Carpenter Courier
March 21, 2019

Principal's Corner
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Well, that was a quick month, but we certainly had a lot going on. The second trimester ended, some parents had spring conferences, our 3rd-5th graders completed their Illinois Assessment of Readiness Test (IAR), we've had some field trips, and hosted the Board of Education meeting this month. I want to give credit to all of our 3rd-5th graders who spent 5.5 to 6 hours of computerized testing last week. It is exceptionally challenging for them to sustain such mental attention and focus throughout all of that testing, yet they did their very best and gave tremendous effort.
All throughout the month, we've been focusing on our manners and next month it will be on our attitudes! Although it doesn't necessarily align with our Second Step lessons as previous month focuses were intended to do, we feel that it is a focus our students can easily relate with and is a great connector for daily conversations. It's important to approach our relationships, our school work, and each day with a positive attitude. It speaks to having a growth mindset and it aligns with continued work we are doing with our students on accepting feedback. As we return from Spring Break, you can help support our mission by encouraging our students to return to "student mode" and set goals to finish the school year strong with a positive attitude.
For all of those traveling over Spring Break, safe travels. If you are staying home like me, take the time to rest and relax. Remember, school doesn't resume until Tuesday, April 2nd.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brett Balduf, Principal
Carpenter Elementary School
March Madness Manners
This month, to have a little fun with March Manners, we connected our positive office referrals to March Madness. If a student earned a positive office referral in March, they picked a number that corresponded with a college basketball team in the tournament. The four students that have the FINAL FOUR teams at the end of the tournament, will earn a basketball game with Mr. Balduf and Ms. Creehan. Our students will hopefully forever associate March Madness with having good manners and being kind. This was just a fun little way to continue to reinforce positive, pro-social behavior.
If your student earned an office referral, they'll know they picked a number with Mr. Balduf or Ms. Creehan. The list below shows what student has what team so they know who to root for.
Health Services Reminder
SPRING 2019 REMINDERS FROM SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
Springtime turns thoughts to warmer weather, outdoor activities, and spring break travel. Here are two important reminders to help your families enjoy this time of year!
Please continue to take time to regularly check your child for the presence of head lice. The Centers for Disease Control has practical information regarding head lice, which can be accessed here. In addition, your Building Nurse can provide you with useful materials regarding identification and treatment of head lice. Information also is available on the D64 Health & Safety tips webpage.
This time of year also is called “influenza (flu) season.” In the U.S., flu season occurs in the winter; however, flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and can last as late as May.
D64 has noticed an increase in the number of influenza-type illnesses in our schools, which is to be expected at this time of the year. Cleaning protocols have been adjusted in all buildings in response to this increase. In addition, frequent handwashing and proper cough/sneeze etiquette are regularly reinforced with our students and staff.
Please visit Cook County Department of Public Health for information about influenza, including prevention tips that you may find helpful at home, too.
Kindergarten Round-up Night
That Man May See - Carpenter Fundaiser
New Club for 2nd-5th Graders - Greek Folk Dance Club
Performance at Carpenter Talent Show! You don't need to be Greek - come and learn Greek folk dances and songs!!
IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND Student have fun and create with Imagination Playground which travels between the elementary schools throughout the school year. | MARCH MANNERS MADNESS Positive Office Referrals (Green Slips) turned into a March Madness raffle system. Our Final Four winners will get extra recess to play a game of basketball with Ms. Creehan and Mr. Balduf. | Battle of the Book - CHAMPS! Some of our Battle of the Books team members and Mrs. Loftus were able to represent the team at the Board of Education Meeting to be recognized for our 1st Place Finish in Battle of the Books this year. |
IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND
MARCH MANNERS MADNESS
2019-20 Registration Flyer | Worlds of Wonder Flyer | Healthy Living Month Flyer |
Young Author Award Flyer | Greek Folk Dance Club Flyer |