KSD140 Connection
A Message from Superintendent Dr. Shawn Olson ~ 10/15/2021
In reflecting upon the start of the school year, I’d like to recognize and thank our incredible students, families, and staff for the work that is being done throughout the District. It is through this consolidated effort that we will continue to grow and do great things for our students. I could not be more excited about the direction the District is going. I am honored to serve alongside so many talented and committed individuals. Thank you for all you do!
Please see the information below regarding Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Technology, EL programming, COVID-19 health & safety updates, Unity Day, and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Respectfully,
Dr. Shawn M. Olson
Superintendent
Curriculum & Instruction
Dear D140 Parents/Guardians,
I’d like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about our plans for the 2021-22 school year. My name is Dr. Daniel Callaghan, and I am the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Kirby School District 140.
I’ve had the privilege of serving District 140 students and families for the past 18 years as an administrator and teacher. Most recently, I was the Principal of Bannes Elementary School. As a KSD 140 graduate myself, I am excited to be able to give back to a community that gave me so much.
Our primary focus this year is developing districtwide language arts and mathematics units of study designed to build upon each other as students progress through each grade level. We are basically constructing a road map of the how and the when of what we teach. Lessons, skills, and assessments are linked in a holistic approach which helps us prioritize, focus, and reinforce learning at every grade level.
Part of this process also includes aligning our report cards to the standards being taught at each grade level during each quarter of the school year. As a result, you may see N/A entered in a few sections of your student’s report card. This doesn’t mean we are no longer teaching those skills. It simply means we may be assessing those skills at a different point in time. As we work to finalize new units of study this year, we will continually refine and realign our report cards. We hope to finalize changes to the report cards during the 2022-23 school year.
D140 is also implementing a new K-5 Math program this year. After a review of their online and textbook content and resources, teachers on our Elementary Math Committee selected enVision 2020, published by Savvas, as our new core Math program. Not only is enVision aligned with Illinois State Standards and curriculum, but it also provides a districtwide K-8 alignment in Math.
I am really excited about where our district is heading and am committed to working in partnership with our students, families, and staff.
Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel Callaghan
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Technology Initiatives
TaC Launches Back-to-School Lessons in D140 Schools
Over the past month, members of D140’s Technology & Curriculum (TaC) Team helped students and teachers launch into the new school year with lessons in device care, Logitech Crayons, password/login protocols, and Apple Classroom.
All students in grades K-7 received a Logitech Crayon. Eigth grade crayons have been ordered and will be distributed as soon as they arrive. These digital stylists have many different uses, from practicing letters/words, annotating text, to drawing and demonstrating math problems.
Apple Coaching in the Classroom
Apple Specialists continue to work with D140 students and staff to expand the ways they think, create, and learn! Apple Coaching will spread throughout all seven buildings from September 2021 through May 2022.
EL Update
The English Learner (EL) department has grown this year in staff and students! EL teachers are collaborating and co-teaching lessons in classrooms throughout the district. Check out the photos below highlighting a recent second grade English Language Arts (ELA) lesson!
Engaging in Discussion
Ms. Abbasi activates prior knowledge with the class.
Reading about Dr. Ellen Ochoa
Ms. Kelly gives an example from the text to help answer the students' questions.
Wrapping it up!
Ms. Abbasi wraps up the lesson with a class discussion
COVID-19 Health & Safety Updates
Updated COVID-19 Protocols
The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released updated COVID-19 protocols for schools. The most significant changes include:
If a child goes home symptomatic of COVID-19 and will be tested within 24 hours, the asymptomatic unvaccinated siblings CAN stay in school. If the child is not tested within 24 hours, unvaccinated siblings must be excluded from school. If the ill child tests positive for COVID-19, then any unvaccinated siblings should be removed from the school immediately.
To return to school sooner than 10 days since symptoms first appeared, a student must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This is a significant change as we cannot accept a doctor's note with an alternative diagnosis that is not accompanied by a negative COVID-19 PCR test.
For more information, please review the COVID-19 Reporting and Updates section of our website.
Test-to-Stay Program
Kirby School District 140 is now offering a Test-to-Stay program for students who are determined to be close contacts of an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 while at school. Parents/guardians of students who are exposed to COVID-19 will be contacted by the school nurse to determine if they would like to consent to the test-to-stay program and testing through LTE Preventative Health Systems. If the parents/guardians are interested in having their child participate in D140’s Test-to-Stay program, they will receive a consent form and their student will be tested at school on days 1, 3, 5, and 7.
Celebrate Unity Day by Wearing Orange on October 20th!
When we stand together, no one stands alone! Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 20th, to show they care about safe and supportive schools and communities. This is the day when everyone can come together and send one large ORANGE message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Districtwide efforts to support Unity Day throughout the month of October include counselor-led classroom discussions, read alouds, student pledges, and school activities highlighting respect, kindness, and inclusion.
Parent/Teacher Conferences - November 22 and 23
Parent/Teacher Conferences are Monday, November 22 from 1 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. These meetings are a great way for you to ask questions and review your student's academic, social, and behavioral progress in school. Please visit ksd140.org to sign up for your conference today!
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, October 20 - Unity Day - Wear Orange!
- Thursday, October 21 - Board of Education Meeting
- Friday, October 29 - Half-Day - Early Dismissal
- Friday, November 12 - Report Cards Issued via Infinite Campus
- Thursday, November 18 - Board of Education Meeting
- Monday, November 22 - Tuesday, November 23 - P/T Conferences - Sign up at ksd140.org
- Monday, November 22 - Friday, November 26 - Fall Break
Kirby School District 140
Email: webmaster@ksd140.org
Website: ksd140.org
Location: 16931 Grissom Drive, Tinley Park, IL
Phone: (708) 532-6462
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksd140
Twitter: @KirbySD140