Jefferson Jotter
November 2018
Letter from Principal
Dear Jefferson Parents,
When around young children at this time of year, they may talk incessantly about what they want to be for Halloween and are anxiously anticipating the opportunity to get sugary treats when trick-or-treating. This can be a very exciting time for many children, as they love dressing up and taking on the character of someone else. However, not all children enjoy putting on costumes or seeing adults and children in costumes that cover their faces and/or significantly change their recognizable facial features. As a parent, it is important to take cues from your child about dressing up and not insisting that they dress up if they experience any anxiety or feelings of discomfort. Even if your child doesn't wear a Halloween costume, it is likely they will still enjoy the planned activities.
In addition to the school activities planned for Wednesday, your family may also enjoy participating in the D64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF) Halloween Hustle this Saturday morning. More information follows in the Jotter. It was fun to see the Jefferson students and families out for this event last year and we hope to see even more of you this year! When registering, remember to designate Jefferson School so that your participation can be added to the Jefferson totals.
The Villages of Park Ridge and Niles have designated the hours of 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31 as trick-or-treating hours. Below are some tips for making trick-or-treating safe for your child/family (adapted from Guidance Resources):
- insist that treats be brought home for inspection before they are eaten. Check candy wrappers for small holes and torn packaging and throw away any candy or food item that is unwrapped.
- feed your children a healthy meal before trick-or-treating to discourage snacking along the way.
- try to ration treats in the days/weeks following Halloween.
- remove toys and other items from your yard and porch that children could trip over.
- keep jack-o-lanterns and burning candles in a safe place, away from children, pets, and curtains.
- stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
- only cross the street at crosswalks and corners and watch traffic!
- carry a flashlight with extra batteries after dark
Have a spooky and safe Halloween!
Respectfully,
Lisa Halverson
Principal
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 26 - PK Parent Group - 9:00 a.m. - Jefferson School
Saturday, October 27 - ELF 5K Halloween Hustle - 8:00 a.m. - Hodges Park
Wednesday, October 31 - Halloween
Library Lady - PK morning and afternoon classes
Village of Park Ridge and Niles Recommended Trick or Treating Hours - 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 1 - PK Parent - Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Monday, November 5 - Yoga - PK afternoon classes
Tuesday, November 6 - No School For Students - Teacher Institute Day
Monday, November 12 - Dog Therapy - PK morning classes
Yoga - PK afternoon classes
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Washington School
Tuesday, November 13 - Preschool Screenings - By Appointment
Wednesday, November 14 - End of Trimester I
Kiwanis Fundraiser - 4:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Harp & Fiddle
Thursday, November 15 - PK Parent - Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:45 p.m.
November 19 - 23 - No School For Students and Staff - Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 26 - PK Parent Group - 9:00 a.m. - Jefferson School
Dog Therapy - PK afternoon classes
Wednesday, November 28 - Library Lady - PK morning and afternoon classes
D64 Parent University - 6:30 p.m. - Lincoln Middle School
Monday, December 3 - Yoga - PK afternoon classes
Wednesday, December 5 - D64 Parent University - 7:00 p.m. - Emerson Middle School
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care
Jefferson School Information
ELF Halloween Hustle is this Saturday!
Hopefully you are already registered for Saturday's Halloween Hustle, sponsored by ELF. The 5K Run and Walk will start and end in Hodges Park, and there will be a 3K loop option. The school with the highest percentage of participants will win the coveted trophy! The Halloween Hustle will replace Casino Night as ELFs largest fundraiser for the district so we hope to have a large showing. Children and parents are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume! To register click here.
If you don't plan on running/walking but want to support District 64, ELF needs volunteers to support the event. Volunteers will be used to cheer on runners/walkers and with event logistics. Click Here to VOLUNTEER for the ELF Halloween Hustle 5k
Developmental Screenings
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills. The next Preschool Screening is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13. If you have concerns about your child's development in any of these areas please call 847-318-5360 to schedule an appointment for the screening.
Autumn days predictably bring cooler weather, changing colors and of course, cold and flu season. Since influenza viruses vary from year to year, it may be difficult to predict the flu season's beginning and peak. Flu activity in the U.S. peaks between December and February, but can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.
To prepare your family for the 2018-19 Influenza Season, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for basic flu facts, prevention tips, and treatment information by clicking here.
For Your Good Health,
Margaret Temari, RN, MEd.
