Mustang Minute- Summer Edition

Happy Summer!!! We are just about a month away from the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Still plenty of time to enjoy the summer, but we wanted to provide you with some information as we get closer to the 1st day of school. Weekly newsletters will begin August 4th.

• August 1-2: Kindergarten Screening
• August 8- New to the District Family Orientation @ 5PM
• August 9- New to the District Family Orientation @ 9AM
• August 11: Homeroom Teacher Notification will be Sent via Email
• August 17- Kindergarten Parent Night (Parents only) @ 6PM

• August 21: Supply Drop Off Night, Student Pictures 3-6 PM

• August 23: First Day of School, 11:00 Dismissal

• August 24: First Full Day of School

• New to the District Orientation
  
• Homeroom Class Sizes
• August 11- Homeroom Teacher Notification
• Student Attendance
• NEW Arrival/ Dismissal Procedures 2023-2024
• New After School Activities
• 23/24 Parent Volunteer Sign-Up
• EPIC News (PLEASE READ)
• Helpful Links

Each year we have new families that move into the district or families that will be sending their first child into Kindergarten. To help with their transition into a new school district, Millburn Elementary and Middle school offer orientation sessions for families. Topics of the orientation include:

• School Information
• Schedule
• Assessments
• Arrival/ Dismissal Procedures
• Lunch
• iPads
• Extra-Curricular activities
• Building Tour

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

MES Welcome- 5:00PM

MMS Welcome- 6:30PM

Wednesday August 9, 2023

MES Welcome- 9:00AM

MMS Welcome- 10:30AM

**This is designed for families that are NEW to the district

Here is the breakdown of the number of homerooms we will have this year, along with average class sizes:

Kindergarten= 6 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 15)

1st Grade= 6 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 17)

2nd Grade = 6 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 17)

3rd Grade = 6 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 18)

4th Grade = 6 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 22)

5th Grade = 5 Homerooms (AVG Class size = 24)

On Friday, August 11, we will be sending out an email to families to inform you of your child's homeroom teacher for next school year. If you do not get an email after Friday, please contact our office on Monday, August 14.

Only families that have completed their registration and have no outstanding fees will be notified.

The state of Illinois has defined chronic absenteeism to be missing 10% of the school year, regardless of the reason. For Millburn, that means a student is chronically absent if they have missed 17 or more days of school. Each year we are required to report out chronic absenteeism to the state of Illinois.

Last school year, we had over 119 students who missed 17 or more days of school. This is roughly 20% of our school population that is considered chronically absent.

When you do the math, our teachers have only 13% of a calendar year to teach your child. Yes, only 13%!

• 177 days of school x 6.5 Hours of School/Day = 1,150 hours of teaching
• 365 days in a year x 24 hours a day = 8,760 hours
• 1,150 / 8,760 = .13 x 100= 13%

If you are chronically absent, we now have significantly less time to teach.

As we look ahead to this coming school year, please keep this in mind. Of course, if your child is sick, it is best to keep them at home. Sending a child to school who is sick will not be the best environment for them to maximize their learning experience. Yet, do your best to avoid vacations, doctor's appointments, or other activities that may require missed learning days.

Missing days effects learning:

5 missed days = 1 week of school

15 missed days = 3 weeks of school

25 missed days = 5 weeks of school

Our challenge to students and families next year... try not to miss more than five days. We know...not everyone can do that and things may come up. Last year we had 191 students miss five or less days. That is 25% of our school. Let's try to get that higher this year!

STRIVE 4 FIVE!

Over the last couple of years, we have adjusted our arrival and dismissal procedures to be more efficient and safe for our students. The back of the school allowed for this increase in traffic. For arrival, busses have been dropping off in the front of the school while parent drop off has been in the back of the school. When the pandemic hit, we saw an increase in parent drop off and pick up of students and we needed to provide more space for traffic, which the back of the school provided. Although this has been smooth, we found that it takes close to ten minutes to release all students off the busses since we unloaded three busses at a time to alleviate hundreds of students entering one entrance. This has caused a delayed in our school start time and we want to maximize our time we have with students.

Due to this, we are going to have busses drop off in the back of the school starting this coming school year. This will allow all busses to release students at the same time once the bell rings at 7:50. Students will then be able to enter at three different locations in the back of the school.

