Bulldog Paw Prints
Week Ending January 19, 2024
Book and Puzzle Exchange
Students had a wonderful time with the book and puzzle exchange today, and they are excited with the new items that they received.
A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. Novak for taking the lead with this event and to the many parents who helped with set-up and/or the event itself. It takes many hands for the events we host. Thank you so much for your support!
Health Requirements
Please see the attached letter that lists the examinations and vaccinations that students will need for the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to Michelle McGarry, our school nurse, if you have any questions or if she can be of assistance. mmcgarry@dg58.org
PTA Trivia Night, 2024
PTA is excited to be hosting a trivia night again this year. More information and registration can be found via the following link:
Young Authors Club
Mrs. Mommsen is excited to be hosting our young authors club this year. This is an opportunity for students in Grades 3-6 to come together to explore their creative side, to create stories, and to share their writing with others.
This form will provide more information and help you get your student registered.
Valentine's Day
At the start of the school year and planning with PTA, we switched our third classroom party from a Valentine’s Day party to a spring party tied in with Earth Week. That switch was published for our community at the start of the year. During our planning meeting, we also discussed whether or not to move forward with students exchanging Valentines on Valentine’s Day as we considered equitability, inclusivity, etc. A communication about that planning-meeting conversation was never sent out to the community. Please know that it is very much an option for students to exchange Valentines with one another on February 14. I apologize for any confusion on that topic.
Teachers, as with other holidays, will have holiday-themed activities for students to work through, and we are looking forward to another fun day at school.
Benchmark Assessments (updated)
We began working through our benchmark assessments on Thursday as previously scheduled. We postponed our preliminary start date of Wednesday due to the two e-learning days we navigated. I've updated the assessment dates as included below:
Kdg:
Thursday, January 18
Monday, January 22, *Make-ups
1st:
Thursday, January 18
Monday, January 22, *Make-ups
2nd:
Thursday, January 18
Monday, January 22
3rd:
Thursday, January 18
Monday, January 22
4th:
Thursday, January 18
Friday, January 19
5th:
Thursday, January 18
Friday, January 19
6th:
Thursday, January 18
Friday, January 19
Parent/Teacher Conferences (repeat item)
District 58 invites parents and guardians to sign up for winter Parent-Teacher Conferences using the online PowerPTC conference signup system starting Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 at 11 a.m.
The correct dates for conferences are:
Preschool through sixth grade conferences:
Feb. 1, 2024 4:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 7, 2024 4:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Middle school conferences:
Feb. 1, 2024 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 7, 2024 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The signup window will close on Tuesday January 30, 2024 at 11 a.m.
View conference signup instructions here. (para Español: Registro para las reuniones de padres y maestros). If you still have questions, please complete a District 58 Technology Help Desk ticket at dg58.org/help. If you miss the deadline and would like a conference, please contact your school.
We value communication with parents, but we have received feedback that as a result of strong and ongoing communication between home and school a winter conference may not be necessary for all families. You can simply choose not to sign up. As always, whether you participate in a conference this winter, please know that you can request a conference with your child’s teacher at any time throughout the year. Additionally, your child’s teacher(s) may contact you at any time if they feel a conference would be helpful.
Approved School Calendars (2024-2025 AND 2025-2026)
The Board approved two years of school calendars in preparation for construction and also to meet the planning needs of parents. The calendar next year will be condensed to maximize construction time in the summer, meaning that classes will end prior to Memorial Day in 2025 and in the following calendar year start after Labor Day 2025.
Highlights of the 2024-25 calendar include:
First Day of School: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 (this aligns with District 99’s first day)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27-29, 2024
Winter Break: Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025
Spring Break: April 1-4, 2025
Last Day of School: Friday, May 23, 2025 (if no emergency days are used)
Winter Weather; Outdoor Recess (repeat item)
As the weather changes, I'd like to send a couple recess reminders your way.
-As in past years, we will continue to have outdoor recess during the winter months so long as the weather permits AND so long as the real feel temperature is zero degrees or above. It will be important that students come to school dressed for the weather and that they have the appropriate outdoor clothing to stay safe and warm.
-At the times when we have snow, students will be able to head off of the blacktop to play in it. The key to that is that they are prepared. In order to play in the snow off of the blacktop areas, the students need to be wearing snow boots and snow pants/snowsuit.
District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, January 22: 2:00 Dismissal
Wednesday, January 24: Young Rembrandts (3:05 p.m.)
Thursday, January 25: Chess Club (3:00 - 3:30)
Friday, January 26: Pizza Hot Lunch (for those who ordered)