Monday, February 18, No School for President's Day
Friday, February 22, Half-Day Release (No School AM Blended EC program)
Full-day kindergarten students, half-day kindergarten students, and students in the structured program dismiss at 11:45 AM. Lunch is NOT served on our half-days. All students may pack their typical daily snack to have during their shortened school day.
Blended EC PM Only 8:45-11:15 AM (No School for AM Students). Students who are bussed - bus times will be shared with parents.
Parent Communication about Spring Conferences - For Family & Child!
Spring Conferences are coming on Thursday, March 7th from 5pm-8:30pm and Friday, March 8th from 10am-1: 30pm.
Spring Conferences are Collaborative Conferences!
Collaborative conferences means that your child will be leading the conference. The purpose of collaborative conferences is for educators, students and families to discuss, reflect and celebrate student work, and for families to experience school through their child's eyes. Students have been working hard to prepare for the conference, and we are excited for you to learn about your child’s progress directly from your child!
Teachers will be available in the room as guides and will be available to answer student questions or elaborate on a point a student is making, but we ask that all participants respect that this is the student’s opportunity to lead the conference by sharing progress and reflections about their own learning.
Please read below to learn specific information about how collaborative conferences will be structured for each grade-level.
Grades EC-2
Families will sign-up for a 15-minute collaborative conference. Grades EC-2 collaborative conferences will be structured with one student in the classroom at a time with the classroom teacher as the guide and the student as the leader of the conference.
Grades 3-5
Families will sign-up for a 30-minute conference. Grades 3-5 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 3 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. Classroom teachers and other building staff will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference. Specials teachers will be in classrooms as guides in addition to the classroom teacher. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.
Grades 6-8
Families will sign-up for a 20-minute conference. Grades 6-8 collaborative conferences will be structured with up to 6 students in the classroom at a time. Student/Family partnerships will sit in a private space to engage in the conference. The grade-level team of teachers will be in the classroom to guide the process, but students will lead the conference. Exploratory teachers, PE, Health, Spanish and Band and Orchestra teachers will host an exposition of their courses. More information coming soon. Students should plan to bring their iPad to the conference.
What is the Role of Families during Collaborative Conferences?
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Provide reinforcement, encouragement and praise
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Listen and ask questions
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Help students look realistically at quality of work
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Facilitate student’s self-reflection and goal setting
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Be a partner in learning
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See school through their student’s eyes
Questions Families Can Ask During the Collaborative Conference
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What is your favorite piece of work? Why?
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Describe your favorite activities or subjects.
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What experiences at school do you find the most exciting?
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Are there experiences that frustrate you, if so why?
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What goals have you set for yourself for this spring?
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How can I help you at home?
Thank you, PTO!
Our students had a wonderful time celebrating our Valentines Day event this week! Thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for organizing this celebration! The kids had a blast at the DJ party! The parties are always a smooth running fun factory! Thank you so much, parents! Most of all, we love having you in the building, enjoying these special moments.
PTO News
Don't forget to collect box tops for next week's collection. Check out the blog and FB for details on our mom's night out, pizza bingo and yearbook! A big thank you to the parents who helped with the Valentine's Day party and dessert day!
Warm regards,
Jenny Smith, Principal
Follow me on Twitter @JennySwanSmith
The following is repeat information from last week's blog, but still current. You can skip this if you already reviewed last week's message
For Parents: Sexual Assault and Abuse Awareness/Prevention Curriculum Preview Opportunity
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 Victor Pacini to present Be Seen & Heard ©.
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.
Parents who would like to preview the information he will present to KCSD96 elementary students may attend a program with Mr. Pacini at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 7, in the Mat Room at Ivy Hall School, 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove.
The age-appropriate presentation to Willow Grove Kindergarten students will be during the school day on Wed., Feb. 20.
Early Childhood Note: Students in the early childhood Willow Grove programs (Blended and Structured) do not attend the Victor Pacini presentation. Our school social worker pushes into those settings to provide an age-appropriate presentation for our youngest children. If you would like further information about the content, please contact Linda Tandet at [email protected].
If you prefer that your child does not attend this prevention education session (Early Childhood or Kindergarten), please submit your written request - or your questions - to me at [email protected]