Happy Friday Kipling Families,

We had a very exciting week here at Kipling! Not only was it Groundhog Day, but it was also the 100th day of school! While that pesky Punxsutawney Phil delivered some bad news, our Kindergarten teachers and students had so much fun dressing up like they were 100 years old. Thank you to everyone who made it such a fun day.

I hope everyone stayed warm today! We should have a 50-60 degree swing in temperature by tomorrow. You have to love (or hate) the weather in Chicago. Like Chicago weather, our students can experience big swings throughout the year. Academic swings, mood swings, and growth spurts are just some of the quick and noticeable shifts that occur. During this last stretch of winter especially, our kids may start acting in unusual or unexpected ways. As adults, we have all learned our own strategies to deal with the “winter blues.” It is our job to support our students and get them back on track just like we do if we see a change in their academic performance. Thank you, as always, for all of your support at home as we partner together to help our students reach their potential.

I hope you and your families have a “warm” and happy weekend. Enjoy the sunshine!

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary School

-Please purchase your Kipling 2022/23 yearbook before the deadline of February 15th!. Please place your order on our PTO website https://kiplingpto.membershiptoolkit.com/ before it is too late!

-Calling all Kipling Families! The 2023 Kipling Skate Night will be this Sunday, February 5th, from 4:30-6:30pm at the Northbrook Sports Center (1730 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook). ALL fees including admission and skate rental are sponsored by the Kipling PTO! Please see the attached flyer for more details. We hope to see you all there!

-Please sign up for your PTO Membership now! Click HERE to sign up if you have not already!

-Our next PTO meeting will be on Friday, February 10th at 9:30am in our Staff Lounge.

Parents across Illinois again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

· Effective Leaders

· Collaborative Teachers

· Involved Families

· Supportive Environments

· Ambitious Instruction

This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.

To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete.

In addition to parents, teachers and 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal no later than 2/10/23.

Kindergarten Registration For 2023-2024 is Now Open!

Have an incoming kindergartener (or know someone who does?) The registration process for the upcoming school year is now open and the earlier we know who is coming, the better we can plan! Just go to www.dps109.org/kindy to learn how to begin the process. Please reach out to our registrar, Rosa Castillo (rcastillo@dps109.org) with any questions.

The Deerfield Park District runs all of our before and after school programs. Linked here is the brochure & information for sign up. Please contact the Park District, 847-945-0650, if you have questions.

• February 8th - 4th Grade Musical and Choir Concert - 5:30pm
  

• February 10th - PTO Meeting - 9:30am, Staff Lounge

• February 16th - Board of Education Meeting at District Office - 7pm

• February 20th - No School - Presidents’ Day

• February 21st - No School - Teacher Institute Day

• March 3rd - PTO Meeting - 9:30am, Staff Lounge

• March 6th - No School *Possible Emergency Day*

• March 10th - Kipling Musical Evening Performance

• March 11th - Kipling Musical Saturday Performance

• March 16th - Board of Education Meeting at District Office - 7pm

• March 27th-March 31st - Spring Break