5/1/20
TGIF...Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Reminder… Monday, May 4th is a designated staff planning day. Students should look in their Schoology Lunch course for their learning plans. The students will receive a message about this today in the Morning Announcements and on Monday in the Morning Announcements.
Colts Wrestlers Recognized Via Zoom
Twin Groves Colts wrestlers and their families were all in attendance this week for their 2020 AWARDS BANQUET. Congratulations to these students for a great season!
What’s Happening At Twin Groves?
6th Grade
It’s hard to believe that the end of the year is right around the corner! Here’s what’s happening in 6th grade!
Language Arts: Students will be closing out the year with a fun superhero unit! Through our narrative writing targets, students will get to create a superhero including their power, a backstory of how they got their power, their weakness, their nemesis, and how they overcame an obstacle. Not to mention designing a costume and a logo. This is always a highlight for the students and we are excited to bring it to our remote learning platform! In addition, we hope students will continue reading and writing over the summer by keeping a journal and making sure to complete the summer reading assignment. More on that to come in a few weeks.
Pre Algebra Survey: In 6 PAS, we will be working on geometry this month. Students will be solving problems involving finding the surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes. Last month, we asked you to focus on attending to precision, which means labeling units and working carefully. This month, we’d like to ask you to emphasize choosing appropriate mathematical tools. The students have learned so many different ways to apply their knowledge to solve new problems, so they should have numerous tools in their mathematical “toolbox.” For example, when solving a statistics problem, students should know whether a histogram or box-and-whiskers plot is more useful to their task. It has been such a pleasure to get to know your children, and they have impressed us with their perseverance, despite the very challenging targets we’ve had all year. The next month is going to fly by! Thank you so much for your support at home.
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: In 6 PA, students will be completing the last of their three geometry units and moving on to a brief statistics unit. Last month, we asked you to focus on attending to precision, which means labeling units and working carefully. This month, we’d like to ask you to emphasize choosing appropriate mathematical tools. The students have learned so many different ways to apply their knowledge to solve new problems, so they should have numerous tools in their mathematical “toolbox.” For example, when solving a statistics problem, students should know whether a histogram or box-and-whiskers plot is more useful to their task. It has been such a pleasure to get to know your children, and they have impressed us with their perseverance, despite the very challenging targets we’ve had all year. The next month is going to fly by! Thank you so much for your support at home.
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.
Social Studies: As we finish up the school year with our Creative Book Builder project and Independent Civilization exploration, we can’t help but look back with a smile and sense of pride when we think about all of the different aspects of ancient history and current events we journeyed through this past year. Students dove into the inquiry process head on, and learned how to investigate the past and present with a critical eye. We tackled essential questions along the way to build our capacity to structure arguments and understand our place in the world. Keep striving for those answers and be the best citizen you can!
Science: And just as a roller coaster comes to a halt, so does our 6th grade science year. To end, we hope that some of the science labs really “moved” you and we hope that you will always look forward to science class, where you can see, hear, and DO science! So spend some time outside these spring and summer months, enjoy nature and the ecological world we live in. Spend a rainy afternoon creating your very own experiments, recalling the wonders of chemistry. And lastly, as energy is all around us and in us… use your energy every day to kick a ball, ride a roller coaster (or water slide), and stay “cool”! Keep “kinetic” (moving) scientists and enjoy the summer!
7th Grade
Language Arts and Language Arts Advanced:
This week we wrapped up the study of our class novels with two activities which allowed students to take a look back at the novel as a whole and examine the actions and traits of different characters. Despite the challenges of remote learning, students demonstrated that they did understand the novels, and they were able to thoughtfully reflect on the meaning of their books. That was a celebration! In May, we’ll be focusing on current articles which address topics affecting all of us these days. We hope that students and their families will share the articles and discuss them at home, as feeling a need to back up what you’re saying in a discussion about a text forces readers to return to the text and reread it. Without that necessary discussion piece going on at school, it would really benefit students if they could talk it over at home. We promise to keep the articles interesting and thought-provoking for everyone involved! Our other activity for the rest of May will be the creation of a Pandemic Pop Culture Project, and students will have a wide variety of choices for self-expression. We’re looking forward to seeing some really creative projects!
Bridge to Algebra 1: We are getting closer to wrapping up our lengthy, but important unit on Radicals, Irrational Numbers, and Pythagorean Theorem, including the Distance Formula. Our next unit will be much shorter. We will be exploring how to find the volume of cylinders, rectangular prisms, spheres, and composite figures.
