April Newsletter
2018
Dear KG Parents,
April is an extremely short month due to spring break, April 2nd through April 6th. In March, we finished our PARCC and IL Science Assessment testing for all the grade levels at Kelvin Grove. We will once again eagerly await the results which will be reported on the Illinois School Report Card at the end of October. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has determined the accountability measures for all schools under the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), including academic and student success/school quality indicators. Seventy-five percent of a school’s “grade” will be based upon academic performance on PARCC and the IL Science Assessment. The other portion of our grade will be determined on student attendance and the 5-Essentials climate survey. Schools will be placed in four different “tiers” based on their data and comparison to the rest of the state. Funding for support services will also be determined by ISBE depending on a school’s tier designation. These continue to be uneasy times for schools with a new funding formula and accountability measures occurring at the same time.
The warmer weather means more students will be walking and riding their bikes to and from school. We ask that parents that are driving take extra precaution as they enter and exit the parking lots. Students don’t always look as they begin to cross streets, and so it is our duty as motorists to watch for them. Additionally, I have been asked by the Lockport Police Department to remind our parents that CELL PHONE USE IS ILLEGAL IN SCHOOL ZONES! The LPD will be issuing tickets to motorists on their cell phones while driving around Kelvin Grove. Also, there is no standing, stopping, or parking along the curb-side of Adams Street during drop-off and pick up time. This causes a traffic hazard between the west and south lots of the school making it difficult for cars to enter and exit those areas. Additionally, cars are only allowed a right hand turn while exiting the junior high drop off area. Please follow all of the drop off and pick up procedures for the safety of our kids at KG.
April is also the month for our annual drama production. This year’s production, “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” will take place on Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Please come support our drama club and be entertained in the process. Tickets are only $2 for students and $5 for adults. I hope everyone has a relaxing spring break and has the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends.
Sincerely,
John Jennings
1. Current Sixth grade students are required by the State of Illinois to have a completed dental exam form on file at school by May 15, 2018.
There are still many students who do not have a current dental form on file. According to the law, report cards can be withheld if a dental form is not on file. Reminders will be sent out to students who have not complied.
2. It is not too early to start thinking about next school year sixth grade physicals! If you have a fifth grade student, complete the Illinois Health Exam now! Don’t forget a dental exam is also required!
Please look on the District 91 website, under the Health and Wellness section, to view the health requirements for your student's grade.
ALL students entering 6th grade are required to have:
2 doses of MMR
3 or more doses of Polio
3 or more doses of DTP/DTaP
3 doses of Hepatitis B
1 dose of the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
1 dose of the Tdap vaccine regardless of the interval since the last DTap, DT, Td dose
2 doses of Varicella or documentation of varicella disease documented by physician
Parent/Guardian must complete, sign and date the Health History section located on the backside of the Health Examination form
3. Please also be aware that students trying out for a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade team sports must have a current sports physical on file in order to tryout.
Thank you,
Jenna Drobick, BSN, RN
Kelvin Grove School Nurse
815-838-0737 ext. 1102
Guidance
This month we have been learning about embracing differences in others. We have discussed differences that we see in people and how we can appreciate and learn from those differences. We have also talked about the problems associated with making assumptions about others based on how they look. An important part of a supportive community and learning environment is supporting others and allowing others to give support based on our needs and differences. Learning to appreciate, respect, and accept others will help our school community to be more peaceful and pleasant and will build an environment where students are comfortable to question and learn.
In April we will be learning about grit. In our world where information is easily accessible and children receive constant and instant gratification with computer and video games, it is easy for them to become overwhelmed and frustrated when they are not able to accomplish learning new concepts quickly. Learning that some things take more time and effort to accomplish and that failure is inevitable is essential for all of us to be successful. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Effort and hard work are not always recognized and rewarded as much as the end product, i.e. the grade. Rather than placing all the focus on the grade, help your child learn to appreciate and navigate through the process of learning as well. The feeling of true accomplishment at completing a very difficult task is essential to building confidence and self esteem. You can encourage your child to develop grit, or perseverance, by assigning difficult tasks at home and praising the effort and persistence it takes to accomplish those tasks.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the guidance program, please contact me. I would love to hear from you! I would also encourage you to visit my webpage to find out more about the Guidance program and other helpful information.
Kathi Henderson
Kelvin Grove Student Counselor/Social Worker
Email: khenderson@d91.net
Phone: 815-838-0737 Ext 1132
Website: www.henderson91.weebly.com
4th Grade Newsletter
The third trimester is now upon us and the month of April will be very busy and exciting!
