Adler Gazette
It's a great day to be a Gator! (JANUARY EDITION)
Adler Park School
Email: kmiller@d70schools.org
Website: https://adler.d70schools.org/
Location: 1740 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone: 1-847-362-7275
Twitter: @AdlerD70
From the Principal's Desk
We have made it to the end of January! We have been so happy with the mild winter thus far–although I am sure many of our Gators would love more snowy recess periods.
Speaking of recess, we are looking for more recess and lunch supervisors to join our team! If you are available on a specific day(s) of the week or would be willing to be an on-call substitute, please email me directly. Supervisors would be needed from 11:15-12:15. Visit THIS link if you are looking for a description of the position and what is required. This is a paid position.
Shifting to student attendance, we have seen a large numerical increase in student absences and tardies at Adler Park this year in comparison to previous years. While it is appreciated that you are keeping your students home when feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms, it is important to remember the importance of consistent and timely student attendance when your student is feeling well. There is no secret that consistent student attendance has a substantial impact on student achievement, social emotional development, and educator workload.
Children who have learning and thinking differences can be especially vulnerable to the impact of absenteeism because missing school reduces opportunities for any interventions that might be necessary. Poor attendance can also have a negative effect on social and emotional development. For example, “students who are chronically absent in the early years of their education may not learn crucial school readiness skills (abilities such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creative thinking), and can fall behind their peers in social-emotional development” (American University School of Education).
With all of this being said, please make an effort to refrain from scheduling non-emergency doctors/dentist appointments during the school day or taking family vacations or trips during non-break times. While it may be convenient or more affordable, the impact on the overall classroom environment needs to be considered.
Thank you and stay warm,
Kendall
Upcoming Dates To Know
- February 1 World Read Aloud Day - Virtual Author Visit with Songju Ma Daemicke for grades K-2
- February 4 AFA Fun Fair 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- February 15 Virtual Author Visit with Kelly Yang for grades 3-5
- February 15 Parent Teacher Conferences, 5:15-8:15 pm
- February 16 Parent Teacher Conferences, 3:15-8:15 pm
- February 17 No School
- February 20 No School
- February 22 AFA Dinner Night Out at Panera Bread in Libertyville
- February 28 AFA Girls Night Out
- March 1 Early Release at 1:15
- March 1 AFA Guys Night Out
STAR Testing Results Available
Winter STAR results available in PowerSchool! Teachers assess student understanding, learning and growth in a variety of informal and formal ways throughout the school year. D70 uses several assessments that are administered throughout the school year to help students, teachers and parents better understand strengths and areas that can be targeted for improvement. Most recently students in Grades 1 - 8 took the STAR assessments in reading and math.
To view assessment results for your child, please log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and click on the small box with an arrow in the right hand corner of the screen. Click on P4R Login to access your child’s assessment data. Please see the image below. The most recent updates include winter STAR results.
Kindergarten families: As a reminder, this year we transitioned to AIMSweb Plus as our benchmarking assessment. We are still administering this assessment to our Kindergarten students. We will notify kindergarten families when the data is ready in PowerSchool.
We are pleased to welcome Facility Dog Nifty to Adler!
Nifty is a facility dog from Canine Companions who will be working with Dr. Kopelman, one of the school psychologists in our district. Facility dogs are expertly trained dogs that partner with a facilitator working in a professional setting, such as a school. Canine Companions facility dogs are trustworthy in professional environments and can perform over 40 commands designated to motivate and inspire students with special needs. Nifty is a 5 year old Labrador/Retriever cross. Nifty was carefully bred and expertly trained by Canine Companions specifically for this type of work, so she is not only friendly and fun, but she is also very sweet and gentle. Nifty was provided by Canine Companions free of charge. She will provide services with some students at Adler on Friday afternoons. Below are some guidelines that are required for our school and for Nifty: Nifty provides services in Dr. Kopelman’s office in the school. Nifty can go into classrooms if there are no allergies or other concerns. Nifty is required to be properly identified at all times as a working facility dog with a vest. Nifty remains with Dr. Kopelman while on property. When not providing services, she is in Dr. Kopelman’s office. Please always ask before you pet Nifty; she loves to shake hands, but it’s important to ask first so that if she’s working with someone, she’s not distracted. If your child is allergic to dogs, please speak to Dr. Kopelman and the school principal to notify them of your child’s allergies and the accommodations your child requires.
To learn more about Canine Companions, please visit www.canine.org.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Review
If you are picking up or dropping off your student, please review the following guidelines:
--In an effort to fit as many cars as possible, cars should be entering through Adler Park and pulling up to the far corner of the Drop-Off/Pick-Up lane.
--Do not stop in the middle of the Drop-Off area if there is space in front of you. Pull forward to the far corner.
--Students should be exiting the car on the side facing the building/playground area. You may need to adjust car seat placements and configurations!
--Students should be exiting the vehicle quickly and unassisted. (Kindergarten students are the exception to this rule.)
--For safety, cars should not be passing other cars while waiting in the Pick-Up or Drop-Off line.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
AFA Updates
Fun Fair
The Fun Fair is returning to Adler! For those who have never been, the Fun Fair was a pre-COVID tradition at Adler. It is similar to a carnival with games and prizes set up in the hallways of the school. The 2023 fair will feature a photo booth, face painting and a cake walk!
In order to make the fair run, we need a lot of volunteers. We are asking that every family volunteer for a slot. Grandparents, older siblings, babysitters - anyone 12 and older is welcome to help!
Boys/Girls Night Out
GNO on Tuesday, February 28th and BNO on Wednesday, March 1st in the evening from 6-8 pm at Adler Park. Candor Health will be giving a puberty presentation that focuses on physical changes and anatomy. For more information about Candor Health, please visit their website.
Our 5th graders will have the opportunity to hear another presentation from Candor Health on March 15th that will focus on preparing for middle school called “Navigating the Teen Years.” The areas of focus will be:
Self-Advocacy (A student sends her teacher an angry email after receiving a poor grade, but in the end learns how to advocate for herself respectfully with teachers and other adults in authority)
On-line Safety & Social Media Use (Two students receive uncomfortable messages from a person they have friended on a gaming site)
Taking Responsibility (A group of students participate in a “Tik Tok Challenge” and several struggle to take responsibility when they are called to the principal’s office)
Unkind Behavior/Bullying (Some students make fun of another who does not fit in the norm because they are obsessed with rock music and being a drummer in a band)
Student Activities and Ways to Get Involved
Maker Monday
Maker Monday registration is now open for 2nd grade students! Please click here for more information and for the lottery sign up link. Interested 2nd graders should sign up no later than Thursday, February 2, and you will be informed of your status no later than Friday, February 3.
Student Snap Shots
Second Grade Reading
2nd grade reading about suspension bridges with a historical fiction story called Pop’s Bridge. Students were digging deep with the rich vocabulary and character feelings.