Mustang Minute
April 8, 2022
Upcoming Dates
April 12-14: 5th Grade Illinois Science Assessment
April 14th: KingFish Ticket Order forms are due
April 14th: Mismatch Day
Topics
- MES Staff Shout Out (Updated)
- Theme Days (NEW)
- Student Placements 22/23
- Lil' Fish Reading Program (Updated)
- Kindergarten Enrollment 2022-2023
- Ukraine Support (NEW)
- Lost and Found
- D24 Employment Openings (Updated)
- Warren Referendum
EPIC News (NEW)
Virtual Backpack (Updated)
New Shout Outs
Thank you to my child's teachers who not only email but call me at times to say great things my kids are doing. I know it may be quick to do an email, but I was so thrilled when I got a call. Thank you!!!
Thank you Mrs. Gedville for all you do!! Happy Assistant Principal's Day!!!
Ms. Colleen in the east gym has been amazing with making lunch fun for the kids! My kids are saying they are learning new ways to say hello in other languages! Thank you!
Theme Days
April 14- Mismatch Day
April 21- Wear green/blue/plants for Earth Day
April 28- Real Life Heroes Day- dress as your favorite local hero
May 5- Wear your Teacher’s Favorite color (Teacher Appreciation)
May 12- Camo Day: Military Appreciation
May 19- Summer is coming!- Wear sunglasses
May 26- School spirit day- Wear Millburn gear
Student Placements 22/23
The upcoming next school year is only a few months away, now is when we begin the process of student placement for the upcoming year. We do not randomly place students into classes at Millburn Elementary. The academic, social, and emotional make up of each child is taken into account when making these placements. Every child is placed with great care and supporting rationale. You will find a brief explanation of how this process works in the following paragraphs.
Around this time, each team of teachers, including the resource teachers for that grade level, starts the process of assigning students to their next homeroom grouping. First, students are placed into homerooms to make sure that an equal number of skill levels are maintained. Each class should have the same number of differing academic levels. The team of teachers will then look at what students are prone to not getting along with each other so this can be avoided. A gender balance of boys and girls in each homeroom is also important. The resource teacher works in conjunction with the grade level teachers to help ensure that each homeroom is appropriately balanced and scheduling parameters can be met.
After this initial process is complete, we will have our preliminary class lists. The next step is to determine what homeroom group matches best to the teachers in the next grade level. The team of teachers will try to match the homeroom groups with the appropriate teacher based on learning style, personalities, and academic needs and strengths.
Please understand that this entire process takes time and there are many checks and balances along the way. The lists are reviewed and adjusted often. The teachers are very conscientious and have always taken this process seriously. Parents and teachers alike know the importance of good matches.
Over the summer, the lists are checked for accuracy. Each summer the lists are adjusted for one reason or another. This may be due to students moving in or out. Or perhaps a teacher moves creating space for a new staff member. For these reasons, the lists are reviewed and adjusted over the summer. I will consult with the team of teachers on any adjustments I make to student placements.
Oftentimes, parents feel they need to make a request for a specific teacher they have heard to be fantastic. It is unfortunate that we cannot take parent requests for student placement. Requests like this would clearly add too many parameters to an already difficult and time-consuming process. Please do not ask your child’s teacher to recommend next year’s teacher or ask for a particular teacher. Requests like this will put the teacher in an uncomfortable situation since they are not in the position to grant such requests. Making student placements is a team process that one teacher alone cannot control.
Also please note that it is our practice to separate twins/triplets within the grade level. During the last two years, we have placed them together as a mitigation measure to limit any spread of COVID-19. Now that we are starting to return to normal, we will be going back to our previous practice. If there is a situation that the teacher or myself needs to be aware of that we should consider, please reach out.
If you feel it necessary, you may write a letter to me indicating the qualities you would like your child’s teacher to possess by the end of April. As always, if you have any questions, you can always call me at (847) 245-2800, or email me at bwalshire@millburn24.net.
**If you are planning to move out of our district, please contact our office. We are in the process of preparing registration packets for next year.
Lil' Fish Reading Program
Wow!!! We had 326 students earn KingFish tickets during our reading program! Great job!!!
Today, those students were sent home with prize bags and their ticket order forms. An adult must fill out the form and return it to school no later than Thursday, April 14th.
The 3rd Base prize, which is a Kid Zone coupon, and KingFish tickets will be picked up at Simmons Field on the day of the game.
