Weekly Update 11/13/23-11/17/23
Upcoming Dates
Monday, November 13: Band Sectional Lessons
Tuesday, November 14: Orchestra Sectional Lessons
Tuesday, November 14: Falcon Flyers (lunchtime)
Tuesday, November 14: Matt Tavares Author Visit
Tuesday, November 14: PTA Turkey Shoot: Kindergarten-2nd Grade (3:30pm)
Tuesday, November 14: Draw and Paint For Life (3:30-4:30pm)
Wednesday, November 15: Band & Orchestra Morning Rehearsal at McClure (7:30am)
Wednesday, November 15: FUSION (3:30-5:15pm)
Wednesday, November 15: PTA Turkey Shoot: Grades 3-5 (3:30pm)
Thursday, November 16: PTA Turkey Shoot Shootout (during the day)
Thursday, November 16: Report Card Distribution
Friday, November 17: 4th/5th Grade Math Club (7:45am)
Friday, November 17: Sticky Fingers Cooking Class (3:30-4:30pm)
Saturday, November 18: PTA Comedy Night
Monday, November 20 & Tuesday, November 21: P/T Conferences (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
Wednesday, November 22-Friday, November 24: NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BREAK
Wednesday, December 6: LATE ARRIVAL (10:00am) (Kdg: 10-12; 1:30-3:30)
Student Ownership Attribute: Collaboration
It has been WONDERFUL to spend time in each of the classrooms this month, as we continue our launch of our Student Attributes with students and staff. Together, we’ve learned what it means to be “collaborative”!
Our D101 definition of COLLABORATIVE is: collaborative people are able to work together to produce or create something, and to work with someone else on a project or to solve a problem.
Some of the components we discussed at the various grade levels were:
Collaboration is all around us - in our partner work, our group work, team sports, families, EVERYWHERE!
Collaboration helps us put together strengths and skills from different people - we are stronger when we think and work together!
Collaborative people are open to ideas and often learn new things and have great experiences working in new ways.
We’ve discussed these talking points in connection with the following grade level texts:
Kindergarten: The Little Red Fort, by Brenda Maier
1st Grade: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann
2nd Grade: Up the Creek, by Nicholas Oldland
3rd Grade: The Little Red Pen, by Janet Stevens
4th Grade: Boxitects, by Kim Smith
5th Grade: Someone Builds the Dream, by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Lang
Although this is our collective focus for the month of November, we’ll always be practicing being COLLABORATIVE throughout the year, and will be using these skills as a part of our December focus – being a GLOBAL CITIZEN! Stay tuned for more information about GLOBAL CITIZENS next month!
Our three elementary schools and McClure Junior High need YOUR help, as we often need more engaging, effective subs than we have available to support our students. With the phenomenal students in our community, subbing in D101 is a highly fulfilling, lovely way to connect with and support our schools and all of our children!
What are the benefits of subbing?
It’s flexible! We often book subs (where we can) in advance, so you can pick and choose when the dates/times/assignments work for YOU. You can choose whether or not to be “on call” for unexpected needs and/or to let us know that you’re always available on x days and at y times.
It’s simple! Some of our subs do not come to us with a background in education, and that is okay! A successful sub is someone who will work hard to follow clear, simple plans from the experts (our teachers!) and - most importantly - who will take care of our students at a high level. That’s it!
It’s connected! We appreciate subs from within our parent community, as you know our students and are already invested in our school community. We generally place parent subs in buildings that are NOT their “home” building, which gives a great chance to learn more about all of our schools -- and doesn’t fluster your kids to see you in the hallway ;)
It pays well! Reach out to inquire more about sub pay; we are at or above the daily average pay for subs in the area!
What does the job entail?
Subs can fill all kinds of positions, depending on our needs:
General classroom teacher (ie “I’m teaching third grade today!”)
Specials teachers (ie “I’m in PE today!”)
Classroom teaching assistants and/or 1:1 aides to support student needs (ie “I’m helping out in first grade today,” or “I’m supporting John Doe in the classroom today!”)
Subs can work for a full day or a half day, depending on need and availability.
Lesson plans and support to understand the role are provided for every sub role and position, and our warm and welcoming teachers and staff are here to support YOU as you support our students.
