Eagle Parent Updates
November 12, 2021
Seneca Nation
Shifting Perspectives and Honoring the Culture and History of Indigenous People
Dear Eagle Families,
It was an honor to kick off Native American Heritage Month with an incredible performance by the RedLine Drum Group! We were fortunate that the weather cooperated and we were able to have the performance outdoors under our canopies. Dave and Niyol Spencer (Mississippi Chata/Dine) performed intertribal songs of the Southern Plains with their family. We learned about the rich history and meaning of their songs. If there is anything that we know, it is that the history and experiences of Indigenous people can often be told through subjective lens. Our goal at Dawes is to continue challenging stereotypes and foster greater inclusion of more authentic and varied Native voices. On Tuesday, we welcomed Aaron Golding who led many of our Eagles through a virtual Native American craft where students made corn husk dolls. Mr. Golding is a member of the Seneca Nation and currently an assistant director for Multicultural Student Affairs at Northwestern University. He serves as the advisor for the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance and is passionate about the intersection of arts and activism--especially how arts further social justice and the power of storytelling. Our students were so excited about this event that one student joined my zoom a day early! We had such a great turnout! Last, but not least, our educators are hard at work too! For example Ms. Perry has been teaching our first graders about Native Folktales during library and in kindergarten, students will have the opportunity to learn about fry bread through the the children's book Fry Bread. Fry Bread is considered a love letter to Indigenous nations and communities centered around a simple food that represents a complex history of survival, relocation, and resilience. It is not only the winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner, but it is also written by Caldecott Honoree, Juana Martinez-Neal who recently conducted a live and virtual author visit at Dawes for Latinx Heritage Month! We will continue to offer students and families the opportunity to learn about the rich history and culture of Native Americans and hope you will join us for our next outdoor event! It will take place at our Dawes' Garden of Eatin and we are honored to have one of our Native parents share a traditional story from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Participants will think about how we should engage with the rest of the natural world. Students will make small prairie or white sage medicine ties, learn about their meaning and gift the ties to a loved one. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Warm regards,
Marlene Aponte (she/her/hers)
Principal
Reminder: District 65 COVID-Vaccine Update for Families
Families were informed that on Tuesday afternoon registration opened for our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic - Ages 5-11 in partnership with the City of Evanston. There was such high interest within our community, appointments filled quickly! D65 is actively working with the City of Evanston to expand access and schedule an additional clinic date.
Please tentatively save the date:
- City of Evanston/District 65 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (Ages 5-11 ONLY)
- Thursday, November 18, 2021
- 8am - 2pm
- Levy Center (300 Dodge Avenue, Evanston)
We recognize that hosting the clinic on a weekday is not ideal for many reasons but this is the best available option in hosting another mass event.
As a reminder, clinic dates/times including the number of appointments available, is at the discretion of the public health department. There are a number of variables involved in the planning such as supply and staffing availability. As soon as the health department has received their vaccine supply and we can confirm the clinic is a “go”, a registration link will be emailed to our community. This will likely not be until Monday, November 15.
Students who have a COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduled will be excused from school. We ask that you still notify the school of their absence or if they will be arriving late/leaving early. Students who experience common side effects from the vaccine should remain home from school until symptoms resolve. A negative COVID-19 test is not required unless the symptoms persist.
Reminder: Dressing For Colder Weather
Students will continue to go outdoors for recess weather permitting. With the change in weather, it is important for students to come to school with appropriate clothing to play outdoors safely. We are able to provide support for families that do not have winter clothing and/or accessories. Please be sure to contact our social workers Ms. Hansen: hansenh@district65.net or Ms. Frydman: frydmane@district65.net if you are in need of any winter items.
Winter After School Programs @ Dawes
Right At School (RAS)
Right At School programs keep students active, engaged, and healthy every day. We play group sports and fitness games - and take it outside as much as possible! Students who have homework have dedicated quiet time to focus on that, with support from our talented educators. Our enrichment curriculum follows fun themes that cross a variety of subjects, sure to interest every learner.
Winter Programming Schedule:
- Monday, November 15th - Registration Opens
- Friday, December 3rd - All classes w/ low enrollment are canceled
- Friday, December 3rd - Scholarship form is closed
- Monday, December 6th - Classes Start
- Friday, December 10th - Registration is officially closed
Course Descriptions and Application: https://rightatschool-dawes-elementary.jumbula.com/#/electives-winter-2021-22
Scholarships Available: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK_bQW2C6sCt7d7I7X2NpATY2bfYpWJCFDzeg0gC8uK_M3cw/viewform
Contact Person: Amber Woodson
Phone: (224) 343-5328
Reminder: Keeping Everyone Safe At School
Arrival & Dismissals
- Supervision begins at 8:50 am so please do not drop off students before this time
- Dismissal time is 3:35 pm so please pick up students on time or notify office if running late
Traffic Rules
- Do not park in our front main entrance driveway or block parking or buses
- Adhere to marked entry and exit signs for driveways - do not violate by entering/exiting our premises in the wrong direction as this can cause an accident
Illnesses/Health Expectations
- If your child is not feeling well or has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, please keep them at home and report the absence to our nurse, Ms. Kelli Wieser.
- Families must also adhere to COVID guidelines and report if their child has symptoms, has come in close contact with a person who tested positive or tested positive themselves for COVID with our school nurse at 847-905-3402.
Appropriate Safety Mitigation
- All parents, staff and students must wear a mask on school property
- Please maintain social distancing by remaining 3 to 6 feet apart when on school property
- Wash or sanitize hands regularly throughout the day when on school property
Charles G. Dawes Elementary School
Email: apontem@district65.net
Website: https://www.district65.net/dawes
Location: 440 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 905-3400