Principal's Message - September 30, 2021

10/1/21

TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday! 

Please note…

Next Thursday, October 7th, is an Early Release. Students will be dismissed at 1:30PM.

Next Friday, October 8th, there is no school.


 

Upcoming Social Media Challenges

It has been brought to our attention that there are possible Tik Tok Challenges on the horizon for each month. 

The challenge for October involves “slapping a teacher.” The acts involved in these monthly challenges would be considered physical/sexual assault and criminal destruction of property. Any students engaging in these challenges will receive disciplinary consequences and face potential police charges. 

Because of the vandalism and theft that happened in September, we have to take this threat seriously.  Anyone who engages in a physical act of aggression, aids, or records a physical act of aggression will be held equally responsible.  

Please take this time to talk to your child about the negative implications of these challenges.

We recommend that you check out the links below.

LINK for  more information.

LINK for more information.


 

Students Selling Items During School

It has been brought to my attention that students are selling items such as candy, gum, and snacks to their peers during school. This will not be allowed on school grounds. 



 

What’s Happening at Twin Groves?

6th Grade
Pre Algebra Survey: The students have been working really hard and transitioning well to middle school math. Pre-Algebra Survey students have just finished their unit on ratios, and are starting the new unit on rational numbers. We previously talked about encouraging the students to persevere on their homework. Thank you so much for your support at home on this! This month we’d like to focus on another math practice standard: modeling with mathematics (showing work in different ways). Part of being a mathematician includes being able to approach a problem in several different ways. In class, we often teach several strategies that can be used to solve problems. It is very challenging to be able to understand and use different representations and models in math, and it is a skill we will continue to work on all year. 

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. 

IXL - 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. 

Pre Algebra: The students have been working really hard and transitioning well to middle school math. Pre-Algebra students have just finished their unit on ratios, and are starting the new unit on rational numbers. We previously talked about encouraging the students to persevere on their homework. Thank you so much for your support at home on this! This month we’d like to focus on another math practice standard: modeling with mathematics (showing work in different ways). Part of being a mathematician includes being able to approach a problem in several different ways. In class, we often teach several strategies that can be used to solve problems. It is very challenging to be able to understand and use different representations and models in math, and it is a skill we will continue to work on all year. 

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. 

IXL - 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. 

Language Arts: We have been working hard on identifying theme in fiction and central idea and tone in informational text. Taking this up a notch, students are now starting to learn how to write an analysis of how the text evidence supports their chosen theme/central idea/tone.  Up next, we will be writing fictional narratives with a fun creative writing assignment. 

Science: Students are deep into our Ecology unit. We are learning about what factors can affect a population and a community.  We have completed a number of lab activities to simulate animal interactions with other animals and how people can influence a population of animals as well.  Some of our favorite activities included the Predator Prey Lab Activity, the Lynx Eats the Hare and the Otter game.  

SS: In social studies, the students have been learning about how geography impacts our lives.  We will continue this study by seeing how and why people choose to migrate.  We will focus on why people live in certain areas, how their actions impact the environment there, and how people have populated all corners of the earth throughout time.  By the end of our migration unit, students should have a better understanding of our role in the world and how choices throughout time have brought us to this point in history.  

 

7th Grade

Bridge to Algebra 1: Students are finishing up an important unit on how to solve equations and inequalities. They have worked hard since the beginning of the school year to master these skills so they can use them in future units. Our next unit focuses on functions and being able to use them to sketch graphs or compare to other functions.

Algebra 1: We are in the middle of the unit on writing and graphing linear functions and linear inequalities. The students have learned two of the three different forms of linear functions and when to apply them given certain parameters.