Classes have begun reading a novel, “The White Giraffe” by Lauren St. John. We will also continue to read various stories from our basal textbook. We have read many different genres of stories from the beginning of the year including, but not limited to, realistic fiction, biography, play, folktale, nonfiction, fantasy, and historical fiction.
Students have also been exposed to language skills such as, verbs (linking, helping, main, action, irregular and present, past and future tenses), articles, and adjectives.
In Social Studies, we are continuing to learn about the regions of the United States. We have discussed the Northeast and Southeast regions, and will be discussing the Midwest region. Our students have been working hard in Science, where we have been focusing on earth science topics, such as fossils, dinosaurs, volcanoes, weather, and oceans. In math we are learning about fractions, decimals, polygons, perimeter and area.
MAP testing will begin this month. Please make sure your child is at school and ready to learn. Even though we are nearing the end of the school year, we still have quite a bit of time left. Please help your child to continue good study habits and help them to return homework when it is due. Also, check with your child to see if he/she is in need of school supplies. Spring Break is a great time to set up a reading goal or do some review work using our online resources!
Don’t forget to send in donations for our collection for the TLC shelter. Smencil sales have been exceptional and will continue to be sold for the next couple of weeks. Thank you for all of your support with this great cause!
4th Grade P.E.
Technology Class
4th grade students are focusing on digital citizenship and how to make strong passwords. Here are some do’s and don’ts they are learning about:
DO share your password only with your parents.
DO create passwords with at least eight characters.
DO use combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols.
DO change your password regularly – at least every six months.
DON’T give a password to anyone else – not even your friends.
DON’T use passwords that are easy for people you know to guess, like your nickname or your pet’s name.
DON’T use any private information in your password.
DON’T use a word in the dictionary as a password.
5th Grade Newsletter
We can’t believe how quickly the year has gone by and are already well into spring. We are trying to finalize a date for GREAT graduation. Once we have that information, we will let you know.
In math we just took our test on chapter 9 which covered graphs and line plots. We will be starting chapter 10 learning about units of measure.
In reading we will be starting our next novel after we return from spring break; Maniac Magee. Our novels this year all had a similar theme dealing with some form of survival.
In science we are learning about matter. In social studies we have been learning about the Revolutionary War. This is a longer unit and will take us to the end of the third semester.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Please continue to check your child’s agenda on a daily basis. Grades are sent home on a weekly basis as well, please make sure to check the grades, sign and return to your child’s teacher.
Fifth Grade Teachers
5th Grade PE
During the month of April, we will be in our track and field unit for PE. During this unit, the students will perform in a variety of events. Some of these events include the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, relays, discus, shot put and discus. I will record their scores and the top boy and top girl of each class will earn a prize. At the end of April, we will be skating in the old gym for a week in 7th grade. The students will get the chance to roller skate and we will have a spirit week and themed skates.
Technology Class
5th grade students are focusing on digital citizenship and how to safely talk online. Students are learning about the difference between face to face friends and online only friends. They are understanding what to do if a situation makes them feel uncomfortable.
CAD classroom
We have been reading our stories, working on main ideas, phonics skills and sequencing stories. We’ve reviewed coins, multiplication, and time. We completed a unit on lines, rays and angles. In Science, we are finishing up our senses unit and how nerves carry messages back to our brain. Students are also practicing writing paragraphs, editing their own work, and adding details. During cooking, we made biscuits and gravy, quesadillas with Mexican rice, and a dessert trail mix colored green for St. Patrick’s Day. Trail mix was a hit!
6th Grade Science
The Periodic Table of Elements project was a complete success. The students did a great job researching, writing a paper, making a poster, and having some very creative speeches. I learned a lot of new facts about some of the elements and I could tell the students truly enjoyed what they were researching in science.
Sixth graders will be designing and testing bridges and roller coasters this trimester. Both the bridges and roller coaster projects will be done in class and have a deadline for completion. These projects will be real world simulations, and our classroom will turn into a construction zone.
Make sure your student is completing their LWIFś, there are two more due before the end of the year. I had a number of students not to LWIF # 7. I really enjoy reading the LWIFś because it new ideas for my science class. The ones that I have read or watched have been great!
Keep of the great work for the rest of the year. This has been one of favorite years for teaching science and I hope each student has enjoyed their time with me in my class. The final project this year will be solar cookers. Sixth grade students will study how light waves work.
