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Sprague School

Sprague School

Building Inclusive Classrooms

Beginning this year, Sprague students will be learning from an additional social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum called, “The Nora Project.” Their mission is to promote disability inclusion by empowering educators and engaging students and communities. Through the Primer Pack, students are introduced to a variety of topics which will help them develop meaningful relationships with peers of all abilities.


Paired with our Second Step SEL Program, The Nora Project Primer Pack aims to teach students the critical skill and value of empathy while also normalizing difference and demystifying disability. Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand how someone else is feeling or to understand the situation they are in.” Many believe that empathy is a character trait you either have or you don’t, but studies show that talking about kindness, role-modeling altruism, and practicing teamwork positively impact character development and cultivate empathetic students and supportive, connected communities. The Primer Pack lays the foundation for these all-important empathy skills by providing students with opportunities to identify as “includers,” or individuals who demonstrate kindness, empathy, and emotional literacy towards others.


Our focus at Sprague will be on the Primer Pack program’s 4th outcome:

  • To develop an Ability Inclusive Mindset (AIM) by learning about ability diversity.
  • To learn that disability is a natural and expected part of human diversity.


Please visit the The Nora Project website for more information.

Giving is my Thing!

Sprague school is collecting pajamas (PJs) as part of their year-long Wildcat Way initiative. December's Wildcat Way theme is "Giving is my Thing!"


This month, students will learn about different ways they can give, for example, giving compliments, giving a hand to others, and giving their time to someone.


Our home connection is having a PJ collection benefiting children who are in foster care. We are requesting PJs sizes 5T through adult. Students are also invited to create a coloring of Stripes and give him PJs to wear and bring the finished artwork to school. This activity went home earlier this week.


Each month, Sprague Wildcats learn about characteristics that help make them successful at school, at home, and in their community. It is known as “The Wildcat Way.”


Ask your Sprague student to name one of the Wildcat Ways and how they have demonstrated the behavior recently:

  • I can be SAFE

  • I can be a TEAM PLAYER

  • I can be a GOOD FRIEND

  • I can be THANKFUL

  • GIVING is my thing

  • I can be POSITIVE

  • I can be KIND

  • I CAN EXPLORE THE WORLD

  • I can spread JOY

  • I can CELEBRATE

Cold Weather Guidelines

It is important during snow and cold weather months to have children dressed appropriately for outdoor recess with gloves, hat, boots, coat, and snow pants, if needed. Students cannot play in the snow if they are not dressed properly. Remember to label items so they can be returned if they are misplaced.
  • Students must wear coats, boots, snow pants, and snow gloves for the weather.
  • Students can't throw or eat the snow.
  • If students do not have boots, they must play on the blacktop.


If the combination of temperature and/or wind chill is 6 degrees Fahrenheit or above, students will go outside for recess. This guideline falls within the "safe" category for being outside for 30 minutes and allows students to go outside more frequently in the winter months. Please see the wind chill chart from the National Weather Service for details.
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Lost and Found

Please ask your child to visit the Lost & Found bins if something is missing. Water bottles, jackets, lunch boxes, and more can be found there. The school will donate unclaimed items. Do you see any of your student's belongings in the picture? Please remember to clearly write your child's name on these items. Items will be donated before Winter Break.

Field Trip Registration

Partnerships

Managing the Overuse of Digital Tech in Our Kids

In partnership with the Vernon Area Library, the D103 Parent Education team is excited to bring to our community Dr. Cliff Sussman, a child and adolescent psychiatrist from the Washington D.C. area.


Dr. Sussman is a pioneer in recognizing and treating Internet & video game addiction. He has regularly given presentations to parent and professional communities on this topic. As a leading expert in this field, Dr. Sussman will help parents define what excessive screen use looks like and understand how it can impact the developing brains of their children. Furthermore, he will provide us with definitions of healthy screen time for children and how to balance screen activities with off screen activities. He will discuss strategies on how to use motivational interviewing to talk to our children about topics surrounding screen time and help parents recognize the factors that may be contributing to screen overuse and addiction in their homes.


Virtual Event

  • 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 6
  • Learn more and register your spot on eventbrite.com

Community Events

Lincolnshire Lights

Kick off the holiday season at Lincolnshire Lights! From lighting the 40-foot holiday tree and caroling performances to DIY crafts and pictures with Santa, Lincolnshire Lights is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with your family. Join us at Village Green from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Enjoy performances by musical artists from Daniel Wright and Half Day.

Soccer Academy

Chicago Rush North Soccer Club Winter Academy for 5- and 6-year-olds starts up soon. Register now for the Rush Academy.

Sprague Information

Principals
  • Principal Ann Hofmeier
  • Assistant Principal Jennifer Arroyo
Reporting a Student Absence
Margaret Van Duch
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