Language Arts: LA students are reading The Giver, and should be reading nightly to keep up with the reading calendar sent home earlier via email. It’s also available on Schoology in the Classwork > The Giver folder. If students have forgotten their books at school, the reading can be done using the PDF of the entire book which is located in that same Giver folder. Discussions have been lively! Since the next CFA covers informational text, we are also requiring an Article of the Week (AOW) due every Friday. This article is assigned on Monday, due Friday, so students do not need to leave that assignment until the last minute. It should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

LA ADV: LA ADV students are reading their book club books and should be reading nightly to keep up with the reading calendar attached to the Book Club Questions assignments in Schoology > Homework. It’s also available on Schoology in the Classwork > Book Clubs folder. Every Thursday, a set of questions are due related to the part of the novel the book clubs are currently reading. These questions can be answered at any time during the week, so there’s no need to wait until Wednesday night to complete them. Since the next CFA covers informational text, we are also requiring an Article of the Week (AOW) due every Friday. This article is assigned on Monday, due Friday so students can fit the AOW in whenever it’s convenient during the week. It should take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Science: Students will be learning about DNA and the protein synthesis process. Through this knowledge they will discover that mistakes often occur in the process. We will talk about how these mistakes in the DNA replication process may affect an organism in a harmful, beneficial, or neutral way. We will also begin investigating our engineering targets by designing and building zip lines. The engineering targets will be studied throughout all three trimesters this school year. 

SS: 7th grade Social Studies has transitioned from setting up the school year with critical foundational literacy skills while introducing the 6 key elements of evaluating sources for reliability and credibility… to the establishment of the 13 British Colonies in North America.  These colonies were classified into three separate and distinct regions: New England, Middle, and Southern. Each region featured specific economic, geographical, and weather/climate characteristics that enabled each region to grow and prosper economically and socially.  Reasons for immigration don’t change too much whether we are talking about 1670 or 2021. As colonists explored and moved to the west towards the Appalachian Mountains and the Ohio River region, conflicts began to occur over land possession between Native Americans and other European nations. The French and Indian war will set the stage for the American Revolution.  Colonial actions will anger “Mother Britain” and she will come down hard on the colonists with numerous British “acts and taxes” driving a wedge between the Patriots and the Loyalists. We continue to examine a variety of primary and secondary sources using inquiry, argumentation, implementing questioning and questions, and source evaluation for reliability and credibility.  

 

8th Grade

Algebra 1: Algebra 1 is well into Unit 2: Graphing & Writing Equations of Lines. Students will be learning all about domain and range, function notation, constant rate of change, and graphing and writing equations of lines in all three forms. Please encourage your child to be completing daily homework assignments and using IXL outside of class. Reminder to make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily. 

Algebra 2: Algebra 2 students did a great job with the first unit of the year, Unit 01: Quadratic Relations and Equations.  We are moving on to Unit 2: Polynomial Functions. Students will learn about complex numbers, how to solve polynomial equations and inequalities, how to graph polynomial equations, identifying zeros and showing end behavior. Please encourage your child to complete all Independent Practices and utilize IXL outside of class.  Reminder to make sure that students have a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator they are bringing with them to class daily. 

Language Arts: In Language Arts, we began our year with fun and engaging short stories paired with informational texts.  Our focus so far has been reading for and analyzing the theme or central idea of a piece.  We have also started moving into exploring the mood of a text as well as the tone of the author.  With each story, article, poem we will continue to explore the author’s craft and discuss what makes these texts great.  Coming up, we will be assigning book clubs assignments to students, so please be on the lookout for permission slips. 

Science:  In Science, we started off the year with Nature of Science activities and experiments. Students were able to experience what 8th grade investigations are going to be like and get to know their teacher. Currently,the students are finishing up our first target, focused on weather and the causes of various climate regions on the planet. Our next stop will be analyzing data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects. Students will be assigned one catastrophic event and will be asked to research and present their findings to the class.

