5/23/25
As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. It has been a joy watching our students grow, learn, and thrive with your encouragement every step of the way.
We are proud of all that we’ve accomplished together this year, and we are especially grateful for the sense of community that makes our school so special.
Wishing you and your families a relaxing, joyful, and safe summer break! We look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, refreshed and ready for another great year.
Jessica Barnes and Kasie Dolan
Upcoming Dates:
5/23- Last Day for 8th Graders
5/26- No School
5/27- 8th Grade Graduation 8 PM
5/29- Last Day for 6th and 7th Graders
5/29- Half Day- Students dismissed at 11:10 AM
Congratulations!
Each month, Twin Groves will be recognizing students who are Upstanders at Twin Groves.
The Twin Groves Staff would like to recognize the following students who consistently demonstrate that they are Responsible, Respectful, and Safe, but most importantly, Upstanders. These students have been recognized by the staff for being leaders, role models, supportive peers, brave, and positive.
Katya Charova
Colin Leong
Varna Prakash
Olivia Rodriguez
What’s Happening at TG?
Music: We are officially at the end of the year for music! 6th grade is learning important compositional techniques and using notation software to write their own melodies. Within their melodies, they must create a motif and develop it using strategies of famous composers like Beethoven and John Williams. 7th graders are analyzing song structure to write their own lyrics and harmony to a song. They have been learning how to dissect a song and what songwriters use to tell stories in music. In 8th grade, we are learning about the 12-bar blues. These students are working in pairs to improvise and play the 12-bar blues on guitar. Feel free to encourage your students to keep exploring their musical abilities over the summer!
TASOL: TASOL is wrapping up the year with all grades working in the kitchens. Students are learning new cooking techniques and safety skills while working together in small groups. Each grade level is completing different recipes to strengthen their knowledge of cooking terms and utensil uses. Enjoy the summer and have the students put their new skills to use in the kitchens.
Band: The band has had an exciting May. We performed our spring concert on May 6th, and the students did a great job. They performed for both the 5th-grade parents and the Twin Groves parents. A long night, but the 5th-grade students were very impressed by the older students and couldn’t wait to join the Twin Groves groups. On Tuesday, May 20, the Honor Band went to the grade schools and also played well, performing two concerts for Prairie and Ivy Hall. The younger students and teachers from both schools were excited to hear the band. Hoping many 4th-grade students will join because of the band’s performance.
A major celebration with our 6th-grade students. This year, they have been working on learning scales. We scaffolded the scales so that in May, when they had to play each scale, they had the tools. Each student needs to play 10 different scales in order to get into the Honor Band. Many students passed the scales within the first day or two of working on them. Then we had the ones who passed into the honor band help others, so those students could pass the scales also. I was so proud of how the students were working with each other in order to pass the scales. We have just a small handful of students who have not passed them yet, but the majority have, and we are set for a great Honor Band next year. Those students who have not passed the scales yet will work on them in the first few weeks of the next year, so they can achieve this success and be in the Honor Band.
Finally, I wish all of our 8th-grade students the best as they transition into high school. They have been good leaders, blossomed into very good musicians, and are students ready for high school.
Orchestra: We are wrapping things up in Orchestra! Congratulations to all of the orchestra students on a fantastic performance at our Spring Concert!
Our 7th Grade Orchestra and select 6th Graders are currently rehearsing for our performance at the 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony on Tuesday, May 27th, 8 pm @ SHS. Please refer to the emails sent for more details.
For current 6th and 7th Grade Orchestra students interested in auditioning for Chamber Orchestra and/or ILMEA next year, that information will be sent via email prior to the end of the school year. Please make sure to print out the music at home. If a student cannot print at home, please have them come see me next week.
Also, just a reminder that if your child is in need of a new size instrument and/or needs any repairs to their instrument, please visit the vendor over the summer.
I am so proud of all of the students and their progress this year! Best of luck to our graduating 8th Graders, and I look forward to another great year in Orchestra!
NEW Summer Reading
As summer approaches, we encourage you to help your children dive into the joy of reading. Research consistently shows that children who read at least four books over the summer are better prepared for the upcoming school year and avoid the "summer slide"—a decline in reading skills that can occur during the break. Whether your child is an eager reader or a reluctant one, summer offers a unique opportunity to explore new worlds through books and foster a lifelong love of reading.
Our curated summer reading lists include a variety of genres from generational classics to new releases in dystopian, science fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction, ensuring there's something for every reader.
Please note:
-Incoming middle school students will have a brief assignment accompanying their summer reading. ELA teachers will further communicate this with students prior to leaving for summer break.
Explore the reading lists here: Incoming or Returning Middle School List
Happy Reading!
REFUND OF 8th GRADERS’ POSITIVE MEAL ACCOUNT BALANCES
Positive meal account balances of $5 or more for graduating 8th graders can be refunded at the conclusion of the school year.
To receive a refund, parents must fill out this Google Form to select whether they would like their refund via check or Zelle. That Google Form must be completed no later than June 6th. Refunds will be processed by the District Business Office starting June 18th.
Parents who wish to transfer remaining balances to siblings still enrolled in KCSD96 through LINQ Connect should do so by June 6th.
By voluntarily providing your Zelle payment information for the purpose of receiving an 8th grade refund, you acknowledge and agree that Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96 is not responsible for any errors in the information submitted or for any issues that may arise from the use of third-party payment platforms, including but not limited to delays, misdirected payments, or unauthorized access. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information provided. Submission of Zelle information is entirely optional.
Student Summer Tech
As we approach the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to touch base about student technology and expectations as we wrap up our time with students. Similar to this time last year, KCSD96 will collect all devices before break and return them when students come back in the fall. Please note, students will not be required to back-up any of their files as their data will still be in place when they get their iPads back in the fall.
Teachers will be collecting the following items:
For Grades K, 1, and 8:
-iPad
-Case
-Logitech Crayon
-Block Charger + USB-C cable
-Optional: USB-C audio adapters
For Grades 2-7
-iPad
-Case
-Logitech Crayon
-Optional: USB-C audio adapters
This process allows us to track inventory, so everything is ready for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to set clear expectations with students about responsible device use when they receive them in the fall. It also helps us protect our resources by reducing the chances of devices being lost, stolen, or damaged. Finally, by keeping devices at school, we support healthier summer habits focused on outdoor play, social-emotional growth, family time, and rest.
Please note, students who attend ESY will have access to their devices while they are here learning. Additionally, if a student uses their device as a communication tool, the district will not collect their device over the summer. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessica Barnes or Kasie Dolan.
End of the Year Report Cards
As we approach the end of the report period, we'd like to remind families that Trimester 3 report cards will be issued on May 29th. This marks a significant moment to reflect on student progress and achievements. We encourage parents to review these reports with their children and celebrate their efforts and growth.
To view, parents will need to log into School Insight/TeacherEase. Returning families should have School Insight/TeacherEase log-in information. For new families or anyone who does not have an account established, you will soon be receiving an email from the district. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school's front office. If you forgot your password, please ensure you are selecting "Forgot Password" on the School Insight/TeacherEase log-in page. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive learning environment!
Virtual Backpacks
District Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/about/virtual-backpack
Twin Groves Virtual Backpack: https://www.kcsd96.org/tg/virtual-backpack
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.