Principal's Message April 3, 2020

4/3/20
TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Reminder...There will be no Remote Learning on Friday, April 10th.

Twin Groves Community Opportunity
Please see THIS PICTURE of the Twin Groves sign. How fun would it be to see these signs hanging in the windows of Twin Groves families?
If you would like, print out the Twin Groves sign and hang it on your front door or window. As families are out taking walks, they can be reminded of our wonderful Twin Groves Community!
Miss you all!


What’s Happening at Twin?

6th Grade
Language Arts/Advanced LA: In the coming weeks, students will continue reading their book club books and work on the various assignments associated with their book club roles. Students are encouraged to also read informational text which could include anything nonfiction from the news (perhaps in small doses) to articles of their own interest online. Further, students should take some time to keep a journal of their time away from school. They are living history right now, and what a great thing it would be to show their grandchildren where they were and what they did when the world shut down.  

Pre Algebra Survey: 6PAS is continuing their unit on Algebraic Equations. We will be solving one-step and two-step equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The students will be learning about isolating the variable and keeping the equation balanced. The unit will end with an introduction to inequalities. It will be very important for students to check their answers by substituting the solutions back into the original equation, so please encourage that at home. The unit will end with a brief study on independent and dependent variables and solving inequalities. Last month, we talked about modeling with mathematics. This skill will continue to be important this month, because students will be modeling verbal models as Algebraic equations. This month, we’d like to focus on attending to precision. This might mean being careful to define your variables to make your work more understandable, labeling measurements, or making sure your answer is represented in the correct format. 

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: 6PA will be finishing their second unit on geometry, focused on angle relationships and the Pythagorean theorem. The focus for the third and final unit of geometry is on transformations. Students will be reflecting, translating, rotating, and dilating shapes around the coordinate plane. Last month, we talked about modeling with mathematics. This skill will continue to be important this month, because students will be modeling verbal models as Algebraic equations. This month, we’d like to focus on attending to precision. This might mean being careful to define your variables to make your work more understandable, labeling measurements, or making sure your answer is represented in the correct format. 

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: After learning about a variety of civilizations from the past and investigating what caused them to succeed or fail, it is time for the students to use their skills in an independent study of an ancient civilization. Students will be creating a virtual textbook to present their knowledge of the Vikings, Ancient India, Persia, or the Mayan civilization. This inquiry unit will be the culmination of their hard work this year and truly showcase their ability to think like a historian!  

Science: In e-learning science classes, we have been in “motion” learning about potential and kinetic energy. One of the culminating projects of this unit is to create your very own amusement park with slides, swings, and rides and be able to explain the energy transfers. Be sure to ask your child what this project was all about! Our next and final unit for this year is thermal energy.  Students will learn the difference between heat and temperature as well as the importance of insulators!  Scientists are surely showing their “potential” in this unit in more ways than one!         

7th grade
Language Arts/Language Arts Advanced: The remote learning plan continues our studies of our class novels: The Book Thief in LA ADV and The Outsiders in LA. Students should continue to read the novels at the pace indicated in the Remote Learning plan folders for each day, and an “activity break” is required as well each day which comes either in the form of a written or video response. In addition to reading the class novel, making additional time to read a novel which your child has chosen independently can be a relief from boredom as well as a great way to learn new skills and escape into a different world for a while. Time to read is readily available these days like no other time in their lives, most likely! Finding a peaceful place to cozy up and grab a book might be more difficult, so if you can help your child find that peaceful, comfortable place in the house, that would be most appreciated. 

Bridge to Algebra 1:
With the beginning of our remote learning plan we are also starting our unit on Radicals, Irrational Numbers, and Pythagorean Theorem. Students will be responsible for knowing perfect squares up to 225 and perfect cubes up to 125. The pythagorean theorem is an important concept in the world of geometry as it is the main way that people are able to prove that a triangle is a right triangle. The pythagorean theorem is also used to classify the other types of triangles as well.

Algebra 1:
With the beginning of our remote learning plan comes the beginning of our unit on Quadratic Equations. This unit strengthens our concepts from the previous unit. This unit will dive more into how to solve quadratic equations using different methods (graphing, factoring, taking the square root, and the quadratic formula). At the end of the unit we will also use our previous knowledge to solve systems of nonlinear equations as well.