Lastly, be sure to check the Jr. High hallway to see the Periodic Table that is on display. The Periodic Table wall is made from all of the sixth grade element project posters.
6th grade Social Studies
Students are immersed in ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and more. We are learning every aspect of Greek life.
6th Grade Math
Mrs. Stateman’s math class has finished up their study of solving one step equations and graphing inequalities on the number line. In April, we will begin to graph simple linear equations in the form y = kx on the coordinate plane. A reminder for any student or parent that needs extra examples on what we are studying, we encourage using the Math on the Spot videos that accompany each example in a lesson. The interactive student edition is recommended for any student that misses class due to sickness, band, or other obligations.
Did you know that all students have the opportunity to retake an assessment to attempt for greater points? We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity when scoring anything under 100% on an assessment. All a student needs to do is sign up for a designated retake time and day, study using the Ready to go On at the end of the module, and be ready to do their best the second time around. Ask your child to login to their account and show you how to access the additional practice features.
How can I help my child with math at home?
Encourage your child to solve everyday problems involving numbers.
Talk about the importance of math and how it is used in daily life.
Review your child’s homework and ask them to explain how they arrived at their solutions to problems.
Have your child practice using the math vocabulary for the chapter.
View the Math on The Spot videos with your child for concepts or skills he or she may be having difficulty with.
Talk with your child’s teacher about any questions you have about the math your child is learning.
6th Grade ELA
We will soon begin a novel study of the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Reading assignments and activities will be completed during our study of this novel. Completing all reading and writing assignments for the novel on time is of the utmost importance. Please make sure that your child is completing all assigned activities.
Vocabulary study continues with the Vocabulary Workshop program. Please be sure to remind your child to take advantage of the online activities prior to each unit test.
6th Grade P.E.
Pickleball unit and fitness training. Getting ready for the end of the year State Fitness testing this month.
Also the 6th grade students will participate in the Skating unit this month as well.
Technology Class
6th grade students are focusing on digital citizenship and how to be an upstander in a cyberbully situation. Students are learning how to show empathy by being brave and standing up for those who have been cyberbullied and find solutions for helping when cyberbullying occurs.
7th Grade Life Science
April is an exciting month in the world of Life Science! During April, students will be finishing up learning about ecosystems and cycles of matter. We will then focus on learning about the human digestive system before frog dissection, where we compare and contrast the human and frog’s digestive system. We will end the month by focusing on our frog worksheets and frog and human compare and contrast paper.
7th grade Social Studies
Students are meeting the first presidents of the United States, realizing some of the challenges they faced and gaining some understanding of the difficulty in forming our nation during those early years. Students are also learning about Lewis and Clark’s adventure of discovery through the Louisiana Territory.
7th Grade Math
April will begin the seventh grade study of statistics. Students will learn how to determine if there is a truly random sample, how to make inferences from that sample, and how to generate their own random sample. Students will then learn how to compare data displayed in dot plots and box plots. We will also use statistical data such as mean, median, mode, and range to compare populations. A reminder for any student or parent that needs extra examples on what we are studying, we encourage using the Math on the Spot videos that accompany each example in a lesson. The interactive student edition is recommended for any student that misses class due to sickness, band, or other obligations.
Did you know that all students have the opportunity to retake an assessment to attempt for greater points? We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity when scoring anything under 100% on an assessment. All a student needs to do is sign up for a designated retake time and day, study using the Ready to go On at the end of the module, and be ready to do their best the second time around. Ask your child to login to their account and show you how to access the additional practice features.
How can I help my child with math at home?
Encourage your child to solve everyday problems involving numbers.
Talk about the importance of math and how it is used in daily life.
Review your child’s homework and ask them to explain how they arrived at their solutions to problems.
View the Math on The Spot videos with your child for concepts or skills he or she may be having difficulty with.
Talk with your child’s teacher about any questions you have about the math your child is learning.
7th Grade ELA
The seventh grade classes will be reading poetry with a focus on poetic devices followed by works of fiction. These selections will be from the Language of Literature text and our study will focus upon characterization. Your child will compose a narrative piece from the perspective of a minor character in one of our fictional pieces. We will also begin The Giver novel study with a focus on evaluating the choices the characters make and the components of a utopian society.
Vocabulary study continues with the Vocabulary Workshop program. Please be sure to remind your child to take advantage of the online activities prior to each unit test.