Certified School Nurse & Facilitator, School Health Services
No School
Tuesday, November 6 is a Teacher Institute Day, therefore, it is a non-attendance day for students. Additionally, the week of November 19 - 23 is Thanksgiving week so there is no school for students and staff. Please mark your calendars!
Preschool Information
The students are very excited about Halloween next week! Students will celebrate Halloween by engaging in fun activities in the classroom, visiting the office for "trick or treat", and showing off their costumes to parents and family members as they parade outside just before dismissal. Students are allowed to wear their costume to school, but a costume isn't required. If your child wears a costume it needs to be appropriate for school. In other words, no swords, guns, blood, masks, or makeup. If there are components of your child's costume that aren't appropriate for school, please keep those components special by only allowing them to be worn when trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. If your child brings a costume in a bag, it should be easy to put on and doesn't require application of makeup.
By now you should have received communication from your child's teacher about the dates and times for the fall Parent - Teacher Conferences. Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 1 and 15 from 4:00 - 7:45 p.m. Conferences are scheduled every 15-20 minutes so please be respectful of the other families by arriving to your conference on time and keeping your conversation with the teacher to the scheduled time. If you've been unable to schedule a time with your child's teacher and would like a conference, please email them.
While many of you've had conversations with your child's teacher the past two months, the upcoming Parent Teacher Conference is an opportunity for you to share information about your child as well as to learn how your child is doing at school. Knowing that there is a limited amount of time for the conference here are a few suggestions on how to prepare for the conference so that it meets your needs.
Before the conference:
- Prepare a list of notes regarding things you think your child's teacher should know. For example, are there any major changes in your family, is there anything worrying your child about school, what things motivate your child, or do you have any concerns about school.
- Prepare a list of questions. Preparing a list of questions will help you have a focused conversation with your child's teacher and allow you to prioritize the most important things you'd like to discuss with the teacher.
During the conference:
- Come to the conference on time. Remember that other parents may have conferences scheduled after you.
- Relax and be yourself. Remember that you and the teacher both want the same thing, the best for your child.
- Be respectful in your communication so that you work together on your child's behalf.
- Ask for explanations of anything you don't understand.
- Ask the most important questions early in the conference in case you run out of time.
- If you disagree with the teacher, respectfully explain why you disagree. Discussing your differences with the teacher may help you both find a more effective way to help your child.
- Ask your child's teacher for specific suggestions of ways that you can help your child at home.
After the conference:
- Talk with your child about the conference.
- Start implementing the suggestions for home support.
- Keep in touch with the teacher.
The teachers are eager to share with you how your child has adjusted to school, how they manage the classroom routines and their emotions, how they interact with peers, how they are progressing in their development, and what motivates or interests them here at school. Thank you in advance for working collaboratively with the teachers and staff on behalf of your child!
Thank you to all of the families who supported our annual fundraiser by purchasing a KidsStuff Coupon Book. Through your efforts, we raised approximately $900 which will be used to support special activities for our students! If you requested that your books be sent to school, we'll send them home with your child as soon as they are received.
We've been having great turnouts for our parent groups and hope that you will join the November meeting. The next parent group will focus on ipad apps for preschoolers. The group will be held on Monday, November 26 starting at 9:00 a.m. Childcare is available. We hope to see you there!
Preschool Fun!
Stretching exercise for PE class!
We made a fort in Imagination Playground!
Practicing correct letter formation!
Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) Information
Our EDK students will also celebrate Halloween on Wednesday, October 31st by engaging in fun activities in the classroom and visiting other classrooms to see one another's costumes. Our morning students may come to school in their costume or can bring it in a bag, but they need to be able to easily put it on. If the afternoon students wore a costume at their home school, they may keep in on when they come to Jefferson. It is likely that the home school has already sent out information about appropriate costumes, and the same expectations apply at Jefferson. Therefore, students shouldn't bring swords, guns, or masks, and their costumes shouldn't involve makeup, blood, or gory themes.
It was great seeing so many families out for the first Extended Day Kindergarten Open House!
It was wonderful to see the childrens' excitement as they showed their parents around the classroom, pointed out their work that was hung on the wall, and engaged in activities with their parents! As parents left that evening, there were many comments about how stimulating the classrooms looked and how they appreciated learning more about what their kindergarten child does everyday at Jefferson. Enjoy the pictures at the end of the Jotter and check out the blog! If you were unable to make the Open House and have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
We still have a few open spots for the morning and afternoon Extended Day Kindergarten program. If you know any D64 families that would like their kindergartener to experience more enriching learning opportunities have them call the school office at 847-318-5360.