Caruso Connect - November 19th
#CarusoWay
Please see this week's Caruso Connect for a ton of new information and reminders!
There are some new signs in our front parking lot! We have added four guest spots so that it makes it easier for you all to come in to the building! Please feel free to use them if necessary.
In preparation for conferences next week, HERE is the website where you can find all zoom links for the meetings. If you need assistance please reach out.
Over the past few weeks you should have received an email directly from Jostens regarding our yearbook! If you have specific questions, please reach out to Ms. Max smax@dps109.org .
As always, if there is anything we can do to better support your student please contact us.
Have a GREAT weekend,
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
11/19-11/30 - Virtual Book Fair
11/22 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Evening)
11/23 - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
11/24-11/26 - No School
12/3 - Dress Up Day: Slippers Day
12/6 PTO Meeting (Zoom)
12/20-12/31 - No School
Blue Jays of the Week
Ways to Give Back!
SocialWorks
SocialWorks, founded by Grammy-award-winning musician and humanitarian Chance the Rapper, aims to empower the youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. SocialWorks hopes to inspire creativity, build dreams, and advocate for youth success in all its forms through many different programs they provide each year. This year Caruso middle school is helping support "WARMEST WINTER".
Here is how you can help:
We have a collection box set up in our front foyer for people to donate M-F 8am-3pm. Please drop off items anytime during those hours.
However we are going to make it even easier. On the following dates students from different clubs will be outside at drop off helping collect specific items. Please try and donate during one or all of our collection dates.
Monday December 6th- New or gently used Toys
Tuesday December 7th- Hygiene items (Toothpaste, deodorant, Tampons)
Wednesday December 8th- Warming Items new or gently used (Mittens, coats, blankets)
Thursday December 9th: New or gently used Toys
Friday December 10th: Hygiene items (Toothpaste, deodorant, Tampons)
Monday December 13th: Warming Items
We are looking forward to helping as many people stay warm this holiday season in Chicago. Thank you for your help :)
Questions, please email Ms. Witczak jwitczak@dps109.org
Caruso Operation Snowflake
Last year, our district had great success helping local families during the holiday season. This year, Caruso would like to continue this tradition to help spread cheer in 2021 by inviting you and your family to participate in our gift giving campaign. This is our way of making sure our families will have something special to unwrap this holiday season.
Here is how you can support Caruso and our community:
Click the button below to see the list of requested holiday gifts using SignUp Genius. (This list will continue to grow so please check back frequently to see what else is needed/wanted).
Select the gift (s) that you would like to purchase.
Drop off your purchased items to Caruso on any weekday between 8:00-4:00, from November 29-December 10. Please make sure you label the gift with the family name that corresponds to the SignUp Genius! (i.e. Pinecone or Frozen)
Please do not wrap the gifts.
Gifts will be distributed starting the week of December 13.
If shopping doesn’t appeal to you, please consider donating a gift card (Target, Amazon, Jewel, etc.). Gift cards can be given to our school administrative assistants in the front office
Our goal is to come together as a community to make everyone’s holiday bright this year! Thank you for your support.
Information for Families
Conference Information
2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar
The official 2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar was approved by the Board of Education on November 19th, 2021. Please see the calendar on the DPS109 website.
Virtual Book Fair
If you have any questions reach out to Mrs. Chalfin in the Learning Commons.
Permission Slips for PE
CMS Clubs and Activities
DRONE RACING CLUB
Also, see the info below about joining DRONE RACING CLUB, beginning in November. Please see Dr. Revelins with questions or submit the Drone Racing Club Sign-up - Google Form to join!
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!
12/3 - Slippers Day
12/10 - Animal Print Day
12/17 - Ugly Sweater Day
Heath and Wellness Reminders
SHIELD Results
Reminder for School Volunteers
A quick reminder, that all volunteers or individuals spending prolonged time in one of our buildings are required to be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test.
If you are coming to our building to volunteer, please remember these things:
-Wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status
-Bring a photo ID to check in at the front office
-Bring your proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test (not self-administered) from within the last week
-Complete a Covid self-certification prior to coming to school
Thank you for your cooperation and please contact Eric Steckling (esteckling@dps109.org) if you have any questions.
What is Test To Stay?
This year, fewer students are needing to be quarantined if they are a close contact to a COVID-19 case, thanks to the Lake County Health Department's "Test To Stay" protocol. Click here to read more from the district about it.
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, December 1
- Wednesday, December 8
- Wednesday, December 15
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
8th Grade Release of Information for Deerfield High School
8th Grade Parents/Guardians,
As we near the end of the first semester, 8th grade teachers and middle school principals begin collaborating with Deerfield High School to make course recommendations for 2022-2023. To exchange information with the high school about your child, we must obtain consent from you and your child.
The parental form is now available in your Family Access account in Skyward. It is titled “Permission to Release/Exchange Info - 8th Grade. The completion of this form should only take a couple of minutes. You will provide some directory information (school, name, date of birth, contact info) and an electronic signature. To begin working with the high school, we are asking that all families complete this form no later than Monday, November 29th.
Once parental consent is completed, we will also be talking to students about the high school transition process and collecting their consent during ExSEL on Wednesday, December 1st.
Here is a little information about the 8th grade to high school process that occurs over the next few months:
8th grade teachers meet with DHS Department Chairs.
8th grade teachers provide initial recommendations to DHS. DHS reviews recommendations, along with updated assessment scores, to build a first draft of placement.
8th grade teachers discuss the freshman year course options with students and share their recommendations. For students who receive special education services, additional communication will occur between the family and the case manager.
The DHS Program of Studies is updated online, providing details about all courses.
DHS hosts Curriculum Nights for incoming freshmen and their parents/guardians.
9th grade schedules and course placement are finalized by the high school.
We look forward to supporting your child at this important time in their education. Please be sure to login to Skyward Family Access and complete the form as soon as possible.
DHS Registration Dates for the Class of 2026
High School Registration Video will be released on January 7, 2022. Families will have the opportunity to learn about course offerings and the online registration process.
High School Preview Night (formerly 8th Grade Curriculum Night) is Wednesday, January 12, starting at 6:30 pm. This in-person event is for both students and parents/guardians.
Online Course Requests Open on Tuesday, January 11. If families have questions or concerns regarding course placement, they can contact the DHS academic department chair.
Course Requests close on Tuesday, January 25. Families must submit their final course requests by 3:30 pm.
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.
Counseling Collaboration Meetings will start in January. During collaboration meetings, members of the DHS Counseling Department meet with middle school principals and staff to exchange information on 8th graders who are not receiving special education services. Students with 504 plans will be discussed at this meeting. In preparation for the meeting, we will share an outline of topics. All collaboration meetings will be held virtually.
Calendar of Events:
January 11, 2022: Course Registration Opens for Course Requests
January 12, 2022: High School Preview Night for Students & Parents/Guardians
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm (In-Person)
January 25, 2022: Course Requests Completed by 3:30 pm
February 10, 2022: Course Verification Opens after 8:00 am
February 14, 2022: Course Verification Closes at 3:30 pm
April 11, 2022: Extra-Curricular Night
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