A Look Back...
5th Grade Transition To Middle School Information ~ Parents of current 5th graders, if you missed the orientation program presented this week on Tues., Mar. 12, here are MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS. School supply kits for students who will attend Woodlawn next year must be purchased through Woodlawn by Mar. 22 (the original deadline of Mar. 15 has been extended by 1 week, so order promptly). MORE INFO
5th Grade Transition To Middle School Information ~ Parents of current 5th graders, if you missed the orientation program presented this week on Tues., Mar. 12, here are MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS. School supply kits for students who will attend Woodlawn next year must be purchased through Woodlawn by Mar. 22 (the original deadline of Mar. 15 has been extended by 1 week, so order promptly). MORE INFO
A Look Ahead...
Author Visit & Bernie's Book Drive! ~ Last chance to pre-order books from our visiting author, Aaron Reynolds. ALL ORDERS ARE DUE MONDAY, MARCH 18TH! He will be presenting at our school on April 22 and will autograph these books for the kids. Remember that he will also be doing a family presentation in the evening, so mark your calendars now. This is the same evening as Fine Arts Night and evening hours for the book fair. Pizza will also be served, so plan on spending the evening at Kildeer School on April 22. Helpful links:
Learning Center Website for more information about our author
Form to pre-order books for our Aaron Reynolds visit
Learning Center Website for more information about our author
Form to pre-order books for our Aaron Reynolds visit
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW! Time for spring cleaning of your bookshelves. Bring in your gently used books between April 15-April 26th. Then treat your kids to some new books at the bookfair the week of April 22nd. Our school goal is to collect at least 4,000 books for local children in need of books. We are also having a contest to see which classroom can collect the most books. Click here to check out the wonderful organization, Bernie's Book Bank, that we partner with for this cause. Their mission is to put quality children’s books into “at-risk” homes, ensuring that children have access to books from birth, and arrive to school “reading ready."
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members. We at Kildeer take it very seriously. The process for class list creation is as follows:
- First, teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision making process.
- Next, teachers meet together as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships and other areas. This is no easy task and often takes several meetings. Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child. Specialists and the specials team collaborate with the teams as needed during this process as well, and I attend each of these meetings.
- Each grade level team types a draft set of class lists that are then submitted to me. One at a time, I will consider each student and his/her placement. At this time, parent input is also considered. Any changes in the draft lists are reviewed by the classroom teachers to ensure balance.
- Final class lists are then created in August with summer changes for move ins/outs reflected.
We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act which takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children. Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child. Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons. The process benefits all students. Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we are very reluctant to make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of a class, impacting all students.
I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 2013. While we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored. Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Jenny Smith) either via hard copy letter or email (jsmith@kcsd96.org).
*I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. Verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working.
2013-2014 District 96 School Year Calendar Approved ~ Please visit this link to view the school calendar for next year.
Attention Parents of Fifth-Graders ~ The D96 Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network is partnering with Woodlawn and Twin Groves Middle School principals and staff to present a brand-new transition program for parents whose current fifth-grade students will be attending middle school in August 2013.
Forms & Information
Parents,
Did you know the important role school volunteers play in making schools better and helping students succeed? The PTO provides opportunities to children and families that help to establish a community. They also provide additional resources that impact student learning in the classroom. Thank you to all of our volunteers who make such a difference!
Sincerely,
Jenny Smith
Principal
Click here for access to archived forms, student opportunities, and information.
Form to pre-order books for our Aaron Reynolds visit-Due MONDAY!
Calendar Highlights for Next Week
Form to pre-order books for our Aaron Reynolds visit-Due MONDAY!
Calendar Highlights for Next Week
This is a brief look at what's ahead. Please be sure to follow D96 ENews and our Kildeer PTO Newsletter.
- Tuesday, March 19 ~ EARLY RELEASE DAY @ 2:00
- Wednesday, March 20 ~ Cultural Arts Program @ 12:45 - 2:45
- Thursday, March 21 ~ Grade 5 Girls Night Out @ 7:00 - 8:30
- Thursday, March 21 ~ Dessert Day
- Monday, March 25 ~ March 29 ~ SPRING BREAK
- Monday, April 1~ School Resumes
PTO Highlight of the Week
It’s our 5th Grade Girls Night Out on March 21st!
Did you know the important role school volunteers play in making schools better and helping students succeed? The PTO provides opportunities to children and families that help to establish a community. They also provide additional resources that impact student learning in the classroom. Thank you to all of our volunteers who make such a difference!
Sincerely,
Jenny Smith
Principal
We would love for you to become involved in your Kildeer PTO! We are looking for volunteers to chair our 2013/2014 committees. Check out the PTO newsletter for details!
Thanks to our PTO for all of your support!
