Keeping Up with Kipling!
April 22, 2022
Keeping Up with Kipling
Well, this past week was very insightful for me. Watching the drop off in the mornings has taught me a lot. Here are some of my top observations:
*Please Think Globally!
While turning left into the drop off lane in front of the school might shave a few minutes of time off for your, it slows the system down considerably. Please continue to go all the way down to the turn around and work your way back.
*Curb Side Only!
From time to time I saw a student exit their vehicle from the driver's side of the car. Please do not allow your child to do this! Most parents are carefully looking for watching out for children, not all of them are. Please either use the curb side or park your car in a spot and walk your child to the building.
*PULL AS FAR UP AS YOU CAN!
From my observation, this is the biggest problem at this time. People are attempting to drop off right in front of the door. Remember ten miles uphill, both ways, in the snow all year long - that was what my walk to school was when I was a kid. Please pull up and have your child walk to the door. This will keep the flow of traffic going. Also, when you stop prematurely, the cars behind you attempt to pass and this is where potential issues arise. Please pull up.
I also want to take a moment to thank you for driving safely and conscientiously. Despite noticing many of 'issues', I also noticed many of the positives. For those of you that are driving safely, please keep up the great work!
Please have a wonderful weekend!
Here are some important dates:
Tuesday, April 26th - Shield Testing
Wednesday, April 27th - Early Release
Wednesday, April 27th - Kipling Storytime 7:15 PM
Thursday, April 28th - 5th Grade Webinar
Friday, April 29th - Kipling Spirit Day -Backwards Day
Friday, April 29th - Middle School Instrumental Visit
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Elbert
Principal
Kipling School
BATHROOM CHANGES
Illinois HB156 provides that menstrual hygiene products shall be made available in bathrooms of every school building that are open for student use in grades 4 through 12 during the regular school day. Dispensers have been installed in all bathrooms at the middle schools and are in the process of being installed in the elementary schools. This measure allows for free and equitable access to products for all who use the bathroom facilities, while also creating a supportive school environment for all 109 students. If this prompts questions for your child, we would encourage you to discuss it at home.
What to do if your child is not returning to Kipling next year?
If you have a current K-4th grade student who is not returning to Kipling next year, please complete this form as soon as possible. This information not only supports us with making class placements but knowing your child is moving allows us to prepare for your child's transition. Prior to your child's last day at Kipling, we will prepare all records for transfer. As a reminder, our school office will not be open during the summer months. Please complete this form even if your child is transferring to another DPS109 school.
Erin's Law Presentations
Kipling will hold its Erin's Law presentation on Wednesday, May 11th. Each grade level will have a 30 minute presentation by Victor Pacini.
Please see this letter for more information about Erin's Law and our presentation.
CHASING CHILDHOOD: A DPS 109 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
As part of our district's vision to develop students that are emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared, DPS 109 invites our community, alongside our teachers, staff, and district administrators to watch the documentary "Chasing Childhood" and attend an optional discussion session on Tuesday, May 3rd.
The documentary will be available to watch on demand between April 21st and May 3rd for up to 1,000 people. Watch your inbox next Thursday for a link to the film and a link to sign up for the community discussion.
Art Show - Thank you and Save the Date
Speaking of that, the Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Art Show is coming up on May 19th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. This Art Show will be an open house format. Please come anytime between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM and walk the building with your child as you look through all of the art work on display. We can't wait to see you here!
Kipling Cultural Collection
The first Kipling Cultural Collection display is up and it looks awesome! Thank you so much to the Strobel family for teaching us all about Chilean culture.
If you and your family are interested in sharing your culture with the Kipling community, please complete this brief form. If you sign up, a member of our committee will be in contact about next steps. There are only a few months left of school, so if you are not chosen for this year, please sign up again for the 2022-2023 school year!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thank you so much!
Laura Koterbski, Laura Buckingham, Audrey Brynda, Michael Schwartz, Kate Schippers, Christi Malek, & Jordyn Zucker
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.