Elmwood News (2/11/19)
Week of 2/11-2/15
Message from Principal Polomsky
Elmwood Parents & Community~
You know you live in the Midwest when the weather changes by 100 degrees in the span of just a few short days! What a crazy few days it has been! We are looking forward to seeing everyone next week during Parent Teacher Conferences to celebrate your child's progress. As always, thanks for being our partner in your child's education.
Yours Truly,
Lisa Polomsky
Peek at the Week
Delayed Start and School Closings Info
Health Office Attendance Phone # 630-420-6343
Upcoming Important Dates...
Monday, February 11th
- Rock Climbing Make Up Day
- Pro Kids Show - 6:00 p.m. Elmwood GYM
Tuesday, February 12th
- Book Fair Early Morning Shopping - 7:00-8:00 a.m. LC
Wednesday, February 13th
- Book Fair Early Morning Shopping - 7:00-8:00 a.m. LC
- Rock Climbing Make Up Day
Thursday, February 14th
- NO SCHOOL - Teacher Institute Day
- Parent Teacher evening conferences
- Book Fair Open 5:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 15th
- NO SCHOOL
- Parent Teacher conferences
- Book Fair Open 7:30 a.m.
Monday, February 18th
- NO SCHOOL - President's Day
Hot Off The Press
Parent Input
Each school year I write to invite you to provide input on your student’s class assignment for the following year. While we stay focused on the current school year, we must also begin making plans for next school year. This includes ordering materials, prioritizing summer improvements to our facility, hiring staff as needed and much, much more. Believe it or not, our teachers will soon begin the process of class groupings for the 2019-2020 school year. A number of aspects are considered as each child is placed in a classroom grouping. Taken into account are factors such as learning styles, academic strengths and challenges, independent learning skills, social relationships and behavioral patterns. Every effort is made to ensure that your child is placed in an environment where we believe he/she will achieve academic, social and personal success.
As mentioned above, parent input is considered when determining classroom placements each school year. Each year, we receive approximately twenty letters per grade level. The letters are read carefully and taken into consideration as class assignments are determined. Requests for a specific teacher will not be honored. If you are interested in providing input for your student’s classroom placement next school year, please do so in writing by following these steps:
- Print and complete the form linked here or see your child's backpack.
- Describe your perspective on your child’s learning style (how they learn best).
- Include any other information that you want considered in the decision about classroom placement.
- Include your signature as parent/guardian
- Return by February 28th.
*Forms received after this date will not be considered as groupings for 2019-2020 will have already begun. Information received/shared from previous school years will not carry over to the next school year. If you shared something with us last year and you want this same information noted, please share again by completing a new form.
Book Fair Volunteering
I'm gathering a team of enthusiastic, creative, and talented volunteers to help out at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, and I would like to invite you to help out. Please take a moment to view our sign-up sheet to see what roles interest you. Spread the word to your friends and invite them to help us have the best Book Fair ever! Click HERE to volunteer.
- Tuesday 2/12 - Book Fair Open 7:00-8:00 am
- Wednesday 2/13 - Book Fair Open 7:00-8:00 am
- Thursday 2/14 - Book Fair Open 4:00-8:30 pm
- Friday 2/15 - Book Fair Open 7:30-11:30 am
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at
scholastic.com/fair. Our Online Fair is available from February 1st to February 17th.
- Scholastic Dino-Mite Book Fair dates and information (Spanish)
- Scholastic Coin Drive information -Eng & Spn
If you need to contact me, please use the email address below. Thank you!
Aimee Lippencott-Rodgers at alippencott@sbcglobal.net
PE Updates
Dear Elmwood Families,
Thank you to all of you that have assisted during our rock climbing unit the past 2 weeks. The students have been demonstrating skills such as; acceptance, belaying, spotting, climbing, and bowling. This learning experience would not be possible without all of our rock climbing volunteers. Special thanks to Val Goldstein, our scheduling coordinator, for all of her hard work too! In addition, we are looking to add some make up dates the week of February 11th. Those dates would be on Monday 2/11, Wednesday 2/13, and Thursday 2/21 for all of those classes that missed their climbing days due to the inclement weather. The sign up link is being sent out. Our next adventure education unit is roller skating, scheduled for the month of April. Roller skating is for grades 3-5 only. Thanks again,
Mr. Howard & Ms. Westlove, Elmwood Physical Education Teachers
Elmwood’s Trivia Night adult fundraiser is back!
