Keeping Up with Kipling!
February 18, 2022
Information about Masks for Wednesday
Good afternoon, Kipling families:
With the district’s announcement this morning about moving to a mask recommended environment starting on Wednesday, February 23rd, we are asking each family to talk to their children about their mask expectations. Some students, families, and staff will choose to transition away from masks, while others will continue to wear the mask. The goal at Kipling School, and in all schools in District 109, is to maintain the focus on teaching and learning. We respectfully request that you not reach out to your child’s teacher with your masking preferences, as they will not be enforcing any individual expectations. Below is some additional information that may assist you in the conversation.
Addressing the Change:
Explain to children that rules about masks have changed and that whether to wear the mask or not is a family choice.
Respecting Everyone’s Choice:
School is an emotionally safe place for everyone, and it will remain that way.
All children should be encouraged to promote kindness no matter others’ choices. They should be reminded that families have different circumstances that may be impacting their decision to mask or not mask.
Children should not question or try to persuade another to change their decision. Any disrespectful comments/behaviors towards others based on their choice to mask or not mask is unacceptable and will be addressed immediately.
Physical Health & Safety
Schools will continue to have students practice good hygiene, including washing or sanitizing their hands regularly.
Distancing practices will be maintained in classrooms and at lunch.
If students do not feel well, they should stay home.
If a child tests positive for COVID, they still need to isolate.
Shield testing and testing for symptomatic individuals will continue to be offered.
If you have specific health and safety concerns about your child and believe they may meet the criteria for home/hospital instruction, contact Joanna Ford at jford@dps109.org
Social-Emotional Health & Safety Considerations:
If a child is having difficulty understanding, or if they are feeling nervous or anxious in any way, they should be provided space to individually talk about their feelings with a trusted adult. School staff will be ready to offer support. Some examples are as follows:
For children who are shy or have social anxiety, the mask may have offered another level of security.
Masks have been talked about synonymously with safety, so some children will need support to feel comfortable about the abandonment of masks.
Some children, particularly adolescents, have reported feeling less self-conscious about body image while wearing the mask.
Thank you for your ongoing flexibility and support.
Andy Elbert
Kipling School
Keeping Up with Kipling
I hope you had a wonderful week! Do you know any future kindergarteners? If so, spread the word that this is there week to get registered for kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year! Student enrollment is an essential component to decide the size of our kindergarten classes. Please help us spread the word to families that will have a child who is 5 years old by September 1st 2022.
Here are some important dates:
Monday, February 21st - No School
Tuesday, February 22nd - No School - Teacher Institute Day
Wednesday, February 23rd - Early Release
Wednesday, February 23rd - Kindergarten Registration
Thursday, February 24th - Kindergarten Registration
Friday, February 25th - Spirit Day - Crazy Sock Day
Friday, February 25th - Kindergarten Registration
Friday, February 25th - End of 2nd Trimester
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Elbert
Principal
Kipling School
Kipling Culture Corner
Happy Friday, Kipling Families!
We would like to introduce Kipling’s Cultural Corner, where we highlight different cultures from around the world - found right here in Deerfield. We will be putting a glass case on Main Street so that your family’s heritage can be highlighted!
We want this to be as dynamic and interactive as possible, so we highly encourage creativity!
Each culture would be highlighted for a month, beginning March 7th. We plan to continue this work into next school year as well, so that we can continue to learn about Kipling families.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form before Monday, February 28th. If you have any questions regarding Kipling’s Cultural Corner feel free to send us an email.
We are so excited to learn more about the variety of cultures we have here in Deerfield!
Best,
Laura Koterbski, Audrey Brynda, Michael Schwartz, Kate Schippers, Christi Malek, and Laura Buckingham (Pearson)
News from Deerfield Parks and Rec
Second Grade Concert
The Cacioppo Crew
Shield Testing Opt Out
If you would like to opt your child out of a week of Shield Testing, please remember to fill out this form by 8:00 AM on Monday morning. Please keep in mind that this opt out form erases each week. If you would like to opt out the following week, you will have to fill out the form again.
To clarify this post, if you opted out permanently, this does not apply to you. This is only for families who have opted to allow their children to be Shield tested but would like to opt out for one week only. Permanent opt outs will not be tested unless given permission by their families.
Kindergarten and New Student Registration for 2022-2023
We will hold a drop-in kindergarten registration (and new 1st-5th graders) at the District Office (517 Deerfield Road) on:
- Wednesday, February 23 - 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Thursday, February 24 - 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Friday, February 25 - 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Online registration is available NOW. This is the first step in the registration process. Please complete the online registration form as soon as possible as staffing decisions are based on the number of fully registered students. Please share this information with friends and neighbors.
Current District 109 parents do not have to re-register current students in grades K-7 for next year; registration is only for students who will be new to District 109 in the 2022-2023 school year.
We are still working on planning a "Kindergarten Round-up" event where incoming kindergarteners and their parents are invited to visit the school. More information about Round-up will be coming out after registration.
Click the button below for more information regarding registration and the necessary documents you will need for registration.
Kids Heart Challenge!
Kids Heart Challenge
Our PE program is participating in Kids Heart Challenge with the partnership of the American Heart Association. We will be kicking off our event on Jan 31st and it will be running through Feb 28th. During that time we will be learning different ways to get moving with fun activities to keep our hearts and brains healthy while also feeling great about helping others! Kids Heart Challenge is a fundraiser to raise money for the American Heart Association where your students can earn prizes AND earn money for Kipling Physical Education Department.
Here is the link to sign up and with more information! http://www.heart.org/KHC
Thank you for all your support!
5ESSENTIALS SURVEY NOW OPEN - LEND YOUR VOICE TO HELP OUR SCHOOL!
Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal.