Romona Review
12.1.17
From the Principal
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and some time with family! It is hard to believe that it is already December and that we are three weeks away from winter break.
As we approach winter, I wanted to ask you to remind your child to wear appropriate cold weather gear to school. We try to go outside to play everyday if the weather allows it and want to make sure that everyone is dressed warmly enough, including coats, hats, and mittens. When it snows, your child will also need to be wearing snow pants and boots to be allowed to play in the snow at recess. As you can see from the above picture from a few years ago, some of our favorite recess memories happen on snowy days and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the fun!
Have a super weekend,
Cindy
5-8 Instrumental Music Program
As you may know, D39 is taking a close look at its instrumental music program as part of the Strategic Plan this year. An important part of this process is getting input from parents and 5th-8th grade students; there will be a survey soon to get thoughts and preferences with respect to band and orchestra. Based on these survey results, the District may elicit additional feedback from parents and/or students.
The District is committed to continuing its long tradition of instrumental music opportunities to help students explore their interests and talents. D39’s instrumental music approach is unique in that it has aspects commonly associated with both extracurricular and curricular programs. While it is classified as “extracurricular,” because it takes place outside of the school day and participation is optional, some may see it as “curricular” because students have traditionally received achievement grades, and instruction is aligned to state and national standards.
The current review process is directed at ways to enhance the program and maintain the high quality that our community has come to expect. Your feedback in response to the survey will help the District better define the structure of the instrumental music program in D39. Watch for an email with the survey next week. Your participation is important – more input will lead to better success as we evaluate enhancements to the program.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, 12/6
- Early Childhood: No School (EC Screenings)
Thursday, 12/7
- SAC Spirit Day: Walt Disney Spirit Day (Wear something with a Disney character or dress as one.)
- Dine out for Romona at California Pizza Kitchen from 5:00-9:00 PM (Old Orchard)
Friday, 12/8
- SAC Mustang Mart open during lunch/recess
- Mustang Madness: Wear Romona gear or blue & white
From the PTA
READ TO SUCCEED
Great America’s Read to Succeed is a wonderful program to help motivate students to read at home. Any student (in grades K-4) who logs 6 or more hours of recreational reading can earn a free ticket to Great America this summer! Children can either read or have someone read to them. All logs are due by THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018. Can’t find yours? Get another one HERE.
RED GALA
SAVE THE DATE! This year's PTA Fundraising Gala will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at the Wilmette Golf Club. More details to follow in 2018! If you have something you would like to donate to the Gala's online auction, please contact the committee at redgala@romonapta.org. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
LUNCH CLUBS
Are you, a family member or friend looking for an opportunity to volunteer at Romona? The Romona Lunch Club committee is looking for individuals to lead lunch clubs from January-March 2018. Share your love of dance, Legos, photography, Pokémon and more by leading a weekly lunch club. Contact Julie Hanahan or Ilene Green at lunchRclubs@romonapta.org with questions or to volunteer.
DONATE TO IGNITE TODAY
Every student at Romona has access to innovative, hands-on programs that not only bring to life the curriculum taught in schools but helps build skill sets integral to future success like field trips, outside speakers and performances. What you might not know is that these programs are NOT paid for by the school district. They are funded by Romona families through IGNITE.
IGNITE is the Romona PTA's way to fund these enrichment activities for our students. It aims to enhance curriculum-based learning, build skills that drive characteristics of successful learners, and promote social and emotional awareness. Every dollar you donate goes directly back to your children and is tax deductible! If you haven't already donated, please consider doing so. IGNITE a passion for learning!
A TO Z & PTA MEMBERSHIP
Parents, want to stay involved in the PTA happenings at Romona Elementary? It is important to log into your A to Z account, verify your personal information and "opt in" to receiving PTA e-mails. For those of you who did not receive the initial e-mail, please contact our directory chair at directory@romonapta.org
We encourage all parents to verify their data to ensure that they can be easily contacted, but only paid PTA members will be able to view the entire directory and use it for looking up a student’s name and get GPS driving directions to their home, filtering students by class to get class or grade level lists, e-mailing, texting, or calling parents directly from the app as well as marking favorite contacts for easy access.
DINE OUT FOR ROMONA
Bring the kids (or leave them at home) and join us for a fun-filled and delicious evening at California Pizza Kitchen (Old Orchard) on Thursday, Dec. 7, anytime between 5 and 9pm. When you mention "Romona," CPK will donate 20% of your check back to the school! PLEASE RSVP if you are thinking about attending so they know how many to expect.
Community News
- Register now for Wilmette Park District’s Saturday Basketball for boys & girls grades 4-8.
- New Trier HS Football Schedule is posted online.
- Click here for more information.