Message from the Principal
Week of January 9, 2023
Message from the Principal
Dear Virginia Lake Families,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break! Virginia Lake is excited to welcome back our students on Monday, January 9th.
A friendly reminder that we have a half day of school on Wednesday, January 11th. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m. Students in our half day kindergarten program will not be in session. Students in our full day bilingual kindergarten will be in session.
Winter is officially here. Please send your child to school with a warm coat, gloves and a hat. We will go outside as much as possible. As soon as the snow falls, students will need snow pants and boots to play at the park and in the field.
Please have your child's chromebook charged for tomorrow.
Beginning on January 23, some of our students in the English Language Learner (ELL) program will be taking the ACCESS test. ACCESS is an English language proficiency test that measures students' academic English language skills. We have prepared an informational video (in Spanish and in English) with additional information about the ACCESS test. We are excited for our ELL students to demonstrate all their English language skills during this ACCESS test. If you have any questions about the ACCESS test and the academic implications, please feel free to contact your child's teacher.
ACCESS Testing Information- English
ACCESS Testing Information- Spanish
Let’s make it a great week!
Warmest Regards,
Patti Van Winkle, Principal
Track and Field and Soccer Special Olympics
Track and Field and Soccer Special Olympics will be here before we know it! If your child has an Intellectual Disability and is over the age of 8 and interested in either sport or both, please fill out the registration links below. Soccer practices will be on Thursdays and Track and Field will be on Tuesday's from 5-6, locations TBD.
CCSD 15 Track and Field Registration Form 2023 https://forms.gle/42KnK9vuWugVQhYB6
CCSD 15 Soccer Registration Form 2023 https://forms.gle/K4HiK3hwXtGozPvV7
Once registered, you will receive an email with follow up information and forms that will need to be filled out by your child's doctor per Special Olympics. If you have any questions, please reach out to Crystal Miguel, Student Services Coordinator, miguelc@ccsd15.net.
¡Las Olimpiadas Especiales de Atletismo y Fútbol
¡Las Olimpiadas Especiales de Atletismo y Fútbol (Soccer) estarán aquí antes de que nos demos cuenta! Si su hijo tiene una discapacidad intelectual y es mayor de 8 años y está interesado en cualquiera de los deportes o en ambos, por favor diligencie el registro en los enlaces que se encuentran abajo. Las prácticas de fútbol (soccer) serán los jueves y las de atletismo serán los martes de 5-6, los lugares están por definir.
Formulario de Inscripción para Atletismo 2023 https://forms.gle/42KnK9vuWugVQhYB6
Formulario de Inscripción para Fútbol ("Soccer") 2023 https://forms.gle/K4HiK3hwXtGozPvV7
Una vez registrado, recibirá un correo electrónico con información de seguimiento y las formas que tendrán que ser diligenciadas por el médico de su hijo para las Olimpiadas Especiales. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor póngase en contacto con Crystal Miguel, Coordinadora de Servicios Estudiantiles, miguelc@ccsd15.net.
Metra Contest– “Stay Safe and Stay Off Train Tracks!
Metra has launched its 16th Annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest, asking students across Metra's service area to illustrate through posters and essays the importance of safe behaviors near the railroad. This year's theme is "Stay Safe, Stay Off Train Tracks." Deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
The Safety Poster and Essay Contest asks students to take on an advocacy role and communicate the importance of safety near the tracks. This year's theme: "Stay Safe, Stay Off Train Tracks"emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and personal safety when near railroad tracks, platforms, and crossings, which can be extremely dangerous.
More information can be found on the Metra Contest website.
January Behavior Expectations Refresh
While we are eagerly looking forward to some relaxing time off during winter break, District 15 teachers are hard at work planning for learning in January. When we return from break, every school in the district will be reviewing school-wide expectations and engaging in station rotations, where students visit locations throughout the school and discuss appropriate behavior and expectations, such as the hallway, bathroom, and lunchroom. Classroom teachers will also review behavior expectations and classroom routines to ensure students are reminded of what is needed and expected at school.
You can support this work at home as well!
As you prepare to return to school from break, have a conversation with your child about school behavior expectations. Talk about what it looks and sounds like to be respectful, responsible, and safe at school, on the bus, on the playground, in the lunchroom, and in the hallway. Small reminders, support, and encouragement about behavior can have a big impact on how students return to learning in January.
Band for 4th and 5th Graders
Are you interested in your 4th or 5th grader participating in Instrumental Music next school year? Registration is now open! Go to the CCSD 15 Campus Parent page at:
https://ic.ccsd15.net/campus/portal/parents/palatine.jsp
Look for an available survey in your Message Center to register your student. If you need support logging in to Campus Parent, speak with your school secretary.
Important Dates
Monday, January 9th- School Resumes
Wednesday, January 11- Half Day- Dismissal at 12:15 p.m./ No School for half day kindergarten
Monday, January 16 & Tuesday, January 17- No School
Wednesday, January 18th- PTA Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 10th- PTA Sweetheart Dance- 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Virginia Lake Elementary School
Email: vanwinkp@ccsd15.net
Website: https://www.ccsd15.net/VL
Location: 925 N Glenn Dr, Palatine, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-7105