Algebra 1: We will be wrapping up our extremely important unit on Quadratic Functions in a couple of weeks. Thorough understanding and mastery of this unit is imperative for Algebra 2. We will then explore histograms, two-way tables, and box and whisker plots in our unit on Descriptive Statistics.
SS: We have been exploring historical topics and themes over the past weeks that encourages students to develop their own claim statements and opinions using historical knowledge. This has been a major focus all year long -- to think and reflect on historical events over time just like historians do. Some of our recent work has included…
The greatest legacies of George Washington’s Farewell Address.
The pros and cons of westward expansion/manifest destiny.
The pros and cons of President Andrew Jackson.
The pros and cons of the industrial revolution.
The most important/significant invention or development during America’s First Industrial Revolution.
Soon, to finish up Social Studies for the school year, we will dive into the growing division between the industrial North, plantation South, and popular sovereignty as the nation expands. A series of events will develop leading to the Civil War… and another element of opinion/debate for students to wrestle with.
Science: This past week students have been learning about Newton’s 3rd law, and in wrapping up our unit looking at how all three laws integrate into singular events.
8th Grade
Language Arts & LA Advanced: Students are finishing up the Modern Day Poetry Unit. The purpose of this unit was to help students analyze the written and spoken word through creative means. Earlier in the year, we looked at poetry that was written in the past. More recently, we have been looking at poetry that hopefully speaks to and resonates with our students. I hope our students have enjoyed seeing how influential and motivating our written words can be. Coming up later this month we will be brushing up on our author’s craft and figurative language by looking at more short stories and Informational Text Articles. Students are continuing to practice analyzing and writing about these texts in order to feel confident and ready for Stevenson High School.
Algebra 1:Students are just finishing Unit 8: Quadratic Equations. Students learned how to solve quadratic equations using the square root method, zero-product property, graphing and the quadratic formula. Students also had to learn how to utilize their technology, TI-84 graphing calculator, in order to solve systems of nonlinear equations. Our last unit of the year will be Unit 9: Descriptive Statistics. Students will learn how to create and analyze box and whisker graphs and histograms.
Algebra 2: Students just completed Unit 10 on Graphing Trigonometric Functions. The students learned how to graph sine and cosine functions, write equations of sine and cosine functions when given key characteristics, and model real-world problems with the graphs. Our last unit of study will be Probability. Students will learn about sample spaces, independent and dependent events, conditional probability, and permutations and combinations.
SS: In Social Studies, students are completing Round 1 of “March” Madness. When Nixon and Ford faced off, Gerald Ford won the title of Mr. President and Richard Nixon won for Mr. Disappointment. Carter and Reagan are facing off this week. Students have learned about President Carter’s challenges with OPEC and the Iran Hostage Crisis. Today they investigate the cultural changes that made the 1980’s unique and will explore Reagan’s policies next week before they vote. “May” Madness continues when President George H.W. Bush competes against President Clinton and George W. Bush faces off against President Obama. Who will win the final title of Mr. President and Mr. Disappointment?
Science: 8th grade science is going green for the end of the school year while we continue to investigate human impact on the planet. Students will be looking at the use of fossil fuels for energy and for making products such as plastic. They will also explore renewable energy sources including solar panels, hydropower, and wind turbines.
Medication Pick Up- A Message from our Nursing Staff
Dear Parent/Guardian(s):
It has been the nursing team's pleasure to care for your child’s health needs this school year. In keeping with our School Board Policy, any unused medication remaining at the end of the school year must be picked up by parents. This ensures the safety and well being of all children.
The medications from each building have been picked up and brought to the ELC located at the following address:
990 Corporate Woods Parkway
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
You may pick the medication(s) up on the following days:
Wednesday, May 6 (8-3:30)
Thursday May 7 (8-3:30)
Friday May 8 (8-3:30)
If your child will require medication to be kept at school next year, please download the forms from the school website and take the forms to your physician over the summer for completion.
Please note that there is a section on the form for the parent and physician to complete and sign.
Returning this information, on or before the first day of school, will help ensure the safety of your child at school. The medication must be labeled and in its original container and will not be accepted without the completed physician’s order.
Please place the medication in a gallon size zip-lock baggie, labeled with your student’s name, grade and homeroom teacher. Medication must be transported to the school by the parents.
