IG PARENT NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2020
Indian Grove Elementary School
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Amy Veytsman
School Hours:
All days but Thursday 8:35 - 3:30
Thursday school hours 9:25 - 3:30
Email: mcannata@rtsd26.org
Website: http://ig.rtsd26.org/Home
Location: 1340 North Burning Bush Lane, Mount Prospect, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 298-1976
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IndianGroveSchool
Twitter: @IndianGroveEdu
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
During the second month of 2020, our students continue to expand their minds and increase the amount of knowledge they will use for years to come. As I visit classrooms, I am reminded just how fortunate the students are to attend school in a district that values research-based curriculum, uses best practices in instruction, integrates technology in the classroom and hires phenomenal teachers! So many students have been visiting my office with good news and special achievements these past several weeks. Many kindergarteners are reading, first graders experience basic algebraic concepts in math class, second graders are enjoying the Schoolwide Reading Workshop, third graders learned more about author's purpose, fourth-graders participated in the Science Olympiad and fifth graders continue to ready themselves for middle school.
In February we are having in-school visits from Officer Friendly, continue our Grover Nights, RTMS Pack the Place event for 4th/5th graders, ESL ACCESS testing, and honoring two historical Presidents. Of course, this is in addition to working through our regular curriculum.
An important character trait to think about is TRUST. Trusting others, trusting instincts, trusting oneself, having others trust us and trusting those we love are all essential pieces of someone of solid character. I cannot say enough about instilling the values of honesty and trustworthiness in your sons and daughters.
Please take time out of your busy schedule to read through this Newsletter. You can easily add it to the list of important things to do, watch and read during this winter month. And remember:
“The best proof of love is trust.” ~Dr. Joyce Brothers
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Lynn Fisher
Principal
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Monday - Feb 3
- 3rd Grade Officer Friendly
- 5th Grade Boys After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Tuesday - Feb 4
-IG Dancers - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in RM 53
-5th Grade Girls Volleyball Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-3rd Grade Cheerleading Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-Board Meeting at RTMS - 7PM
Wednesday - Feb 5
-1st Grade Officer Friendly & 3rd ~ Mr Satovitz
-4th Grade Art Club - CANCELLED
-5th Grade Girls After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Thursday - Feb 6
- Late Arrival 9:25AM
-GCSG Meeting - 3:30PM - 4:14PM
-3rd Grade Girls After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Friday - Feb 7
- IG Singers - 7:50AM in RM 53
- PTC Cultural Arts Assembly in the morning. All About Egypt
Monday - Feb 10
- 2nd Grade Steam Activities - Robinson/Palumbo
- 4th Grade Girls After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Tuesday - Feb 11
- 2nd Grade Steam Activities - Russo/Ryan
-Rhythm Ensemble - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in RM 53
-3rd Grade Girls Volleyball Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-3rd Grade Cheerleading Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Wednesday - Feb 12 -
-4th Grade Boys After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-PTC Meeting 7PM
Thursday - Feb 13
- Late Arrival 9:25AM
-3rd Grade Girls After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Friday - Feb 14-
-1st Grade Purple Asparagus Program
- Valentine's Day room parties at 2:40 pm
Monday - Feb 17 - NO SCHOOL - HOLIDAY - PRESIDENT’S DAY
Tuesday - Feb 18
- IG Dancers - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in RM 53
-3rd Grade Girls Volleyball Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-3rd Grade Cheerleading Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
-Board Meeting 7PM at RTMS
Wednesday - Feb 19
- IG Singers - 7:50AM in RM 53
-Kindergarten Registration for 2020/2021 School Year 4:30PM to 8:00PM- IG Lunchroom
Thursday - Feb 20
- Late Arrival 9:25AM
-5th Grade Girls After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Friday Feb 21
- 2nd Grade Pen Pals at Euclid
Monday - Feb 24
- 5th Grade Boys After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Tuesday - Feb 25
- Rhythm Ensemble - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in RM 53
-3rd Grade Cheerleading Club - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Wednesday - Feb 26
-4th Grade & Ms. Szwed’s Class trip to North Shore Center Theatre
-5th Grade Art Club - CANCELLED
-1st Grade Grover Night - 6:30 PM
Thursday - Feb 27
- Late Arrival 9:25 AM
GCSG Meeting - 3:30PM - 4:14PM
3rd Grade Boys After School Sports - 3:30PM - 4:15PM in the Gym
Friday - Feb 28 - End of 2nd Trimester
Message from Dr Wagner
Your Child May Be Chronically Absent or Chronically Truant
School attendance matters! Many parents are unaware of how missing two days of school per month can add up to a significant impact on their child’s learning. This could be for illness or any other reason. Sick children, those with a fever, contagious illness or vomiting in the last 24 hours, need to stay home and rest.
Did you know that Illinois has changed the definition of Chronically Truant to include students who miss 5% of school days or more without a valid reason? This is just under 9 school days. This is not just skipping school, missing school for vacation falls in this category.
Chronically Absent students are identified as those that miss 10% or more school days, even with a valid reason. This is 18 days.
Why does it matter?
