Administrative Blast

Dear Coonley Parents/Guardians,

Thank you to everyone who made it out to Tuesday's LSC meeting, where I presented about our 2024-2026 CIWP. The Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP) is a three-year strategic plan, which outlines the strategies and milestones we will take to accomplish the established goals. If you were not able to attend, you can view the presentation here. We have 2 priorities: Inclusive & Supportive Learning and Connectedness and Wellbeing. I look forward to engaging in this learning as a school community. More information will be shared throughout the school year.

During each student's school day, they have Cougar Connection time with their homeroom. This time is devoted to social-emotional learning, executive function, and building supportive classroom communities. This month, we begin lessons from 7 Mindsets and Rush Executive Functioning. September's mindset is Everything is Possible. I encourage you to read the Everything is Possible parent newsletter to learn more. This fall, we will be hosting a parent workshop on the Rush Executive Function curriculum we are implementing across all grade levels. More information coming soon!

This Wednesday is Picture Day. You should have received a one-page picture day flyer last week. I look forward to seeing everyone's smiles!

Warmly,

Ms. Humphrey

• Sept. 11th: School Tour for Prospective Families (Sign Up Here)
  
• Sept. 13th: Picture Day
• Sept. 13th: GoCPS Application Window Opens

• Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 is Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

• Sept. 18th: BAC Organizational Meeting (8:45 am)

• Sept. 22nd: Professional Development Day, No Classes for Students
• Oct. 11th: High School Admission Test (8th graders)
• Oct. 11th: School Picture Retakes
• Oct. 13th: Pride Stride
  
• Oct. 15th: Medical Compliance Deadline
  

**Click the calendar icon to see the Coonley Google Parent Calendar

• Coonley School Website
• Counselor's Corner
• Coonley Communication Chart
• Meal Viewer (Breakfast & Lunch Menus)

• School Visit Preregistration Form

• COVID Self-Report

Come and learn about the function of the Bilingual Advisory Committee, the Bilingual Program and the Roles and Responsibilities of BAC Officers! Guest speaker Maria Cuellar, Community Relations Representative, will also join us! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and meet other members!

We are excited to host an in person author visit for our 5th and 6th graders on Tuesday, September 26th. Below you will find more information about the author, Michael Witwer, and his new book, VIVIAN VAN TASSEL. You can also pre-order a copy of his book, using this link, for your student. Any books purchased will be distributed the day of the visit.

About the book: Twelve-year-old Vivian Van Tassel is angry: about her mom’s mysterious and sudden death; at her dad for uprooting their lives in Chicago to move to the sleepy, creepy town of Midnight Lake; at the bullies who seem to be drawn to her, but mostly angry at herself for causing bad things to happen wherever she goes. When a class assignment prompts Vivian to research the history of Midnight Lake, she quickly discovers her new home is even more peculiar than it seems. Not only was the infamous Beasts & Battlements (B&B) roleplaying game invented in Midnight Lake, but there are some coincidences about the town’s history that tie back to the game in a puzzling and disturbing way. When the biggest oddballs at school attempt to befriend Vivian and introduce her to their game of B&B, she’s torn between wanting to keep everyone at arm’s length and giving these strange kids and their even stranger fantasy game a chance. Maybe that’s what it will take to get to the bottom of the mystery of Midnight Lake and why Vivian was really brought there in the first place.

About the author: Michael Witwer is a New York Times bestselling author known for his work on the Hugo Award–nominated Dungeons & Dragons: Art & Arcana, the critically acclaimed Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons, and the bestselling Heroes’ Feast: The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook. His most recent works include Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary, and when he’s not writing books about games, he loves playing them. Michael lives in Chicago, Illinois, with his wife, two daughters, and two sons. Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake is his debut middle grade fiction novel.

Curriculum Nights continue this week. Please review the schedule above. Homeroom teachers will share Google Meets.

If you missed the enrichment team's curriculum night, you can review the presentation and recording. All other presentations and recordings will be shared by homeroom teachers.

