February Newsletter
Kelvin Grove Middle School
Website: http://www.d91.net
Location: 808 Adams Street, Lockport, IL, USA
Phone: 815-838-0737
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Milne-Kelvin-Grove-District-91-129629463811500/
A Note from Mr. Jennings:
Dear KG Parents,
We’ve had some great news to start this new year in regards to the reconstruction process of our old gym. There were no issues with the concrete foundations which allowed the builders to start putting in the new flooring after winter break. The potential grand re-opening is scheduled for the end of February. Students and staff have been wonderful during this transition, as evidenced by the outstanding winter program held at the Rialto Theater. Thanks to Mrs. Randolph, staff, students, and parents for a magical matinee performance.
Students completed the second benchmarking period of the district’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment in the middle of January. Each student created individual goals, with help from their homeroom teachers, in the content areas of reading and mathematics, based upon their fall MAP RIT score. This process has a dual purpose. First, students become more aware of their own academic progress, and it will also foster a growth mindset in students. Having a growth mindset is designed to bring an awareness of a person’s talents and the belief through hard work they can develop them further. We will be celebrating our students’ success on Friday, February 8th at our annual growth assembly. Students will create their end of the year goals this month and that celebration is scheduled for the last student attendance day in May.
The district is starting to get information on the new state assessment, the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). The Illinois State Board of Education will be providing more details for the actual testing window for our students but all indications point to March. The new assessment will still utilize a computerized platform for testing and have fewer testing sessions in math and English language arts. We will try to provide the most up to date information when we know it.
February’s weather is always unpredictable. While we hope for an early spring and warmer temperatures, some of our worst snow storms recently have occurred in early February. In case of emergency school closures, the district will send notification through our automated calling system, post on our website, and through local news media outlets. Keep bundled up Hornets!
Sincerely,
John Jennings
Principal
Outstanding School Fees!
As we approach the mid-point of the school year, we would like to remind families of outstanding fees. Two reminders have already been mailed. If you had initially set up a payment plan on your registration fees and have not made all your payments or had requested a fee waiver and have not receive an approval letter, please be sure you contact Mrs. Krumlinde and get your payments in now!
Students with outstanding registration fees are subject to exclusion to end of year activities such as field day, 8th grade trip, the graduation dance and the graduation ceremony. District 91 has also implemented a $20 carry over fee per student for any fees that are not paid in the current school year.
Kindergarten Round Up is Right Around the Corner!
We are currently in the process of planning our annual kindergarten roundup day in March for next fall’s kindergarteners. If you have a child that will be attending kindergarten with us please email Mrs. Krumlinde at lkrumlinde@d91.net with the following information:
Child’s Name
Child’s Gender
Child’s Date of Birth
Where the child attends pre-school, if applicable
Parent(s) Name(s) and contact information
If you know of any friends or neighbors with an incoming kindergartener that live within the District 91 boundaries that are planning to attend in the fall, please share this information with them.
Attendance Reminder
Parents and guardians are reminded to call the attendance line by 9am, (815)838-0737 ext 1, whenever your child will be late to school or absent from school. The attendance line is available 24x7. When calling, be sure to give your child’s name, grade, homeroom teacher name and THE REASON for the tardy or absence. We have way too many children that are unaccounted for on a daily basis and it is the parent responsibility to call the child in. Our auto-call system tracks the calls going out and it is very sad the number of parents that ignore the calls and emails. We cannot begin to safeguard your children without your help.
Happy February! Flu season is in full swing! Please protect yourself and your children by practicing good hygiene habits and getting vaccinated. The flu is spread by droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking. If your child is experiencing flu-like symptoms, please keep them home and call their absence into the attendance line. People with the flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can infect others for longer periods of time, especially if they still have symptoms.
Symptoms of the flu include:
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults.)
Prevent the spread of the flu by:
Getting vaccinated
Staying away from people who are sick
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after it has been used
If your child is sick with flu illness, try to keep him or her in a seperate room from others in the household, if possible
CDC recommends that your sick child stay home for at least 24 hours after his or her fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean and disinfect hard surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs, including bathroom surfaces, kitchen counters and toys.
6th Grade Dental Exams are required to be turned into the health office by May 15, 2019! If a dental exam is not on file for your 6th grade student, you will not have access to their final grades.
Miles of Smiles- A free dental service will be at KG on February 22, 2019. In order for your child to participate in this service you must complete a permission form- more information and permission forms can be found on the district website and in virtual backpack.
School Lunch Nutritional Facts: Curious about what your child is eating for school lunch? See the Monthly Lunch Menu Nutritional Facts located on the Lunch Program Page on the District Website.
