Harper Happenings
November 13th - November 17th
What's Happening?
Monday, November 13
- D39 Board of Ed Meeting, 7-9 pm, MEC
Tuesday, November 14
- D39 Parent Event, Growth Mindset, 7-8:30 pm, WJHS
- D39 Education Foundation Meeting, 7-8 pm, MEC
Wednesday, November 15
- General PTO Meeting with Ray Lechner, 9 am, Auditorium
Coming Up/Reminders
Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, November 28
- Pass 39 Meeting, MEC, 7 pm
Dr. Kick's Corner
-Harper teachers enjoyed a "technology staff meeting". Multiple teacher-led sessions took place, including How to Organize Google Docs, Google Expedition, "bot" apps and "intervention" apps. Teachers are excited to apply their new learning to classroom opportunities!
Announcements
- Hey Harper! Want to know what “Strategic Initiatives” our School Board is exploring for our children? Come hear about personalized learning, fee-based Kindergarten enrichment and the potential for a D39 instrumental music program directly from Superintendent, Dr. Ray Lechner at our PTO Meeting on Wednesday, November 15th at 9am in the Steam Lab. Take an hour and learn what is going on. Bring your questions or submit them to me (Polacek4@sbcglobal.net) just prior. Join us!
- Thanksgiving Food Drive is November 15-17! Help families in need by bringing in these holiday dinner items to help support the Connections for the Homeless Family Housing project. Look for the bins outside each classroom! Volunteers are needed to help deliver food on Nov. 17th. Email stark.elizabeth@gmail.com if able.
Kindergarten: Cornbread/Bisquick
1st grade: Boxed Stuffing
2nd grade: Canned Vegetables
3rd grade: Gravy/Broth/Soup
4th grade: Bottle of Juice
- Harper PTO Movie Night Presents Elf! All Harper Students (K-4) are invited to come discover their inner Elf! Join us in the auditorium on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Little Ceasar’s cheese/pepperoni pizza, lemonade and water will be served in the cafeteria. Register by Mon. Nov 29th on the Harper PTO website here. We also need your help to make the movie night possible. Please sign up here to help! When you volunteer, one of your kids come for free!
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- Does your child love to read? Do you want your child to get involved in discussions that encourage lifelong learning through reading and thoughtful discussion? Have them join Junior Great Books! Children in grades 1- 4 meet in small groups weekly during lunch beginning in late January (lasts 6 weeks). They'll read unique books that are not only great stories, but have incredible messages about friendship, bravery, generosity, being yourself, kindness and confidence. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Sign up is open now here and will be available through December 2nd. If you need any more information, please contact Christine Balzano at christinebalzano@yahoo.com or Courtney Beagen at courtneybeagen@yahoo.com.
- The Yearbook Committee wants your Halloween Parade and Party Photos! If you haven't tried the replay it app for uploading photos, it's so easy. Below is a guide on how to set it up. Download the app and give it a try www.replayit.com (password is HarperRocks). Please contact soniaesler@gmail.com with questions.
Enrichment
- On November 14th, the 1st grade classes will get a chance to experience the Giant Map! Students will become part of the physical geography of the United States as they step onto the colorful 11'x14' base floor map. Students will learn how to "unlock" a map key, locate our neighboring states and countries, recognize weather patterns, and identify the mountainous regions as well as the Central and Great Plains. This Enrichment series is brought to you by iGNITE!
- Attention 4th grade parents! The 4th Graders will be taking a tour of the Wilmette Water Treatment plant near Gillson Beach on Friday, November 17th. Mr. Sroka and Mrs. Kerber's classes will leave at 9:15 am and Mrs. Nerenberg and Mrs. Kennedy's classes will leave at 12:30 pm. The tour of the plant ties in with the 4th Grade current Land & Water unit in Science. This enrichment activity is made possible by iGNITE!
- Check out the attachment below with to read about activities to do from Katie Kolbe's Mindfulness Program!
- Additional Enrichment events for the month of November:
14th, 16th, 28th, 30th--Mindfulness Program with Katie Kolbe
13th--All school author visit from Candace Fleming
14th--Giant Maps, 1st Grade
17th--Water Treatment visit for 4th Grade
FAN Presentations
Upcoming events:
- On November 13th, 'How to Raise an Adult and Real American: A Memoir,' Julie Lythcott-Haims, MA presenting "Real American: Growing Up Biracial in America." Event #1: 12 pm, LUC School of Law, 10th Fl 25 E. Pearson St. in Chicago. Event #2: 7 pm, Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave. in Evanston. The evening event will be videotaped. Suitable for ages 12+. For more information and to RSVP for Event 1 please go to www.familyactionnetwork.net.
- On November 16th, "Bringing Mindset, Brain Science, and Creativity to Mathematics Teaching and Learning" by Professor & Author Jo Boaler, Ph.D. Event #1: 4 pm at Skokie School Auditorium 520 Glendale Ave. in Winnetka. Event #2: 7 pm at North Shore Country Day School Auditorium 310 Green Bay Rd. in Winnetka. Free and open to the public. PDs available for educators at both events. Neither event will be videotaped. Suitable for ages 12+.
- On November 28th, "Overcoming Childhood Adversity: Stories of Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth" by Professor, Psychologist and Author Meg Jay, Ph. D. Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave. in Evanston. The event will be videotaped. Suitable for ages 12+.
All announcements to be included in the Harper Happenings should be sent to Adriane McKnight via the Communication Request Form by Mondays at 9 am. If you do not receive an email response within 24hrs, please send an email to adrianemcknight@gmail.com to confirm your Communication Request Form was received.
For more school information, visit the Harper PTO website.
For additional D39 community events, visit wilmette39.org