Lyon & Pleasant Ridge Newsletter
October 4, 2019
Glenview District 34
Our Mission
Aspire. Explore. Discover. Connect.
Lyon School
1335 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
(847)998-5045 Phone/(847)998-9701 Fax
(847)657-2894 Absence Calls/Health Office
Website: https://ly.glenview34.org
Pleasant Ridge School
1730 Sunset Ridge Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 998-5050 Phone/(847)998-5532 Fax
(847) 657-2794 Absence Calls/Health Office
Website: www.pr.glenview34.org
Lyon/Pleasant Ridge & District 34 Calendar
Wednesday, October 9
NO SCHOOL
Thursday, October 10
Wesley Kinder Dinner Event at Pleasant Ridge in the MPR 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 11
Lyon School Sprit Day
Monday, October 14th
FULL ATTENDANCE DAY for Students and Staff (Columbus Day)
Wednesday, October 15
PTA Meeting at Pleasant Ridge - 9:15 a.m.
Friday, October 25th
High-Five Friday with the Glenview Police at Pleasant Ridge 7:30 a.m.
Monday, October 28
District 34 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 31
Halloween Festivities by Classroom
(See the Attached Flyer for Lyon)
Friday, November 1
Lyon School Spirit Day
Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, November 5
NO SCHOOL - Institute Day
View the full calendar at the District website (www.glenview34.org -- Parents -- Calendar).
From the Lyon School Principal's Desk
Dear Lyon Families,
“It’s not the same when you’re not here.” This sentiment expresses our feelings when our students miss school, are late for school, or leave school before the end of the school day. If you were present for our Curriculum Night this year (thank you!), you heard me talk about the importance of positive school attendance and our goals in that area. Conferences this week present another opportunity to share some thoughts about the importance of school attendance and prompt arrival each day.
Not only do the children’s classmates and teachers miss them when they are significantly late or absent from school, but there can be real gaps that develop in their learning. “A growing consensus of researchers points to chronic absence as one of the strongest but most overlooked indicators that a student will become disengaged and fall behind academically…” (Sparks, 2010). So what is “chronic” absenteeism? The easiest definition would be missing 10% or more of school. Now this issue may not seem as critical for our youngest students. However, a primary-focused study out of California found that among students who were chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade, 17% were proficient readers at the end of 3rd grade (Bruner, Discher & Chang, 2011). In addition to the academic impact, children can miss important and consistent opportunities for the early development of social and friendship skills, resilience and dependability.
Of course, a student’s health is an important consideration. We would want you to keep your child home from school if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher, have diarrhea or are vomiting, or are directed by a physician not to attend school. In most cases other than those, we would expect students to attend school (you can always call our health office with specific questions about conditions).
So, while we would love perfect attendance, a realistic goal is to have your children miss no more than (on average) one day per month. There was a day in September this year on which we only had 3 student absences for all of Lyon! That was our best day of attendance for the 2019-20 school year thus far. We would like to see many more days like this, and that can happen with your help. Regular attendance, prompt arrival at school (no later than 8:50am – even when it’s raining or cold, but dressed for the weather!), and closure with their peers and teachers at the end of the school day all help to set children up for maximum growth and success. It really isn’t the same when they’re not here, and we appreciate your support and partnership in working toward our students having the most positive school experience.
Sincerely,
Kevin Dorken
Lyon School Principal
From the Pleasant Ridge Principal's Desk
It’s been a great start to the 2019-20 school year. In a very short time we’ve become accustomed to our schedules and routines and we are ‘full steam ahead’! We’ve spent the first month of school getting to know our students and building communities in our classrooms. It’s been great to see the level of engagement between our staff and students, and I’ve observed high levels of excitement in classrooms as we tackle our learning together. I’m thrilled to see how well our launch of Writing Workshop has gone as kids have worked on their personal narratives and learned techniques and strategies to improve their writing. We are busy, and we are focused on having a positive and productive year.