Wellness Committee: Did you know District 91 has a Wellness Committee and a Wellness Plan? The Wellness Committee assists in coordinating the implementation of the District Wellness Policy and meets to evaluate and modify, if necessary, the District Wellness Plan. Check out the Lockport District 91 Wellness Plan located on the Health & Wellness Page of the District Website. If you are interested in volunteering or contributing to improve the health and wellness of all students and staff at District 91, please contact the School Nurse, Jenna Drobick, at 815-838-0737 Ext. 1102 or jdrobick@d91.net.
4th and 5th Grade Guidance
I hope your family enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and caught up on some rest and relaxation! As we look forward to a fresh start at the beginning of this new year, it is a great time to work on positive habits and practices. In guidance classes with both fourth and fifth grades, we have been working through a unit on managing emotions. In fourth grade, we just finished a lesson on managing strong feelings. The next lessons in this unit will include calming down anger, managing anxiety, avoiding jumping to conclusions, and handling put-downs. In fifth grade, we just finished a lesson on managing anxiety. The next lessons in this unit for fifth grade include managing frustration,, resisting revenge, handling put-downs, and avoiding assumptions.
Thank you for completing the Second Step homework activities with your child! I hope it is helping you to have some meaningful conversations and to reinforce positive life skills at home. Managing strong feelings is an important skill and students are learning three calm-down steps: Stop, Name your feeling, and Calm down. The more students practice these skills, the more natural their responses will be, so please encourage your child to use these steps at home.
As always, if you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the Guidance program, please contact me. I would love to hear from you!
We would like to welcome everyone back from winter vacation. We hope you had an opportunity to get some rest and relaxation. We also hope parents and children enjoyed a good book or two over the break.
In reading, we have been studying theme, inferencing, and summarizing. We have applied these concepts to a variety of genres including realistic fiction, legends, and nonfiction. In the coming weeks we will focus on text based reading questions that require evidence from the text to support their responses. Our grammar concepts in language have included subject and object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and adjectives.
In math, students are working on Chapter 6, which covers fractions. Students have been applying their understanding of multiplication to generate equivalent fractions and compare fractions. Chapter 7 will involve addition and subtraction of fractions.
In social studies, we are learning about the northeast and southeast regions of the United States. For each region we discuss the characteristics of the land, important historical events that shaped that area, and how the regions have changed over time. In science, we have been studying electrical circuits and energy transfers. Students have participated in several hands-on science activities, including building circuits to make bulbs light and buzzers sound.
Please continue to look over your child’s agenda and double check assignments. It is important to catch errors and review proper procedures. The fourth grade teachers wish you joy, health, and happiness in the new year.
Students will start participating in the GREAT program at the end of February with Officer Szmergalski. Officer Szmergalski will visit the fifth grade classrooms once a week for six weeks educating the children on bullying, being a bystander and gangs.
We are well into reading the novel The Cay. Students have enjoyed reading about a boy who has to survive on a raft with a stranger and a loose cat after the ship he and his mother were on was torpedoed.
In science we are learning about landforms, and in social studies we are learning about the original 13 colonies.
Please continue working with your child and checking their agenda on a daily basis. Our websites are updated daily. Weekly emails are sent as well informing parents of what is going on in our classrooms and any upcoming tests or important information for the week. Please visit thinkcentral.com to practice any of the math lessons we are covering. Students know how to access and maneuver around the site. If any questions should arise, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Also, please continue practicing basic math facts with your child.
Thank you,
Fifth grade teachers
4th and 5th grade PE
In February all grades will be starting a floor hockey unit.
We want to remind everyone to stay active this winter. We know it can be tough to stay moving when it is cold outside. Find something you enjoy doing and move for at least 30 minutes a day!
4th & 5th Grade Technology Class
Jr High CAD
We have been busy in Science learning about osmosis, solids, liquids and gases. We completed a couple of experiments using gummy bears, candy canes and pennies. We are learning about the circulatory and respiratory systems. Reading, identifying characters, settings, and details continues. In math, we reviewed fractions, time, money and perimeter. We took a field trip to see The Christmas Carol then watched the movie to find similarities and differences. Winter break was enjoyed by all!
LASEC Academy
LASEC Academy students are finishing the Hunger Games and will be writing papers with the theme of Heroes this month. In Science, we are learning about matter and forces in motion and beginning to work on science fair projects. In Social Studies, we are beginning to learn about life in the United States after World War II.
