Field Park Principal's Update
May 8th, 2020
Hello Field Park Families,
I hope this update finds your families well and enjoying the sunshine!
FIELD PARK UPDATES:
SNEAK PEEK: Space Day, Monday, 5/11!!!
Teacher Appreciation Week
On behalf of the entire Field Park staff, thank you so much to our PTO Teacher Appreciation Committee and to all of you and your families for showing so much love for our staff this week. We are proud and thankful to have such a strong Field Park family, especially right now!
Here's the link to the Teacher Appreciation Week video from our fabulous PTO -- thanks so much to all who sent photos and love!
Student/Family Academic/Executive Functioning Support
We already know that we are so fortunate to have such wonderful and capable teaching assistants as a part of our team at Field Park. While they have been keeping busy continuing to support students and staff during this time, several of them continue to have a little time available to help. We fully recognize that this situation is very challenging for everyone, and kids and families are doing the absolute best they can. If you feel like even despite these best efforts, your child/family is really struggling and could benefit from extra support (i.e. 1:1 check-ins with your student to support productivity/accountability, academic support, personal connection to school, etc.) please let me know, and I can facilitate a connection with one of our assistants.
School Supplies Orders for 2020-2021
Orders placed by May 31st will ship to school for free.
Orders placed after 5/31 will ship to home, standard shipping rates apply. Home delivery will be available until July 15th.
Any questions, reach out to Katie Eavenson at katiege@gmail.com or Laura Garofola at laurak11@gmail.com.
5th Grade: School Supplies for McClure
McClure's Storefront at The Write Place to order school supplies for 6-8th grade will be going live on Monday, May 11th! Parents are able to order online up to July 15th, but they will receive FREE SHIPPING to their home if they order by June 21st. The website is:
Reminder: Advanced Placement and Out-of-Level Testing
Because we do not have the ability to gather all student assessment data typically utilized for advanced placement recommendations, we will adjust our advanced placement process to accommodate this new set of circumstances. We will communicate these changes with staff over the next week-plus and then collect relevant student data from teachers over the first couple of weeks in May. Initial student placements will be made and communicated by early June, at which time revised appeals processes and timelines will also be announced.
Fortunately, we do already possess all data indicators with one exception--the out-of-level assessment(s), typically offered in May. As such, we will make initial placement recommendations using available data (Winter MAP*--criteria will be adjusted to reflect winter norms, CogAT* Composite, CogAT* Quantitative [math] and/or Verbal [ELA], Professional Judgement) and amend our process for requiring and/or gathering out-of-level information to be the following:
Out-of-Level testing, normally a component taken into consideration prior to our sharing initial advanced placement recommendations, will be offered only to students whose available data indicate advanced placement may be appropriate, but who do not yet qualify for AP with the existing information available (MAP, CogAT Composite, CogAT Quantitative [math] and/or Verbal [ELA], Professional Judgement). Students who would not meet placement criteria even with a maximum out-of-level test result will not be offered testing this year unless parents choose to appeal the initial placement recommendation, in which case, out-of-level testing will be a required component that will accompany the parent appeal. Parents with children whose placement may be impacted by out-of-level testing results will be contacted directly by the building principal by July 1.
*It has always been our practice to use the highest available score for all standardized assessments, not just the most recent. We will continue this practice.
REMINDER: Class Lists for Upcoming School Year
This is the time of year when we begin the process of creating class lists for the upcoming school year. The following parameters will guide class placement:
- All classes at all grade levels will have children representing a broad range of academic abilities and backgrounds.
- Class placement will be made based upon the development of the whole child --academically, socially and behaviorally.
Parents who wish to make a statement describing their child’s academic, social and/or behavioral needs may do so in writing (aburger@d101.org). These comments, focused on the child’s learning style, will then be given consideration as a part of the process.
As I cannot accept requests for specific teachers, comments should not limit the child’s placement to a single option.
Please email me NO LATER THAN Friday, May 15th.
E-Learning PARENT Support: Grounding Techniques
Resource Highlight: Grounding Techniques
Are you finding yourself frustrated and overwhelmed as you work to balance kids, work, remote learning, and life in its current state? (I know I am!) Check out this resource to learn a bit more about grounding techniques to help self-regulate and get back to calm -- it's great for us as parents, and to share with our kids. This resource comes from our D101 E-Learning website, which is packed with similar ideas, suggestions, and resources to help families navigate this time together.
How to Stay Connected with Our Field Park Community:
Virtual Teacher Parade: We miss our students! Check our our Field Park Staff in this "virtual parade" as we wave hello and show how much we miss you!
Morning Announcements FlipGrid: Bookmark this one and click in daily to view our special staff cameos and special announcements for the day! (It will also be linked in my daily attendance reminders from here on out!)
Read-Alouds FlipGrid: If you haven't taken a peek at this collection of read-alouds by our Field Park Staff with your kiddos, give it a look - it's heartwarming, and a great chance to share some of our favorite books together.
D101 Specials Choice Board: If your kids love our Monday Specials days, and/or need some more fun and engagement throughout the weeks, please turn to the D101 Specials Activities choice board! This is updated weekly with new activities and ideas, and includes a Padlet for kids district-wide to share their fun with others!
Field Park School
Email: aburger@d101.org
Website: d101.org
Location: 4335 Howard Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: 708-246-7675
Twitter: @aklemburger