SS: In social studies, we have been learning about reform efforts made during the Progressive Era, including strategies used by “Muckrakers”.  We also learned about several “Captains of Industry” and their efforts to maintain their wealth, power and influence over society.  Students took part in our Progressive Era Dinner Party, where they took on the persona of someone during this time period and spoke with others on social reform issues that caused discourse at that time.  Last week we  looked at the actions the United States took to become a world power and debated the positive and negative impacts of imperialism, and this week we started exploring the causes of World War I.  

ILC- Mrs. Pio’s Class
In the ILC, the students have been working hard!  In Social Studies, we are wrapping up our unit on European and Asian immigration around the time of the Industrial Revolution.  Next, we move on to learning about World War I.  In other classes, all work is individualized based on student need.  Please reach out to your child's teacher about any questions you have about what your child works on during the day!

 

Counseling Corner

Ms. Baker and Mr. Maddox, School Social Workers

Mrs. Koulentes, School Counselor

Mrs. Leverentz, School Psychologist

We would like to share the following article from the Child Development Institute, titled “How To Teach Your Kids About Tolerance”

Continue reading at https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/how-to-be-a-parent/communication/talk-to-kids-tollerance/#gs.c2wzsv | Child Development Institute

In our societies today we simply cannot deny that we are surrounded by differences in ethnicity, religion, culture, gender, disabilities and other differences. 

Some people love to be surrounded by a multicultural society while others do not feel at ease. This mostly depends on our own exposure and attitudes towards our interaction with different people. 

Why encourage tolerance in our kids? To start with, we want our kids to feel relaxed and open to learning from different cultures. They bring new ideas, experiences and energy to our lives. Our kids can potentially learn bundles from other cultures. 

If willing, tolerance opens doors in business, education, travel, leisure, lifestyle, art plus other areas of life. 

To help our kids have a successful future, they need to be able to work with others. They need to not be afraid, to step outside their comfort zone and to understand, learn, respect and appreciate others. 

Tolerance is not about accepting bad behaviour, but accepting “people” for who they are and treating those how “you” wish to be treated. Remind your kids of this consistently. Being tolerant of differences doesn’t mean sacrificing your own heritage or beliefs. We can be proud and stand by those beliefs 100% while continuing to celebrate the differences of others.

The tolerance level that parents possess naturally teaches their kids the same message. Children closely watch and imitate us, even before they can speak. Kids will mirror the values and attitudes of those they love and look up to. Parents who model and display tolerance in their everyday actions and words teach their kids to appreciate differences in others too. So we teach by example and provide them with opportunities to play and work with others. 

Kids can’t “just” be told, they need to experience firsthand how people who are different and similar to themselves can contribute in numerous ways. 

Here are some tips for how to teach your kids tolerance: 

-Look at the way you treat and speak to others. Does this reflect tolerance?   Demonstrate a respect for others and reflect on your own attitude regularly. Kids listen and learn from you.

-At school, I have often overheard kids stereotyping and joking about the slang names given to different groups. When asked about those words they mostly tell me that is what they have heard used at home.  Even if you’re having a conversation with your partner, be mindful that your kids may be listening. Think carefully about the words you use. By all means talk about differing groups in a factual and informative manner, but avoid joking and any degrading name-calling.  Your kids may repeat what they have heard and sometimes in less private situations. Answer your kid’s questions honestly and respectfully. Everyone notices differences in people so it is perfectly okay to discuss them with your kids if done in a respectful way. 

-Choose programs, movies, stories and games that value differences. The media has a powerful ability to shape attitudes. If you do watch or see something that is prejudice, be sure to talk about it with your kids and the hurt it can cause to those groups. Expect your kids to treat others with respect. By modeling tolerance yourself, you should certainly not accept disrespectful behaviour both inside and outside your home. 

-Value the differences within your own family. Accept the qualities each member possesses regardless of differing styles, interests and abilities. Help your kids feel values for who they are too. Foster self-esteem in your family. We all know that people who don’t respect others rarely feel happy and secure within themselves. Kids who do feel good about themselves tend to be more courteous towards others. Involve your kids in situations where diversity is present.  This may be at sports, school, day care and camps. 

