3/19/21
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday!
Have a wonderful Spring Break! See you on Monday, March 29th!
Please scroll down to the very end of the message for important information for the return to in person learning after Spring Break.
Please see these following links:
Calendar LINK
Superintendent Message LINK
Upcoming Dates:
April 1st will be a PM asynchronous day for the students. More information will be sent to the students in their Schoology lunch course on March 31st. HERE is the schedule. Please note that dismissal on April 1st is 11:10AM.
There will be no school on April 2nd, April 5th, or April 6th.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 7th.
Congrats!
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 leaders, role models, supportive peers, brave, and positive.
As part of this focus, the Twin Groves Staff would like to recognize the following students who consistently demonstrate these qualities.
Evan Cohen
Melanie Lelikov
Aliyah Murtishi
Tyler Nack
Seth Pearlman
Veronica Pryakhin
Mari Villasenor
Lillian Zhou
Congrats!
Please click HERE to see a student celebration!
What’s Happening at TG?
PE: Things are going well during this hybrid schedule. As the weather warms up we hope to get outside for activities as well as our fitness days. After spring break we will be participating in a VB unit. Our fitness will focus on cardiovascular endurance. As with the remote students we want to get them away from the computer and outside as well. Just a reminder that group B will be in health when we return from spring break. The students have been great and very positive during this time.
Health: This rotation the 6th graders have begun working on digging in on decision making and making good choices. We have spent a considerable amount of time discussing this and then working on what sexual harassment is and how to stop it. Seventh grade has been busy learning about stress and how to reduce it in their lives. They have had guest speakers from Omni Youth Services located here in Buffalo Grove to help them with coping skills and communication skills. The eighth graders have been busy studying about human sexuality. Just like the sixth graders the eighth grade is reviewing sexual harassment and creating a court case out of this.
Art: Business as usual in Art!
6th grade is learning how to draw people with correct proportions. 7th grade is learning how to truly “see” in order to draw accurately from an image. 8th grade is learning how to draw a portrait. All 3 grade levels are also exploring artwork by professional artists and learning to use their voice in their own work.
Music: We just started trimester three! Time is flying! We have had 6 class days of class and we’re off and running. All grades started with general introduction and music listening activities. 6th grade is starting off by using their rhythm and rhyming skills in creating a short RAP song. This RAP will introduce us to the many facets of Garageband. 7th and 8th grade will begin working on their listening skills and describing music, and then quickly move on to rhythm using one of the online programs we use called. “Breezin’ Thru”. They will create rhythm compositions to record. Then we will shift to “melody”. If any student needs an instrument to work on at home, we have recorders for them to pick up. Please let me know if your child needs one.
The Art of Science and Living: We are starting the trimester out strong in TASOL. Students are working on the nutrition unit for 7th and 8th grade. They have been keeping a food journal and examining their choices compared to the MyPlate recommendations. Students will be investigating different nutrition labels and how to identify healthier options when we return from Spring Break. In 6th grade, we have been looking at the family functions and creating a family crest to represent those functions within each individual's family. Students will be exploring different career clusters and will begin creating a resume after Spring Break.
Parent Information- Math Sites and Apps
We have noticed that many students are currently employing a variety of websites and apps while in math. It is important to know that none of the sites or apps listed below are provided or sanctioned by the district. These sites/apps simply do the math for the students and are not instructive or tutorial in any sense. Using these sites/apps to complete classwork, homework, or assessments potentially creates skill or knowledge gaps that can hinder mathematical achievement and progress when they are no longer available. If you or your child are looking for resources or tools to help them solidify math concepts or skills, please reach out to the math teacher for guidance.
Mathway.com
webmath.com
quickmath.com
math10.com
cymath.com
math.microsoft.com/en
symbolab.com/
wolframalpha.com
Photomath (app)
VIRTUAL VARIETY SHOW for Twin Groves Students
Are you interested in showcasing your talent to the school? If so, don't miss the opportunity to participate in our Virtual Variety Show this year. We have so many talented students and would love to see those talents. In years past we have seen and heard music, dance, comedy, magic, etc.
If you are interested, please complete the following form before March 29th.
Practices will be on Mondays from 4-4:45. Students will be invited to stay for practices if we would like to offer you suggestions on how to make your performance even more amazing. Students are also welcome to stay on those days to practice their act. Practices will begin after Spring Break.
Please see Mr. Williams, Mrs. Didech, or Mrs. Koulentes with any questions.
2021–22 REGISTRATION EMAILS WERE SENT THURSDAY, MARCH 4
Please check for registration email(s) for the 2021–22 school year, sent Thursday, March 4th.
Each registration email includes a link and a unique “snapcode” needed for access to register your returning student for 2021–22.