Elmwood's adult trivia night fundraiser is back! Join us Friday, March 8th at Cress Creek Country Club. Whether you are a trivia buff or just want a fun night out, we hope to see you there! Doors open at 7 pm and trivia will start at 8 p.m. Tickets include trivia entertainment, dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. All proceeds benefit Elmwood. Alcoholic beverages will be available through a cash bar.
To sign up please click on this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JNGDDDH. Tickets are $50. To pay, click on this link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elmwood-trivia-night-2019-tickets-55972880392 or you can send a check made out to Elmwood Home and School.
To sign up as a full team find 8-10 friends, pick a team name and team captain. If you don't have a full team, you can request a couple of friends or sign up as an individual and we can help complete your team.
Our numbers are limited so please sign up ASAP to guarantee your spot! FAQs:
- What do I wear? Dress is casual. Team attire is optional.
- What is dinner? Dinner will be a Mexican buffet, including chicken, beef, shrimp tacos, cheese enchiladas, fajita veggies and with lots of your favorite Mexican sides.
- If I don't sign up on a full team, will I be notified of the people on my team prior to the event? Yes we will notify ASAP.
- Are there prizes? Yes there will be prizes for the winners.
- Can incoming Kindergarten parents join my team? Yes they are welcome so spread the word.
- When do I need to sign up by? Please sign up by March 1st.
Questions? Please contact Kathy at highhousek@gmail.com
Elmwood Ninja Night is rescheduled for 2/20/19!
If you had already signed up for 2/21, please email jesse@ultimateninjas.com to confirm that your registration has transferred to the new date or if you would like a refund instead. $25 per person includes drinks, snacks and 1.5 hours of open play during our private party at Ultimate Ninjas Naperville! Elmwood will receive 30% of the proceeds. Space is limited! Sign up and complete the waiver in advance to reserve your spot! https://lilypadpos6.com/unn/onlinesales/tickets1.php?ptid=21
Adults are welcome to play too, or just watch the fun. Open to kids age 5+
Band and Orchestra News
Our Elmwood Honor Band and Strings students worked hard to put on a great performance Wednesday night. Congratulations to Monica Marrero, Deana Wilson, Rohan Jain, and Ashlynn Goldstein!
Mrs. Oliver & Ms. Rudy
Health Office News & Information
Fast FAQ: How do I clean my house if head lice is found?
Head lice are organisms built for survival and will not easily fall off or leave a host. Head lice last less than a few days once separated from body heat and a food source. The eggs (nits) will not usually hatch below body temperature (98.5 F). Wash bedding and clothing recently worn, including hats, in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Pillows can be placed in a plastic bag for several days. Herculean cleaning of couches, automobile seats, carpets, and stuffed animals is typically a panic response and is optional for individual comfort. Head lice are rarely found in these locations and cannot survive on these surfaces for long. More information can be found at the CDC link: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
Preguntas frecuentes inmediatas: ¿Cómo limpio mi casa si se encuentran piojos?
Los piojos son organismos creados para la supervivencia y no se caerán ni abandonarán fácilmente a un huésped. Los piojos duran menos de unos pocos días una vez separados del calor corporal y una fuente de alimento. Los huevos (liendres) no suelen eclosionar por debajo de la temperatura corporal (98.5 F). Lave la ropa de cama y la ropa recientemente usada, incluidos los sombreros, en agua caliente y seque en una secadora caliente. Las almohadas se pueden colocar en una bolsa de plástico durante varios días. La limpieza de sillones, asientos de automóviles, alfombras y animales de peluche por lo general es una respuesta de pánico y es opcional para la comodidad individual. Los piojos de la cabeza rara vez se encuentran en estos lugares y no pueden sobrevivir en estas superficies por mucho tiempo. Puede encontrar más información en el enlace de los CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
LIFE Group at Lincoln Junior High (Message from LJHS)
The LIFE Group at Lincoln Junior High would like to invite Elmwood families to join us in a special effort to benefit Hesed House in Aurora. Every night, their Overnight Emergency Center shelters, feeds, and clothes 150 to 200 people. One of their most currently needed supplies is twin-size bed sheets, and we are working to fill their request with a four-school-wide collection. Through Monday, February 18, clean, new or gently used twin-size sheets can be turned into the donation box at Elmwood as students enter the building, or you may bring them in during Parent-Teacher Conferences. We will take it from there and get them where they will serve a great purpose for many people. We look forward to this meaningful collaboration between Lincoln and our feeder schools!
