Hello Kipling Families,

It has been a difficult and emotional week here at Kipling with the loss of one of our beloved staff members. I cannot thank you enough for the support and kindness you have communicated and shared with our staff. Thank you as well for navigating challenging questions at home and for guiding your children through what could be an understandably complicated and confusing time.

Our staff, although deeply saddened, did a truly commendable job at maintaining a positive, nurturing environment here at school while providing as much normalcy as possible. We are incredibly lucky to have the dedicated and compassionate staff that we do here at Kipling.

I spoke with Ms. Schippers’ husband, Michael, today. He shared information about her services:

-Visitation

Monday October 17, 10am to Noon at Strang Funeral Chapel

410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake

-Memorial Service

Monday October 17, Noon at St Gilbert’s Church

301 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake

In addition, Michael shared that sending flowers would not be necessary. Many families have reached out asking about where they can send cards or gifts. Michael is very grateful, and even though he has no expectation for any gifts, he asked if families want to send anything that they please be sent to my attention here at Kipling. I will collect them in my office and get them to Michael when the time is right.

I hope you all have a peaceful weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you at Pumpkinfest tomorrow! All my best to you and your families.

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary

This week we celebrated Spirit Week leading up to Pumpkinfest tomorrow. It was so fun to see the kids come to school with crazy hair, their favorite hats, and sports jerseys. Today was especially great as we welcomed in students dressed from all different decades - the poodle skirts and bell bottoms were fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to help your kids get dressed in fun and unique ways this week.

In grades 3-8, students take an online survey to reflect on skills related to social-emotional learning and the school environment. To gather feedback from our youngest students, we have created a very short (8-question) survey to administer to Kindergarten through 2nd graders next week. This survey will collect information about Sense of Belonging and Engagement, and the results will help guide our improvement at the school level. Per policy, if you would like your child to opt-out of taking the survey, please contact your child’s teacher no later than 10/21/22.

Red Ribbon Week is the last week in October and focuses on living life drug free. This year's theme is: "Celebrate Life - Live Drug Free." There are social media contests, activities and art projects for the kids to participate in (https://www.redribbon.org/).

Officer Maldonado will be conducting grade level assemblies on Friday, October 21st. The information is geared to the audience's level and the kids are provided with coloring books and trinkets. These Red Ribbon week assemblies are especially designed for our elementary age students. Instead of talking about drug prevention, we talk about ways kids can make their communities better places and choose to be drug free.

Halloween will be here before we know it. We wanted to make sure families have all of the details for Halloween at Kipling!

• The school and office are very busy on this day. If you avoid picking up your child during lunch/recess on this day we would really appreciate it.

• Costumes

• Students will change into their costumes AFTER lunch

• No weapons or costumes that depict violence or are inappropriate for school

• If a costume requires makeup/face paint the student must be able to apply it independently

• Parade

• Students will exit out the main entrance, walk around the entire school, and enter back through the main entrance

• If there is inclement weather the parade will take place inside the school

• Timeline

• 2:15-2:40 - Costume Parade

• 2:40- 3:15 - Class Party

• 3:15 - 3:25 - Clean-up + Dismissal

Calling all grandparents, aunts, uncles, and caregivers! (Of course, a parent or guardian is also welcome to be a Special Someone if you like.) Please join us on Friday, November 11th for an exciting day at Kipling Elementary School. Each student will be able to have a special visitor come to school to see what they are learning about and stop by our PTO Book Fair!

-Limit 1 Special Someone per student due to space issues.

-Be on the lookout for a google form to sign up next week!

Calling all Artists! Submit a Winter Themed Work of Art for a chance to be featured on Hyatt Regency Deerfield's Holiday Greeting Card! One winner will be chosen from each DPS109 elementary school. Art for this contest will be done outside of school. Submit your entry to Ms. Foran no later than Friday, November 11th! Happy creating! Contest Flyer Here

-Please sign up for your PTO Membership now! Click HERE to sign up if you have not already!

PTO PUMPKINFEST 2022

-TOMORROW October 15, 3-5 pm

-Proceeds will be used to improve and enhance our school.

-Items for sale:

• Wristband for unlimited carnival games

• Tattoos by Laine Too

• Balloon twisters, and crafts

• Tote bags for prizes, candy and crafts

• Raffle tickets for raffle items and food

DBFD Open House

This Saturday, from 10am-2pm, please come out to the Fire Department’s Open House! See this flyer for more information.

PPS 109 EVENT ON 10/25

We are excited this school year to return to offering in-person parent/guardian networking and educational opportunities for our community in collaboration with PPS109.

PPS109 is a partnership of DPS 109 administrators, teachers and parents/guardians who are dedicated to providing support to families of children with a wide range of needs. Our first event of the ‘22-’23 school year will be An Overview of District 109 Student Services. This event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 pm at the District Office.

We are also asking for your help! Please click here to help us prioritize the next community event that will be offered during this school year. There is also an option on the form to let us know if you are interested in participating in PPS109 parent/guardian networking opportunities.

The Deerfield Park District runs all of our before and after school programs. Linked here is the brochure & information for sign up. Please contact the Park District, 847-945-0650, if you have questions.

• October 15th - PTO Pumpkin Fest, 3-5pm

• October 25th - PPS 109 Event, 6 pm (see details above)
• October 27th - Regular Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm
• November 8th - No School
• November 16th - 5th Grade Evening Concert @ 5:30-6:30pm
• November 17th - Regular Board Meeting @ 7:00pm
• November 21st - Parent Teacher Conferences (Evening)
• November 22nd - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 23rd-25th - No School