Important Dates to Remember
April 14th- Ticket Order forms are due- No Execptions; ticket order forms will come home after your child has completed the reading program.
May 31st @ 6:05pm- Millburn Night with the Kenosha Kingfish. Tickets will only be valid for this game.
Ukraine Support
The Student Council and Lake County Superintendents together are asking you to help us support Ukraine by donating some items or any monetary donation below. Donations need to be new items in their original packaging please. Donations are needed NO later than April 15th.
Here are some examples of needed supplies:
Medical Supplies
First aid kits
gauze/gauze pads
medical tape
bandaids/ steri-strips socks
rubbing alcohol
ace bandages
gloves
eye protection
stethoscope
blood pressure cuffs
thermometer
Hygiene Supplies
bar soap
toothpaste
toothbrushes
mouthwash
hand sanitizer
Other supplies
sleeping bags
new baby clothes
baby powder
dental floss
Monetary donations can be sent to or dropped off at:
"Lake County Schools Relief Effort/First Bank of Highland Park"
Lake County Schools Relief Effort
c/o First Bank of Highland Park
1835 First Street Highland Park, IL 60035
We appreciate the generosity and compassion of our fabulous community.
Thank you for all your support!
Anyone missing anything?
We have found many items over the course of the last few months. Stop by the school and see if you find anything that might be yours!!
D24 Employment Opportunities
Warren Referendum
For the Millburn Families within the Warren Township High School District, below are links to information regarding the upcoming referendum.
EPIC News
EPIC Social: Save the date! Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00 join us for an EPIC social gathering at Chances. Mingle with us and see how you might be able to help. We have a number of committee chair positions open and board positions open (elections in May).
Family Fun Run: Grab your running or walking shoes and get moving! The date is approaching quickly for the Millburn Family Fun Run scheduled for April 30, 2022! Register by April 8, 2022 to guarantee your race shirt! The Fun Run has 2 options for participation this year. Choose which works best for you and your family. Click HERE for information on the options available. For more information and to sign up go to MillburnEPIC.com. Race week is less than a month away. Register soon!
Spirit Wear: Our spring spirit wear sale is underway. Check the flyers out in the virtual backpack for more information.
8th Grade Families - 8th Grade Farewell Celebration: Save the date Friday, May 13th. More information to follow
7th Grade Families - 8th Grade Farewell Celebration Help: Need volunteers to help set up on Thursday, May 12th and Friday, May 13th and we need help at the event on May 13th. We need both parents and 7th grade students to help. Volunteer Sign ups will be available soon,
Millburn District Blood Drive The Millburn Federation of Teachers is teaming up with Millburn EPIC and the Millburn Professional and School Related Personnel to host a blood donation drive. Date: Tuesday, April 26th Location: MMS, East Gym Details on how to schedule an appointment will be forthcoming. Please tell your friends, family members, and neighbors. Let's have a huge turnout for this event and support the need for blood donations in our community. Thank you on behalf of the Millburn Federation of Teachers, Millburn EPIC and the Millburn Professional and School Related Personnel.
Class Liaisons: We are looking for volunteers to help share information with each grade level. Liaisons would communicate with teachers from a grade level letting them asking them to share information with that grade level parents about upcoming events or volunteer opportunities. Liaisons would also be able to help teachers share information with EPIC. If you are interested in this great opportunity please contact us at president@millburnEPIC.com
Sponsorship: Attention Families!
Please see the $24 for 24 Donation Form located in the virtual backpack and return to school at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions or concerns please email Jenna Kallianis at corporatefundraising@millburnepic.com
Also, if you are an Amazon shopper and have not yet linked your account with our Amazon Smile account, please do! The directions are located in the virtual backpack! To date we have raised nearly $4,000!
Website and Membership: Register FREE today! www.millburnEPIC.com
• Receive messages about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, sponsorships and other ways to help Millburn
• Access to our student directory
Many parents and caregivers like to use the directory to make contact for their children. Keep in mind, only families that register will be able to be in the directory as well as be able to view it and the school cannot give any contact information for students. If you would like to have access to our student directory, please be sure to register.
Were you a part of our directory last year? EASY - just update your information with any student related
Virtual Backpack
Pack 87 Cub Scout Flyer
Grayslake North Class of 2026 Activity and Athletic Fair
FC Lake County Soccer Tryouts