The Crosby Chronicle
Weekly Newsletter ~ November 16-20, 2020
GREETINGS FROM PRINCIPAL FERGUSON!
I hope that you are all healthy, and that you enjoyed the late “Indian Summer” weather. It was a beautiful fall season, and it sure has taken a turn toward the cold and blustery weather. Winter is right around the corner, and since setting our clocks back, it sure gets darker much earlier now!
Our Friday, November 6th Staff Professional Development Day was a huge success. While our children had a day off of their studies, our teachers, and all staff, spent the day working and learning together. Our morning sessions were planned so we could focus on PLC work in teams. The afternoon time was dedicated to our SEL (social emotional learning), and Literacy presentations. We used this valuable time to deepen our knowledge so we can be more effective in providing the best instruction for our students. As adults, we are learning in a remote environment as well, and that reminds me of how we are often "building the plane as we are flying it" right now!
I want to congratulate our students who have already started their NWEA testing sessions. I am very proud of our students for doing their very best, as we are attempting to do something we have never done before. Just as our students have never taken their NWEA tests in a remote setting, our staff have never administered these tests in a remote setting.
I thank our families, and day care staff for all of their support, and patience, as we navigate these new challenges. I appreciate your flexibility, as we experienced some technical issues due to the storms last week, and some power and internet outages.
I believe in our students and staff, and I have faith that students will again demonstrate their resilience and their positive efforts. Please remind our students not to stress about these tests, but to just do their best. These results will help us plan our instruction in the coming weeks.
Please remember that we have another 2nd grade supply pickup this Thursday and Friday from 7:30-4:00. If families need a later time, please contact the school office. More details regarding supply pickup are in this newsletter.
Please let me know if we can help you in any way. We value your partnership with us.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson
Principal
GRADE 2 SUPPLY PICK UP ~ NOVEMBER 19-20, 2020
Our next supply pick up will be on Thursday, November 19th and Friday, November 20th. Materials can be picked up at Door 1 (main entrance at Crosby Elementary School) from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. If you need a later time, please call the office at 815-943-6125.
Please come to DOOR 1 (main entrance) and buzz in during these hours. A staff member will get your name, child's name, and your child's teacher, then we will bring your child's supply bag to the door.
It is very important for you to pick up these learning materials which have been prepared to support your child's remote learning for the rest of this semester.
Thank you!
FALL NWEA MAP TESTING AT CROSBY
You may have noticed that we’ve not yet been able to have students participate in Fall NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing. We’ve come up with a plan to try and administer the assessment remotely!
Please be patient with us, but we’d like to use the Fall NWEA test as a dry run to Winter and Spring assessments. What that means is that over the next two weeks (November 9-13 and November 16-20), our students will practice logging in to the NWEA testing site, review the practice tests, and take one Math and one Reading assessment. Students will take the Math assessment first, and the Reading assessment on another day. Each assessment is approximately one hour in duration.
Your child's homeroom teacher will go through the practice tests, and review the tools, as well as walk the students through the login process before the actual test is taken. Teachers will be providing specific information to you, and your student about each session, including the day and time of the assessment.
We don’t want students or their families to stress about these assessments. We do want students to take them seriously, and give their best effort. We need to see how well remote testing works. More importantly, teachers want to know what students know so that they can best support each student's individual learning needs.
Here’s how you can help your child:
- Gently encourage your child to do their best
- Make sure they have eaten a good breakfast and had a good night’s rest
- Remove distractions or keep them to a minimum while testing
- Remind siblings or other family members not to help
- We need to learn what our kindergarten, first, second, and third graders know, not what their family members know!
NWEA test results inform teachers and online programs that our students use such as Study Island and Exact Path. Those online programs can provide valuable support and practice for our students as they learn, and use core essential learning targets.
We appreciate everything the families are doing to support their child’s learning in this online environment. Hopefully, this month’s remote testing will provide good information to help us plan future instruction.
We will be communicating the days and times your child will be taking the Math and Reading assessments as soon as those details are confirmed.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher.
Thank you for your support!
THE "COUNSELING CORNER" ~ MRS. SPAULDING & MRS. ALTMANN
Dear Families,
Happy November!! Although we may be learning remotely, Crosby students and staff are excited to celebrate our community by bringing everyone together for “Gratitude Week.”
Did you know that the act of practicing gratitude has been scientifically proven to help enhance people’s mental and physical health?
Crosby students will be provided opportunities to engage in gratitude reflection activities, as well as some FUN SPIRIT DAYS during our “Gratitude Week!”