Thank you for your assistance,
Beth Finato, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, District Nurse
[email protected]
224-513-6468
Don't Wait! Register for the 2020–21 School Year
If you haven't already registered your new or returning District 96 student for the 2020–21 school year, please do so right away. Having an accurate enrollment count is important for anticipating staffing needs appropriately. Please tell new neighbors and friends to contact the public info coordinator [email protected] with registration questions and for info on options to delay/waive registration fees.
Virtual Yearbook Signing
Since the students are not going to be in school for yearbooks signing, we wanted the students have an opportunity to participate in Virtual Yearbook Signing. This morning, the students received a survey in their Schoology Lunch Course with the following information.
Please encourage them to participate! The message they received is below.
Since we will not be in school for yearbook signing this year, we would like to give the students and staff a chance to write a message, quote, piece of advice, or saying to the students at Twin Groves. Once this is complete, Mrs. Barnes will send it out to all students in the Schoology Lunch Course. Students can print the final document and add it to the yearbook as a memory. The final document will be sent out on May 22nd.
Please complete this form if you would like to include a message, quote, or saying to the students at Twin Groves. If you do not wish to submit a message, quote, or saying, please do not fill out this form.
Emails will be collected.
First and Last names will be collected.
All messages must be appropriate.
All messages must be positive.
All messages must be generic and should not include any student names or staff names.
All messages will be seen by all grades.
If there are any inappropriate messages, quotes, pieces of advice, or sayings, they will be removed and NOT included in the final document.
If specific students are mentioned, the submission will be removed and NOT included in the final document.
If specific staff are mentioned, the submission will be removed and NOT included in the final document.
Students and staff will have the choice to have their submission be anonymous if they would like.
Please complete this form by Friday, May 8th at 3:00 PM.
Please see the Superintendent’s Message from April 28th
Dear Parents and Community Members:
It’s almost May. The calendar moves ahead–even as our daily planners bear little resemblance to what’s typical for this time of year.
Summer is coming, our 2019–20 school year will come to a scheduled end, we’ll clean out lockers and cubbies, we’ll celebrate our 8th-Grade Class of 2020 thoughtfully and appropriately, and we’ll offer expanded opportunities for beneficial summer learning.
The details will look quite different, however, so please read the following carefully to plan ahead. Understand that we continue to refine plans, and when final, we will communicate details and specific instructions via Principal Messages, E-NEWS 96, social media, targeted emails, and/or my Superintendent Messages.
Summer Learning Opportunities
Given the end of in-person learning in the current school year and the extension of the governor’s stay-at-home order, combined with guidance and information from the state, it has become obvious that most summer learning opportunities will happen virtually. We are currently working to define and expand those opportunities. Information regarding offerings will be sent to families the week of May 11th, including registration. Dates for summer opportunities are as follows:
Summer virtual learning sessions: June 8th – July 2nd
Extended School Year (ESY) for eligible students: July 13th – August 6th
Jump Start Kindergarten: Registration on hold. (Will be offered only if circumstances allow)
8th-Grade Graduation
In my April 1st message, I shared that – due to the governor’s extended school closure announcement the 8th grade graduation ceremony was being postponed. I also indicated that each of our schools would work to celebrate its graduates either on a different date or via other means, as circumstances allow. I outlined the contributing factors that included facility availability and up-to-date guidance regarding social distancing and large gatherings.
Much has happened since April 1, including orders ending in-person learning for the remainder of the school year and the extension of stay-at-home orders. In addition, most summer learning opportunities will be virtual. Thus, we will be honoring and celebrating our graduating 8th graders via a pre-recorded virtual ceremony. This ceremony will mirror a traditional ceremony, with comments from our principals, myself, and Board of Education President Marc Tepper. Each graduate will be recognized individually and each school’s Superintendent Award winners will prepare and record comments for their classmates.
In addition to the traditional pre-recorded ceremony, each school is preparing a celebratory video for the 8th-grade class. In addition, teacher teams will host zooms on May 26th to connect and to say goodbye to the students. Lastly, plans are being made for diploma, materials, and yearbook pick-up and iPad drop-off.
Milestones are a significant part of growing up and the fact that we are not able to bring everyone together for this one is profoundly disappointing. Each student and each family is unique and may react to this reality differently. Some of you likely saw this as inevitable and the only path forward weeks ago, while others were sure that we would all be able to gather by late May. I get it. Amongst my daughter and her 8th-grade friends, feelings span the continuum from devastation about missed traditions to relief at not having to buy and wear a dress! We share in all those feelings and know that each family will partner with us to fill in the gaps to ensure that our 8th graders know how happy we are for them and how proud we are of them as they take the next step in their educational and life journey.