EVERY student returning to District 96 for the school year ahead must be registered.
Information you provided previously will appear in your student’s online registration record. Please check that info carefully and update if it is not accurate.
Completing and submitting online registration and making payment no later than April 15, 2021, will save families $20 in registration cost per student. Fees increase after April 15. Registration questions? Please send email to [email protected] or call 847.459.4260, ext. 8022.
PTO Positions for the 2021-2022 School Year
The Twin Groves PTO Executive Board would love to have you as part of our team! We need to fill the Co-President and Co-Treasurer positions for the 2021 - 2022 school year and we hope you'll check out these amazing opportunities.
Please head over to Membership Toolkit to learn more and sign up at twingroves pto.membership toolkit.com.
6th Grade Dental Forms
Attention parents of 6th Graders. Proof of dental exams for all 6th graders are due by May 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Borzych at 847-821-8946.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Share your thoughts about how your child’s school is doing on the 5Essentials for school success. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. District 96 will participate in the statewide 2020–21 5Essentials Survey to meet state legislation and the Board’s mandate. District 96 parents may voluntarily participate to complete the survey. (https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/) Please select the Parent Survey and begin.
Beginning in February and through April 2, students and teachers will complete their surveys to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. In District 96, students in grades 4–8 will complete their surveys on March 19.
This survey is designed to help school and district leaders better understand the parent/school relationship. All responses are anonymous. Parents are asked to complete a survey for each student attending a Kildeer Countryside District 96 school. The survey will be open through April 2, 2021. Questions? See Frequently Asked Questions (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/) and/or contact 5Essentials Client Services 866.440.1874.
Daily Announcements
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.
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Return to School Information
Remote Students
The students who are in the remote learning model will remain learning remotely Mondays-Fridays using the same Zoom links. The students who are remote will continue with their same classes.
ALL students will follow THIS SCHEDULE.
Daily Self-Certification Screenings
Daily Self-Certification is a requirement for in-person attendance.
Parents/guardians will be required to self-certify annually that the daily wellness check will be completed prior to sending their child to in-person learning. Students will have a badge that is scanned upon entering daily.
In addition, parents/guardians will be required to self-certify each morning that their child is fever-free and symptom-free, has not been recently diagnosed with COVID-19, has not been in contact with someone recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Staff also follow the same self-certification process. Parent/Guardian to complete the COVID-19 questionnaire by logging into the student's TeacherEase account either through the app (iOS or Android or online).
If any student or staff member has a temperature greater than 100.4° F or displays one or more of the currently known symptoms of COVID-19, that individual will not be able to enter a District 96 school building.
To access the required Daily Self-Certification Form, you need to log into TeacherEase each day your student will attend in person to submit self-certification. https://www.teacherease.com/common/login.aspx
This VIDEO gives instructions, including how to access the daily self-certification form using your cell phone (iOS or android).
Daily Self Certification Questions
Please note the Daily Self Certification questions have changed. Please read them carefully!
Orienting Students to the Building
To help orient students to the building, there will be many staff members in the hallways directing students to class. We also will have signs in each hallway to help direct the students. Students will also have access to building maps in Schoology for their reference.
Return to In Person: What will lunch look like?
All students will have a regular 25 minute lunch.
Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria and other large spaces near the cafeteria as needed.
Students will eat with their grade level.
Students will be choosing their seat on the first day of their in person lunch. This seat will be their seat until the end of the year. The assigned seats are very important for contact tracing purposes.
Students must remain seated and socially distanced.
Each table has a socially distanced spot marked for the students so they know where they can sit.
The cafeteria and eating spaces are cleaned in between all lunch periods.
Snack
Students will be allowed to eat a snack off the safe snack list during a designated snack time for each grade.
How to eat snacks safely in the classroom?
Students will lift a small portion of their mask, put the food in their mouth and lower their mask while they chew. Their mask will remain on their face.
Students will wipe their table after eating. Students will sanitize their hands after eating.
Materials
Backpacks or bags can be brought to school and carried from class to class.
Shared objects will generally not be permitted, and when necessary, disinfected between uses. We are purchasing additional supplies & creating individualized supply kits in many instances to avoid sharing.
Supplies
PLEASE have your child bring a fully charged iPad and Logitech Crayon to school with them everyday.
PLEASE have your child bring headphones to school everyday.
Students should bring a folder, a spiral notebook, writing utensils, a fully charged iPad, Logitech Crayon, and headphones with them each day.
If other supplies are needed, the classroom teachers will communicate this.
A Message from the Nurse
Any parent who has a child returning to in person learning who requires an Epi-pen, inhaler or any other medication should have the paperwork and medications to the nurse by their students' return date. Please see THIS link with the necessary medical forms.