Join us for Gratitude Week November 16-20.
Monday, November 16th: We are SUPER GRATEFUL for things in our life! Maybe you are thankful for a friend, food, a family member, or a special pet. Wear your favorite SUPER HERO t-shirt, or dress up as a superhero, to celebrate all of the things that you are SUPER thankful for in your life!
Tuesday, November 17th: COLLEGE DAY: We are thankful for KNOWLEDGE! Students wear their favorite college and university attire.
Wednesday, November 18th: CHARACTER DAY! Dress up as a FAVORITE CHARACTER from a book, poem, movie, TV show or even a person in real life. Think about a character that you appreciate, respect, and are thankful for!
Thursday, November 19th: TEAM UP to spread compassion, kindness, and GRATITUDE! Wear your favorite sporting attire and think about the importance in TEAMWORK. We are all here on this planet to help each other!
Friday, November 20th: SILLY SOCK DAY AND CROSBY SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY! We are so HAPPY and GRATEFUL for our CROSBY FAMILIES and FRIENDS. Wear your favorite SILLY SOCKS and CROSBY COLORS (yellow and black) to celebrate!
Please send any photos you would like to share to Mrs. Ferguson at kferguson@cusd50.org.
Thank you all, and we hope you have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Altmann and Mrs. Spaulding
THE "SOCIAL BUZZ" ~ MS. LORENA VILLAGOMEZ
Pease keep in mind that there are numerous mobile food pantries happening throughout the year to help families in need. Due to COVID-19, premade boxes have already been prepared for families to pick up. This website is a guide to mobile food pantries happening throughout northern Illinois: https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/distributions/
McHenry County will be hosting a mobile food pantry:
No ID or referral needed.
November 18th from 4:30-6:00pm
St. John's Lutheran Church
6821 Main St, Union IL 60180
Another resource in the community is the Harvard Community Food Pantry.
The hours are as follows:
Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 am / 1:30-5:00 pm
Located on 6817 Harvard Hills Rd, Harvard IL 60033
You will need an ID to receive assistance.
Please call or email me if you have any questions or if you need assistance finding this resource.
I hope all of you have taken advantage of the beautiful weather we have had recently. However, we all know this weather will not last. Last year at Crosby we were able to get many of our students ready for the cold winter months, and this year we want to help as well.
If your child is in need of a winter coat please email or call me!
lvillagomez@cusd50.org or 815-943-6125 Ext. 2561
Please see the notice from the City of Harvard.
The Harvard Christmas Giving Tree
2020 has brought many challenges and has caused us to make many changes in the way we do just about everything. Harvard Christmas Giving Tree is no exception. The health and safety of our Harvard families is our #1 priority. So this year we will be offering a contactless experience.
If you are in need of assistance this year we have a new process that goes as follows.
Step 1- Call 815-770-0142
Leave a message with your full name and phone number in English or Spanish.
Step 2- Wait for someone to return your call to set up a time for your virtual application. During this time please download and set up a free account with Google Duo or Zoom. This is how you will do your application on the date that you set up with the volunteer.
Step 3- Make sure you have all of your documents ready for your application appointment. Proof of income, proof of address, and verification of children living with you, date of birth required on document.
Step 4- Your application appointment. A volunteer will call you on the date set up during step 2 to go over your information. Once application is complete you will await further information from the Local Church who will be providing the assistance for your family.
Step 5- You will be contacted by the local church as to how and when you will receive your assistance for your family.
Step 6- Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Deadline for completed application process is November 20th.
Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure you make the deadline.
Best Regards,
Ms. Lorena Villagomez
IMPORTANT DATES ~
November 16-20 - "Gratitude Week"
November 18 - School Board Meeting - 7:00 pm
November 19 - 2nd Grade Supply Pick Up - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
November 20 - 2nd Grade Supply Pick Up - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
November 25 - Early Dismissal
November 26 & 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 9 - Early Dismissal - Staff Development
RICHARD D. CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal - Mrs. Kathleen Ferguson kferguson@cusd50.org
Asst. Principal - Mr. Paul Brass pbrass@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Mr. Brandon Barry bbarry@cusd50.org
Social Worker - Ms. Lorena Villagomez lvillagomez@cusd50.org
Parent Community Liaison - Mrs. Vania DeAlmeida vdealmeida@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Kortni Spaulding kspaulding@cusd50.org
School Counselor - Mrs. Allison Altmann aaltmann@cusd50.org
Email: kferguson@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/crosby/
Phone: 815-943-6125