6th Grade
Sixth grade students have recently completed the Winter portion of MAP testing. Students set goals earlier in the year and will be reflecting on if they’ve met their goal or not. The PBIS incentive this month is the Bowling Trip at the end of the month. The requirement is no F’s on the Trimester 2 midterm report card. Students are encouraged to continue to check their grades online for the most up to date assignments and grades. Students are regularly assigned both homework and long term projects that need to be completed on time. Teacher Websites, Google Classroom, and your student’s agenda are all excellent resources to see what assignments are due when.
6th grade Technology Class
7th Grade
All seventh grade students are working on their Take a Stand project, which will continue throughout the year. Students are researching an inspirational upstander, and are working on a service project to better their communities.
Seventh grade math classes are midway through the study of percentages. Throughout February, we will be completing our study of algebra by solving inequalities and getting ready to apply our new skills in geometry.
Seventh grade Science classes have been learning how our body systems work together in order to maintain homeostasis. We have now moved on to our Scope about Sensory Receptors. Students are realizing how our senses are received by our body, and how those messages move throughout our body. Our next STEMscopes ‘bundle” (Unit) will focus on the following ‘scopes’ (chapters) Reproduction in Plants & Animals, Genes & Proteins, as well as Mutations & Natural Selection.
Seventh grade Social Studies classes have learned what sparked the Revolutionary War, learned how the Americans struggled through and eventually won the war. We are now beginning chapter 8, which discusses the Articles of Confederation, and the creation of our current Constitution. Which brings us to learning the Constitution. After we finish chapter 8, we will begin studying our Constitution. We will study in class, and students will be expected to study at home as well. Tests will be chunked into smaller quizzes, in order to make them more manageable for the students to master the content.
In ELA the students are taking time to complete their Take A Stand research papers. We are focusing on the organization of the paper, learning how to avoid plagiarism and use the proper format. Sadlier Vocabulary Units are continuous in class, please see the weekly email for the specific unit they are working on. FlyGirl is our current novel study, we are discussing how the main character encounters discrimination in the forms of racism and sexism as well as looking for evidence of change in her life. Figurative language is helpful with comprehension and we are discussing the different forms we find as we read.
7th Grade Technology Class
Students in 7th grade technology class have been learning about a Google application called Google My Maps. Students can use this tool to create custom maps. They can add locations to a map, customize the pin, add images, draw a line between locations, measure distances, etc. The students will also be taking part in a Drone workshop that Miss Megan from The University of Illinois Extension 4-H will present. Students will learn how to fly a drone, take pictures of a map, and find locations on the map that they took images off with the drone.
8th Grade
READING-LANGUAGE ARTS
Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop: https://www.sadlierconnect.com/@1952592
The students continue to read selections from the Literature text. Recent lessons have focused on internal and external conflicts.
Journal writing is done on a regular basis. Vocabulary study continues with the online Sadlier Connect program. Study guides are given for each unit test, so make sure that your child has completed the study guide and is using it to prepare for the final test.
SOCIAL STUDIES - Discovery Education
Online Textbook: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
United States History (Civil War to Present)
World War I - Students will be exploring the causes of WWI, America’s involvement in WWI and how the United States asserted itself as a world power. They will also study the social, cultural, economic and technological changes that occurred after the end of WWI.
SCIENCE -StemScopes
Online Textbook:http://stemscopes.com/ (login with school email and password)
In Earth Science, students will continue to examine the geologic history of the Earth by exploring what past geoscience processes can tell us about Earth’s past and help us predict its future. Areas of study will also include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and seafloor spreading. Students will also be designing and building a structure using materials provided in class to be tested on an earthquake table.
MATH - Go Math
Online Textbook:https://my.hrw.com/ (login with school email and password)
In Math we will begin working on the Geometry portion of the curriculum. Unit 4 covers Transformational Geometry. In this unit, we will look at the mathematical effects of moving a geometric shape around the coordinate plane by four methods. The first method is Translation, or the act of moving from one location to another. From there, we will look at the effects of Reflection, which is like looking at an object in a mirror. The third method of Transformation is Rotation, which is like spinning the object around a single point on an axis. In the first three methods of Translation we will also look at the property of congruence, which determines if two objects have the same size and shape.
The final method of Translation is Dilation. In Dilation, the size of the shape is either increased or decreased. In this process of increasing or decreasing the size, we will also explore the property of similarity. Two objects are similar when they have they same shape, but are of different proportional sizes.
Junior High PE
In February all grades will be starting a floor hockey unit.
We want to remind everyone to stay active this winter. We know it can be tough to stay moving when it is cold outside. Find something you enjoy doing and move for at least 30 minutes a day!
