Dear Lions Park Families,

Happy New Year! I hope 2022 is off to a good start for your family. Our staff were glad to welcome many of our students back to Lions Park in person. We know we have some staff and students who were unable to return this week due to illness or quarantine. We are thinking of those families dealing with illness and wish you a speedy return to good health. This is a challenging time in our world, but I do believe that our Lions Park community will continue to support one another through the difficulties we face. If there is anything we can do to help you and your family, please feel free to reach out to me, and we will do the best we can to provide any assistance needed.

During these first weeks back at school after winter break, staff are reviewing our behavior expectations with students. Students have been reminded what it looks like and sounds like to be safe, respectful and responsible in the hallway, at lunch, at recess and in their classrooms. We also shared with students our expectations for play in the snow. They are encouraged to wear snowpants, coats, hats, gloves/mittens and boots. Also, snow throwing is not allowed at arrival, dismissal or recess. We appreciate your ongoing support in helping your children follow these expectations while on school grounds.

We are doing districtwide winter benchmark assessments. Students will take MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) starting on Tuesday. Students will take two computerized MAP tests- one in reading and one in math. Each test takes approximately one hour. Students who are absent may test remotely with their class. If you don't want your child to take the test from home, please contact Ms. Kelly at kkelly@d57.org. Also, over the first three weeks of January, students will participate in brief assessments to look at their reading fluency and math problem solving. The reading fluency test involves having students read three passages aloud for one minute per passage. The math problem solving test is another computerized test. Teachers will also be having each student read to them one on one and answer some questions to determine their reading level. This information helps us to plan for instruction and also to identify students who may benefit from additional interventions or enrichment.

If your child has received two vaccine doses, you can submit proof of vaccination at this link. The form does require you to have a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, please email a photograph of the proof of vaccination to our school nurse, Mrs. Bauer, at cbauer@d57.org. Students who are two weeks past their second dose are considered to be fully vaccinated. State guidelines say that these students do not have to quarantine due to exposure to COVID. We will still notify these families if their child is a close contact, but the students may continue to come to school.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns.

Best wishes,

Katie Kelly

Principal