7th Grade PE
During the month of April, we will be in our track and field unit for PE. During this unit, the students will perform in a variety of events. Some of these events include the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, relays, discus, shot put and discus. I will record their scores and the top boy and top girl of each class will earn a prize. At the end of April, we will be skating in the old gym for a week in 7th grade. The students will get the chance to roller skate and we will have a spirit week and themed skates.
Technology Class
7th grade students are focusing on digital citizenship and how to talk safely online. Students are learning about the different opportunities and pitfalls of talking online. They are building knowledge on the rules for safe online messaging and how to be empowered to deal with uncomfortable situations when communicating online.
8th Grade Earth Science
Students in earth science will be finishing up the theory of plate tectonics and focusing on earthquakes and volcanoes. They will be completing projects related to the topics at hand, as well as webquests and other fun activities.
8th Grade Social Studies
Throughout April, the students will be researching how the United States responded to communist expansion in and outside of Europe after World War 2. They will also be exploring the consequences of the Cold War-era rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The students will assess the impact of the economic boom during the 1950’s as well as the social and demographic changes that took place in the United States during this time. The students will also begin tracing the escalation of military involvement of the United States in Southeast Asia during the 1960’s.
8th Grade Math
Eighth grade students will continue their study of transformations on the coordinate plane with a study of dilations and the similar figures that they produce. Students will then move on to our fifth unit of study on measurement geometry. Students will learn about angle relationships in parallel lines and triangles along with using the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing side lengths in right triangles. A reminder for any student or parent that needs extra examples on what we are studying, we encourage using the Math on the Spot videos that accompany each example in a lesson. The interactive student edition is recommended for any student that misses class due to sickness, band, or other obligations.
Did you know that all students have the opportunity to retake an assessment to attempt for greater points? We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity when scoring anything under 100% on an assessment. All a student needs to do is sign up for a designated retake time and day, study using the Ready to go On at the end of the module, and be ready to do their best the second time around. Ask your child to login to their account and show you how to access the additional practice features.
How can I help my child with math at home?
Encourage your child to solve everyday problems involving numbers.
Talk about the importance of math and how it is used in daily life.
Review your child’s homework and ask them to explain how they arrived at their solutions to problems.
View the Math on The Spot videos with your child for concepts or skills he or she may be having difficulty with.
Talk with your child’s teacher about any questions you have about the math your child is learning.
8th Grade ELA
8th grade students are continuing to work through their World War II novel, Code Talker. We will be finishing up the novel some time after spring break. Students have regular reading questions, as well as mini quizzes and projects to complete along the way.
As vocabulary work continues, students are also having mini-review grammar units throughout the month of April including prepositions and subject/verb agreement. We will also be focusing on the meaning roots and base words to help us decipher the meaning of unknown words.
Our next unit, after Spring Break, will focus on a classic play; students will be reading and annotating William Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This complex play contains three interconnecting plot lines and a plethora of characters including royalty, actors, and fairies with magical powers that students will need to follow. Please look out for assignments that will assist students with this task. This is one of Shakespeare’s most popular works and will introduce students to the language for later Shakespearean texts they will encounter in high school.
8th Grade P.E.
Pickleball unit and fitness training. Getting ready for the end of the year State Fitness testing this month.
Also 8th grade students will participate in the Skating unit this month as well.
Technology Class
8th grade students are focusing on digital citizenship and their digital footprints they have online. Students are recognizing that they have a digital footprint that can be helpful or harmful to their reputation and image right now and in their future.
The Art Update
The Kelvin Grove art students are continuing with the art of painting. Next month, we will begin 3-D sculpture with both fourth and fifth grades before outside sketching and other nature inspired projects.
The third trimester junior high students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades have begun their art experience by completing a placecard to define and advertise their seat in class and an art portfolio to store all work and materials needed daily. Thank you to all second trimester art students - your hard work and creativity were enjoyed this year.
Please note the following ART CLUB dates for March and April:
Any art club student - in fourth through eighth grade can attend ALL remaining art club days.
April 10, 2018 - April 17, 2018
May 1, 2018 - May 8, 2018
Thank you for your continued interest and support! Please be sure to check us out on the web anytime! -Mrs. Cravens
April Band News
BAND NEWS:
Concert Band has been competing in their own version of March Madness through a Scale Competition. Congratulations to Grace H., Kyra, M. Rileigh R. and Liam T.! They are our conference champions. The final two, Grace H. and Liam T., went head-to-head in the final. Congratulations goes to Grace H., Kelvin Grove’s March Madness 2018 Scale Champion!