Parent drop off will now be in the front of the school.We will continue to have a drop off lane with staff along the sidewalk assisting students out of cars. If any parents need to assist with their child getting out of vehicles (such as out of booster seats), visitor parking will be available to park into. We do have a crossing lane that will be available for parents to walk across and a staff member will continue to be the present to stop traffic to allow students to cross. We hope this will not create a traffic jam on Crawford Rd and Millburn Rd with cars coming in. We are encouraging parents to use our buses to reduce the number of parent drop offs that we have due to traffic.

Yet, these changes only apply to arrival. Dismissal will continue with our current practice (busses in the front and parent pick up in the back). In August we will send out a parent pick up form so we know who will be picking up their child. Staff will continue to use our procedures of checking IDs in order to have a safe "hand off" of students.

Millburn Elementary has partnered with Afterschool Enrichment Solutions to offer more after school activities for students. These activities will be done at MIllburn Elementary. Our activity bus will also be available to use. The following will be offer this fall:

Chess Scholars: K-5

Develop your child's intellect through the royal game of chess! Current research has shown a strong link between chess and academic performance in a variety of areas, including mathematics and language arts. Chess has been proven to enhance children's motivation, concentration, focus, social skills, and

creativity. Each class will consist of a fun, interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will learn under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach.

Schedule: 9 Mondays, October 2nd – December 11th, 2:35-3:35 PM (No class: 10/9, 11/20)

Course Code: MLB10.2.23

Stage Stars: K-5

Dramarama- Does your child have a “dramatic side”? You might have a budding Stage Star in your family! Our drama class introduces students to the craft of stage acting with a skilled theater instructor. During this exciting class, students will learn theatrical skills, improv basics, and participate in interactive drama games. This class provides opportunities for students to have fun, express themselves, gain confidence, and interact with others, all within the context of theatre arts.

Schedule: 9 Tuesdays, September 26th – December 12th, 2:35-3:35 PM (No class: 10/10, 10/31, 11/21)

Course Code: MLB9.26.23

STEAM: K-5

Full STEAM Ahead- This exciting program from Afterschool Enrichment Solutions brings together elements of science, art and math in a hands-on, action- packed environment! Students will conduct experiments, play educational games, and unlock their creativity through building challenges and projects. No experience necessary!

Schedule: 9 Thursdays, October 5th - December 14th, 2:35-3:35 PM (No class: 11/9, 11/23)

Course Code: MLB10.5.23

You can begin to register for these right now through Afterschool Enrichment Solutions. Each class is $150. Click the link below to sign-up through them! Make sure you use the correct course code when signing up. Register early, limited number of participants.

Chess Scholars/AES is a private program provider, please direct all inquiries and communication regarding our programs directly. Contact us with inquiries or if you'd like assistance registering at 847-482-9999

We encourage parents/guardians and other members of the community to share their time, knowledge and abilities with our students. Community volunteers in our schools enrich the educational program and strengthen our school.

The education of today’s youth takes a whole community. Caring members of our community bring new energies and resources into our schools. All over the country schools are drawing support from their communities through the efforts of volunteers who work in our schools, contribute goods and supplies, and support our schools financially.

Volunteering includes:

• Mystery Readers
• Guest Speakers
• Lunch Help
• Chaperoning Field Trips
• Helping small groups
• Assisting teachers
• So much more!!!

In order to volunteer, you must complete the application and have a background check done through our Raptor system here at school.

A master list of approved volunteers will be kept in the main office for staff to access when volunteers are needed.

We encourage parents to start the process now so that you can join us next year in volunteering.

Click the link below to complete the application.

***We do ask you to do this each year, so if you did complete the process last year....you still need to do it for this school year.

We hope that you are having a wonderful summer! We are very excited for the upcoming school year and wanted to update you on a few things regarding EPIC. First, we are looking forward to some exciting new events including: Millburn family meet-ups, Parents Night Out, Millburn Community service projects, and much more!!! Also, there have been some changes within the board. For the 2023-2034 school year at this point- the EPIC board will consist of:

President: Jenna Kallianis

Vice-President: VACANT (with Anita Serbanescu in as acting VP)

Treasurer: VACANT (with Christine Katris in as acting Treasurer)

Secretary: VACANT

Community Relations Director: VACANT

Corporate Fundraising Director: VACANT

Community Fundraising Director: VACANT

Elementary School Activities Director: Victoria Skeppstrom

Middle School Activities Director: Sally Mercado

In order for EPIC to continue providing enriching, memorable opportunities for our students, we are in desperate need of more volunteers or unfortunately they will be unable to continue. Let's work together to keep all of these wonderful things happening, any commitment is needed!