How do I sign on to become a sub?
Just give a call to your home building’s Administrative Assistant, and they will be excited to help get you started with this opportunity!
Field Park: Denise Stetler - (708) 246-7675
Forest Hills: Erin McLaughlin - (708) 246-7678
Laidlaw: Cricket Walker– (708) 246-7673
McClure: Kelly Fuhr–(708)246-7590
Click here to see the basic requirements to gain sub licensure.
After you are registered on our sub list and ready to go, we’ll help match you to the best fit for schools and positions.
INFO FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES, BUT STILL RELEVANT...
IMPORTANT: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 20: 9:00-12:00, 1:00-5:00, 6:00-8:00 (IN PERSON)
Tuesday, November 21: 9:00-1:00, 2:00-6:00 (VIRTUAL)
We hope this mix of "in person" and "virtual" options meets everyone's need. Please be respectful of this time that is set aside for this purpose and not ask to schedule conferences outside of this designated time.
Once again, we will use PTC Wizard, the online sign-up tool. The site will go live at 8:00am on WEDNESDAY, November 1 and will remain open until Friday, November 17 at NOON.
PLEASE CLICK HERE OR SEE THE ATTACHED INFORMATION BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CONFERENCE SIGN-UP.
CogAT: Grades 3 and 5
The CogAT Test measures the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student compared to age mates and grade mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
The CogAT measures three different cognitive abilities.
• The verbal section measures a child’s ability to remember and transform sequences of English words, to understand them and to make inferences and judgments about them.
• The quantitative section measures a child’s understanding of basic quantitative concepts and relationships.
• The non-verbal section measures reasoning using pictures and geometric shapes. This section reduces the impact of language on the student’s score.
• The composite score is a total score for all three batteries.
Parents will receive these assessment results as soon as they're available for distribution.
PTA Turkey Shoot--Reminder!
Tuesday, November 14: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Wednesday, November 15: 3rd-5th grades
Location: Forest Hills Gym
Details:
- Please click HERE to register your child for the Turkey Shoot.
- An adult must be present on site to supervise your child during the event.
- Please meet your child in the hallway outside the gym immediately after school on the designated day.
- Everyone is asked to donate a canned good to participate. Donations will go to a local food pantry.
- As soon as students are done shooting, they will depart with their adult.
- There will be boy/girl winners from each grade level. (1st place = Turkey from Casey's, 2nd place = BB's gift certificate)
- Prizes will be handed out on Thursday, November 16th.
We've also added a sensory friend/adaptive option and time slot for students with diverse needs and the form has been updated to reflect this option!
Upcoming Author Visit
Author and Illustrator Matt Tavares is visiting Forest Hills on Tuesday, November 14th! He will present to grades k-2 about writing and illustrating a picture book. His visit coincides with the release of his new book, Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas. Use the attached order form to order your personalized, signed, copy of Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas - ordering is open to all students and families. If you need an order form printed for you, they are available in the main office.
Books will be signed by the author the day of his visit and delivered to students' in classrooms.
Orders are due Friday, November 3rd!
Reach out to Mrs. Harvey with any questions - charvey@d101.org
Chess Wizards--Winter Enrollment
Culture of Appreciation Reminder
Send a message of gratitude to staff HERE!
Word From WSFEE
Do you have a Big Idea and just don't know where to start? WSFEE is here to help - contact grants@wsfee.org and we can help you through the grant writing process. Grants help support everything from school and classroom libraries to STEM supplies to buddy benches and lunch tables. Remember to visit wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Facebook or Instagram (@wsfee_d101) to hear about events, donations and sponsorship opportunities throughout the year.
IMPORTANT: School Attendance
2023-24 School Calendar
A HUGE thank you to Erica Hirsen, Cindy Powers and all of the wonderful parent volunteers who made the Book Fair happen. It was a fabulous event and it's fantastic to get some new books in the hands of our kiddos!
Lastly, next Wednesday-Friday, Dr. Barnhart, Dr. Coffey, Mrs. Gentile, Mrs. McGrath (D101 Instructional Coach) and I will be in Washington DC for the Blue Ribbon Ceremony. We're all so honored and proud to represent Forest Hills. I'll share some photos in next Friday's update!
Rachel
Rachel Corrough
Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough