The Crosby Chronicle
Weekly Newsletter * January 18-22, 2021
GREETINGS FROM PRINCIPAL FERGUSON!
I hope this edition of our newsletter finds you all rested after the long weekend! We have many events filling up the calendar so please check out all the exciting news.
Just a reminder that this week our office staff will be back in the building as we were all on a mandatory quarantine after the winter break. We are all looking forward to working from the building again.
Our school office hours at Crosby are 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. Thank you for your patience over the past weeks.
Please revisit the Remote Learning Expectations. It always helps to review these expectations with our students after the long break.
Also, please remind your child to take time in their morning meeting to do the SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Daily Check In. This data is very valuable in guiding us to meet the needs of our students.
As always, we appreciate your support and encouragement for our students. We can provide the best learning experience for them by working together as partners. Our children deserve our BEST! Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ferguson
Principal
ATTENTION ALL THIRD GRADE FAMILIES... NEW CHROMEBOOK PICK UP!!
All third graders will receive a new Chromebook. You will need to come to Crosby School to pick up your new Chromebook and turn in your old Chromebook.
Also, at this time all third graders will need to pick up their learning supply bag so you have learning materials for the third quarter.
Dates: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday - January 27, 28, 29
Location: Crosby School - Main Entrance (Door 1)
Time: Anytime between the hours of 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION INFORMATION
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2021 BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Do you have a child who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2021?
Do you know a neighbor with a child coming to kindergarten in the fall?
If so, please share this information!
Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 school year will be done online this year through PowerSchool starting February 1.
Kindergarten Parent Information Meetings will be done on ZOOM, and open for our incoming kindergarten families.
We will use this time to have a virtual tour of the school, meet some of our staff, and ask questions. Our teachers will share about "A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener."
Parent Meetings are being offered at two different times to accommodate parent schedules. The same information will be shared at both sessions.
Please attend the one that works for your schedule.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 - 5:00-6:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting
https://cusd50.zoom.us/j/85917443457
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 - 1:00-2:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting
https://cusd50.zoom.us/j/86061624960For more information, visit www.cusd50.org/kindergarten.
DUAL LANGUAGE INFORMATION SESSIONS
There will be two sessions offered at different times (in both English and Spanish).
The same information will be presented at both sessions. Please pick the day and time that works for you.
All sessions will be done on ZOOM. The ZOOM links for English and Spanish will be available on the website.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26 - 5:00-6:00 PM (WITH AN OPTIONAL 30 MINUTE Q&A FOLLOWING THE SESSION)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 - 1:00-2:00 PM (WITH AN OPTIONAL 30 MINUTE Q&A
FOLLOWING THE SESSION)
For more information, visit www.cusd50.org/kindergarten.
"SPECIALS TEACHER FEATURE"
MS. ALAIYHA BRYANT ~ ART TEACHER
Hello everyone!
My name is Alaiyha Bryant, and I am one of the art teachers here at Crosby. I am from Chicago, IL, and I am a new mom to my four month old baby boy, Amari.
I graduated from Northern Illinois University in the Spring of 2018, and this is my third year teaching art. I am currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Art Education at The Ohio State University, and will graduate this summer! I am passionate about social justice and abolitionist art education practices, and I hope to publish a culturally responsive elementary art curriculum in the near future.
When I am not teaching, I am creating digital art pieces, working out, planning a wedding, watching TV shows, and being a mom. I love creating with all of my amazing "Crosby Artists", and I am so proud of their creative efforts during remote learning! Seeing all of our amazing artists making art outside of art class, and with family and friends, brings me so much joy! Keep creating and most importantly keep having fun!
Love,
Ms. Bryant
MR. SPENCER KIBBLER ~ MUSIC TEACHER
Before moving to McHenry County, Mr. Kibbler grew up in Vernon Hills and later attended Illinois State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He has been a part of many bands, choirs, and orchestras throughout his schooling career. These ensembles have offered him opportunities to perform in New York, Disney World, England, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
When Mr. Kibbler isn't teaching music you can probably find him bowling at J's Lanes (2 time Thursday Night Mixed League Champion), riding his bicycle, cooking/baking, or water skiing on the Chain O' Lakes when the weather is nice.
THE "COUNSELING CORNER" ~ MRS. SPAULDING & MRS. ALTMANN
Hello Crosby Families,
Crosby kids are excited to be a part of the 2021 Great Kindness Challenge! We will join thousands of schools across the country to create a culture of kindness! Let’s celebrate with some fun “Dress Up Days!”
Monday, January 25- “Powered By Kindness:” Wear your favorite superhero t-shirt or outfit!
