Happy October Oakland Families,

What a fantastic start to the school year! It is exciting and fun to be part of everything we have missed out on in the last couple of years. You as parents and your children have done a great job adjusting to a new year. Have you heard of daily rhythms? What about your personal rhythm? Family? No matter how out-of-control crazy your days might feel, every family has a rhythm. As we look closely at our day, it can generally consist of the following: You get up.

You eat. You go. You come back. You sleep. Here are some ideas to help leverage this time in your favor to connect with your children.

• Morning Time - Start your kid’s day with an encouraging word—even if they are grumpy or don’t respond well.

• Cuddle Time - Remind them of their capabilities and affirm them.

• Drive Time - Use this time to connect with your kids and get to know what’s going on in their life and what’s important to them. Make sure you listen without judgment or interruption.

• Meal Time - Talk about your day's best and most challenging parts. Share at least one thing you’re grateful for.

• Bed Time - Talk words of love with your kids. Show appropriate physical affection.

• Their Time - Be accessible when your older kids want to connect—whenever that is.

Make October a month to connect with your kids. Attending our parent-teacher conferences this week lets them see our partnership and the importance of their education. Students and teachers are learning so much, and we will continue to help our children grow. I don’t know about you, but I don’t stumble into quality time with my kids. I have to be intentional. Take time this month to put some of these intentional moments we all share into practice.

Let me know if you would like to volunteer at Oakland School. We would love to have you.

In Partnership,

Mr. David LaFrance

Our Golden Ticket Target this month is Emotional Regulation where we want to see students exhibiting Composure. Regulating strong emotions can be difficult for all ages, not just elementary students. Here are some suggestions to use at home when your child is showing strong emotions.

1. Calm Down Activities. When emotions are high, communicating can be difficult. Encourage your kids to calm down before you start asking questions/talking about the situation.. Watch glitter in a bottle fall down. Have them draw or write. For physical kids, have them do an activity like jumping rope.

2. Deep Breathing. Taking deep breaths helps get oxygen to the right parts of your brain to start thinking logically again. Have your child breathe in deeply, hold their breath for a few seconds, and then breathe out. Do this 5-10 times.

3. I Messages. Encourage your child to use “I” statements when sharing their feelings. “I feel frustrated because my toy broke.” It’s easier for adults to help kids when we know what they are feeling.

4. Lead by example. Kids are always watching us grown ups. If something frustrating happens to you, show your kids how you regulate your emotions. You can say “I’m feeling mad right now, I’m going to take a break.” Walk away, take some deep breaths, and do something that helps you calm down.

Kindergarteners or students entering an Illinois school for the first time need to turn in an Eye exam completed by an eye doctor, by October 15th.

Free Dental Clinic here at Oakland School on Monday, November 7th. Please complete the form sent home last week and get it back to the school nurse if you want your child to see the dentist.

All Kindergartners and 2nd graders are required by the State of Illinois to turn in a dental exam by May 15th. This exam will count for the required dental exam.

New Medication Authorization forms and Diet Modification forms need to be completed by parent/guardian and doctor every year. They can be found on the D87 website, under useful forms.

• If your child has Asthma, please make sure to bring your students inhalers.

• If your student has a food allergy make sure to complete a food allergy form.

Sick Child: Students who have a fever of 100 degrees or above, diarrhea, vomiting, a contagious rash, or illness, should not attend school. Your child should be free of the condition for 24 hours before returning to school.

*If your student is positive for covid, let the school know and keep them home for 5 days. They may return on day 6. We encourage them to wear a mask upon returning for the next 5 days.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email me: Nurse Colleen @ 309-662-4302 or spaniolc@district87.org

• All student absences should be reported to the office by 9:30am on the day of the student's absence. The phone number for the school is (309)662-4302. State law requires schools and parents to attempt to contact each other when a child is absent. Please assist us by calling first. You can also report a student absence by sending an email to oaklandattendance@district87.org
  
• For students that are tardy or leaving early, the student sign-in/sign-out slips are now located in the office- See Mrs. Immke.
• If it is after 9:00, DO NOT let your child out of the car at side circle. Pull around to the front of the school to sign your child in.