Keeping Up with Kipling!
January 28, 2022
I hope you had a wonderful week!
Do you know about the Cougar's Den? Developed by the amazing teachers and staff at Kipling School, the Cougar's Den is a room in the school where children can go during lunch or recess to help solve problems and seek guidance from trusted Kipling staff members. This room is supervised by a staff member who is volunteering their time to help sort out issues that might have occurred or might be occurring during your child's lunch or recess time. Sometimes the room is used proactively. For instance, if a student, Sally, is struggling to find an activity to do while she is out at recess, Sally can head to the Cougar's Den before she heads out to recess to develop a plan or come up with strategies to help her find something she might want to do or how to become involved in a game that Sally wants to be a part of. The Cougar's Den is also used reactively. If a student, Jimmy, has an encounter with another student outside and needs assistance, Jimmy and the other student might be asked to head to the Cougar's Den to help sort through that problem. There the students and the teacher will discuss the encounter and complete a reflection sheet as a way to process the situation. That way, our recess supervisors who are outside will be able to focus on the other students while Jimmy and his peers can work things out in a small group. We are constantly finding new ways to utilize the Cougar's Den. We are fortunate to have many staff members who are taking a turn helping out in the Cougar's Den and assisting students.
Stay safe and be healthy!
Here are some important dates:
Monday, January 31st - New Arrival Procedures
Tuesday, February 1st - Shield Testing Day
Wednesday, February 2nd - Early Release
Thursday, February 3rd - PTO Meeting
Friday, February 4th - Spirit Day - Kipling School Spirit Day
Sunday, February 6th - PTO Skate Night 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Mr. Elbert
Principal
Kipling School
Spelling Bee Runner Up and Champion! Way to Go!
Spirit Day - College Day and Twin Day combined
Shield Testing Opt Out
If you would like to opt your child out of a week of Shield Testing, please remember to fill out this form by 8:00 AM on Monday morning. Please keep in mind that this opt out form erases each week. If you would like to opt out the following week, you will have to fill out the form again.
Valentine's Day Parties
Parents who have signed up to volunteer at the parties will need to bring a driver's license to the office when checking in and be prepared to show a vaccine card or show proof of a negative COVID test in the last week.
Arrival Changes
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Purchase a Yearbook
If you haven't already, make sure to purchase a yearbook. You can order under the 'For Sale' tab on the PTO website. The deadline to order is 1/31.
PTO Superbowl Coin Collection
The week of February 6 will be Superbowl Coin Collection. Your children can bring coins(or dollars) to vote for the team they will be cheering to win the Superbowl. The results will be announced and the money collected will be donated to the Deerfield Township Food Pantry.
Fun Kindergarten Movie
Kindergarten and New Student Registration for 2022-2023
We will hold a drop-in kindergarten registration (and new 1st-5th graders) at the District Office (517 Deerfield Road) on:
- Wednesday, February 23 - 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Thursday, February 24 - 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Friday, February 25 - 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Online registration is available NOW. This is the first step in the registration process. Please complete the online registration form as soon as possible as staffing decisions are based on the number of fully registered students. Please share this information with friends and neighbors.
Current District 109 parents do not have to re-register current students in grades K-7 for next year; registration is only for students who will be new to District 109 in the 2022-2023 school year.
We are still working on planning a "Kindergarten Round-up" event where incoming kindergarteners and their parents are invited to visit the school. More information about Round-up will be coming out after registration.
Click the button below for more information regarding registration and the necessary documents you will need for registration.
Kids Heart Challenge!
Kids Heart Challenge
Our PE program is participating in Kids Heart Challenge with the partnership of the American Heart Association. We will be kicking off our event on Jan 31st and it will be running through Feb 28th. During that time we will be learning different ways to get moving with fun activities to keep our hearts and brains healthy while also feeling great about helping others! Kids Heart Challenge is a fundraiser to raise money for the American Heart Association where your students can earn prizes AND earn money for Kipling Physical Education Department.
Here is the link to sign up and with more information! http://www.heart.org/KHC
Thank you for all your support!
5ESSENTIALS SURVEY NOW OPEN - LEND YOUR VOICE TO HELP OUR SCHOOL!
Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact your building principal.