Tuesday, January 26- COLLEGE DAY! Wear a college T-shirt or sweatshirt and research, think, and share something KIND that the college/university/campus does for the community.
Wednesday, January 27th- “Kindness Rocks!” Dress up as your favorite music artist, favorite singer, or favorite musician!
Thursday, January 28th- KIND CHARACTER DAY! Dress up as your favorite KIND character from a book, movie, or TV show!
Friday, January 29th- Team Up For Kindness: Wear your favorite sports team apparel!
Los niños de Crosby están emocionados de ser parte del Desafío de Gran Bondad 2020! Nos uniremos a miles de escuelas en todo el país para crear una cultura de amabilidad! Celebremos con algunos divertidos “días de disfraces”
Lunes 25 de enero- “Motorizado por la bondad:” usa tu camiseta o atuendo de superhéroe favorito!
Martes 26 de enero- DÍA AVID” use una camiseta o sudadera de la universidad e investiga, piensa y comparta algo que la universidad hace por la comunidad.
Miércoles 27 de enero- " ¡La bondad es genial!" ¡Vístete como tu artista musical favorito, cantante favorito o músico favorito!
Jueves 28 de enero- “día de personaje de bondad” Vistete como tu personaje favorito de un libro, película o programa de televisión!
Viernes 29 de enero- “Forma equipo para ser amable” usa la ropa de tu equipo deportivo favorito!
Your School Counselors,
Kortni Spaulding and Alli Altmann
THE "SOCIAL BUZZ" ~ MS. LORENA VILLAGOMEZ
Hello Crosby Families,
I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing break, and had time to unplug from technology. I just want to remind everyone that the Crosby social workers are here to help! With snow on the ground and many cold days ahead, I want to remind you that if any children in your family need winter gear, please reach out and ask how you can receive coats, gloves, hats, and scarves.
We can also help with other needs, or point you to the right direction for community resources. As part of the Crosby community we want to make sure that we help our students and their families. We might not always have exactly what you need here, but we can work together to come up with ideas and resources for your family.
As always you can contact me through my email lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Welcome back and let's have a great rest of the school year!
McHenry County Crisis Line number 800.892.8900.
You can also visit https://www.mc708.org/resources/ for more mental health resources.
Mobile food pantries: https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/distributions/
Harvard Community Food Pantry: Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am and from 1:30-5:00 pm. Located on 6817 Harvard Hills Rd, Harvard IL 60033. You will need an ID to receive assistance.
Please call or email me if you have any questions or if you need assistance finding these resources.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lorena Villagomez
School Social Worker
Parent Community Liaison ~ Vania De Almeida
Hello Crosby Families,
Why Do Schools Have Parent Liaisons?
Schools have parent liaisons because parent liaisons know a great deal about your child’s school and community. They are a valuable resource for you. They can connect you with the appropriate people within the school or community who can help you meet your family’s needs.
The parent liaisons establish and build successful working relationships with the families of all children in the school. They appreciate the cultural diversity of the school and work to foster unity, cohesiveness, and cooperation among all families and staff.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Vania De Almeida
Bilingual Parent Community Liaison
Harvard Community Unit School District 50
Crosby Elementary School
815-943-6125 Ext. 2583
IMPORTANT DATES ~
January 18 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20 - School Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm
January 25 - 29 - The Great Kindness Challenge
January 26 - Kindergarten Parent Meeting via Zoom - 5 pm
January 27 - Kindergarten Parent Meeting via Zoom - 1 pm
January 27 - 3rd Grade New Chromebook & Material Pick Up - 7:30 am-4:00 pm
January 28 - Dual Language Information Meeting via Zoom - 5:00 pm
January 28 - 3rd Grade New Chromebook & Material Pick Up - 7:30 am-4:00 pm
January 29 - Dual Language Information Meeting via Zoom - 1:00 pm
January 29 - 3rd Grade New Chromebook & Material Pick Up - 7:30 am-4:00 pm
February 1 - Kindergarten Registration Begins - Online via PowerSchool
February 5 - "100th Day of School"
February 11 - No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 12 - No School - Non Attendance Day
February 15 - No School - Presidents' Day
RICHARD D. CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal - Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson kferguson@cusd50.org
Asst. Principal - Mr. Paul Brass pbrass@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Mr. Brandon Barry bbarry@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Ms. Lorena Villagomez lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Parent Community Liaison - Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida vdealmeida@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Kortni Spaulding kspaulding@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Allison Altmann aaltmann@cusd50.org
Email: kferguson@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/crosby/
Phone: 815-943-6125