Crosby Chronicle
BACK TO SCHOOL - September 2020
GREETINGS FROM PRINCIPAL FERGUSON!
Welcome to this new unique school year! We've made it through our first two weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. Remote learning is now in full swing with teachers, students, family members, tech folks, and all other staff members working hard to make this year a successful learning experience for every student. I am so very proud of everyone at Crosby Elementary School for keeping the focus on our students’ learning and growth, and for the persistence and compassion from everyone. Thank you all for your patience as we have been navigating through the challenges with technology for our staff and students. I am so very proud of all of our "Crosby Kids" for giving their best effort as they adjust to this new kind of learning!
In these challenging times, we want to strive to uphold a positive attitude and growth mindset with the learning curves that lie ahead. Let's remember that this is new for all of us, and we should all practice patience, giving ourselves and others grace, and being good role models for our youth. We want to nurture our students' curiosity and love for learning. I am ready for the challenge, and I believe wholeheartedly that we can do this because we are partners with you.
This year, my goal is to increase school to home communication as much as possible. I will work hard to keep you informed, and help you feel a part of your student’s educational progress. Please read all newsletters from Crosby School, as well as the text messages, emails, and announcements on the school website. Also, I frequently post updates and important information on Facebook. You will also receive messages from the district and/or your child’s teacher. We want you to be informed and we welcome your valuable feedback.
For me, I am starting my second year with Harvard CUSD50 as the building principal. This has been an exciting start to the school year, but I truly miss seeing our "Crosby Kids" walking through the doors each morning. The building feels empty without our children who bring life and excitement into this place. This is why I do what I do...because I love our students! Our staff has worked hard to learn this new way of teaching, and we are with you as partners on this journey. I am thankful that you have reached out to share your experiences and struggles with us. Together we are going to make this a unique and meaningful learning experience for all. TOGETHER we will get through this!
I am looking forward to staying connected with you, and please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can help in any way.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson
REMOTE LEARNING HELPFUL TERMS
Asynchronous Learning: teachers prepare lessons and activities for students to complete on their own time, at their own pace.
Communication: ways to get messages to parents and students.
Digital Engagement: strategies to keep students engaged in learning while they are online or in a remote location.
Remote Learning: teachers and students are in two different locations at all times. Teachers prepare lessons and activities for students to complete either independently or via a video conferencing service. School is not open for students (and/or teachers) to return to.
Synchronous Learning: teachers and students are in a classroom setting or in a video conferencing environment together, at a specific time, learning the same content.
Video Conferencing Service: an online platform that allows students to meet with classmates and teachers from a remote location at the same time. Common platforms include Zoom and Google Meet.
Wednesday Instruction
Wednesdays are primarily ASYNCHRONOUS learning days. Students will still have a synchronous morning meeting with their homeroom teacher. There will also be some live instruction which could include specials, a read aloud, small group re-teaching sessions or interventions. Students will find in their google classrooms, activities in each of the core subject areas that they should complete on their own. Teachers are available and can be contacted via email and during ZOOM hours throughout the day.
Daily Attendance
Teachers will be taking attendance everyday. Daily participation is required. Please remember to call the school office if your child is sick or unable to attend their class sessions. We understand that students may experience connectivity issues at times, but students should be signing on to all of their synchronous learning sessions. Students who do not attend all sessions will be marked absent for a half day or full day depending on what they attend.
Morning Check-In
Please be sure to remind your student to complete their Morning Check-In Form with their homeroom teacher during Morning Meeting by 9:30 each morning. This form helps us understand how we can best meet your child's needs, and it gives us some idea on how the student feels as they start their school day.
Welcome from the Front Office Staff! You can contact Us with your questions.
SECRETARY
815-943-6125
Ext. 2501
ADMIN. ASSISTANT
815-943-6125
Ext. 2520
SECRETARY
815-943-6125
Ext. 2500
HEALTH OFFICE AIDES
LAURA MONTEMAYOR
815-943-6125 Ext. 2557
SELENA ALEMAN
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS - BACK TO SCHOOL WISHES TO STUDENTS!
~ Mrs. Peceniak
"Great job on the first week of school, Crosby friends! Keep up the hard work! I am so proud of you."
~ Love, Mrs. Meyer
"To my kindergarten friends, I am so proud of the hard work that you have already accomplished in only the first two weeks of school! You are on your way to being bilingual, and that is something that should make you very PROUD! I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings!"
With affection,
Mrs. Choinski
¡A mis amigos del kinder, estoy tan orgullosa del duro trabajo que ya han realizado en solo las dos primeras semanas de la escuela! ¡Ya están en su camino de ser bilingües, y esto es algo que le debería hacer MUY ORGULLOSO! ¡No puedo esperar a ver lo que el resto del año trae!
con cariño,
Mrs. Choinski
1ST GRADE TEACHERS - BACK TO SCHOOL WISHES TO STUDENTS!
