Dear Lions Park Families,

It's hard to believe we are two weeks from Spring Break. Our school continues to be a busy place filled with learning and fun. Thanks to our PTO for another nice Special Lunch this week. The excitement in the lunchroom is palpable!

IAR testing is coming up on March 14th-16th. Students will be tested in reading and math. During testing, electronic watches and cell phones are not permitted. If your child brings these items to school, they will need to be powered off and kept in backpacks during testing. I will review this with students before testing but want to make you aware. Students may bring gum to chew during testing.

Second grade students will have a visit from Officer Friendly of the Mount Prospect Police Department on March 17th. This lecture/video/discussion will focus on teaching children simple, straightforward tools to protect themselves. A foundation for future discussions, this program affirms the right of children to say "NO" to all forms of assault. This program will provide special tools for children to use if confronted with a real life situation. A thirteen (13) minute video entitled, “It’s Your Body: You’re in Charge!” will be shown.

On Thursday, March 16 from 10:00-11:00, the PEPS (Partnering with Educators and Parents to Support student needs) group is meeting at Westbrook. The topic will give you an opportunity to meet other parents and staff as we discuss sensory hacks that have worked for your child at home. To learn more, please check out the newsletter.

I sent an email last night about an opportunity to provide your feedback about our school.

To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

Thanks to our Building Technology Assistant, we are glad to have this Pawlooza show video at this link.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Katie Kelly

STREP INFECTIONS ON THE RISE

IDPH and the CDC are observing an increase in strep throat -- specifically invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) -- infections among children. Early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults is very important.

The following steps can prevent the spread of strep throat:

*Wash your hands frequently with soap and water

*Avoid sharing eating utensils with someone who is sick with strep throat

*Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze

*Stay home when you are sick

*See the doctor when experiencing symptoms so you can be tested and treated

Symptoms of Strep:

*Sore throat that can start very quickly and cause severe pain when swallowing

*Fever

*Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus

*Tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth

*Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck

*Headache, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

Here is the link to our final Media Club video, which will highlight a few events leading up to spring break. Thanks for tuning in each week and supporting our club. The 5th grade students had a great time sharing our weekly news with you.

Friday, March 10 - Early Dismissal @ 11:50 a.m., (NO PM KIDS CORNER)

Thursday, March 16 - Knots of Love, 4 p.m. @ PHS (See flyer below)

PEPS Meeting, 10 a.m. @ WB

Board of Ed Meeting, 7 p.m. @ FV

Wednesday, March 22 - PTO Science Fair, 5:30 p.m. (See flyer below)

Monday, March 27-Sunday, April 2 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL

Monday, April 2 - Classes Resume

LP PTO Meeting, 7 p.m.