Calendar icons). A new window will open.
• On the new window, click NEW CONTACT.
• Type in Jeanne Spiller in the First Name/Last Name fields.
• Type in [email protected] into the email address field.
• Click CREATE.
Repeat this process multiple times as you wish, creating contacts for your building principal (names/email addresses below) and E-NEWS 96: Betsy Fresen, [email protected].
Principal Names/Email Addresses
Willow Grove: Jennifer Smith [email protected]
Country Meadows: Meghan Bird [email protected]
Ivy Hall: Robert Hanrahan: [email protected]
Kildeer: Vail Kieser [email protected]
Prairie: Christine Pfaff [email protected]
Twin Groves: Jessica Barnes [email protected]
Woodlawn: Greg Grana [email protected]
If you use another service provider for your email than those listed above, consider following your service provider's instructions for adding the contacts listed above to your address book.
Parent Letter- Signs of Suicide Prevention Program
Dear Parents/Guardians:
At Twin Groves, we believe it is important to focus on the whole student paying close attention to the emotions that are often associated with teen years. These years are marked by a roller coaster of emotions which may be difficult for teens. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double. We have implemented a variety of programs on mental health education and suicide prevention for students, faculty, and staff. After Winter Break we will begin implementing the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program to the current 7th and 8th grade Health groups. This is the only school-based suicide prevention program selected by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts. The SOS program is presented to us through Elyssa’s Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention. Elyssa’s Mission is the only organization in the state of Illinois to fund, distribute, and implement SOS. To get more information on suicide prevention, visit their website at www.elyssasmission.org.
Our goals in participating in this program are straightforward:
● To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness, and help them assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression.
● To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
● To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression. The depression screening tool that we are using addresses thoughts and feelings, which a parent may be unaware that their child is having. This tool does not provide a diagnosis of depression, but does give an indication of whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
In addition, if your son or daughter completes the questionnaire and there is concern, please know that Counselors and Social Workers will be available to meet with students and then follow up with a phone call to you regarding the next steps, if necessary.
If you do not wish your son or daughter to participate in the Signs of Suicide written screening test, please contact Mary McDevitt or Danielle Baker, Social Workers at (847) 821-8946. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in this program.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jessica Barnes- Principal
Mary McDevitt- Social Worker
Danielle Baker- Social Worker
Ben Leven- Health Teacher
The Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process
Over the last few years Stevenson High School and the feeder middle schools have created a scope and sequence that aligned the curriculum to the Common Core Standards for Mathematics. Their work defines four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. Their criteria will serve to create a portrait of each student for use in recommending a Stevenson placement that matches a student's content knowledge as well as level of mathematics proficiency at this time. READ MORE regarding the Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process
Daily Announcements
The Daily Announcements will be posted each weekday 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 read and access the Daily Announcements.
PTO
Upcoming Events:
1/22- Dessert Day
1/29- Special Lunch
2/19- Dessert Day
2/26- Special Lunch
3/11- Dessert Day
3/18- Special Lunch
4/22- Dessert Day
4/29- Special Lunch
5/6- Dessert Day
5/13- Special Lunch
Please click HERE to access the Membership Toolkit. All items for sale from the PTO will be available on this website.