Freeman Mustangs Newsletter #24
February 5, 2021
Upcoming Dates
- January 25th-February 12th: Winter Performance Series Testing Window for 3rd-5th Grade Students
- Monday, February 15th: No School- Presidents' Day
- Thursday, February 18th: Virtual Learning Academy Supply Pick Up 7:30am-3:30pm
- Friday, February 26th: Teacher Institute Day- No Student attendance
Blended Experience Information
Please see each grade level link for Blended Experience information that is pertinent to your student:
- PreK: https://www.smore.com/vu6mx
- Kindergarten: https://www.smore.com/mwsgn
- 1st Grade: https://www.smore.com/aew1t
- 2nd Grade: https://www.smore.com/fkgw4
- 3rd Grade: https://www.smore.com/hqdc2
- 4th Grade: https://www.smore.com/u52r7
- 5th Grade: https://www.smore.com/dy738
Valentine's Day Information
As we are nearing the Valentine’s Day holiday, we wanted to provide an update in how we will be able to have students participate safely.
This year in the effort of maintaining health and safety, students will not be exchanging physical valentine’s cards and treats.
Classroom teachers may put together activities to celebrate Valentine’s Day in person or in a digital manner.
Winter Benchmark Testing for 3rd-5th Grade
This school year 3rd-5th grade students will be taking Performance series during the winter testing window. 2nd grade will tentatively be taking the assessment in the Spring.
The testing window will open on January 25th and close on February 12th. Classroom teachers for both virtual and in person students in grades 3-5 will select times to take both the reading and math test. Students will be taking the express version of the test which has about 20-25 questions. Please contact your child’s teacher or me for more information.
Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is now open.
Visit https://www.sd129.org/.../departments/operations/admissions to register!
Pictures for Yearbook Option
Freeman WILL have a YEARBOOK this year!
Yearbooks for this 2020–2021 school year are on sale now!
1) You can order directly online at Lifetouch (school code: 12943521), OR
2) Use the downloadable version of the ordering flyer (see below)
Yearbook Portraits:
Families who are unable to participate in an in-person Lifetouch portrait sitting (picture make-up days are March 9–10) can use "Snaps at Home" to have a portrait picture created with the gray Lifetouch background to be used in the yearbook as well. Click here to get started, lifetouch.com/picture-day-snaps-at-home.
LAST YEAR'S YEARBOOK:
Last year's yearbook can still be picked up in the office!
If you still want a 2019–2020 yearbook, they are available in the office for $20 ea. as well (supply is limited).
If you were on the reserve list to purchase last year's book, your book is waiting for you at the office with your name on it. Just bring the $20!
Blended Experience School Hours
- PreK: 9:00am-2:30pm
- Kinder-5th Grade: 8:30am-2:20pm
- In Person students will follow the A/B Schedule as included above.
- K-5 Students will enter the building around 8:20am.
- On asynchronous days (not in person), students will meet with their classroom teacher via Zoom from 8:00am-8:25am.
Student Attendance
Please contact the office at 630-301-5002 to report their absence.
Support from Home for Blended Experience
Please ensure your child has had breakfast prior to arriving at school at 8:30am. We will not be providing breakfast in the morning. Students will be sent home with breakfasts, lunches and dinners for days until they are next at school.
Complete a daily screening for your child(ren) by 8:00am Monday-Friday
Bring your water bottle filled up with water prior to arrival
Bring your charged Ipad/Chromebook
Face coverings are required for students to attend school. Please help your child practice wearing a mask appropriately and extending the length of time they wear it.
Please send extra masks so students have a back up mask in the case it is needed
Please continue open communication with your child’s teacher and the school. As a school community, we need to work together.
Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather. We will be having outdoor recess as much as possible as weather permits. When there is rain or the “feel like” temperatures are at or below 15 degrees, temperature with the wind chill, we will have indoor recess
Reminder about Specials
For virtual learning students:
On days you have an asynchronous special in your schedule, you will work on the assigned lesson that was sent out on Monday.
Virtual Learning Academy Information
- School hours are 8:00am-2:20pm.
- Daily schedules should have been communicated by the virtual learning teacher.
- Daily attendance is submitted by 8:30am for virtual students. If a student is not present on zoom, the office will follow up with a phone call.
Daily Health Screener
Please have the daily health screener completed by 8:00am each morning. If the screener is not completed by 8:00am, the office will be following up with phone calls.
The screener will help guide you on whether your child can attend school that day. Your child will not be able to be in their class if the health screener is not completed. It will also prompt communication with our schools’ health office to see how we can help support your child during and after their absence.
COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABLE TO ALL SD129 STAFF MEMBERS
Last year, the Centers for Disease Control categorized educators and school support staff as part of phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination program because of their critical role in getting students back to school. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the Kane County Health Department and the Kane County Regional Office of Education, any requesting West Aurora School District 129 staff member will receive a free COVID-19 vaccine the week of Monday, February 8th.
The distributor of the vaccine will be the local health care provider, Visiting Nurses Association of Aurora and the manufacturer of this particular vaccine is Moderna.Ⓡ This version of the vaccine will require a second shot roughly a month after the first round. The process could take as long as one hour per staff member per shot.
As one might imagine, scheduling over 1,200 vaccines in a one week span is quite a task. SD129 has made every effort to prioritize instructional time, however, given the number of vaccines available in such a short period of time, some classroom disruptions are inevitable. Please understand that if your child has one or multiple substitute teachers next week, that it is most likely due to the fact that the classroom teacher is getting vaccinated. We appreciate your patience and continued support of School District 129!
Inclement Weather Dismissal Plan
Due to the very cold outside conditions, we will be using our inclement weather dismissal plan.
Students who ride the bus will escorted to their bus as usual to depart school grounds.
All other students will wait inside their classrooms and/or be socially distanced in the hallways ready with all of their belongings.
Staff members will be at the car line announcing student names to come down to the car line/blacktop area to be picked up.
Additional staff will assist with escorting students inside the building to the respective exit doors off of the blacktop area.
This may lengthen the dismissal process but students will be able to safely wait inside the building avoiding the weather elements.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility.
Daily Lunch Order Information
February Calendar: https://sd129.nutrislice.com/menu/freeman/in-person-elementary-schools/2021-02-27
Food Service Announcement for Elementary Families
Food Service information:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:0d1fd1c8-7b9f-48b9-849f-144369eb6075
Take Home Meal Opt-out form:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:487e70b8-536b-4ade-a44c-f4a5e694f67d
Take Home Meal Opt-out form in Spanish: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A05c6d99b-5d82-4411-982c-6148d9b14c33&fbclid=IwAR1jI1qU-WgJCsUGafM2lxHrKcAq01uLNV7aRyCwFW00qH_MsoNIA1ZuPYw#pageNum=1
Dress for the weather!
As we are in the cold weather months, we want to inform you of our policy in regards to recess and car line. We will be outside for recess as often as possible as long as the feel like temperature (the temperature with the windchill) is 15 degrees or above. Please make sure students have hats and gloves. Our car line tries to move as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience.
Winter Coats Available
PTA News
Freeman Mustangs
Email: karen.hydar@sd129.org
Website: https://freeman.sd129.org/
Location: 153 South Randall Road, Aurora, IL, USA
Phone: 630-301-5002
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreemanMustangs/