Arctic Blast
March 14th, 2023
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A Message From Our Principals
Dear families,
We enjoyed seeing so many of you at Beauty and the Beast. It brought us such joy to see the months of hard work and practice come to life on stage at the Raue Center. Our Polar Bear Players have so much to celebrate!
It was also wonderful to see so many families at the first-grade show I Am Love. Ms. Keating and the first graders created and performed a beautiful program that brought love and joy to our hearts.
We look forward to seeing many of you at Glacier Ridge Reads before spring break. We hope you are able to join us.
-Dr. Gruper and Mrs. Reinhardt
Digital Citizenship and Project B3 for Grades 3-5
District 47 teaches students how to Be Safe, Be Smart and Be Kind online through a student-led, digital citizenship program called Project B3. Approximately 30-40 8th graders from each middle school are selected to participate in this program each year. In November, student B3 leaders prepared and delivered digital citizenship presentations for 6th-8th graders.
On Thursday, March 23, student B3 leaders from Lundahl will travel to Glacier Ridge to deliver the program to students in grades 3-5. In groups of three or four, B3 leaders will visit classrooms to read books and engage in discussions with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders about the importance of being smart, safe and kind online. See below for the books that will be read.
For more information about Project B3, visit the D47 website. For a link to our virtual parenting session in December on managing screen time and use of technology, click this link: https://youtu.be/F29TW4spp4A.
Digital citizenship books by author Hannah Whaley:
“Webster’s Friend” - Project B3: “Be Safe”
“Webster’s Manners” - Project B3: “Be Kind”
“Webster’s Email” - Project B3: “Be Smart”
Note: If time allows, students may read a fourth book, “Nerdy Birdy Tweets” by Aaron Reynolds.
Fitnessgram Testing
In previous years and prior to COVID, District 47 (like many other school districts) implemented Fitnessgram testing in the spring for students in grades 3-8 as a way to measure student physical fitness and as a mandated practice per the state of Illinois. Due to a continuation of the Illinois Governor’s disaster proclamation, the state is not requiring school districts to conduct Fitnessgram assessments for the 2022-23 school year. While data from fitness assessments may not be collected and/or reported, District 47 PE teachers are still engaged in many of these practices that measure aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. In addition, they are teaching students how to assess their fitness levels, set goals for improvement, and monitor progress in reaching their goals. If you have any questions about your child’s PE class, please contact your child’s school.
School Board Election Guide for Parents
The D47 Parent Group Advisory Council (made up of D47 PTO/PTA representatives) have collectively created a fact sheet for D47 parents about the upcoming school board election on April 4, 2023. This fact sheet is intended to inform parents about the candidates running for open school board positions and provides an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of school board members.
Kids Heart Challenge
A big thank you to all our Glacier Ridge students who participated in the years Kids Heart Challenge. A special thank you to our students who collected donations helping us to reach a total of $8,505.92 for the American Heart Association. As promised our top 5 fundraiser and the 144 students that completed "Finn's Challenge" will have the opportunity to throw a pie at Mrs. Maule on Field Day.
American Heart Association gifts should be arriving in the next few weeks for those students who earned them.
PBIS - Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports
All classrooms have been working on specific expectations throughout the school each week at Glacier Ridge. All students will spend time going over the expectations and engaging in discussions within the classroom to talk about what it looks like to be respectful, responsible and safe in all areas of the school. This week we wrapped up with bus expectations, next week we conclude the lessons with expectations at field trips and assemblies.
- Ask your child what it looks like to be respectful, responsible and safe within all school locations, and help reiterate the expectations for our Polar Bears!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Watch for more information to come on these upcoming events:
- March 15th - Early Release Day 2:00 PM
- March 16th - PTA Spring Plant Sale Forms Due
- March 17th - Spirit Day, Wear Green
- March 20th - District Board Meeting 7:00 PM
- March 21st- Glacier Ridge Reads 6:00-7:30
- March 23rd - Sodexo Future Chef Competition 4:00 PM at Hannah Beardsley Middle School
- March 27th-31st - Spring Break
- April 3rd - Classes resume after Spring Break
- April 5th - Spring Picture Day
- April 7th - No School
District 47 has released the calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.
Virtual Parenting Sessions with Jackie Rhew
All District 47 families are invited to attend the final session of a four-part virtual parenting series with Jackie Rhew on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 @ 7pm via Zoom. The topic is Parenting with a Growth Mindset. Parents will learn how to use a growth mindset and help their child step out of their comfort zone, handle disappointment, set healthy boundaries, and increase motivation. These are valuable skills that correlate to engaging and succeeding in the school environment. This approach has proven successful with students who are fearful of failure, as it teaches them how to embrace a ‘bounce back’ mentality. Translation will be available in multiple languages via captioning in Zoom. To learn more and join the meeting via Zoom, visit the D47 website.
Virtual parenting session recordings (including the 2/15 session) on District 47's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6oeQbeVgF0nKSODrY4to0zxasys1PulA
Glacier Ridge Reads
During LMC, students were introduced to the 2023 Illinois Monarch Award book nominees. They voted on their favorite book. Mrs. Johnston and Mrs. Getty displayed the winners in our main hallway. Join us as we celebrate the Monarch books during Glacier Ridge Reads on Tuesday, March 21st from 6-7:30. Please see this link for volunteering opportunities and reservations.