We will be holding formal elections in the fall for the board positions. If you have any interest or questions about these positions please reach out to anyone on the board for further information. If that is not something you can commit to right now- there are still MANY opportunities for you to help EPIC be a huge success this year!

The following board positions and committees need help!!! The board positions will oversee the committees that work with them.

BOARD POSITIONS

• Vice President (open position)– Assist the president in all duties of the President. In the absence of the President, Vice president shall perform all Presidential duties.

• Secretary (open position – 1 year term) – Keep full and complete record of all proceedings of the board of directors. In general, perform all duties incidental to the office of the secretary. Maintain website.

• Treasurer – (open position – 2 year term) Principal accounting and financial director of EPIC and shall have the charge and responsibility to maintain adequate books of accounts for EPIC.

• Community Relations Director (open position – 2 year term) - Communicate and promote EPIC’s role in the Millburn District. Recruit new members and build relationships. Push out communications on EPIC website and social media.

• Community Directory
• Millburn Madness promotion
• Volunteer Recruitment

• Corporate Fundraising Director (open position – 2 year term) – Coordinates and initiates corporate sponsorship opportunities. Supports committee chairs in fundraising activities. Promotes corporate matching programs. Works with community fundraising director on designated events.
• Millburn Madness
• Corporate Price Matching for Donations
• Retail/Promotion Nights
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Other Corporate Sponsored Events, i.e. Golf Outing

• Community Fundraising Director (open position- 2 year term) – Coordinates and initiates community (school-wide) fundraising. Supports committee chairs in fundraising activities. Works with corporate fundraising director on designated events.










• Box Tops/Coke Give Programs
• Supply Kits
• Kids Resale
• Spirit Wear
• Fun Run
• Book Fair for both MES and MMS
• Muffins for Mom/Donuts for Dad

There are also a variety of committee positions that are open!




COMMITTEE POSITIONS




Millburn Madness

Annual fundraiser that includes live entertainment, auctions (silent and live) , for adults only.




Supply Kits

Annual fundraiser where EPIC receives a portion of school supply kits ordered by parents.

Staff Appreciation

This position covers all of D24. We love taking care of the staff at our school. There is room for fun and creativity in this committee.

Millburn Fun Run

Please help co-chair this awesome Millburn event! This is a 5K or 1 mile run geared to all activity levels.

Millburn Kids Resale

This is a community-wide event that is usually held twice a year. Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success. This event will be cancelled this school year without ample chair-people to manage and coordinate event.




Elementary Holiday Celebrations

Holiday parties in the classroom are hosted twice annually. This chairperson orders crafts and manages and coordinates a random drawing for parent volunteers for these parties.

Elementary Family Fun Nights

This is a fun family activity hosted by EPIC twice annually. This event offers a family-oriented evening. Great for all ages. In the past, we have had a roller-skating night, movie night and arts/crafts night. We are currently seeking a chair or two chair-people to head up these events.

Millburn Community Celebrations

This is a district-wide celebration that we have in the Fall. This year we did the Back-to-School Bubble Bash. This chairperson position is open, but we would be looking to have it filled for the next school year. 2023/24Middle School Book Fair

8th Grade Farewell Celebration

This is a Millburn Tradition where the 7th grade class honors the 8th graders by planning, decorating, and working at the graduation farewell ceremony.

Restaurant Nights Out

Setting up a monthly restaurant night out in our community where a portion of sales will be given back to EPIC.




Spirit Wear

Working with American Outfitters to sell Millburn Spirit Wear to the community




Muffins With Mom/Donuts With Dad

Twice yearly fundraiser before school bringing students together with their parents for coffee and breakfast.




District 24 Talent Show

Help co-chair and help to run and manage the annual talent show.




Let us know as soon as possible if you are interested, any commitment is needed and appreciated! Please e-mail millburnepic@gmail.com!




BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM @MILLBURNEPIC to stay updated on everything we have going on!




Also, please save the date for the following:

8/26 MARCHING IN THE LINDENFEST PARADE! More details to come!

Principal

Email: bwalshire@millburn24.net
Phone: 847-245-2800

Assistant Principal

Email: kgedville@millburn24.net