Mustang Memo
September 17, 2022
Principal's Message
It has been such an exciting couple of weeks at King Arts. Thank you to everyone who came out for our Open House / Curriculum Night / Parent-School Compact! We truly enjoyed the opportunity to kick off the year by opening the school up to the community and being able to spend time with caregivers and families. We hope that the rest of the year's events are just as successful.
We'd like to send a big shout out to all of the caregivers who have reached out regarding volunteer opportunities. Your patience as we reintegrate volunteers and follow all of the safety protocols is truly appreciated.
Any caregivers interested in supporting the upcoming Fall Festival should connect with the PTA and/or school team. We welcome your ideas and support!
As we settle into the school year, we are finding that some class adjustments need to be made in order to best support scholar success. There are a number of reasons why a schedule change may take place, please know that this is done in the best interest of serving all students and is something that is thoroughly considered by the team of educators working with the student(s). If your scholar has an upcoming schedule change, the school team will reach out to you directly to further discuss.
Please review information shared in this issue of the Mustang Memo and reach out if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for the team.
Best,
Principal Calloway
CARES Team
Who are we?
The CAREs team is made up of our mental and behavioral health staff. They support by managing crisis situations, ensuring students who are in crisis or distressed have appropriate support and follow-up, and ensure that staff are given the appropriate tools and resources to respond in unexpected and/or unsafe situations.
Dalia Bunni (she/her)
Jori Margolis (she/her)
Megan Garrad (she/her)
Stephanie Warda (she/her)
Kathy Frank (she/her)
Student of the Month
Welcome students, families, and staff!
We are proud of our King Arts community! To acknowledge and celebrate the leaders we see here at King Arts, 6 students each month are chosen by teachers to represent their grade band as Student of the Month!
Students are selected by how well they have demonstrated one or more aspects of our King Arts community guidelines- the King High Five!
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Positive
Be Safe
Be All In
On the last Friday of each month, there will be a morning celebration from 7:30-7:50 am in the library. At this time, the families and teachers of each student will be invited for light snacks and refreshments to honor those students, generously provided by the PTA!
ARTS MAGNET HIGHLIGHTS
Visual Arts Studio with Mrs. Vega
6th-8th grade artists have begun the three dimensional shape and form unit by creating Subtractive Sculptures. They used foam and carving tools to create unique and exciting artwork. Here are some examples of their work:
Drama with Ms. Querciagrossa
In the Drama studio with Ms. Querciagrossa, 8th grade students adapted and performed two picture books, The Lorax and A Bad Case of Stripes.
The Kindergarten scholars were a wonderful audience.
Library with Ms. Jaquess
After School Art Opportunity for D65 middle school artists!
D65 middle school students are invited to apply for an 8 week after school artist in residence program with Evanston artist Yeefah Thurman and Nichols Middle School Visual Art teacher Lisa Reitman. CLICK HERE to watch a wonderful video about Yeefah's artistic mission
The program will take place on these dates at Nichols Middle School:
October 4, 11, 18, 25 (Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00)
November 1, 15, 29 (Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00)
November 5, 12 (**Saturday morning 9:30-11: 00)
December 6 (Tuesday from 3:30-5:00)
**If artists need extra time to complete the project
Students will learn the history of the first self liberated Black town in the Americas (Yanga,
Mexico), the first town to give reparations to Blacks in the
Americas (Evanston, Illinois) and the storytelling components of
the Mexican mural project.
In response to what they learn, the students will make
assemblage art for exhibition. The artwork will be displayed at
different venues in Evanston from December to May.
Students should apply here:
Applications are Due by: September 24, 2022
Selected Artists will be notified by September 30, 2022
The SIT-uation
King Arts educators deserve a major shout out for engaging in the powerful work of pacing out their entire year! If you have not yet, please be sure to upload your Year-Long Pacing Calendar here.
Next up, diving into thoughtful, backwards design creating a unit plan for your first unit of the year! This unit plan is due and will be reviewed during your admin-led PLC meeting on Tuesday, September 27. Reach out to any of your SIT team members for as a thought partner for co-planning. Check out the King Arts Hub under " King Arts PLCs" for the different planning templates to help you get started.
PTA Updates
It's hard to believe we’re already in the fifth week of school! And, there’s no signs that our school community is slowing down. Please read these important, time sensitive, PTA announcements on what’s happening during the remainder of September and October.
Questions? Email: kingartspta@gmail.com
Let’s Celebrate – Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, The King Arts PTA and Cultural Celebrations Committee (C3) invites you to join us in celebrating and learning more about our LatinX community.
Food is one really great way that we can communicate our culture, memories, emotions, and love. Please join us in helping to create Cocina de King Arts, our first ever King Arts cookbook featuring LatinX recipes sourced directly from our community.
Please review the attached flyer (in both English and Spanish) for more details on participation, and submitting your recipes! If you have any questions, please reach out to kingartspta@gmail.com.
King Arts Fall Fest – Volunteers Needed
Planning has begun for our first annual Fall Fest, scheduled for Sunday, Oct 16 from 12pm to 3pm at the King Arts playground!
To help with the planning, we’re asking for volunteers who have time to assist or ideas to give! Please email kingartspta@gmail.com if you are able to help.
Pumpkin and Fall Decor Fundraiser
The PTA Council is celebrating fall with a Pumpkin and Fall Decor Fundraiser to benefit D65 PTA One Fund! Pre-order your pumpkins and fall decorations for pick up on Friday, September 30th at Dawes Elementary School on Oakton and Dodge from 4-7pm. Pre-orders will be available until September 25th.
High Five! Honor our King Arts Teachers & Staff for Going Above and Beyond
This fall, the High Five! Celebrating Excellence in District 65 staff recognition program is returning for the sixth year! Please take a few moments to submit a nomination and honor the hard work of our King Arts teacher, admin team and staff. One licensed staff member and one educational support staff member will be recognized as part of the monthly program through the end of the school year. Staff will be recognized at the Regular Board Meetings and will receive a $100 gift card.
Submit a nomination for 2022-2023!
And why delay? If you are feeling a deep appreciation for a teacher or admin/staff member, extend a heartfelt “thank you.” Words of thanks and encouragement can make all the difference.
In case you missed it …
Community Connectors needed for 6th and 7th grade, please sign-up here: https://forms.gle/i7rVJVZ7XbGHqANq5.
ESSCA SERVE Volunteers Needed Saturday, January 28 Sign-Up here
Access Facilities Feedback form here
Sign-up to water the Edible Garden here
Join the King Arts PTA here: https://www.district65.net/Page/2218
Donate a King Arts PTA Membership here: MemberHub
Purchase Spirit Wear here: MemberHub
ETHS New Student Transition Night for King Arts 8th Grade Families
Monday September 19, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Virtual Event
Dial-In: Join ETHS Transition Meeting
Meeting ID: 870 4339 0971 Passcode: 873434
September King Arts PTA Open Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Virtual Event
During the September PTA general meeting, the King Arts PTA Executive Team will present the SY2023 proposed budget, committee updates, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities.
Dial-In: Join PTA Virtual Meeting
Meeting ID: 860 0145 8541 Passcode: 894395
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Literary and Fine Arts School
Website: https://www.district65.net/kingarts
Location: 2424 Lake Street, Evanston, IL, USA
Phone: 847-859-8500