SS:

Science: As we continue our learning through remote learning we will start with how mass and distance affect gravity on Earth and space. We will continue our year long learning about Newton’s 3 laws of motion. Students are going to be investigating experiments to prove an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object. Along with investigating experiments and following procedures, students will be asked to develop their own procedure and experimental design to explain and prove Newton’s laws.  

8th Grade
Language Arts/Language Arts Advanced: In Language Arts students continue to work on analyzing what techniques authors use to structure their informational texts. Students are reading conflicting articles and comparing the information presented, as well as the structures used, to determine which article is most effective. Students also continue to analyze short stories in an effort to determine how authors craft their stories.  

Algebra 1:
Students are in the introductory stage of the Quadratic Equations unit. This unit really prepares the students for success in Algebra 2. They will learn how to solve quadratic equations using the square root method, zero-product property, graphing, and the quadratic formula. Students will also learn more about using their TI-84 graphing calculator in order to solve systems of equations and inequalities.

Algebra 2:
Students just completed the Unit Circle Trigonometry unit which flows really well into the next unit on Graphing Trigonometric Functions. The students will learn how to graph sine and cosine functions, write equations of sine and cosine functions when given key characteristics, and be able to model real-world problems with the graphs. 

SS: 8th grade Social Studies has been finalizing America’s response to the Vietnam War and its Veterans. Students are currently working on an “Inquiry” project, giving them an opportunity to choose a topic from the 1960’s era that interests them. Students must formulate an “Essential Question” to guide their research, create a claim, analyze their findings and creatively present their findings to their class. From here, students will be moving into the 1970’s and 1980’s, investigating the domestic policies, foreign affairs, and leadership qualities of all the leaders within those decades!   

Science: 8th grade science is still investigating human impact on our planet. Students will be looking at the use of fossil fuels for energy and for making products such as plastic. By the end of April, students will begin to study alternative energy sources.

 

Remote Learning Plan for the Middle School
Beginning with instruction for Monday, April 6th, we are moving to DAILY lesson delivery of material.
All communication from Middle School teachers will be coming from Schoology to the students.
Middle School teachers will share lessons in Schoology with students no later than 5 pm (ideally between 2-5 pm) the night before the instruction is to take place.
Learning plans will include:
-The learning target
-What items need to be submitted
-Clear directions for the daily lesson

Staff will be providing feedback on work by the end of each week.
Staff will be required to hold 1 synchronous (live) communication with students per course each week. These will be through Zoom. 
Students have directions to access Zoom in their Schoology lunch course.
Please click HERE for a Zoom Etiquette slideshow. This was shared with students this morning.

Beginning on Monday, April 6th, there will be CAN DOs available for all middle school students. These will be found in each grade level's Schoology lunch course. 

 


Please see the SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE from April 4, 2020

Dear District 96 Community,
We hope that you are well and developing ways to adjust to our new “normal.” Yesterday was the first day of full implementation of remote learning for our students. It warmed my heart to see examples of and hear about the connections our teachers and students were making. 


Each school and each district has had to navigate remote learning a bit differently. We were fortunate not to have to redesign our remote learning plan, while others had to make adjustments based on newly issued guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education. Each district’s calendar is a bit different, which led to differences in initial implementation. As an Area 125 Consortium, we continue to communicate and collaborate daily. While we know that learning is a priority–connecting and maintaining relationships is just as important during this challenging time.  

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced the interruption of “in-person” learning would continue at least through Apr. 30th. While we are preparing for the possibility of a return to school on May 4th, we are also planning for the realistic possibility that we will have to finish the year teaching and learning remotely. Thus, we have been preparing for transition from a short-term plan to a long-term plan. As you can imagine, our teachers, coaches, and administrators have been working tirelessly to ensure that the plan is high quality, while at the same time making all of the necessary adjustments in their own personal lives.  
Please note the following, effective Monday, April 6th:
-Learning plans will be pushed out DAILY (not in multiple-day “chunks”) and will be shared by 5:00 p.m. the evening before.
-Learning plans will make clear what work should be turned in each day.
-Feedback will be provided on work by the end of each week.
-Face-to-face classroom meetings or sessions (Zoom, Seesaw, etc.) will be scheduled by individual teachers and communicated.
-The state has allotted 5 “remote planning days” for teachers to plan upcoming learning for the duration of closures.
-During “remote planning days,” teachers will not be available in real time; however, learning activities will be pushed out for these days by our instructional coaching teams. Dates for "remote planning days" for teachers are as follows:
  – Monday, April 13th
  – Friday, April 24th
-Teachers will continue to prioritize making connections with kids and families and maintaining these critical relationships.

 

Please note that with the entire country moving to remote learning at the same time, there may be periodic disruptions of online platforms like Schoology. We have no control over these disruptions, but we will continue to communicate with these hosts and make any information available to you.

8th-Grade Graduation
Unfortunately, with the Governor’s announcement regarding the extended school closure dates and his statement regarding not knowing when it will be safe to congregate, our 8th-grade graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place at Stevenson High School on Tuesday, May 26th, must be postponed at this time out of an abundance of safety and concern for the well-being of our graduates and their families and guests. Stevenson High School announced the same today.

We understand that school is about more than just learning academic content. It also is about social connections and a sense of belonging. We recognize this is a disappointment for our students, families, and staff, as graduation is an important milestone in all our lives. I have my own 8th-grade daughter who is processing what all of this means for her, as well. As a mom, I am supporting her to the best of my ability by reinforcing that these measures are critical for the health and safety of all. Each of our schools will work to celebrate its graduates either on a different date or via other means, as circumstances allow. These circumstances will include not only facility availability, but up-to-date guidance regarding social distancing and large gatherings.

Lastly, if you or someone you know would benefit from receiving food from our daily distribution center, please know there are NO criteria for access to this service. This service is available Monday–Friday from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) located at 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, Il. Drive-through pick-up is behind the building. Please email [email protected] for assistance.

Thank you for understanding that this is an unprecedented time for all of us. We all look forward to a time when we can celebrate together once again.

All the best,
Julie Schmidt, District 96 Superintendent of Schools

 


8th Grade Graduation
Unfortunately, with the Governor’s announcement regarding the extended school closure dates and his statement regarding not knowing when it will be safe to congregate, our 8th-grade graduation ceremonies scheduled to take place at Stevenson High School on Tuesday, May 26th, must be postponed at this time, out of an abundance of safety and concern for the well-being of our graduates and their families and guests. Stevenson High School announced the same today.

 

 

8th Grade Bowling Party and Great America
The 8th Grade Bowling Party and the 8th Grade Great America trip have been postponed. At this time, please do not send any money for any of the events.

 


Breakfasts/Lunches Provided for Pick-Up Weekdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Families may pick up breakfast/lunch for their student(s) at the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) weekdays from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. Meals are provided by Organic Life and Sodexo. This opportunity for meals at no cost is open to families served by D96, D102, D103, and Stevenson. There are no qualifying criteria to meet.

The ELC is located at 990 Corporate Woods Pkwy, Vernon Hills. To pick up meals, drive up behind the building and remain in your car.  Staff will deliver the meals to your vehicle.

Please direct questions to [email protected] .

 


KCSD 96 Community Concert
Calling all music lovers! We are inviting you to participate in our District 96 Community Porch Concert! At 2pm on Tuesday, April 7th go to your front porch, front door, or nearest window and start performing! Go ahead and be loud! We want to hear you! Our performance piece will be Lean On Me by Bill Withers as a reminder that as a District 96 family, we are always here to support each other in a time of need. Do you play a band or orchestra instrument and need music to play along? Or are you not in band or orchestra and need lyrics to sing along? Follow this link to our Community Porch Concert flyer with links to recordings, lyrics, and music! Feel free to share any picture or video you take with your music teacher, we miss seeing you perform!

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Bill Withers, the singer-songwriter whose soulful hits "Lean On Me," Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lovely Day" passed away today. Please CLICK HERE to read more about the passinng of Bill Withers. 

The song choice for the KCSD 96 Comunity Concert celebrates the life of Bill Withers.


Library Materials Access and Card Request Info
Books, audiobooks, movies, music, TV shows, magazines, newspapers and other online resources for all ages are available for free from your local public library, even though the building is closed. If your family does not have a library card right now, you can apply for one online by using the link for the library near you:

Vernon Area Library: https://vapld.info/card
Ela Area Library: https://www.eapl.org/temporary-library-card
Indian Trails Library: https://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/register-online-for-your-library-card/
Cook Memorial Library: https://www.cooklib.org/elibrary/