Trimester 2 Celebration
Students have done a great job with PBIS school wide expectations this last trimester, and we plan to celebrate all of the hard work they are putting into safe, responsible and respectful choices! Students will be enjoying a fun day in the gym with two inflatables the week of March 20th during their P.E. time. Thank you Glacier Ridge PTA for making this celebration happen for our Polar Bears!
Extra Recess - 5Essentials Survey
Help our students earn an extra recess this month! The 5Essentials parent survey, administered online by UChicago Impact, is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of schools and to help school districts understand the conditions at each school to guide improvement. Parents are encouraged to take the survey for their child's school by visiting https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be connected to their student(s). Families can submit one survey for each child. The 5Essentials survey window will be open through March 31, 2023. Please take a moment to fill out the Five Essentials survey.
2022-2023 Yearbooks
You can start to capture memories and order your 2022-2023 Glacier Ridge Yearbook! To purchase and customize your yearbook, please go to www.TreeRing.com/validate. Then enter our school’s passcode: 1013872192942816. The deadline to order and customize the two free custom pages is April 4, 2023. The yearbook price is $20.00.
- For more information on purchasing a yearbook, visit: https://bit.ly/grsyb2023
- For more information on designing the 2 free custom pages, visit: https://bit.ly/grybcp23
Prospective Kindergarten Families: Register by 3/15 for a Free T-shirt!
District 47’s online kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 school year is now open! Families are encouraged to register now to secure their child's spot. To register, visit the D47 website at https://www.d47.org/kindergarten for step-by-step instructions. Families who submit online kindergarten registration before March 15th will get a free T-shirt for their incoming kindergartener! For any questions about kindergarten registration, please contact student services at the district office at 815-788-5000.
Reducing Strep Throat Infections at School
IDPH and the CDC are observing an increase in strep throat -- specifically invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) -- infections among children. ISBE is joining IDPH and and the CDC in stressing the importance of early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults. This parent fact sheet contains helpful information on the signs, symptoms and how families can help reduce the spread.
Cell Phones & Smartwatch Policy
Students are allowed to have a cell phone or smartwatch at school as long as it is turned off from 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cell phones must remain in the student’s locker at all times during the school day. Smartwatches are not to be used as internet access or cellular devices during the school day. Note: Elementary school lockers do not lock and the school/district is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal property. If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, the student should request permission to go to the main office and use the phone. If parents need to contact their child during the day, they should call the school’s main office. Cell phones will not be allowed on field trips and should be set to silent/vibrate while riding to and from school on a school bus.
Exceptions - Students who require access to a cell phone, app or other electronic device to monitor a medical condition or fulfill an IEP or 504 plan accommodation will be allowed to carry their device during the school day. However, these students will be expected to use the device only for this purpose and must obtain prior approval from school administration.
Additional things to note: District 47 treats any electronic device with the capability to call, text, or take photos as a cell phone/smartwatch. If a student uses the device inappropriately and/or if it causes a disruption during the school day, the device will be confiscated and taken to the school office. See consequences of cell phone violations here.
Morning Arrival
To assist with the traffic in the morning, it would be extremely helpful for car riders to be dropped off between 8:30 and 8:45.
Families Communicating Immediate Needs
We want to remind families that teachers, staff, and principals prioritize teaching, learning and engaging with students during the school day. They are not expected to monitor their email while school is in session. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for an email response. If your concern is urgent, please contact the school’s main office. Thank you!
Visitors Entering the School
Please know that Mrs. Seisser or Mrs. Stark will follow the new visitor protocol. If you will be volunteering at Glacier Ridge, you will also need to follow our volunteer guidelines and complete a volunteer application. We appreciate your help in keeping our school safe!
Upcoming Events
- Our next PTA meeting is April 10th!
- GREO is March 15th from 5-9 at Freddy's
- Show this flyer to raise money to support our PTA
Don't Forget
The Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser is happening now! In partnership with Tom’s Farm Market, a portion of the sales goes directly to Glacier Ridge. This is a great opportunity to support our school, students and staff as well as a local family owned business. Tom’s is offering an extensive selection of beautiful hanging baskets, potted flowers/plants, herbs and vegetables. Order forms and payment are due March 14th. Orders can also be made online, click here. Pickup is March 18th from 3-6 PM at Glacier Ridge.
Our Glacier Ridge PTA is once again offering educational scholarships to our Alumni, $1000 is to be awarded to a former Polar Bear! Please feel free to pass this link along to former Polar Bears graduating this year from a District 155 school.
Like Us, Follow Us, Join Us!
Want to stay in the know? Be sure to join us on:
- Facebook: Glacier Ridge Elementary Parents Group
For any questions please email us at glacierridgepta@gmail.com
CLFOGE
The Crystal Lake Friends of Gifted Education (CLFOGE) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-staffed group of parents and educators who are dedicated to supporting gifted education in District 47. The group is excited to continue its support for the Extended Curriculum program and to provide valuable connections and resources for all District 47 families.
Website: www.clfoge.org
Instagram: d47clfoge
For any questions please email us at info@clfoge.org