Bathrooms
The following protocols will be in place to avoid overcrowding in the bathrooms:
Students will seek permission to go to the bathroom from their teacher.
One student at a time will be allowed out of a classroom.
Bathroom use during passing periods will be prohibited to prevent overcrowding.
Students who need to use the restroom between classes should seek permission from the teacher they are seeing next before entering the bathroom.
Social Distancing spots will be in the hallways by the bathrooms. If the bathrooms are occupied, students will stand on the spots until there is an available bathroom stall.
Hallways and Passing Periods
Students will move directly from class to class with no loitering or socializing between.
Students are not to use the bathroom or drinking fountain.
Students will carry their items with them throughout the day without access to their lockers.
Students will follow directional arrows and signage in the hallways.
Staff will continue to supervise this transition.
Lockers
No lockers will be used at this time.
Students will be carrying their belongings from class to class.
Bus Transportation
Bus routes and bus stop times for students attending in person learning will be sent out mid week during the week of March 22nd.
Bus ridership will be in compliance with current IDPH and CDC requirements. Students must wear masks and sit in their assigned seats to ensure appropriate social distancing. Siblings will be seated together. Please note that schedule changes and riding an unassigned route will not be permitted.
Drivers will wear PPE and perform regular hand hygiene. Students will be encouraged to perform hand hygiene when boarding the bus. Hand sanitizer will be available for all riders. Also, First Student and Septran will disinfect all buses per IDPH and CDC recommendations and frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected after each route.
PE
The PE team is working to maximize the in-person and remote experiences. In-person students may go outside, weather permitting.
Students will not change into PE uniforms.
No uniforms or PE locks are currently needed.
Clubs
Clubs will continue to be remote.
Clubs can be found on the school’s website.
Clubs will be held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Students can access the zoom links for clubs on their Team Zoom Doc.
Teacher Support
Teachers will be available via zoom from 2:30-3:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
On days that students are in-person, they will be required to leave at 2:30 and will travel home at this time. Students will have Academic Support from 3:00-3:45 and 4:00-4:45 if needed.
Academic Support Times
3:00-3:45 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
4:00-4:45 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Students can access the zoom links for academic support on their Team Zoom Doc.
Band and Orchestra Rehearsals
In-person students will attend after school rehearsals on the days they are remote.
Band and orchestra students will leave at 2:30.
Hand Washing and Sanitizing
Each room and hallways have hand sanitizing wipes that can also be used on surfaces.
Students will be provided with multiple opportunities to wash and sanitize their hands and use hand sanitizing wipes while at school for in-person learning.
-District 96 will prioritize hand washing (both with soap/water), as time and space constraints allow, particularly focusing on the following times:
-Arrival at school
-Following restroom use
-Before and after eating (if and when this applies)
-After blowing one's nose, coughing or sneezing
-Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout all buildings and in the classroom and the proper use of hand sanitizing wipes will also be directly taught to all students upon first returning to our buildings for in-person instruction.
Masks and Face Coverings
As required by IDPH, face coverings must be worn at all times in school buildings and on the bus–even when social distance is maintained.
Face coverings can be temporarily removed at school:
-When eating (if and when this applies)
-When taking brief structured water breaks
-When outdoors and physical distancing of at least 6 feet can be maintained
-For staff, when alone in classrooms or offices with the door closed
Mask Requirements
The District will provide all students with face coverings as needed. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own face coverings as long as they comply with the CDC/ISBE guidelines, ensuring that the face-covering fully covers the mouth and nose and that the covering fits snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. Please CLICK HERE to review current CDC guidance on how to select, wear, remove, and clean an appropriate face covering. Please note the CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters as a fask mask and they will not be accepted as one.
If students are using a washable face covering rather than a disposable mask, we ask that parents/guardians please wash the face covering regularly.
Arrival Procedures for Walkers or Parent Drop Off
Parent drop off will start at 7:30AM. Students will be dropped off near Door 4. Please see the map below.
Students will socially distance in the cafeteria before being scanned to ensure the self-certification was complete before going to class.
Once the students are scanned, they will go directly to their first period class.
Arrival Procedures for Bus Riders
Buses will unload the students at the South Entrance (Athletic Entrance/door 6)
Students will enter through the South Entrance Doors (Athletic Entrance). Students will socially distance in the large gym before being scanned to ensure the self-certification was complete before going to class.
Once the students are scanned, they will go directly to their first period class.
Dismissal From School
The 8th period teacher will walk their students to the parent pick-up exit and bus lot/door. The teachers will have a staggered dismissal time to reduce the amount of students in a particular hallway or stairwell.
Students must maintain social distancing until they are in the car, or once they arrive home from the bus.