Keeping Up with Kipling!
June 3, 2022
Today has been a rough day. I am typically excited about the end of the school year. It means nice weather, time with my family and fun activities. I am still excited about those things, but they all have to come after saying farewell to people I have grown to care deeply for over the past two years.
Together we weathered quite a storm. We had challenges, celebrations, setbacks and wonderful moments...many wonderful moments! I think those moments are what I will look back at and remember about Kipling School.
I have been in several different school districts as a teacher, parent and administrator. I can tell you that the Kipling staff is among the best of them. They LOVE your child and they take their job very seriously. I can also honestly say that these students are unique! From Day 1, I noticed that they are articulate, intelligent, polite and almost adult like in their interactions. They have a gift to be leaders and the staff at Kipling School is committed to take that raw leadership ability and shape them into the future leaders of this world. I have no doubt that I will be hearing about some of these students in important roles in the future.
I hope you don't mind a parting piece of advice. You have raised amazing children. Thank you for that. You might not know that on our SEL surveys, our students consistently score themselves low on grit. They don't see themselves having the ability to tackle challenging problems and persevering. In other words, they don't always seem to know what to do when they fail. How do they bounce back and how do they overcome? My advice would be to let them fail. Failure breeds problem solving abilities and grit. I am not suggesting you cut off all support, but allowing them to tackle problems on their own and creating solutions to their problems will give them skills and strategies that will support them in the future.
I have loved my two years here at Kipling. I wish it were a different two years in history. I wish my time here could have been spent getting to know the amazing students and families in a non-covid way. Meeting by zoom or phone calls is not my style. I wish we could have had our Pumpkin Fest and all of the other fun things that Kipling is known for. However, despite that, I feel great about the connections and relationships I have made with so many of you. The people I have met here have huge hearts and a giving spirit. Thank you for that. Thank you for the support and kind words from so many of you throughout the two years - even when there was controversy and challenges. I will always be grateful for that!
Finally, to the Kipling Kids! I will miss you tremendously. It took time at the beginning to build that trust, but as I wrap up my last day, I feel like I have built a great relationship with you all and I will always treasure that. Thanks for watching my readings, laughing at my jokes and always showing me respect and kindness. I have loved getting to know you and being a part of your life. I consider myself so lucky to have had that honor. Please continue to learn, grow, listen to your teachers and your parents and always remember to be kind to others. I will miss you all very much.
Always remember that it could be a great day...or not...it is up to you! I hope you choose to make it a great day!
Mr. Andy Elbert
Principal
Kipling School
DAD - A - Base
Health form reminder:
Fifth Grade families, please make your child's medical appointments now to have their health and dental forms submitted BEFORE starting 6th grade.
Summer IXL Math Challenge
Students entering grades 3-8 will be given the opportunity to participate in our optional IXL summer math challenge. This work is not mandatory, nor should it be considered new learning, however, we encourage students to give it a try. The math challenge has been designed to include specifically chosen skills that will offer a review of previously taught standards and extra practice with the standards that build a foundation for the following year.
All students who participate will receive a small prize in the fall of 2022.
Summer Reading Program
Please click on this link to find out more information about the program.
Summer ☀️ 2022 Digital Tool Access Information
The digital tools in the table below can be accessed on a personal (home) device by going to clever.com and entering the student’s dps109 email address and animal password (school-issued) OR by using a Clever badge if you have one. Students should know their animal password. On your personal iPad, you can install the Clever app as well if you would like. Other digital tools used throughout the year (not listed in the table) that require a Google sign-in with a dps109 email may be used as well (i.e. WeVideo, CoSpaces Edu, Worldbookonline, etc.)
Please note: some features of the individual digital tools may become disabled throughout the summer as the companies make updates to their product in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year.
Information regarding student emails, passwords, and graduation years:
Students' emails are their first name + last name + graduation year @ dps109.org
- Example: mariagalanis2022@dps109.org
Exceptions are longer name combinations. For those, it would be first initial + last name + graduation year @ dps109.org
- Example: mgalanis2022@dps109.org
All passwords are an animal + 4 digits
Graduation year:
K: 2034
1st: 2033
2nd: 2032
3rd: 2031
4th: 2030
5th: 2029
SUMMER 2022 DIGITAL TOOLS
- Reading Eggs - K-1
- RAZ PLUS - K-2
- ST MATH - K-5
- IXL Reading - 2-8
- IXL Math - K-8
- Exact Path - 2-5
- Newsela - 3-8
- Big Ideas Math Skills Trainer - K-8