2/10/23
Upcoming Dates:
There is a half day of school on Friday, February 17th. Students will be dismissed at 11:10 AM.
There is no school on Monday, February 20th.
There is no school on Friday, March 3rd.
There is no school on Monday, March 6th.
There is an early release on Tuesday, March 14th. Students will be dismissed at 1:30 PM.
There is an early release on Thursday, March 23rd. Students will be dismissed at 1:30 PM.
There is no school on Friday, March 24th.
Spring Break- There is no school from Monday, March 27th to Friday, March 31st.
There is no school on Tuesday, April 4th.
There is no school on Friday, April 7th.
There is a half day of school on Friday, April 21st. Students will be dismissed at 11:10 AM.
There is an early release on Tuesday, April 25th. Students will be dismissed at 1:30 PM.
A Message from Officer Essig, Buffalo Grove Police Department
Twin Groves’ Parents,
My name is Officer Michael Essig from the Buffalo Grove Police Department. For those that don't know, I am the school resource officer for School District 96. Some of you have noticed my presence during the morning drop-off. The purpose of this note is to ask for your help in maintaining a safe and orderly drop-off for our students. On multiple occasions, drivers have disobeyed our directions and the safety of police officers and others has been compromised.
Please read the following Illinois traffic law for disobeying our directions:
Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-203
Disobeying police officer, fireman, or uniformed adult school crossing guard
No person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer, fireman, person authorized by a local authority to direct traffic, or school crossing guard invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department will issue citations for this offense. A citation for this offense requires a mandatory court appearance.
Our recommendations for quick drop-offs are as follows:
-Allow yourself plenty of time in the morning to bring your student to school and have patience with other vehicles.
-Make sure your student is prepared to exit the vehicle quickly and safely.
-Be prepared to continue out of the parking lot so the drop-off can be quick and others can access the space after you.
Please help everyone access our school as safely as possible and not risk harming others with vehicles. I ask for more patience and safety on the roadways and in our school parking lots and driveways.
Thank you.
Michael Essig #213
Buffalo Grove Police Department
What’s Happening at TG?
6th Grade
Pre-Algebra Survey: Pre-Algebra Survey will continue their unit on expressions this month. We will be working extensively with the properties of mathematics to combine like terms and simplify expressions. It is exciting to see the students at every level apply themselves to learning difficult targets. Last month we asked you to encourage modeling with mathematics at home. We have seen such impressive modeling in all three levels! This month, we’d like to focus on constructing arguments and being able to understand others. It is always very important in math to be able to explain why something makes sense, why a strategy is valid, how an answer was obtained, or why one choice is better than another. It is equally important to be able to understand others’ viewpoints in order to critique or expand upon them. The ability to have this type of mathematical discussion is a great indicator of true understanding. Feel free to ask your children how they solved a problem or why their answer makes sense. We ask the students these questions all of the time and it’s very impressive to hear their answers!
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: Pre-Algebra will continue learning about Algebraic equations, as we move on to equations with two variables. It is exciting to see the students at every level apply themselves to learning difficult targets. Last month we asked you to encourage modeling with mathematics at home. We have seen such impressive modeling in all three levels! This month, we’d like to focus on constructing arguments and being able to understand others. It is always very important in math to be able to explain why something makes sense, why a strategy is valid, how an answer was obtained, or why one choice is better than another. It is equally important to be able to understand others’ viewpoints in order to critique or expand upon them. The ability to have this type of mathematical discussion is a great indicator of true understanding. Feel free to ask your children how they solved a problem or why their answer makes sense. We ask the students these questions all of the time and it’s very impressive to hear their answers!
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: LA classes have been very busy the past few weeks! Students have all obtained their Book Club books and had the first Book Club meeting last week. Everyone did a great job! Students are having fun talking in their small groups, discussing engaging, thought-provoking questions that they came up with themselves.
Science: 6th-grade scientists are deep into their learning of Plate Tectonics! We have learned about plate boundaries as well as where earthquakes and volcanoes are found. We will continue our study with the rock cycle and how plates have moved from the past to where they are today! Science is surely rock’n Trimester 2!
SS: In social studies this month, we will be wrapping up our government and leadership unit by studying local leaders. This will include investigating how both formal and informal leaders can shape a community, school, or business. We will then be shifting into our unit on culture, where we will get the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of activities that help to make a place unique, such as art, music, and games.
7th Grade
Pre-Algebra: Pre-Algebra will continue learning about Algebraic equations, as we move on to equations with two variables. The students are really showing growth in their math abilities.
Bridge to Algebra 1: Students are finishing up a portion of our unit on Congruence and Similarity by taking a final Benchmark Assessment on describing and performing four types of Transformations: Translations, Reflections, Rotations, and Dilations. The second part of this unit focuses on all sorts of angle measure relationships regarding triangles and parallel lines cut by a transversal. This unit, focusing on Geometry, has been a fun change!
Algebra 1: Students just completed their unit on Graphing and Writing Exponential Functions. We are now beginning our long stretch of time where we focus on everything Quadratic. We begin our Quadratic Function stretch by introducing students to polynomials teaching them how to add, subtract, multiply, and factor them. Mastering the factoring portion of this unit will be extremely important to students in ensuring their success in mastering the remaining units on Quadratics and even for portions of Geometry next year!