Reminders
SAVE THE DATE
With the cancelling of school this week, we ended up having to cancel a few things including our ‘Open House.’
- Open House- Trying to find a new day to have our rescheduled Open House wasn’t as easy as we had hoped. We have set a new date for February 21st 6:00-7:30 pm. With this new date, we will have to reschedule our previously planned Home & School Ultimate Ninjas Fundraiser and that new date will be shared with you in the near future.
- Watch Dogs- If you were scheduled to be a Watch Dog this week, we will contact you in the near future with a new date.
Attendance and Tardy Reminder - 630-420-6343
Thanks to all who have been making it into school before the last morning bell. Just a reminder that students should be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m. in order to avoid being issued a tardy slip. Students arriving after the 8:15 a.m. bell will be given a tardy slip as they enter the building and marked tardy for the day. After our exterior doors close, a parent or guardian will need to escort the student into the main office and sign the student in.
If your student will be absent from school, please call our Attendance Line at 630-420-6343 either in advance of your student's absence or before school hours on the day of your student's absence. If your child will be absent due to illness, we ask that you please report any flu-like symptoms (fever over 100 degrees, head ache, body aches, vomiting, etc).
Regular attendance and arriving to school on time are vital to a student's success in school. We thank you in advance for your attention to your child's punctuality and regular school attendance.
Summer Learning
Summer learning registration opened Tuesday, January 29th! Please talk to your child’s teacher to determine if Summer Learning is right for your child. Links to summer school information:
- K-4th Grade Summer Learning Info HERE
- 5th Grade Summer Learning Info HERE
- Online registration can be found HERE
Important summer learning dates:
- January 28th- opening of summer registration
- February 9th- 8:30 am-11:30 am- in-person registration event at PSAC
- February 14th & 15th – Elmwood staff will be available to assist families needing assistance with summer learning registration during P/T conferences.
- March 16th- 8:30 am- 11:30 am- in-person registration event at PSAC
- April 13th- 8:30 am-11:30 am- in-person registration event at PSAC
- May 11th- 8:30 am-11:30 am- in-person registration event at PSAC- this is the last date parents can sign up for transportation and be included in the development of summer bus routes
- May 24th- Deadline for registering for 1st semester summer classes that begin on June 4
- June 14th- Deadline for registering for 2nd semester classes that begin on June 24
If you’re interested in the Naperville Park District and Champions after school daycare from 12:00-5:30 pm. Registration for this is separate from summer school through the Park District and Champions. These camps fill up quickly and are usually full by March so act fast if you’re interested. The links to information on these programs can be found at:
- www.napervilleparks.org or by calling: 630-848-5000
- www.discoverchampions.com
Elmwood Science Fair - Tuesday, March 5
Take an adventure with science. How tall and fast can a rollercoaster go and still be safe to ride? What does it take to conquer carnival games? Which burns more calories, screaming on rides or laughing in a fun house? Do virtual rides produce the same emotions as physical rides? Explore the Science Adventureland to discover new and exciting things in 2019! Individual and Team Registration forms are due by Tuesday, February 19th. Want to volunteer? Judges are needed! Volunteers can be anyone Junior High age and up. Please contact elmwoodsciencefair@gmail.com
Online Safety Reminders
Earlier in the year, Elmwood partnered with the Naperville Police Department to provide online safety education for our 4th & 5th grade students. Now that the weather is colder and many students are spending more time inside and online, we wanted to take time to review some safety guidelines that all students who use a device should follow. We want to keep all our students safe at school, out in the community, and online. Here are a few links that might help you navigate the online environment with your children.
- Internet Safety Pledge
- Keeping Our Kids Safe on their Devices and Social Networks
- Internet Safety Tips for Kids and Teens
Attention Fifth Grade Parents!