-Learn together about other cultures and traditions. Explore how different cultures celebrate occasions in their own special way and go about life. Talk about it and appreciate the experience. 

-Teach your own family traditions to your kids and encourage pride. 

-Value and talk about where you belong and be open to teach others what you have to offer. 

Think about the behaviors you wish to see in your child. Then model those behaviors, because kids will mostly follow in your footsteps. 



 

Bus Route Changes

The district sent out communication about bus route changes based on the recent Parent Transportation Survey. The email was sent on 9/30/21.


 

YOU HAVE ONE MORE WEEK!!!! 

Parents, staff and community members: You have one more week!

That's one more week to take the KCSD 96 Superintendent Search Survey and offer input on suggested priorities for the District and important characteristics for the next school leader. The Superintendent Search Survey closes next Friday, Oct. 8.

The Search consultants will use the results from this survey and the Focus Groups and Open Forums to create a New Superintendent Profile, to be shared with the Board of Education.

The Board plans to announce a successor to Supt. Julie Schmidt, who is retiring, at its Dec. 14 meeting.

 To access the survey, visit the KCSD 96 website and click on the Superintendent Search Survey or click here (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Kildeer96).



 

Spirit Wear

These items and more are now available to purchase online on MTK until October 10th. Items will be delivered to students during school once they are in.  Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

https://twingrovesmspto.membershiptoolkit.com


 

Donations needed for Conference

PTO is providing dinner for the staff during conferences from Lou Malnati’s. Please help make the dinner a success by signing up to donate drinks and desserts.  Please log on to MTK to sign up.  Items will need to be dropped off by October 7th at noon in the Twin Groves office.  We appreciate your help, if you have any questions, please email [email protected]

 

Special Lunch and Dessert Day Reminders

Sign up for October’s Special Lunch from Papa John’s must be purchased by the end of the day today, October 1st.  November’s Dessert Day from Menchie’s must be purchased by end of the day October 15th. All signups are available on MTK.  

https://twingrovesmspto.membershiptoolkit.com



 

Fully Charged iPads Please!

Please remind your children to remember to fully charge iPads at home each night. It is the student's responsibility to come to school with a fully charged iPad every day.



 

Fall Conferences

The Family/Educator conference dates are Thursday, October 7th from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 8th from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

We are using Meet the Teacher as an electronic sign up for conferences. A School Messenger email was sent to families on Monday, September 20th with a link to sign up for conferences. The conference sign up will close at 11:55 PM on Monday, October 4th. After that you must contact the building administrative assistant to schedule a conference or make a change.

Conferences will be held over Zoom unless parents request an in-person conference using the instructions below. Principals will share a document containing all the staff Zoom links with parents on Wednesday, October 6th at 2PM. 

REQUESTING AN IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

After selecting the teachers you want to conference with and choosing a time for the conference(s), Meet the Teacher will prompt you to save the appointment and ask if you want to add a message for the teacher. If you want to have an in-person conference with the teachers, you must notify the teachers via this messaging feature (see picture below).

6th Grade parents will sign up for one, 10 minute time slot with their child’s 2nd period teacher.

7th Grade parents will sign up for one, 10 minute time slot with their child’s 1st period teacher.

8th Grade parents will sign up for one, 10 minute time slot with their child’s 1st period teacher.

If parents would like, they will also be able to sign up for a conference with their child’s PE, Health, Exploratory, and Spanish teachers.

PLEASE NOTE...the electroic sign up will close on Monday the 4th. At that time, please call the office to schedule a conference.



 

NEW *Covid Metrics*

To stay up-to-date this school year on local metrics, please visit the COVID DASHBOARD for District 96. Our priority remains to keep our students safe and follow guidance from the CDC. If your student is identified as a "close contact", you will be notified individually through the contact tracing process. 



 

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.