Language Arts: Both Language Arts classes are working hard to analyze their novels. Your child should either be bringing home The Book Thief or The Outsiders just about every night to read. We have spent some time developing a background knowledge about the historical time period for each novel and are now working on analyzing themes. We will use all of the techniques we learned at the beginning of the year (mood, tone, perspective, figurative language, and more) to develop a deep understanding of the events and themes of each novel.
Science: We are wrapping up our studies on the cycling of matter and energy through photosynthesis. The students have been rounding out their lab skills with the use of microscopes and hydroponics. We will end the trimester with another exciting engineering project! Looking forward, students will be studying the interactions of organisms within ecosystems.
SS: We continue to explore and investigate civics and government. A critical aspect of civics is taking informed action. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights is established after the failed Articles of Confederation are a focus of attention. Three branches of government check and balance each other. Is there one branch that is more vital than the others? We dig into government at the national, state, and local levels. The growth and development of political factions and parties begin around this time… all starting with the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists clashing during the Great Ratification Debates. Have political disagreements changed all that much since 1787? We analyze government systems and structures in the United States and other nations around the world. It’s important to note that we continue to practice and implement essential Literacy Skills including highlighting and annotating to help comprehend our historical information and learning.
8th Grade
Algebra 1: In Algebra 1, we just began our Polynomials and Factoring unit! Students are learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and factor polynomial expressions. All of these skills will be used in the majority of future math classes so we make sure we work on developing accuracy skills when completing these types of problems. Coming up later this month, students will learn how to solve and graph quadratic equations. This unit is a very important unit of study for Algebra 1. Please continue to encourage your child to get help and ask questions if needed and utilize IXL/ Khan Academy!
Geometry: We recently started our unit on Right Triangles. We have been discovering the relationships between the side lengths and angle measures of right triangles. The Pythagorean theorem will lead us to efficiently use Pythagorean triples when solving for unknown sides of right triangles. We will then work through special right triangles and the relationships of 30-60-90 triangles and 45-45-90 triangles. Finally, we will be working on discovering right triangle trigonometry to solve for missing angles and sides of triangles.
Language Arts: In ADV Language Arts students are in the midst of reading the classic novel, Great Expectations. They are doing a wonderful job analyzing this challenging text. Meanwhile, AT Level Language Arts just finished reading Flowers for Algernon. Students explored the many themes and unique authorial techniques throughout this short story. Coming up in February and March we will be picking up some more short stories and articles. Our focus with the fiction texts will be studying the author's craft in order to learn what makes each story unique and classic. Our focus with the Informational Texts will be on comparing the text structures authors use to craft their arguments in an effort to ultimately determine the effectiveness of the article. Our writing focus will be on writing fictional narratives as well as analytic essays.
Science: We are currently deep within our 4th unit, Earth in Space, which is asking the big question “How are we connected to the patterns we see in the sky?”
In this unit, students have been observing the repeating biannual pattern of the Sun setting perfectly aligned between buildings in Chicago along particular streets and then working on evidence to explain additional patterns in the sky that they and others have observed. Students have been drawing on their own experiences and the stories of family or community members to brainstorm a list of patterns in the sky. We have discussed and listened to a series of podcasts highlighting indigenous astronomies from around the world that emphasize how patterns in the sky set the rhythms for their lives, their communities, and all life on Earth, and these are added to their growing list of related phenomena (other patterns in the sky people have observed).
Students have developed models for the Earth-Sun and Earth-Sun-Moon systems that explain some of the patterns in the sky that they have identified, including seasons, eclipses, and lunar phases. We also have investigated a series of related phenomena motivated by their questions and ideas for investigations. In the next few weeks, we will be diving into solar and lunar eclipses!
SS: In Social Studies, we have begun our Cold War unit, helping students understand the multi-faceted competition that took place between the United States and the U.S.S.R., beginning after World War II and lasting until the early 90s. This competition included efforts by both nations to spread capitalism or communism across the world, as well as the Arms and Spaces races that highlighted the technological advancements that were made by both nations.
Students have learned why this era was known as the “Cold War,” but also see moments in history where tensions heated up to the actual conflict. We have covered the Korean War from a historical aspect, while also helping students connect to present-day conditions between North and South Korea. We have just begun learning about the Vietnam war, focusing both on the brutal fighting/tactics that took place and the civil unrest that took hold of America during this time.
SHS Math Circle
We are excited to announce that Stevenson is hosting our annual Math Circle on April 8 and 15 from 9 AM to 12 PM! The Math Circle is a great opportunity for students to explore math ideas, solve problems, and compete with their friends in a fun environment. In the past, guest speakers for the Math Circle have included Professor Po-Shen Loh and 3blue1brown, as well as Stevenson alumni with careers in mathematics. Registration costs $35, which covers a custom t-shirt and practice materials for the first 80 students that sign up using the link below. Historically, this number has been filled VERY fast, so we urge students and parents to sign up as soon as possible to ensure a spot at the Math Circle. The deadline to sign up is March 17. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Kim at [email protected].
Link: https://shsmathteam.com/stevenson-consortium-math-circle/
5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians
Beginning January 24 through April 2nd, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. 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.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
D96 Dual Language Program
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum that provides an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages. In the Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartners in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2023. This process should be completed by April 15, 2023, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 Website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language) and our Dual Language Lottery (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language-lottery).
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on MARCH 8 for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
PTO
Please click HERE to access the PTO Blog.
Twin Groves Athletics
Please click HERE to access the Twin Groves Athletics site.
This site will be updated frequently.
Daily Announcements
Please see the 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.