North Glendale Family Update
January 10, 2021
Good morning!
The events of last week definitely cast a shadow over our triumphant return to school.
As you saw in my message on Wednesday, the events in Washington DC left me heartbroken. To follow up later that same night with the racist vandalism at Kirkwood High School, Nipher and North Kirkwood Middle schools left me speechless, angry and protective.
To my families, students and staff of color, I am so truly sorry for the hate that was spewed across our buildings. We have issues, for sure, but this is NOT who we are as a community. I am frustrated that cowards like those who wrote racist and hateful words on our buildings continue to undermine the good work that is happening. I am angry that some of my students, families and staff are made to feel less than by the hate of a few. I am thankful that I get to work with kids and I do see them as our hope for the future.
Please keep talking to your kids about what is going on ~ even if you don't know what to say. A statement as simple as, "What have you heard about happening last week?" let's them know it is OK to talk about the events of the past few days. Then, listen.
I shared some resources last week, but here are few more:
- Education Week - Caring for Students in the Wake of Traumatic Events - PDF
- PBS - Helping Kids Navigate Scary News Stories
- ASCD - Classroom Discourse as Civil Discourse
- Facing History and Ourselves - Responding to the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol
If there are ideas you have or resources you need as a parent, I am interested.
How can we unite as an NG adult community to support our kids, families and staff who are hurting? Please send your ideas my way!
I will continue to use my own privilege to seek change.
Respectfully, Jennifer
KSD Covid Dashboard
Early Check Outs
Self-Reporting Covid Information
CALLING ALL KINDERGARTEN KIDS FOR 2021-2022!
Kindergarten registration is the first piece in our staffing puzzle for next school year, so you will be hearing lots about it!
If you have a Kindergarten kiddo, please register them ASAP for next year. If you know of someone who has a Kindergartener coming, please send them the information and share the NG Facebook posts to your social media.
- Student Registration Checklist: what you will need to complete the process. Don't worry about waiting until you can unearth some of these documents ~ start the process and you can log in again as you find the necessary documents.
- Online Registration Info and Links (note the date at the top is wrong but the links are correct and the system is ready for registration)
- Questions? Don't know now to get started? Call or email the NG office and Mrs. Mercer (monica.mercer@kirkwoodschools.org ) or Mrs. Valle (margaret.valle@kirkwoodschools.org) will get you up and running!
PTO Tuesday!
...to PTO on Tuesday at 6:30. A zoom link and agenda will be coming soon. Our meetings are informal yet have great information and provide a much needed time for the NG adult community to come together.
KSD Survey : Finding a student-centered solution to address overcrowding, security and accessibility
As stated in the survey, the KSD BOE is weighing an April bond proposal for approximately $63 million to support safety and security upgrades, expanded and flexible learning spaces to allow for best practices in education and instruction, and other building improvements.
Having now been an administrator in two Kirkwood Schools, I do believe I have a unique perspective on our spaces. If the Board of Ed does decide to move forward with a ballot item, I will make sure you have accurate, NG specific information so you can make an informed decision.
Report Card Time!
Report Cards for 2nd quarter are available for parents to view via Infinite Campus until January 15. See this document for information on how to access Infinite Campus and also information on our grading practices during the pandemic.
We will not send paper copies home with students. Please complete this form if you need to create an Infinite Campus parent account or recover your username/password for an existing account. For other questions or issues with Infinite Campus please contact icportal@kirkwoodschools.org.
Yearbook Time!
North Glendale PTO is purchasing one yearbook per family for free. If you would like any additional yearbooks for your household, please fill out and submit this Google Form, and send payment to North Glendale PTO. Payment can be sent via Paypal or check. Each additional yearbook is $11.
Order form: https://forms.gle/C622GKMeXBfhDrU98
To pay with Paypal, log in to your account and search @northglendalepto or DONATE NOW and select “Standard Transfer” (not “Instant Transfer”) so a fee is not applied. If you do not use Paypal, you can send a check payable to "North Glendale PTO" to school with your student.
Free Meals Extended Through the End of the School Year
Virtual Fridays are For Real Fridays!
Dress for the Winter Weather!
Please be sure the kids are coming to school with appropriate clothing everyday. Boots, extra shoes and socks are recommended when we start to see the white stuff!
School Year Calendar for 2021-2022
Upcoming Dates
Please see our website calendar for up to date info
ALL MONTH: KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION!
Week of January 11
- Parent/Teacher conferences held via Zoom
January 12
- NG PTO Meeting via Zoom 6:30
January 13
- 4th Grade Strings begin! Drop off at the parking lot door!
- Deadline for STEAMFest registration
January 15
- Early Dismissal at lunchtime for all NG kids ~ in person and KAH
- Asynchronous morning
January 18
- No School: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
January 19
- Kirkwood Educational Equity Speaker Series: BIPOC-What Does It Mean?
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Register: kirkwoodschools.org/keess
Contact: Roberta.McWoods@kirkwoodschools.org
January 20
- 4th Grade Strings
January 25
- KSD BOE mtng.
February 4
- Picture Re-Take Day