If your child attended a school other than Elmwood for their kindergarten year, please email a copy of their kindergarten school photo for the end-of-year video and celebration. Please send to: Elmwood5thgrade2019@gmail.com Also, we are accepting photos of all current 5th graders and their classmates for the end-of-year video and slideshow, so please send all submissions to: Elmwood5thgrade2019@gmail.com
Parent Teacher Conferences- Feb. 14 and 15
As we start to prepare for Parent Teacher conferences, we want to notify you that we are making a change to our structure. In years past, conferences have been “Student Led.” This means you and your child would attend the conference together. Spring conferences were co-led by both your child and their classroom teacher as time was spent hearing from both your child as he/she presented information about their personal goals/strengths/areas for growth as well as information from their classroom teacher. While we continue to believe student led conferences are a great way for children to take pride and ownership of their own learning, we believe there are many other opportunities for our students to be able to do this. Over the years, we have received some feedback from our parents as well as from our staff members that there just doesn’t seem to be enough time to discuss everything and some have shared that they leave conferences still wanting more information, and wishing they could have had time to talk privately with the adult and without the child present as maybe they didn’t want to discuss certain things in front of the child. As a result of everyone’s input and our own reflections as a staff, we are changing changed the February conference for all K-4 students. Conferences for students in grades K-4 will no longer include student participation. Instead, you will be invited to meet privately with your child’s teacher for a progress update and discussion. The Spring conference format will look similar to that of the Fall conference you had with your child’s teacher. 5th grade conferences will be the only grade that will remain Student Led, and we will invite all 5th graders to attend the conference with their parents. These conferences are remaining student led to help keep our students involved in discussions around their progress, as we prepare to transition them to 6th grade. As always, student led conferences remain ‘optional.’ If parents prefer to conference with their 5th grade teacher without their child, we ask that parents kindly inform their child’s teacher ahead of time, so teachers can plan accordingly. All 5th grade students will spend two Writing class periods preparing for their student led conference; regardless of whether they attend their own conference as their writing assignment will be shared in person at their conference or left on their desk for their parent(s) if the student is not in participation. As always, we always welcome your feedback and we will be eager to get your feedback this year as we try something new. Feedback forms will be available at the main office during conferences.
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on:
Thursday, February 14th from 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 15th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Kindergarten and First Grade Notice
Kindergarten Preview will be on Friday, March 8, 2019! If your child will be attending this fall, please call the Elmwood School Office 630-420-6341. Also, spread the work to neighbors with children ready to attend Elmwood. We want to be sure that we have every student’s name in order for materials to be sent prior to that date. Also, if you have a child attending another Kindergarten program who will be starting First Grade at Elmwood in Fall 2019, please notify us as soon as possible. This information is vital for our planning.
Statewide Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey- we need your feedback!
The purpose of this online survey is to understand parent/guardian perceptions in the areas of connectedness, satisfaction, interaction, involvement, and quality. Your participation and ratings on this survey are confidential; the district will only receive district or school level results if at least 20% of parents/guardians participate. The results of this survey will be used to understand areas of strength and challenge at the district and school level based on your input and feedback. Families with students attending more than one school are asked to complete the survey for each school individually. To access the survey, please click here https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ and select “Dupage” as the County. Lastly, please complete this survey by Friday, February 15, 2019 and thank you for your participation.
Como padres o tutores de uno o más estudiantes que asisten a las Escuelas de Naperville Community Unit School Distrito 203, solicitamos de su participación en la encuesta anual que se realizara en todo el estado de Illinois, dándonos su opinión y respondiendo a las 5 preguntas Essentials, el propósito de esta encuesta es conocer de sus percepciones como padres en las diferentes áreas como de conectividad, satisfacción, interacción, participación y calidad. Su participación y calificación de esta encuesta es confidencial, el distrito sólo recibirá los resultados del nivel del distrito o escuela si participan al menos el 20% de los padres o tutores, los resultados de esta encuesta se utilizarán para entender las áreas de fuerza y desafíos a nivel de distrito escolar, basándonos en sus ideas y comentarios.
Las familias que tengan más de un estudiante que asisten a diferentes escuelas, se les pide completar la encuesta para cada escuela individualmente, para acceder a la encuesta, por favor haga clic aquí https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ y seleccione "DuPage" como el Condado (County), el último día para complete esta encuesta es el Martes, 15 de febrero de 2019. Muchas gracias por tu participación.
- Parent/Guardian Survey Window Closes: 2/15/19
Friendly Reminders
Email: lpolomsky@naperville203.org
Website: https://www.naperville203.org/elmwood
Location: 1024 Magnolia Ln, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: 630-420-6341
Twitter: @Elmwood_Eagles
Need to Add a Message to the Talk203?
Our weekly parent newsletter is our tool to communicate with YOU! If you have information to share from your committee or about an upcoming Elmwood event, we ask that you please contact your Elmwood Home & School Committee Liaison as they can assist you in getting the word out to the Elmwood community. *If you'd like something shared in our weekly Talk203, all messages need to go through your Committee Liaison and must be submitted by 9:00AM on Thursdays in order to be entered the following day on Friday.