Happy Friday Cougar Families,

It is officially fall! And while it is turning more and more autumnal (one of my favorite words) outside, we are beginning to hit our stride inside. Classroom communities are well-established and our school-wide expectations are now the norm. In addition, we are really beginning to learn more and more about our students and their strengths as learners. With this strengths-based approach, we can capitalize on what they already know and what they are already good at and we can use that base to help push them to new levels of achievement. I am continually impressed with how our students accept new challenges and the way they problem-solve and support each other throughout the building. Thank you for continuing to partner with our amazing teachers as we work together for your children.

October is quickly approaching - please see the important information below regarding our PTO Pumpkinfest on Saturday, October 14th!

As a reminder, there is no school on this Monday, September 25th.

All my best to you and your families over the long weekend!

Respectfully,

-Matthew

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary School

Please visit https://kiplingpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home for all things PTO. Please also note these important upcoming dates:

10/2 - 10/6: PTO Halloween Costume Drive - see info below!

10/6: PTO Meeting, 9:30am in the Teachers' Lounge

10/14: Pumpkinfest @ Kipling, 12-3pm, Sensory-friendly time: 11:30am-12pm

Pumpkinfest!

VOLUNTEERS: Please sign up to volunteer. We need volunteers to help facilitate the games, tickets and food! This event can not happen without each of you. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ACAD22A3FBCF8-44472490-kipling/29374066#/

FOR SALE: Pumpkinfest wristbands and raffle tickets are on sale now! Online sales close on Thursday October 5th. Login into https://kiplingpto.membershiptoolkit.com to purchase your items. ONLINE SALES DEALS WILL END ON OCTOBER 5TH!

Please feel free to email ptokipling@gmail.com for any questions!

Parents, we have been reviewing bus expectations with our students who ride the bus. Can you please talk with your students at home to reinforce these directions?

-They should be seated with their seatbelt fastened at all times.

-They should not be yelling to ensure all students can hear the driver.

-All Kindergarten and 1st grade students must sit at the very front of the bus.

-And most importantly, they need to follow these expectations so the driver can focus on driving and not get distracted.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child has a safe and positive experience on the bus.

Bus passes are still being assembled and distributed across the district. We will let you know the date that drivers will begin checking for these. If you have any questions or issues, please contact transportation@dps109.org.

Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 1:00-4:00pm & 5:00-8:00pm and Friday, October 27th from 8:30-11:30am. All DPS109 schools will hold in-person parent-teachers conferences this year with an option to Zoom for parents/guardians who are not available for an in-person conference.

Parents will sign up for a conference using Sign-Up Genius. I will share links for all teacher sign-up forms on Thursday, September 28th, at 5:00pm.

It is best practice to hold one parent conference per child, to ensure that both parents receive the same information regarding their child’s strengths and needs. Therefore, I ask that parents sign up for one joint conference per student.

Conferences are a discussion between parents and teachers. At this time elementary conferences do not include students and therefore we ask that children not attend the parent-teacher conference.

We are looking for daily parent volunteers to help students as they learn our new routine. Parents can sign up for a once a week, once every other week, or monthly slot. If you aren't familiar with composting, we promise it's easy. We will provide training and the kids are catching on quickly. This is a great chance to help the planet and see your Kipling kids in action. Please email Sandra Merrill at SandraKMerrill@gmail.com or Jessica Lorber at Jzindell@gmail.com or Jessica Cohen at

jessicabrody12@gmail.com for more information about volunteering. Sign up to volunteer here.

Bus Pass Enforcement Starts Next Week!

If your student rides the bus, make sure that they have their pass on them. Drivers will begin checking for these next week! If you have any questions, contact transportation@dps109.org.

30-Day Reminder To Turn In Health Forms!

It is very important that we have the most up to date health information for your child.

PHYSICALS: All new students, Early Learners, kindergarteners, and 6th graders must have an updated health form on file by October 15th or they will be excluded from school.

EYE EXAMS: Kindergarteners and new students must have an updated eye exam on file by October 15th or they will be excluded from school.

DENTAL EXAM: All new students, kindergarteners, 2nd graders, and 6th graders must have an updated dental exam on file by May 15th of this school year.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT FORMS

Park District Before and After Care

The Deerfield Park District runs all of our before and after school care programs. Please contact the Park District, 847-945-0650, if you have questions.

Park District After School Enrichment Information

Sharing on behalf of the Deerfield Park District: registration is open for fall enrichment programs. To see a brochure of programs and get more information, visit https://www.deerfieldparks.org/programs/youths-teens/.

If you have any questions, please contact the park district directly as they run the programs.

-Mon 9/25: No School

-Thurs 10/5: Picture Day

-Fri 10/6: PTO Meeting in the Staff Lounge, 9:30-10:30

-Mon 10/9: No School, Indigenous People’s Day

-Sat 10/14: Pumpkinfest @ Kipling, 11am-2pm, Sensory-friendly time: 10:30am-11am

-Thurs 10/26: ½ Day of School Student Dismissal at 11:40am

-Thurs 10/26: Parent Teacher Conferences, 1-4pm and 5-8pm

-Fri 10/27: Parent Teacher Conferences, 8:30-11:30am

-Tues 10/31: Halloween Parade! More info coming soon…