Weekly Communique
February 3, 2023
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
Report Cards
When I was a student, many years ago, report cards and parent teacher conferences were big deals. I remember my emotions being excited, nervous, and anxious about what my report card would look like and what my teachers might say to my parents about how I was as a student in their class. I would watch their faces as they each would read the report card anticipating what they would be happy about or unhappy about - as I experienced both. On conference night, I would sit and watch for the car lights to come down our street as though I was waiting for a verdict. I don't really know why, but I rarely had a clue as to what the teacher would tell them. We would talk about what was said, and I was encouraged to continue the things that were positive and for the things that weren't so great, I was told how that would change. It became obvious to me that school mattered. Like all kids, I wanted my parents to be proud of me.
Report cards are different now. No longer are they simple cards with a subject and a letter grade. They can be complicated and overwhelming. Now schools have to report on specific standards and they can be complicated and overwhelming, too. Report cards, however, remain the first tool for communicating with our families. Our report cards for the second quarter were posted on Monday, January 23, 2023, through the parent portal on Skyward. The second communication tool with our families is the parent teacher conference. The second set of conferences is scheduled for February 15 & 16, 2023.
Right now, the percentage of student report cards that have been opened and reviewed falls between 13 and 29% of students, depending upon the grade level. Those of you that never opened the report card have been notified that you need to take care of that asap. Reading the report card prepares you for parent teacher conferences. Conferences provide you the opportunity to have questions about what the report card addressed. It allows the teacher more time to speak to the strengths and work habits of your child. If you haven't made your appointment, please call your child's school. The report card and the conferences are tools that provide the foundation for conversations at home with your student, which lets them know that school matters to you.
D56 is Hiring
D56 is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
- Substitute Teachers
- Lunchroom Supervisors
- School Custodian
- Bus Drivers & Aides
For more information please contact Steve Kirwan at 847-336-8997 or by email to transportation@d56.org
Are you or someone you know interested in any job position above please visit the this link to apply online.
Tweet of the Week
ATTENTION: Kindergarten Class of 2036
School Maker Faire
Author visit at Spaulding & River Trail School
Author Carolyn Crimi visited both Spaulding and River Trail last Friday; she also had lunch with the kindergarten book club at Spaulding, and students got to share with her their own books that they wrote and illustrated about one of her characters!
Carolyn Crimi enjoys snacking, pugs, Halloween, and writing, although not necessarily in that order. Over the years she has published 19 books for children, including Weird Little Robots, Secondhand Dogs, Don’t Need Friends, Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies, Where’s My Mummy?, There Might Be Lobsters, and I Am The Boss of This Chair.
When she’s not snacking, Carolyn enjoys giving Author Talks to elementary schools all over
the country. For more information, visit her website, carolyncrimi.com.GROUP
Viking Jazz Bands performed at the Jazz Jamboree
Both Viking Jazz Bands performed at the Jazz Jamboree at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights on Saturday, January 28th.
Jazz Ensemble (7/8th Graders)
Link to the performance:
Jazz ensemble: https://youtu.be/07nHjQvbMBU
Jazz Band (6th Graders)
Link to the performance:
Jazz band: https://youtu.be/tT206-kdAdo
THANK YOU
Be sure to thank your amazing D56 driver!! Many went in this past Sunday on their day off to make sure the busses were cleaned off and safe for school on Monday morning!
Engineering Skills
Students in Mrs. Kuffel's science class are putting their engineering skills to the test with their earthquake shake test.
Coin Unit
Spaulding school students in Mrs. Rasmussen's classroom began their coin unit by exploring coins, reading books, and doing coin rubbings. They found a nickel from 1957!
D56 Families, what do you think of a parent night out? Think cocktails, games, raffles, and adult conversation.
Give us a thumbs up on our D56 PTO facebook page if you are in, give us a heart if you want to help plan this event, give us a wow and a PM if you have an item to donate (think sports tickets, etc).
Prairie Trail Free Family Movie Night
We had an awesome night at Prairie Trail for Free Family Movie Night. A huge thanks to the Volunteers and the D56 Maintenance Department for all of their help in making these events possible!!!
Gurnee Police Department
Warren-Newport Public Library
Check out all the events happening in February at the Warren -Newport Public Library.
IDPH has partnered with the Rockefeller Foundation for Project Access COVID Test
One million COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are now available while supplies last. Learn more:
https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/testing/act-zip-codes.html
All ZIP codes in Illinois located outside the City of Chicago are now eligible to request FREE COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for home delivery! Please visit the following website, enter your ZIP code, and sign-up: https://www.accesscovidtests.org/
Tests are delivered right to your doorstep and are completely free!