Confirmations will be sent via email on Tuesday, September 13th. If you have any questions about after-school programs, please contact Maribel Quiros (mramos3@cps.edu).

This Fall, we are offering girls volleyball, boys soccer, and cross country. Ms. Lopez (tlopez30@cps.edu) is our CPS Score Liaison. All questions regarding sports should be directed to her.

Coaches

Volleyball coach: Mr. David

Boys soccer coach: Mr. Erik

Cross country coach: Mr. Hedden (parent)

To register, please complete both forms:

Coonley Sports Registration Form

CPS SCORE! Registration Form

7th/8th Girls Volleyball

Wednesdays & Thursdays 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Practices starting Wednesday 09/06

Location: School Gym

7th/8th Boys Soccer

Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Practices starting Wednesday 09/06

Location: Green Turf

5th-8th Boys & Girls Crosscountry

Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Practices starting Wednesday 09/06

Location: 214

5th/6th Volleyball (will be starting later in the year)

Wednesdays & Thursdays 3:30 to 5:30pm

Practices starting Wednesday 10/11

Location: School Gym

5th/6th Boys Soccer (will be starting later in the year)

Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Practices starting Wednesday 10/11

Location: Green Turf

7th/8th Boys Soccer & Girls Volleyball games are from 09/16- 10/21 (Saturdays)
5th/6th Boys Soccer & Girls Volleyball games are from 10/21- 11/11 (Saturdays)

Arrival

• Parents are welcome on the Turf Field in the morning. During arrival, our teachers number one goal is to greet student, account for all students, and enter the building safely. If you have something to tell the teacher (early dismissal, playdate, question etc.), please email them. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
  

• Students will line up at homeroom cones and enter through designated door at 8:30 (1st-8th) or 8:25 (K).

• In the event of inclement weather, students will be able to enter the building at 8:15 AM.

Dismissal

• Coonley Staff Parking Lot: Students should not play in the staff parking lot between 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Please remind students to be cautious if playing on Belle Plaine near the parking lot exit.
  

• There is no supervision by Coonley Staff on the turf, playground, and rock garden after 3:45 PM. If students wish to utilize these areas after school, we strongly recommend parents supervise their student(s) at all times.

• CPS is not liable for anything that happens when the playground/turf/rock garden is used during non-school hours. If students are observed violating our Cougar Code expectations (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, & Be Safe) on the turf outside of school hours, they may be asked to leave for the day.

Kiss & Go

For the safety of our students and lane efficiency, please review the following Kiss & Go procedures.

• The Kiss-N-Go lane is for families with kids who can get out of the car unassisted. Have backpacks ready to exit the vehicle versus storing them in your trunk
• Have your children exit the car on the sidewalk side.
• Do not park or get out of your car on the east side of Bell.
• Please do not block crosswalks at any time.
• Please do not block driveways or alleys.
• There is no parking on Belle Plaine or Leavitt around the school. Please do not double-park on Bell, Belle Plaine, and Leavitt.

Only with our entire community's cooperation can we make sure everyone is safe.

Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle with them to school. Please label your child's water bottle with their first and last name. Water is the only beverage students may bring into the classroom.

As shared previously, we are very excited for the Class of 2024 trip to Washington DC this spring (May 15-17). There will be an informational meeting with a representative from Hemisphere Travel this Thursday, September 14th at 6:45 (following curriculum night).

Attached is the parent packet for the trip. You'll find a sample itinerary along with details about how to register. Hard copies were sent home last week. Hemisphere Travel is asking for the initial deposit of $200 by September 13th to reserve your child's spot. Thanks to a group of 8th graders and parents we've already collected more than $1,800 to put toward scholarships for the trip.

If you are interested in your child attending but financial assistance is required, please reach out directly to Ms. Humphrey, behumphrey1@cps.edu, or Ms. McLinden, semclinden@cps.edu.

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Website: http://coonley.cps.edu/
Location: 4046 North Leavitt Street, Chicago, IL, USA

E-Mail: coonley@cps.edu
Phone: 773-534-5140

Instagram: @CoonleyCPS
Twitter: @CoonleyES