8th Grade Technology Class
The fourth and fifth grade art students have concluded their study of the color wheel and will be putting their color knowledge to use by creating formal paintings inspired by master paintings of past. The fourth grade students will be using Van Gogh and his masterpiece, “Starry Night” as inspiration; the fifth grade students will be starting with the work of Claude Monet and his famous Japanese Bridge landscape to motivate their efforts.
The second trimester art exploratory classes are over half way through and completed projects in multimedia materials and techniques including drawing, design, printmaking, painting, and now progressing from 2-D to 3-D sculpture. Sixth grade students are creating a plaster mask and backstory to bring their character to life. Seventh grade students are direct casting their own hand with plaster and use it as a time capsule to enclose a letter to their future self. Eighth grade students are planning contrasting tea cups for two - using measurement and accuracy to create two functional clay pieces.
Please note the following ART CLUB dates in February and March:
February 6, 2019, February 13, 2019 & February 20, 2019
March 6, 2019, March 13, 2019 & March 20, 2019
For additional information about your child’s art education or Art Club, please be sure to check us out on the web at www.d91.net. Thank you for your interest in the Art Department at Kelvin Grove, and Happy New Year to all.
Thank you to all the students that played at the
Volleyball game on Thursday, January 10!
It was great to be part of Pack the Gym Night!
HAPPENINGS IN THE BAND ROOM:
The bands are busily preparing for their upcoming performances. The Intermediate Band and Beginning Band have a concert on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the new gym. Upcoming festivals and contests for Concert Band include: the LTHS Band Festival on Thursday, February 21 at 7:00 pm at LTHS and the IGSMA District Band Contest on Saturday, March 9 at Minooka Junior High in Minooka. Tentatively, we will be playing at 1:00 pm, so call time will be around 11:15 am. Finalized times and information will be coming home as soon as it becomes available. Continue to encourage your child to practice at least 30 minutes four to six times a week or at least 120 minutes a week. It is guaranteed the more your child practices, the better they will become on their instrument.
On Friday, February 1, Concert Band will be having a Concert Band rehearsal and lock-in. The rehearsal will be from 6:00 pm-9:15 pm. This year, our guest clinician will be Mr. Andrew Beckwith from Lockport Township High School. Also, other music teachers will be here to help with sectionals and smaller groups. The fun night will be from 9:15 pm-12 am. The students will have the opportunity to hang out in the gym, play on scooters, watch movies, play games, etc. Students need to be picked up promptly at 12:00 am from Door 1.
FUNDRAISING INFO:
Our spring bulb fundraiser will start Wednesday, March 6, so be looking for those flyers to come home.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel to contact Mrs. Plagman at (815)838-0737x1139 or nplagman@d91.net.
Cheerleaders Win IESA State Championship
The Kelvin Grove Cheerleaders began practicing skills back in May to prepare for the 2019 IESA State Cheerleading Competition held January 12, 2019 at the Peoria Civic Center.
The team’s competitions this season included:
Wilmington Spiritline Competition– 4th place
Reed-Custer Comet Invitational- 2nd place
Northpole Invitational at Lincoln Way East- 1st place
Joliet West Cheerfest- 2nd place
IESA State Cheer Championship- 1st place
The girls worked hard to gain new skills and improve their routine performance. They faced and overcame many challenges during the season. They were supposed to be competing against 37 other teams in the Small Routine Division at State, but due to a severe snow storm on January 12th, several teams had dropped out of the competition. The Hornets ended up competing against 22 other teams. The girls gave a near flawless performance at State and brought home the 1st Place Trophy!
The title gives the KG Cheer program eight IESA State Cheerleading titles to date. The Hornets have performed at all 18 IESA Cheer Competitions, receiving a top ten finish all 18 years. The program has three 2nd place finishes, and two 3rd place finishes.
The Hornets are coached by Karli Morrone. Volunteer coaches are Rachel Maida, Lynn Krumlinde and Adri Sosa. Jenny Krumlinde is the team choreographer.
Wintering in the Kelvin LRC:
During the month of February students will continue their multi-week unit that includes researching and exploring inventions, toys, and engineering -- using print and digital resources and hands-on immersive activities and experiments. From the Hula Hoop and Slinky to Charles' Law and discernment, students will discover a wide variety of activities and skillsets -- in addition to a focus on literary genre and recreational reading.
Ask your students WHAT material was used for the first hula-hoop, how the TEDDY BEAR came to be and the story behind the invention of the SLINKY?
Follow the KG LRC on Twitter - @cyberlibrary and visit our website at kgcyberlibrary.weebly.com.