Weekly Communique
October 21, 2022
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
Gurnee School District 56 completed the development of a Portrait of a Graduate during the 2021-22 school year. This was a project that was started in March of 2020 and was delayed as a result of the pandemic. This tool has identified a set of competencies that each D56 graduate should develop prior to graduation. These competencies were created with input from the D56 community including students, parents, and teachers as well as the teachers from Warren Township High School. Sorting through hundreds of responses, the D56 committee was able to categorize common skills under specific competencies. Each of the seven competencies is broken down by grade levels from kindergarten through eighth grade.
This information is now available on our District website (D56 Portrait of a Graduate). Once you are on the site, you will be able to click on any of the competencies noted in the image above and find out what it looks like to be a “Contributing Citizen” in kindergarten: Building/expanding on their thoughts; Understanding that mistakes are part of learning; Using a trial and error approach, sharing ideas and what it looks like in eighth grade; Helping others to make inferences and draw logical conclusions; Helping others to build on and make connections to thoughts and ideas: Leading others to develop innovative ideas; and Helping them to apply those ideas, to real-world problems, etc.
The 2022-23 school year will be the roll out of this tool in classrooms across the district. Teachers will begin introducing students to the competencies as part of their lessons, instruction, and daily activities. If you have any questions on this new tool, please reach out to your child's teacher or building administrator. We are very excited about this project and the goals it set for our students as they grow.
Tweet of the Week
Richardson's Farm
6 Red students from Viking enjoyed a reward day at Richardson's Farm. These ladies found all 24 checkpoints in the World's Largest Corn Maze. We were told no other school group has accomplished this!
Viking 6Red students had a fall-tastic day celebrating a successful 1st Quarter at Richard's Farm!!
Hispanic Heritage Quilt
Students in Mrs. Zivilik's classroom had so much fun designing patches for their Hispanic Heritage quilt.
Viking School Band/Choir
Viking 6th,7th and 8th Grade Band/Choir students performed on 10/20/22! They all did an amazing job at the kick-off concert!
Centers
Mrs. Sincora's kindergarten students started centers this week. These kindergartners are already pros! They were working hard, focused, and cleaned up so well!
Preschoolers love School
Spaulding preschoolers have so much fun learning at school!
Advisory Ceiling Tiles
Viking students are working hard to prepare their Advisory Ceiling Tiles for their classrooms. We can’t wait to see the final product!
Scooters Fun at Spaulding
Physical education classes at Spaulding School focused on the proper use of scooters recently. Students used scooters individually and then in team-related games. The unit culminated with an all-time favorite game called "Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Kohl Children's Museum
Spaulding preschoolers had a great time on their field trip to Kohl Children’s Museum.
Mr. Smith, Director of Building & Grounds of Gurnee School District 56, spoke to the #stem class at River Trail School about electrical systems and passed around his diagnostic tools.
Festi-FALL was beautiful!
D56 PTO NEWS
Viking School Student Council
Halloween Event for children and adults with special needs
Warren Township Youth & Family Services
HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN HANDLE BIG FEELINGS - VIRTUAL
This workshop will address your child’s emotional and social development, emotional awareness, self-regulation, responding to anxiety, and the development of calming behaviors…Thursday, October 27th, 2022, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, via Zoom. Registration: www.warrentownship.net/adultservices
Friday Night Alternative (FNA)
Warren Township Youth and Family Services sponsors the Friday Night Alternative dances for middle school students in Warren Township (grades 6th-8th). During the school year, these students are provided a safe environment that includes basketball, dancing with a DJ, and special event activities.
Who: Warren Township youth who are entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
Where is the Event: Woodland Middle School (7000 W. Washington St., Gurnee)
Where is our Office: Youth Services, 100 S. Greenleaf St., Gurnee
When: Friday, October 28th, 2022
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $10 - a slice of pizza, and soda/water included
Scholarships: Requests for an FNA needs-based fee waiver may be made by calling 847-244-1101, ext. *401. Parents will be asked to complete paperwork to have the fee reduced.
All dates are subject to change/cancellation without refund.
Gurnee Park District
October 28 – Halloween Drive-In, Featuring Disney’s COCO
Buy your tickets to come to the drive-in at Hunt Club Park (900 N. Hunt Club Rd. Gurnee, IL)! Guests are welcome to purchase from food trucks or bring in their own food and beverages. Movie will begin at 7:30 pm with guests arriving as early as 6:45 pm.
- Buy tickets online $28 per vehicle
3rd – 8th Grade Basketball Leagues
Each age group will be divided into teams with a maximum of 10 players each. Age groups may be combined if numbers are low. Boys and girls will be on separate teams. Starting November 28, practices are held once per week from 6:45 – 8 pm. Games will be played on Saturdays starting January 13, ending March 11.
Bring the entire family to the Gurnee Park District’s Hunt Club Park Community Center for an evening of creativity and FUN! The night will begin with a dinner of pizza and salad along with cookies for dessert. After dinner, families will have the opportunity to create works of art together at various art stations located throughout the facility. Participants are encouraged to "dress for a mess" and bring either a painting smock or apron.
Village of Gurnee 28th Annual Jon Callaghan Memorial Turkey Trot
Heart of the City
Lake County Health Department
Stay Up-to-Date with COVID-19 Boosters
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 12 years and older receive the updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna released an updated booster in early September. Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated booster shot is recommended for individuals 12 and older, and Moderna’s updated booster shot is recommended for adults 18 and older. Visit the CDC page Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters for more information. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding the new booster.
Visit Vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you.
Get Your Annual Flu Shot
The flu season is here and it is important to get your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get the flu shot. It is especially important for adults 65 years and older to get vaccinated as they are more vulnerable to severe diseases. The best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu is to get your vaccine.
The flu shot and the COVID-19 booster vaccination can be administered at the same time. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a flu shot and COVID-19 booster location near you.
Lake County Rental Assistance Program Now Open
NEWS: Lake County Rental Assistance Program Now Open. Apply at lakecountyil.gov/4578
Beginning today, Lake County renters who faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for the new Lake County Rental Assistance (LCRA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent. The application period will run from Oct. 11 - Nov. 15, 2022.
Lake County is working with community partners to help keep families in their homes as we continue to work together and move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may receive up to six months of assistance with rent.