Immediate lower academic performance - children learn less
Long-term lower academic performance - children don’t meet their potential
Chronic absences is a leading factor in dropping out of high school
Public schools are publicly rated - chronically absent students count for 20% of elementary and middle school ratings
If your child is reluctant to go to school due to social or emotional reasons, please contact your child’s teacher, the school social worker or principal. We want to work together so that your child enjoys school and grows to their academic, social and emotional potential.
For more information, visit www.attendanceworks.org
Kindergarten Registration for the 2020/2021 School Year
It is already time to start planning for next school year! Any child who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2020, can attend our full-day kindergarten in August.
Registration and information for Kindergarten will be done on Wednesday, February 19 at Indian Grove. This registration event goes from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m. in our lunchroom. Parents/guardians may come anytime between 4:30 and 8:00 and should plan on being here for about 30-40 minutes.
Prospective kindergarten students DO NOT need to attend this event.
In order to register a child for school, we need a LEGAL (county) birth certificate and three proofs of residency. One of the three proofs MUST be a mortgage statement, real estate tax bill or a current lease.
District 26 residents should be receiving more information in the U.S. mail sometime soon. If you have questions, please call our school office.
RAPTOR SYSTEM UPDATE
As of 1/22/20 our Raptor system has been updated. This is the program that we use to scan in your driver's license for entry to our school building. Unfortunately, they were not able to transfer any previous information. From this date on, you will need to have your license re-scanned for entry to the building. After it has been scanned once, you should remain in our system.
Thank you for your cooperation with this matter and for helping to keep our students safe.
FLU SEASON
Flu season is upon us! Here are some additional things to keep us all healthy:
Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100º F or greater), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.
Your child should stay home if he/she is sick until at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications). This will help reduce the number of people who may get infected.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve, not your hand.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Do not share eating utensils or drinking containers.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
In order to keep our students and staff healthy, the District does the following:
Everything is deep cleaned and disinfected at night, including desktops
Door knobs, drinking fountains and other “touch points” are constantly cleaned during the day
Restrooms are cleaned several times a day
Students learn proper hand washing and how to best cough/sneeze
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
February is Heart Health Month. You can show your awareness and support for heart health on the national wear red day which falls on February 7th. The CDC recommends healthy meals and snacks to help prevent heart disease. It's never too early to start!
Please review good hand washing techniques and "sneeze into your sleeve" with your child. Handwashing is the best defense against the spread of illness. We are still in the midst of flu season. If your child does become ill, please review our district return to school guidelines found on our website
Chap stick, chap stick chap stick Please send chap stick with your child to school. I am seeing many kids with dry, cracked chapped lips and the Health Office cannot provide treatment.
Dental exams as required by the State of illinois for Kdg and 2nd graders are due by May 15.
Now Hiring!
We have Lunch/Playground Supervisor and Kitchen Substitute positions available. The rate for Lunch/Playground Supervisor Substitutes is $12.00/hour and for Kitchen Substitutes is $15.00/hour. We also have a 2nd shift Custodian position available at RTMS. The rate is $15.00/hour plus benefits. Hours are 2:30pm-11:00pm.
Before/After School Hours Bus Questions
The school office is open from 8:00AM until 4:30PM. If you have any questions regarding bus issues outside of school hours, please call Grand Prairie Transit at (847) 871-1799
Pop Tabs
AMAZON SMILE
What is AmazonSmile?
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
1st GRADE PROGRAM: PURPLE ASPARAGUS
Please mark your calendars for the monthly Purple Asparagus program. Once a month, the 1st graders will learn about nutrition and healthy eating. The dates and topics of each Purple Asparagus class during the year are:
· February 14 – Beans
· March 13 – Roots
· April 17 – Herbs
· May 15 – Berries
Preschool Screenings Information
RTSD26 will offer preschool screenings to all District 3 and 4 year olds suspected of having a developmental delay. In addition, we will also be screening students to see if they are eligible for the ECDEC preschool program and our Bilingual Spanish Preschool program. To be eligible for these programs, families must meet specific criteria, such as speaking a second language in the home, income level, or other criteria that can be explained to you at the screening.
If you are concerned that your child has a delay in vision, hearing, motor, speech, language, cognition and/or social functioning, call 224- 612-7308 to set up a screening time. All screenings are done by appointment only and take place at Parkview. Screenings are held on Thursdays and are once a month through April.
If you are unsure if your child is developing appropriately, please consult with your child's preschool teacher or pediatrician for advice. The Center for Disease Control offers the following information: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Your child must be at least 3 years old at the time of screening. Screenings are staffed by educational professionals and therapists who will make recommendations for further action to parents. All screenings are at Indian Grove and by appointment only. Translation services are available. To make an appointment in Spanish, please call Mrs. Perez or Mrs. Santiago at 224-612-7402
SCREENINGS DATES: (2019/2020): 2/13, 3/12, 4/19 & 5/14
Board of Education
Your district’s Board of Education meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held at one of the schools, mostly River Trails Middle School. At one of the semi-monthly meetings, an education report is presented. These reports highlight something special happening in the district.
You are cordially invited to attend, ask questions, and learn about the district. Copies of the Board’s agendas and minutes are posted on the district’s web site at http://www.rtsd26.org. Please contact the Superintendent’s office (847) 297-4120 x 7301 for information concerning Board meetings.
If you want a Board member to contact you, please call the Superintendent’s office and leave your name and telephone number. A Board member will return your call.