As we dive into the school year I’ve been thinking about the importance of the parent/school partnership. It’s been on my mind as conferences begin to unfold in our schools. Fall conferences are an important time to connect as we’re still getting to know our students and you have so much knowledge and context to provide us about your children. It’s helpful for us to know what motivates your child, areas they’ve typically had success with and parts of their school days that might present a challenge to them. I see these conferences as critical building blocks to a successful year. This is a perfect time to discuss goals for the upcoming year and ways we can support each other to achieve those goals. My hope is that conferences are a springboard to a successful partnership in support of our students.
Have a great October,
Erik Friedman
Pleasant Ridge Principal
Important Reminders:
For the safety of students, staff, and families...please remember that dogs are not permitted on school grounds. If you happen to walk your dog to school for arrival or dismissal, please do not come onto the walkway or bike area in the vicinity of our students. I appreciate your attention to this and for helping to keep our students safe.
Halloween, Thursday, October 31st- In the coming weeks please be on the lookout for an email with information and guidelines for celebrating Halloween at Pleasant Ridge. We are looking forward to a fun day with our students and we appreciate you supporting a safe Halloween by following our guidelines.
Social Skills from the Lyon School Social Worker
Dear Lyon Families,
As a part of our culture of promoting positive social interactions among all children and enriching social-emotional learning, Lyon Staff offer a variety of opportunities for students to practice expected social skills. Throughout the year, we may arrange for a student to invite a schoolmate(s) to participate in game playing or lunch in a small group setting, join a group discussion on a social emotional learning topic, or join a conversation during a walk for a break. These opportunities for social development are coordinated among our staff, and we are very thoughtful about their implementation (i.e., student academic schedules, rotation of children, duration of activity, etc.).
Participation in any social activity is optional. Invited students are always given a choice as to whether or not they would like to join. Our experience has been that children who have participated have benefitted from and enjoyed these social opportunities. However, if for any reason you do not want your child to be included in any of these staff-facilitated activities, please call our main office (847-998-5045) to let us know. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
As always, thank you for your support of our school-wide efforts!
FINAL REMINDER - PTA Registration
Don’t forget to register for the LYPR PTA today to receive your printed directory!
Click here to Register for the PTA.
Join our Facebook group:
Parents of Lyon and Pleasant Ridge
Holiday Helper
It’s that time of year again! We are kicking off our annual Holiday Helper program! The Holiday Helper program assists families in need within Lyon and Pleasant Ridge by providing children with outerwear and holiday gifts. Each family also receives a grocery store gift certicate and box of food collected during our Holiday Helper food drive.
We are now seeking child and family sponsors! Sponsors provide outerwear for each child during the first week of November. Then, during the first week of December, sponsors provide a book and holiday gifts for each child, and a grocery store gift card for the entire family. Sponsor a child, family, or consider teaming up with your friends or neighbors to sponsor a large family! Look for other Holiday Helper updates in the coming weeks for more ways to help!
For questions or interest in sponsoring a child or family, contact:
Andrea Downing at: andreadowning@me.com
Ramie Robbins at: ramie@ramierobbins.com
Halloween at Lyon
Lyon School’s Halloween activities will be held on Thursday, October 31st, with classes participating in a parade and classroom parties during the day. Please note that school is in session on this day, and our intent is to make certain that academics are not set a side for the entire day. Here is the schedule of events for Thursday, October 31st:
10:15 am
Morning Kindergarten classes parade through the school (Kindergarten parents are invited to view the parade around the exterior perimeter of the building.)
1:30 pm
Students change into costumes.
2:00 pm
Costume parade begins* for afternoon kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. (Parents can view the parade around the exterior perimeter of the building.)
2:30 pm
Class parties begin once students return to the classroom.
(Class parties are intended for Lyon students and prearranged adult volunteers, so please make child care arrangements for siblings and other plans accordingly.)
* If inclement weather, we will keep the parade inside the building.
Only kindergarten children may come to school dressed in costume. All other children should bring their costumes to school and change at the designated time.