In other March Madness news, the Concert Band students also participated in the President’s Own United States Marine Band March Mania. They listened to thirty-two marches in four weeks and selected Entry of the Boyares by Johannas Halvorsen as the winner of their 2018 March Mania. It was great listening to all the marches and getting exposure to so many wonderful marches and spectacular playing!
Congratulations to the Kelvin Grove Bands for an outstanding Music in our Schools month in March!!! Concert Band had an excellent performance at the IGSMA District Contest. The Concert Band received a Division I rating and even more impressive, was one point from a perfect score! Congratulations to the Concert Band! They will be participating at the IGSMA State Festival on Saturday, April 28. Please mark this date on your calendar. More information will be forthcoming when it becomes available. Thanks for a great National Music in Our Schools Month!!!
The final concert of the year is the Band Recognition Concert on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00pm. At this concert, each band (beginning, intermediate, concert and jazz) will be performing and will receive band awards. Please join us to recognize the hard work and dedication that all the band students have put in all year.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS:
We will be having our Cold Stone Ice Cream Social after the Band Recognition Concert on Wednesday, May 9. Order forms will be coming home the week of April 9. Orders and money will be due Friday, April 20.
The spring flower orders will be delivered the week of May 7.
AS ALWAYS…
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Plagman if you have any questions or concerns at (815)838-0737 x1139 or nplagman@d91.net. Also, check the band website at http://kgband.weebly.com/ for updated information.
Cheerleading
Cheerleading Tryouts to be held in May for Next Year’s Team
Tryouts for the 2018-2019 Cheerleading Team will take place in May 2018. Students interested in trying out need to be aware of the following:
Listen to in school announcements for the informational meeting to get a tryout packet
Check the Cheer page on the D91 website frequently for all cheer tryout related updates
All students trying out will need to provide proof of a current health or sports physical to attend tryouts
Nature Club
The students have started to plant their seeds and are excited to see them grow. We are preparing for our school garden and our upcoming first ever plant sale around Mother’s Day...more information to come.
Yearbook Club
Yearbook club is in full swing. Students have picked out a cover for our yearbook and have been tagging photos of KG students. Our goal is to get ALL students in at least one candid shot in the yearbook and we need everyone’s help. All yearbook members have their own login for Jostens and can even tag photos at home.
Our final meeting of the school year will be held on May 14, 2018. Club members will get a sneak preview of the finial 2018 yearbook and have a party to celebrate a successful completion.
BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE BOOK FAIR
Stock up for summer reading at the Scholastic BOGO Book Fair to be held in the KG LRC April 30 through May 4. The fair will be open to the public after school until 6:00 pm daily. Check www.d91.net for details, info and specials -- and don't forget: #Read91!
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK CELEBRATION
KG LRC celebrates National Library Week school wide April 16-20 with special spirit days:
- Monday - GET READY FOR SUMMER READING! Beach Day / Wear Hawaiian shirts, beach wear (no swimsuits) - bring beach towel for RtI DEAR (LRCs hand out lei's to all district students)
- Tuesday - Roll Out of Bed and Read - Wear pajamas or comfy sweats
- Wednesday - Get in the Game: Read - Wear a team or sports shirt
- Thursday - Read Me/I Love Books - Wear a shirt you can read or something representing a favorite book
- Friday - Hornets Read - Wear your Hornets spirit wear or colors
BOOKMARK CONTEST: CALLING ALL STUDENT ARTISTS
Students are invited to create original bookmarks ( theme: EVERY CHILD A READER ) during National Library Week April 16-20. Forms are available in the KG LRC, attached to this newsletter and on www.kgcyberlibrary.weebly.com.
KG LRC - RAILS MEMBER
SLAMMERS READING INCENTIVE
Watch for information about Joliet Slammers reading program coming home soon. Students in grades K-8 can earn free admission tickets - simply by reading! A D91 Family Night is also planned at the Slammers' home Silver Cross Field. Watch for details!
MAKE IT @YOUR LIBRARY & THE KG LRC MAKERSPACE
Thanks to the Illinois State Library for the amazing makerspace FREE loans that we've used this school year. Students LOVE the chance to try out new tech in the LRC MakerSpace. Students are enjoying the new non-fiction books featured on the LRC TECH TOWER, too -- featuring many new technologies and tech superstars.
UP NEXT FOR APRIL: THE DREMEL 3D PRINTER