Wildcat Weekly
From Trash to Works of Art
With the Sprague lunch program being open and free to everyone this year, plastic meal containers are stacked to the ceiling. Instead of throwing these containers into a landfill to decompose, which can take over 450 years, teachers have been working with students to repurpose them. An estimated 40,000 plastic containers have been used at Sprague this year.
“Plastic waste has become a growing environmental concern,” said parent Seema Keshav, who is a recycling advocate in the district. “Research estimates that only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled; the rest is in our landfills and is choking our oceans. Plastics in the environment break down into microplastics and can now be found everywhere. Therefore it is imperative that we all reduce our reliance on single-use plastics,” Mrs. Keshav said. She added, “With the pandemic, we unfortunately had to move to single-use plastic lunch containers. Our teachers are now taking these containers and finding ways to repurpose them.”
Ellie Karousos, 7, places the containers into the classroom sink to clean and recycle each day. Ivory Li, 8, supports recycling because she said, “They can hurt animals and pile up in junkyards.”
Please visit the school's Facebook page or view the Google Doc folder for pictures.
Also, as part of Earth Week, students studied Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature by Sarah C. Campbell, a book about the wonders of nature. Please visit the school's Facebook page or view the Google Doc folder for pictures.
Upcoming Events
Follow the Sprague calendar for end of the year activities and events. Don't miss out. Follow along on our interactive calendar where you can pick and choose what to note and search for items you don't see.
- Monday, April 25: No School, Nonattendance Day
- Tuesday, April 26 to Wednesday, June 1: ABC Countdown
Friday, April 29: Movie Night - Please sign permission form
Tuesday, May 2 to Friday, May 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 3: Early Childhood No School
Friday, May 13: Health Moves Minds Walk, permission form required
Author Visit
Author Mitali Perkins visited Sprague this week where she spoke about her life, her books, and later signed books that students purchased. The student newspaper staff also interviewed Mrs. Perkins and student artists posed with her next to posters they created of her books.
Mrs. Perkins was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. By the time she was 11, she had lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Because of the amount of relocating she did as a child she turned to books and the Bengali culture of her traditional home.
Also visiting Sprague this week was First-Grade Teacher Eleanor Kahn’s brother, Issac J. Bader, author and illustrator of the book, “Elsewhere Bear.” Mr. Bader shared his book with the first-grade class.
Movie Night Next Friday
The PTO and Sprague School are excited to offer a free movie night for students in Grades K-2 next Friday, April 29! The event is for Sprague students only.
Our Sprague Wildcats can dress in their comfy cozy clothes, bring their favorite stuffy, and a blanket or towel to sit on. We will be watching some fun short movies in our gym that are all rated G for general audiences.
Check in is from 6:00-6:15 p.m. at the front entrance of Sprague. Pick up will be between 7:15-7:30 p.m. Parents should exit their cars and walk into the gym to collect their children.
The PTO is also excited to offer snacks for purchase! Candy, water, and popcorn will be available for sale when you drop off your child. Plan on arriving between 6:00-6:15 p.m. and bring cash to purchase these concessions. Children will not be allowed to make purchases without an adult present to approve the items.
Please complete the Movie Night Registration form if you would like to reserve a space.
Field Trip Money Due
Second-grade classes have a field trip planned for Brookfield Zoo on Thursday, May 19, in conjunction with their study of animal adaptations and habitats. Please send lunch in a paper bag with your child’s name on it. We also need you to give permission through our RevTrak Web Store for the field trip and pay $6, which covers the cost of transportation.
Deadline Approaching for Health Walk
The deadline to register your child for the Health Moves Minds Walk is next Friday, April 29. Please fill out the permission form for the May 13 walk that takes place during the school day. Please read the fundraising details to be considered for prizes.
Parent Input Form
At Sprague, we believe that home-school collaboration creates the best possible placement for students.
The creation of classes is an important process for our students where staff collectively looks at the needs of individuals, groups, the balance of academics, and social-emotional needs, to create healthy learning groups and environments.
If you wish to share information on your child, this Google Doc Form provides you with the opportunity to do so. The input you provide will be reviewed and considered as we begin planning for your child's upcoming school year. While specific teacher requests cannot be accommodated, your insight is valued. We look forward to providing your child with continued learning excellence. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with your child's team.
Please note, the input you share is not private between the Principal and parent and will be shared with our team during the placement process. Please do not request specific teachers. Any response form that lists a specific teacher will not be included in the placement process. Please complete a form for each of your children, if desired. This form needs to be completed by April 22, 2022.
District News
Thanking Our Volunteers
The Board recognized its two volunteer groups, the Parent Teacher Organization and the Learning Fund Foundation, at its meeting in honor of National Volunteer Week. “Our volunteers work countless hours supporting our staff, students, and community. The Learning Fund Foundation and the Parent Teacher Organization sponsor field trips, musical programs, supplies and equipment, volunteer in and out of the classroom, and support our students and staff through numerous programs,” said Superintendent Scott Warren. “We cherish our partnerships and would like to recognize the leadership of our volunteer organizations.”
Partnerships
Volunteers Needed for 5K
Over 530 students, parents, and staff have registered for the Saturday, May 21, D103 PTO 5K Run/Walk. Sign up today and join in the fun morning activity with friends, neighbors, and classmates. Volunteers are needed. Run the race and volunteer for a good cause.
Community News
Youth Soccer
Please visit the Chicago Rush North's website for youth soccer opportunities.
Summer Gifted Program
Register now for the Center for Gifted summer classes that will be held in schools nearby.
Sprague Information
- Principal Ann Hofmeier
- Assistant Principal Jennifer Arroyo