Weekly Update 3/25/24-4/5/24
Upcoming Dates
Monday, March 25-Monday, April 1: NO SCHOOL--SPRING BREAK!
Tuesday, April 2: SCHOOL RESUMES
Tuesday, April 2: Falcon Flyer Newspaper (lunchtime)
Tuesday, April 2: Draw & Paint For Life (3:30-4:30pm)
Wednesday, April 3: 5th Grade AM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (7:30-8:15am)
Wednesday, April 3: 4th Grade PM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (3:45-4:30pm)
Wednesday, April 3: FUSION (3:30-5:15pm)
Thursday, April 4-Friday, April 12: Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing--Grades 3, 4, 5
Thursday, April 4: Chess Wizards (lunchtime)
Thursday, April 4: BAM Theater (3:30-4:30pm)
Friday, April 5: Environmental Club (lunchtime)
Friday, April 5: Sticky Fingers Cooking (3:30-4:30pm)
Monday, April 8: Solar Eclipse (2:07pm)
Monday, April 8: PTA Meeting (7:00pm)
Wednesday, April 24: Half Day Early Dismissal (11:40am) (AM Kindergarten attends)
Thursday, April 25: PTA Fitness Fest (1:00-3:15pm)
Thursday, April 25: Devorah Heitner: Navigating the Digital World Parent Presentation at McClure (6:30pm)
Class Placement 24-25: Input
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, needs, and backgrounds.
- Class placement will be made based upon the development of the whole child --academically, socially and behaviorally.
- Class lists are carefully constructed by current grade-level teachers and staff who work with each student, with final decisions determined by the building Principal. We take class list determination very seriously, weighing the needs of each child and striving to build balanced, productive, supportive classes. A great deal of time, thought, and consideration goes into the creation of class lists, as this is a critical element to a thriving school experience for all.
Knowing that our staff work arduously to build thriving classes, if you wish to share insight for your child’s specific needs, this is the time to do so.
Parents who wish to make a statement to describe their child’s academic, social, and/or behavioral needs may do so in writing via email (rcorrough@d101.org). These comments, focused on your child’s learning style and specific academic/social needs, will then be given consideration as a part of the process.
We cannot accept any requests or avoidances for specific teachers; with (largely) only two sections per grade level, parent input can not limit the child’s placement to a single option and thus are not able to request or choose their child's teacher. Please note that any request for or against a specific teacher will NOT be included in the class placement process.
Please email me with any specific input NO LATER THAN Friday, April 26, for your input to be considered in our placement process. Thank you!
PTA Variety Show
A HUGE thank you to Katie Leff and Kate McNabb for their efforts in making the Variety Show such a success. The performers were wonderful and the students LOVED watching their friends and classmates perform.
In case you didn't catch the show live or want to watch it again, please find the link below!
Solar Eclipse: Monday, April 8
We are all fortunate to be in a pretty favorable area to see the solar eclipse, which takes place at precisely 2:07pm on Monday, April 8. 20/20 Eyewear graciously donated viewing glasses to all students in D101. (The glasses meet all of the safety requirements for safe eclipse viewing!) Our plan is to make it a learning experience for students by spending a bit of time on that Monday learning about the science behind the solar eclipse and then students will head outside with their buddies to check out the eclipse. We will reinforce the importance of doing so through their glasses for safe viewing. Please let us know if you do not want your child/ren to participate in this activity.
WS Parks Fertilization
The WS Parks will be applying fertilizer to green spaces at Forest Hills on Wednesday, March 27. Please stay off the grass for 24 hours following the application.
INFO FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES, BUT STILL RELEVANT...
Upcoming Assessments
Please note there are two upcoming State assessments on the horizon.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA): Students in 5th & 8th grades take this assessment, beginning on Thursday, March 14. This assessment is spread out in testing sessions across three days.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR): Students in 3rd-8th grade take this assessment that assesses ELA and Math standards. This assessment is spread out of the course of six (6) days. Students will begin testing on Thursday, April 4. Classroom teachers will share specific testing schedules once they've been finalized.
Here is what you can do to help support good testing experiences:
- Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast each day.
- Schedule appointments outside of the testing windows. This promotes a positive testing environment and reduces the number of make-up tests, which keeps learning flowing!
Register NOW for the Annual WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship Party
Who: All D101 and Off the Street Club students, Grades K-5
Where: The Corral - LTHS South Campus, 4940 Willow Springs Road
When: Saturday, April 27th, 12:30-3:30 PM
Why: The Circle of Friendship Party is an afternoon of brotherhood between D101 and OTSC kids. WS students will pair up with a buddy from OTSC to form a new friendship while enjoying games, DJ Maximus, pizza, cotton candy and more!
Learn more about the event and REGISTER HERE!
We are also in need of volunteers to make this event run smoothly - please register using the links below:
Adult Volunteers Register HERE
High School Volunteers Register HERE
Junior High Volunteer Register HERE
Last but not least, we are collecting donations for Off the Street Club's Camp Closet. OTSC has a summer camp located in Wheaton, IL, and most kids do not have the means to arrive at camp with the essentials (think sheets, swim suits, sunscreen, etc.). Therefore, the club hosts a “Camp Closet” where the kids can go shop for items needed for camp.
CLICK HERE for the OTSC Camp Closet Amazon Wish list.
Spotlight on Supporters
Please see the attachment below regarding the Quarter 3 Spotlight on Supporters. Without their wonderful support, the D101 Calendar would not be possible.
District Calendar 2024-25
The District 101 Board of Education will officially approve the 2024-25 school calendar at it's January meeting, however, it is "public" as of today. I know a number of families are anxiously awaiting the release as those summer vacation itches are already happening! Please find the calendar attached below.
Culture of Appreciation Reminder
Send a message of gratitude to staff HERE!
Word From WSFEE
In less than 36 hours we completely “Sold Out” to our Casino Night event! https://www.wsfee.org/casino-night-2024/
If you missed your chance to get tickets please join our waitlist here
A huge “Thank You” to everyone that bought tickets!!!
Stay tuned for more WSFEE updates! Coming soon!
Clubs/Activities Sign-Up
Sticky Fingers--Spring Enrollment
2023-24 School Calendar
Have a wonderful, safe and fun Spring Break!
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