This is the first ever newsletter for Lake Bluff multilingual families. Look here for Lake Bluff classroom news, notes for international families, information about school events, and helpful information about multilingualism and education.

If you would to see this newsletter TRANSLATED, please scroll down to the BOTTOM of the letter. You will see a TRANSLATE button.

Have a wonderful February, and happy new year to all who celebrated Lunar New Year last week!

Jennifer Conigliaro

Multilingual Learner (ML) Teacher

Lora Caton

Multilingual Learner (ML) Aide

The Shorewood School District English Language Learner (ELL) Department has a new name! ELL is now ML: Multilingual Learners. This change reflects the fact that our students are in the process of learning and growing in two (or even more!) languages.

Valentines Day is coming on Friday, February 14. Your child's classroom teacher may have sent information home about this day. For families newer to American holidays, Valentines Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship. At school, children exchange Valentines cards with their classmates. These cards often have heart designs on them. Some cards might have a small treat or a small gift, like a sticker or a pencil. Your child is not required to do this, but many children do participate. Cards are homemade, or they can be purchased at places like Walgreens or the grocery store. If you are not sure what your child's class is doing, check with their teacher.

The picture below is of children exchanging Valentines and was taken from Brittanica.com. You can learn more about Valentines Day here:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day

Lake Bluff School likes to have some fun during the month of February! Our students have voted on some special themes for our Fridays (and one Thursday) in February. All students and staff are invited to participate for some or all of the dates. Please ask your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Friday, February 7, is Nap Time Day: Take a short rest at an assigned time during the school day!

Friday, February 14, is Pajama Day: Wear your favorite pajamas to school! (This is also Valentines Day!)

Friday, February 21, is Flashlight Day: Students bring in a flashlight to use to read during an assigned time of the school day!

Thursday, February 27, is Teacher Swap Day: A different teacher comes in to teach their class during the school day!

Students who receive Multilingual Learner (ML) support in grades 2-6 are welcome to take part in our after school ML Homework Assist Program. The program takes place Mondays through Thursdays for one hour after school. The program is free. Please contact Ms. Conigliaro or your child's teacher if you would like your child to join.

ML Homework Assist has two new policies.

1. If you are more than five minutes late signing out your child three times in one trimester, your child may not attend Homework Assist for the rest of the trimester.
2. There are new pickup times. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, pickup is at 4:25. On Wednesdays, pickup is at 3:25.

On January 22nd, our MAC 3 (multiage grade 5 and 6) classrooms presented to the school about ways to keep your brain healthy and strong. Their presentation taught students that one way to grow your brain is to learn a second language. Enjoy this video on the benefits of being bilingual!