~ Ms. Differding
"Kids, you'll move mountains! Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so.....get on your way!" ~Dr. Suess ~ Ms. Bezares
"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
~ Jim Ryun ~ Mr. Beesley
"No necesitas alas para volar, solo imaginacion. - You don't need wings to fly, just imagination." ~ Sr. Beesley
2ND GRADE TEACHERS - BACK TO SCHOOL WISHES TO STUDENTS!
~ Mrs. Nulle
"Welcome back to school! This year may look a little different, but we are gong to make it great! Our second graders are going to have so much fun, and we will learn so much together. I look forward to an AMAZING school year with all of you. Second Graders, we've got this!"
~ Mrs. Eade
"My wish for our second graders is that they are able to get the most happiness, love, and support out of their learning this school year, despite this pandemic that we are in. We can do this TOGETHER!"
~ Ms. Ross
"Looking forward to our best year yet! Second graders, we are going to rock this year!
Let's do it."
~ Love, Mrs. Schmidt
3RD GRADE TEACHERS - BACK TO SCHOOL WISHES TO STUDENTS!
~ Mrs. Weber
"Remember, we CAN do hard things!!"
~ Mrs. Beetstra
"My wish is for all my students to know that they are loved and missed."
~ Mrs. Padilla
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
~ John Wooden ~ Mrs. Dahlke
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
MRS. SPAULDING
My name is Kortni Spaulding and I am one of the school counselors. I was born and raised in Rockford, but I've spent most of my adult life in Florida and Tennessee. I relocated back to the Midwest about a year ago and I'm thrilled to be embarking on my second year at Crosby! As a school counselor, it is my pleasure to spend time with students on an individual and group basis to discuss their social, emotional and academic concerns. I get to partner with Crosby's amazing teachers to make sure that our students are safe and happy. During these unprecedented times, we are all experiencing some level of emotional strain and stress. Counseling services are still available, and I look forward to supporting our students and families over the phone or Zoom meetings. Please don't hesitate to reach out! I can be reached at kspaulding@cusd50.org. I feel so fortunate to work with the students at Crosby, and I know we are going to make it a great year!
MRS. ALTMANN
Welcome Back-to-School, Crosby Families! My name is Alli Altmann and I am one of your school counselors! It is such a joy and privilege to work with students and their families as I begin my 2nd year here at Crosby Elementary. I feel fortunate to work alongside all of the amazing teachers and students here at Crosby. Our number one priority is to support your child's social emotional well being. During these unprecedented times, please know that we are here for you and your child. Individual and small group counseling services are available via phone call and Zoom. Please reach out if you are in need, or if you would just like to say "Hi!" My colleague, Mrs. Spaulding, and I LOVE to talk to our Crosby Kids and Families!! I can be reached at aaltmann@cusd50.org. We are here for you and your child and we are looking forward to a great year with all of you!
MEET OUR PARENT COMMUNITY LIAISON (PCL)
MRS. DEALMEIDA
My name is Vania DeAlmeida and I am the Parent Community Liaison at Crosby Elementary School. I have worked for over 20 years in the education field. As a PCL for District 50, I will aid in supporting parents and families with the communication from school to home. I will be contacting you with important school activities, reminders, and more. I welcome you to come visit me at Crosby Elementary. Please contact me as a resource for any of your school needs.
815-943-6125
Ext. 2502
We are here for you!
Principal - Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson - kferguson@cusd50.org
Asst. Principal - Mr. Paul Brass - pbrass@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Mr. Brandon Barry - bbarry@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Ms. Lorena Villagomez - lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Parent Community Liaison - Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida - vdealmeida@cusd50.org
***Contact information***
IMPORTANT FOR ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:
Please remember to update your contact information. This information includes your current address, phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contact name(s) and phone numbers. This helps with keeping the lines of communication open between Crosby Elementary School and Parents/Guardians. Please call with any changes and updates. Thank you.
Phone: 815-943-6125
Upcoming important dates:
September 9 Early Dismissal/Staff Development
October 7 & 8 Early Dismissal/Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 9 No School - Non Attendance Day
October 12 No School - Columbus Day
October 21 Early Dismissal/Staff Development
November 3 No School - Election Day
November 11 Early Dismissal/Staff Development
November 25 Early Dismissal November 26-27
No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
RICHARD D. CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: kferguson@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/crosby/
Location: 401 Hereley Drive, Harvard, IL, USA
Phone: 815-943-6125