Caruso Connect - April 22nd
#CarusoWay
First, we are excited to welcome Mr. Jim Monaco as Associate Principal of Caruso Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year! Please read on to learn more about Jim.
We have a number of updates listed below. We hope you check on the following information:
- Spirit wear store information.
- Details about our upcoming Erin's Law Presentation.
- The agenda and Zoom link for Monday's PTO Meeting.
- A special spirit day on Wednesday!
Finally, as we get ready for graduation an update for our 8th Grade families regarding tickets. Each family will receive 4 tickets*. Below you will be able to enter in to a lottery to receive an additional one or two tickets. Please enter by Friday April 29th. If you have been selected to receive one you will be notified on or before May 13th. If you have needs beyond these tickets, please work with other families; often families do not use all of their tickets.
*Families with twins will receive 6 tickets.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to any of us.
Tim, Caitlin, and Heidy
Tim Brodeur - Principal - tbrodeur@dps109.org
Caitlin Lucci - Associate Principal - clucci@dps109.org
Heidy LaFleur - Interim Coordinator of Student Support - hlafleur@dps109.org
Upcoming Events
4/25 - PTO Meeting 7pm
4/27 - Alex Caruso Middle School Spirit Day
Blue Jays of the Week
New Caruso AP for 2022-2023
Dear Caruso Families,
I am pleased to inform you that last night, the Board of Education has just approved Mr. Jim Monaco as associate principal of Caruso Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year.
"Hello, Caruso Middle School! My name is Jim Monaco, and I am ecstatic to be joining the leadership team at CMS as your new Associate Principal. After meeting the students, teachers, and staff during my interview process, I knew this was a special place to work. I look forward to meeting everyone in August and continuing the amazing things that will provide our students and families with a premiere educational experience!"
Jim is joining us from Morton High School, where he has been the Director of English Language Arts and Media Services for the past six years. He served as the English Department chair at Huntley High School for two years, and also has previous experience as an instructional coach and assistant principal at the elementary and middle school levels.
Caitlin and I are excited to welcome Mr. Monaco to our Caruso family!
Sincerely,
Tim Brodeur
Principal, Caruso Middle School
Spirit Wear Store
Do you or your student need some Blue Jay spirit wear? Orders will be delivered to Caruso with your student's name on them for distribution this Spring. The store will close on Wednesday, April 27th at 11:59 PM. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tim Brodeur, Caruso Principal at tbrodeur@dps109.org.
8th Grade Graduation Ticket Lottery
Each family will receive 4 tickets*. Below you will be able to enter in to a lottery to receive an additional one or two tickets. Please enter by Friday April 29th. If you have been selected to receive one you will be notified on or before May 13th. If you have needs beyond these tickets, please work with other families; often families do not use all of their tickets.
*Families with twins will receive 6 tickets.
Alex Caruso Middle School ... for the day!
Inspired by his gritty performance on the court, Charles J. Caruso Middle School in Deerfield, Illinois will be renamed Alex Caruso Middle School (no relation) for the day on Wednesday, April 27th, the day of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. Students and staff are encouraged to wear Bulls gear and sport their favorite headband in support of Bulls star Alex Caruso and the team.
Erin's Law Presentation Information
Dear Parents and Guardians of Middle School Students:
Erin’s Law (House Bill 6193) was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on January 24, 2013. This law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades Pre-K through 12. District 109 partners with Childhood Victories, Inc., an organization founded by Victor Pacini who is a motivational speaker and a survivor of sexual abuse. Speakers from Childhood Victories, Inc. provide programming for our students that teaches them basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The program, Be Seen and Heard 2.0, is developmentally appropriate, interactive, aligned with learning standards, and will cover the following topics:
Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches
Safety rules at home and school
Saying “NO”
Secrets
It’s not the child’s fault if someone touches them
Telling a trusted adult
The staff from Childhood Victories, Inc. will be presenting to our middle school students on the following date:
Caruso: Tuesday May 10th
Parents can view Victor Pacini’s parent video to preview the concepts of the Be Seen and Heard 2.0 program.
Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education session, please email your child’s school principal by Friday May 6. Please also feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Joanna Ford
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
847-945-1844 x7229
PTO Meeting Info.
Dear Caruso families,
Our upcoming Caruso PTO Meeting is scheduled for Monday, 25 April 2022 at 7pm CST. The Zoom meeting link is provided below along with a meeting agenda.
We look forward to having you join us to hear about Caruso PTO updates. If you cannot make it, send questions/comments to Caruso PTO contact page HERE. Also, past Caruso PTO meeting minutes are posted HERE for your reference.
Sincerely,
Caruso PTO
Join Zoom Meeting
https://dps109.zoom.us/j/ 98520269791?pwd= NzhmTGF4K2kyaC9PUzFiTFdxNDBnUT 09
AGENDA for April 25th Caruso PTO meeting
- Approval of meeting minutes from March 14th
- Treasurer's Report
- Principal's Report
- President's Report
- VP Administration updates
- VP Student Services updates
- New business
School Supply Info for 2022-2023
8th Grade Save the Dates
Information for Families
CMS Clubs and Activities
Wednesday and Friday Spirit Days
All students and staff are encouraged to join us for Wednesday and Friday Spirit Days!
Every Wednesday is Caruso Day! Wear your Caruso Wear!
4/29 - Crazy Sock Day
5/6 - Socks and Sandals
Heath and Wellness Reminders
SHIELD Results
SHIELD Testing
Students will begin SHIELD testing at 8:30 AM. Please ensure that students do not have food, gum, or drinks an hour prior to testing. Students will be called out of class for SHIELD testing according to the schedule below. Please communicate with your student if you would like them to test or not. We make reminder calls for all students for testing, and if students have your consent they can test even if they do not have a QR code/lanyard yet. (We are working with district office to ensure everyone has one soon!)
8th Grade 8:30-8:50 from Encore 1
6th Grade 8:50-9:10 from Core 1
7th Grade 9:20-9:40 from Core 2
CARUSO - 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Wednesday, April 27
Wednesday, May 4
Wednesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 18
Wednesday, May 25
Wednesday, June 1
Testing is not mandatory. By consenting to the testing, your child’s name is put on a roster and the expectation is that they will be testing weekly unless a parent/guardian notifies us otherwise.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO FILL OUT THE SHIELD CONSENT FORM…
Log in to Skyward/Family Access and it should appear as a green box next to your child’s name. Contact Kristen Neu (kneu@dps109.org) with any Family Access questions.
IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO OPT OUT OF A WEEK OF TESTING…
Fill out this Google Form prior to 7 AM on the day that our school tests: Wednesday
COVID Information
TESTING FOR SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS
DPS 109 will be offering testing for symptomatic students Monday through Friday afternoons during the school year. The BinaxNOW test will be administered outside of the District Office in the beige testing building (please look for sign on door). Testing is free of charge to families. Click here to read more about testing.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY CHILD WAKES UP SICK? DO OTHER SIBLINGS HAVE TO STAY HOME?
It’s always a tough situation when this happens in the morning! Be sure to read this section in our COVID information hub, especially if you have multiple children enrolled in DPS 109. Our school exclusion guidance comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
8th Grade Transition to DHS
DHS Registration Dates for the Class of 2026
Special Education Articulation Meetings are scheduled Mid-January – Early February. DHS Special Education staff meet with 8th-grade families to review plans for incoming freshmen with Individualized Education Plans.
Calendar of Events:
May 2, 2022: Health Forms Due to DHS Health Services Office
Mid-August, 2022: Schedules posted on Infinite Campus
August 15, 2022: Warrior Welcome for Students & Parents/Guardians (6:30 pm- 8:00 pm)
August 17, 2022: First day of student attendance
Who to Contact?
Mrs. Lucci, Associate Principal
Mr. Brodeur, Principal
Mrs. LaFleur, Interim Coordinator of Student Support
Caruso Middle School
Email: cmsoffice@dps109.org
Website: https://www.dps109.org/Page/9
Location: 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield, IL, USA
Twitter: @109Caruso