8/19/22
TGIF…Twin Groves it’s Friday!
New Faces to Twin Groves
Mrs. Raghavendran will be taking over for Mrs. Emalfarb when she is on maternity leave.
Thank You, TG PTO
The Twin Groves Staff was treated to a wonderful Coffee Bar on Wednesday. A huge thank you goes out to the PTO!
Colts Community
To kick off the school year, the entire Twin Groves Community rolled out our new Colts Community expectations. This year we are focusing on three areas for expected school behaviors: Responsible, Respectful, and Safe.
During Flex today, the students began reviewing the three overarching values and expectations (Responsible, Respectful, Safe) with their Flex Teacher,
Next week the teachers will be introducing and explaining each section in detail.
The students are coming home with a paper copy of the overarching values and expectations, as well as a QR Code that is linked to the D96 Student Handbook. Please see below for images of the paper copy.
We are asking all students and parents to review the expectations and return the signed portion to their Flex Teacher.
Thank you in advance for your support and partnership to make Twin Groves a Responsible, Respectful, and Safe Community.
Comprehensive Health Education Information - NEW
Please take a moment to review the links regarding comprehensive health education at the middle school level. The links include a letter from Superintendent Katie Sheridan regarding the middle school comprehensive health curriculum and access to the middle school health standards. The letter provides information about the direction the district is taking regarding health education for the 22-23 school year, what students will learn in health in each grade, information regarding opting out of instruction, and how to request a review of the resources used for instruction.
Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION- NEW
On August 25th, Twin Groves will be conducting the annual Law Enforcement Safety Drill EDUCATION. Students will be learning age appropriate safety procedures.
In compliance with the Safety Drill Act, parents have the right to exempt their child from the Law Enforcement Drill EDUCATION with their school peers.
If you do not wish your child to participate in the Law Enforcement Safety Drill Education with the other peers, please contact Jessica Barnes at [email protected]. The administration will arrange for an alternative review of safety procedures with your child.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in the drill.
Erin’s Law- NEW
An Illinois law known as Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness/prevention curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96 researched and observed best practices and programs for delivering this instruction, selecting Be Seen & Heard ©. For more information about this presentation please go to www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2
The focus of this developmentally appropriate and interactive program is to teach children skills to keep them safe from danger or abuse. Concepts discussed will include distinguishing safe from unsafe touches, safety rules at home and school, saying NO, safe/unsafe secrets, and telling a trusted adult, as well as reinforcing that an adult’s touching him or her is not the child’s fault.
Opt-Out Procedures
The presentation to Twin Groves students will be during the school day on September 8th, 2022. If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session, please submit your written request or your questions to [email protected]
NWEA MAP- NEW
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment on Monday, August 29th and Wednesday, August 31st. The MAP assessment is a normed referenced, computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Like in previous years, all students will be taking the MAP test in reading and math during the school day.
Dress Code
This is a friendly reminder of the District 96 Standards of Dress from the Parent/Student Handbook.
4.12-e Standards for Student Dress. Students who are appropriately and comfortably dressed are able to focus on schoolwork more effectively. The following guidelines will be enforced by building administrators. Cooperation by parents is appreciated.
1. Dress or appearance that provokes or distracts other students or otherwise causes a disruption to the educational process is prohibited.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times.
3. Clothing, jewelry, or accessories may not have writing or pictures that advertise or advocate alcohol, drugs, tobacco, obscenity, violence, or gang activity.
4. Pants must be worn at the waistline.
5. Hats are allowed on designated hat days only.
6. Half shirts, cropped tops, spaghetti straps, and underwear or sleepwear worn as outerwear are not acceptable.
7. Undergarments should not be visible.
8. With the exception of appropriate jewelry, no chains should be worn.
Please note…any student violating the dress code will be asked to change into other clothes or cover up.
Cell Phones
Cell phones should be securely locked in the students’ lockers from 7:43 AM-2:30 PM.
We are asking that all students have their cell phones silenced and locked in their lockers from 7:43 AM to 2:30 PM.
If a staff member sees a cell phone out, we will ask the student to lock it in their locker. If they do not comply, the phone will be taken and sent to the office until the end of the day. Students can collect their cell phones from the office at 2:30 PM.
Please see language from the D96 Board Policy Manual:
Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment, or violates the privacy right of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the Building Principal, all electronic devices must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is used during the student’s lunch period, or (d) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.
PTO
Access the PTO Blog.
Arrival Procedures for Walkers or Parent Drop Off
Parent drop off will start at 7:30AM. Cars will enter and exit the circle drive.
Once students exit the cars, the students will enter Door 6.
Door 6 is the athletic entrance at the south end of the building.
Students will enter the building and wait in the Cafeteria or Large Gym until 7:30 AM.
Please see the map below.
There will be NO drop off or pick up in the main parking lot where the buses are located.
Dismissal Procedures for Walkers or Parent Pick Up
Students will exit the front entrance of the building at 2:30 PM.
Arrival Procedures for Bus Riders
Students who ride the bus to school will be dropped off at South Entrance (doors by the athletic entrance near gyms). Students will exit the bus and wait in the Large Gym until 7:30 AM.
Dismissal Procedures for Bus Riders
Students who ride the bus will exit the building through the South Entrance (doors by the athletic entrance near gyms). Buses leave Twin Groves around 2:37PM.
Activity Bus Dismissal Procedure
Starting on Monday, August 23rd, the Twin Groves Activity Bus routes will begin.
Students board the buses starting at 3:15 PM. The buses typically leave at 3:22 PM.
Activity buses are available for the students who qualify for busing during the school year. If students are NOT a bus rider to and from school, the students are unable to take the activity bus.
Sports Physicals- Please Read
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade student interested in Cross Country, Girls Basketball, or Soccer must have a current Sports Physical to participate. There will be no exceptions. Now is a great time for families to check and get everything in order.
If you have any questions about your child’s current Sports Physical, please contact Cindy Borzych at [email protected].
Cross Country- Please Read
Cross Country starts on August 22nd! Cross Country is open to all students!
Since Cross Country starts so soon after school starts, I am adding a link to sign up for Cross Country.
FORM
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Dan Nagle at [email protected].
Any 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade student interested in Cross Country must have a current Sports Physical to participate. There will be no exceptions.
If you have any questions about your child’s current Sports Physical, please contact Cindy Borzych at [email protected].
Picture Day- Save the Date
Picture Day will be Wednesday, August 31st. Students will have their pictures taken during their PE period.
Curriculum Night- Save the Dates
6th Grade Curriculum Night: Monday, August 29th.
7th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night: Wednesday, August 31st.
ILC Curriculum Night, and SLC Curriculum Night: Monday, August 29th.
More information to come.
Twin Groves Athletics
Access the Twin Groves Athletics site.
This site will be updated frequently.
Daily Announcements
The Daily Announcements will be posted daily starting on August 18th. 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. Access the Daily Announcements starting on August 19th.