We would like to enlist the help of parents in making certain that your children’s costumes are appropriate for school. Costumes that depict violence are not permitted. Toy weapons or violent props will not be permitted. Masks are discouraged as they hinder the children’s ability to see. We ask you to use your good judgment in choosing an appropriate costume for primary age children.
Parking will be limited, so please plan accordingly (car pool, etc.). PARKING IN THE FIRE LANES AROUND OUR SCHOOL AND NEAR THE LAW OFFICES JUST SOUTH OF LYON IS NOT PERMITTED (cars may be ticketed and/or towed). We encourage children who normally ride the bus to do so on this day, unless it is absolutely necessary for them to travel by car. All children who leave prior to 3:30 p.m. need to be signed out in their classroom with classroom teachers. Please call the Lyon Oce (847-998-5045) if you have any questions or concerns.
Lyon School Before and After School Pick Up Procedures
The following procedures have been put in place to make the beginning and end of the day safe and smooth. We ask that all parents assist us in assuring that every child at Lyon is safe by following these rules. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
All parents are asked to remain in their vehicle and pull up alongside the canopy at the front of the building to unload/load their children on the curbside. The line for cars starts at the student loading area and continues around the outer perimeter of the bus lanes. Parents are not allowed to park and walk their children through the parking area to/from a vehicle. If a child is having difficulty and requires adult assistance, please pull your car into one of the 15 minute spaces.
All traffic should go around the bus lanes and remain in the car lane for drop-off/pick-up. Only a single lane of traffic will be allowed in the inner circle of the driveway along the front of the school. Anyone needing to enter the school for a a before/after school meeting or activity is asked to park in the outer lot and utilize the crosswalk near the building to cross. The only exceptions to this are vehicles with designated handicapped parking permits and the student services transportation vehicles.
Parents will not be allowed to park and wait in the school hallway or under the front canopy of the school for their child, but must remain in their vehicle before and after school. If your child is assigned a bus please use this service whenever possible. If you will be picking children up at the end of the day, please write a note indicating your child will be a car rider or a walker. Your signature, your child's teacher's name, along with the correct day/date, will help in making the correct changes. If on the rare occasion your transportation arrangements require a change for your child during the school day, please call the office before 3:00 p.m. This will allow the office staff ample time to notify your child’s teacher of the change.
Students are not allowed to ride any bus other than the one assigned. Thus, a child may not ride home on another bus for a play date or go to another child’s home if it requires a change from their assigned bus. Parents will need to make their own transportation arrangements for this purpose.
Finally, please observe and follow all directions of the Lyon staff. They are present to assist in a safe and efficient pick up for your children. Thank you again for your cooperation with these procedures.
Important Visitor Procedures
Please call your child’s teacher to arrange an appointment if you want to visit a classroom. Sign in at the office so that we know you are in the building. We ask that you wear a visitor lanyard when visiting. Please sign out and return the lanyard when leaving the building. If you plan to take your child out of the building during school hours, please sign him/her out in the office.
All visitors (including parents) will be asked to present valid state issued identication (drivers license or state i.d.) that will be entered into the system before gaining access to the school beyond the main office.
Authorization to Administer Medication at School
If your child needs to take any medication during the school day -- either prescription or over-the-counter (including ibuprofen or other pain reliever) -- you must submit this form with a doctor's signature to the health office at school (Aquí está la forma en español.). There are no exceptions to this policy. Students should not have medication in their backpack or pocket; parents must provide the medication indicated on the form, in original packaging, to the school nurse.
All health forms are posted on the District 34 website on our frequently used forms page. If you have questions, please contact the Lyon health office at (847) 657-2894 or the Pleasant Ridge health office at (847) 657-2794.
Find Us on Facebook
Lyon School is now on Facebook. Follow @ LyonD34 to get news and views into what's happening in classrooms and around the school!
Food Service Menu and Cycle Calendar For Lyon and Pleasant Ridge
Please review this important food service information which includes the menu cycle and the cycle calendar. Click here for the Food Service Newsletter.