Materials Pick-Up
Items are being carefully gathered and plans are being made for families to pick up their students’ personal materials left at school. Dates and plans are being finalized for grades Early Childhood through Grade 7 and separately for Grade 8. Once those plans have been finalized, all details will be shared with students and families.
Remote Learning Calendar Update
With remote learning being extended through the end of the school year, please note important dates below:
Remote Learning Planning Days:
May 4
May 15
May 22
Last Day of Remote Learning for 8th Graders:
May 22
8th-Grade Celebration Day:
May 26
Last Day of Remote Learning, Early Childhood – Grade 7:
May 29
First Day of Virtual Summer Opportunities:
June 8
Materials Pick-Up Early Childhood – Grade 7: To be determined
Materials, Diploma Pick-Up, & iPad Drop-Off for 8th Graders: To be determined
Emergency Childcare Information
Lastly, the state has shared with us facilities and programs that have been approved to provide emergency childcare services for essential employees during this time. We have included a link to these Area Daycare Centers in Lake County.
In Summary
I am so thankful that over 99% of our students are regularly engaging in remote learning. These rates of engagement in remote learning would not be happening if it weren’t for the efforts of our staff to connect with each student and if it weren’t for YOU partnering with us to ensure that learning opportunities continue. It has been and will continue to be a highly valued partnership.
– Julie Schmidt, District 96 Superintendent of Schools
School Supply Kits
School supply kits for the 2020-2021 school year will be available starting May 1st. Supply kits will now be delivered directly to your address the week of August 9th. Orders can be placed from May 1st - July 10th. If you have any questions please contact Keri Lynch at [email protected].
Click on the following link to order your supply kits. Use the school code 22104. www.shopttkits.com
Making and Keeping Stay-at-Home Memories
School Resource Officers Ashley Krozel and Mike Martin from the Village of Buffalo Grove Police Department have provided a COVID-19 TIME CAPSULE – a fun activity to help students and their parents capture and preserve the details of staying safe at home together during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Future Staff Planning Days
The following dates are designated planning days for the staff.
May 4th
May 15th
May 22nd
Reminders to parents and students will be sent out regarding these planning days.
During staff planning days, students will need to look in their Schoology lunch course for their assignments.
All other days, the assignments will be in their Schoology folders by course.
Virtual Fun Run
All students and staff are invited to participate in this year’s Fun Run. Check out these examples to see what we’re looking for:
This year, we are asking students and staff to pick ANY sport/activity and email Mrs. Ruchim their video (3 second limit) at [email protected]. We will compile videos together by GRADE LEVEL making roughly a 10 minute video for each grade, which will include background music text/graphics. Here are some ideas that you can use, but we encourage you to be creative and have fun with this! :)
Soccer
Basketball
Volleyball
Badminton
Tennis
Baseball/Softball
Cricket
Dance
Hockey
Running (Baton Relay, Sprints, etc.)
Football
Other - Be Creative
We look forward to seeing your student’s video and can’t wait to see the final product of our Twin Groves Virtual Fun Run!
Please submit all videos by May 15th at 3PM.
Attention all parents! The Twin Groves PTO is looking for parents to volunteer their time on the PTO Executive Board.
For a list of open positions, please go to twingrovesmspto.membershiptoolkit.com.
If you have any specific questions about any of the positions, please email Jessica Barnes at [email protected].
We can’t wait to work with you!
DOES YOUR 8TH GRADER HAVE A POSITIVE LUNCH ACCOUNT BALANCE?
Positive lunch account balances (any amount) may be transferred to a younger sibling enrolled in District 96, Grades 1–8, for the 2020–21 school year.
Make your request to transfer funds NO LATER THAN Monday, May 4th.
To make the transfer online:
Log into your K–12 PAYMENT CENTER account and select “Transfer Funds” on the left side of the website homepage.
OR
To request a transfer if you have not yet established an account:
Send a “Transfer Request” email to Sara LaPoint in the Business Office. Include the following info: Names of BOTH the graduating 8th grader AND the remaining D96 sibling whose account should receive the transferred amount.
Note: All un-transferred positive lunch account balances in excess of $10 will automatically be refunded. A check will be issued on May 27 and will be mailed to the home address included in our database.