Bulldog Paw Prints
Week Ending December 15, 2023
Gr. 4 Orchestra Concert
Gr. 5 Research Projects
K and 5 Buddies
Approved School Calendars (2024-2025 AND 2025-2026)
The Board approved two years of school calendars in preparation for construction and also to meet the planning needs of parents. The calendar next year will be condensed to maximize construction time in the summer, meaning that classes will end prior to Memorial Day in 2025 and in the following calendar year start after Labor Day 2025.
Highlights of the 2024-25 calendar include:
First Day of School: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 (this aligns with District 99’s first day)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27-29, 2024
Winter Break: Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025
Spring Break: April 1-4, 2025
Last Day of School: Friday, May 23, 2025 (if no emergency days are used)
Student Attendance
This week's Monday, professional learning meetings had a focus on student attendance and attendance rates at our school. Specifically, we were digging into individual data to see which students are considered chronically absent (those who have missed 10% or more of school) at this point in the year. Any student who has missed 7 school days currently falls into this category. One of the statistics that that has really stood out in our minds is that children who are chronically absent during the first month for school are 5-7 times more likely to remain chronically absent for the rest of the year.
We will begin reaching out to families with chronically absent students next week, and we will continue reaching out when we return from break. We will be helping families to understand the number of absences the student has accumulated, helping to identify and support any barriers that exist that prevent consistent school attendance, helping to create a plan to better support consistent school attendance, helping to provide any needed resources, etc.
It's our goal to help you help your child attend school on a regular basis. Regular attendance helps students develop important social skills, build relationships, learn academically and thrive within structure and routine.
Herrick Visitors
We had members of Herrick's Chamber Strings, Chamber Choir, and Jazz Band pay us a visit today to share some of the music they've been working on this year. Our music programs in District 58 continue to thrive, and we were excited to see how many Bulldogs are a part of these ensembles. Keep making us proud!
Mesopotamian Museum
Our sixth graders turned their classroom into a Mesopotamian Museum this week. Each group created an important artifact that represented an important aspect of civilization -- religion, government, specialized workers, technology, geography, record-keeping or cities. Once the installations were in place, students did a "museum walk" to see and learn about the other groups' artifacts.
Winter Parties
Our next classroom party for the year is quickly approaching, and many parents have already volunteered to help with that. Thank you in advance for your support! Those parents who have registered to volunteer will be the only parents supporting each classroom.
The winter parties are set to take place on Friday, December 22, and we will maintain the same procedures for this party that we had in place for the previous two (volunteer parents, if they so choose to provide a snack, may only provide fresh fruits/vegetables without dips/sauces and bottled water during the party). Our parents will also be planning engaging activities for the students, and the students will have some fun details to share when they get home.
Toys for Tots and Giving Tree
Thank you to the many of you who donated to one or both of our winter drives this year. Your generosity in supporting the Belle Aire, Downers Grove and surrounding communities if humbling. You really will make a difference for so many. Because of you, we will be supporting families with more than 420 donated items!
Winter Sing, 2023 (repeat item)
I previewed that we would be hosting a Winter Sing again this year.
Winter Sing is an opportunity for all of the students and staff to come together, assembly-style, as an entire group to celebrate and enjoy the holidays. Our music teacher, Ms. Sheldon, will lead us in a sing-along with a variety of holiday songs that will be familiar to all. Ms. Sheldon has been working with each grade level to be the professionals of one song, and all others can join in as best they can with the lyrics they remember. This will be a great way to prepare for winter break and to be together during a meaningful time of year.
We are set to have our Winter Sing on Monday, December 18, from 1:20 - 1:45, and we would love it if you could join us. Visitors should plan to arrive starting at 1:10 and should park in any open spots in our lot or facing south (toward Ogden) on Belle Aire Lane. Please do not park around the perimeter of our lot, as that will block our buses and other families arriving for our 2:00 pick-up.
Winter Weather; Outdoor Recess (repeat item)
As the weather changes, I'd like to send a couple recess reminders your way.
-As in past years, we will continue to have outdoor recess during the winter months so long as the weather permits AND so long as the real feel temperature is zero degrees or above. It will be important that students come to school dressed for the weather and that they have the appropriate outdoor clothing to stay safe and warm.
-At the times when we have snow, students will be able to head off of the blacktop to play in it. The key to that is that they are prepared. In order to play in the snow off of the blacktop areas, the students need to be wearing snow boots and snow pants/snowsuit.
Science Fair, 2023-2024 (repeat item)
Students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate in the Science Fair this winter! Registration will be open Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 22. To register for this year’s Science Fair, use this Registration Form. The Science Fair will take place Saturday, Jan. 20 from 8-11 a.m. at O’Neill Middle School. The fair is open to all District 58 students in grades 1-6. Participating in the Science Fair is voluntary, but District 58 encourages every student to consider participating!
Students may register as an individual or with one partner. More details can be found here.
District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, December 18: 2:00 Dismissal for Students; Winter Sing (1:20 - 1:45)
Tuesday, December 19: All-School Meeting (Students Should Wear Their Team Color); Gr. 3 Lunchtime Book Club; Let's Code It Club (3:05-4:05 p.m. for those enrolled)
Friday, December 22: Classroom Holiday Parties
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Winter Break: December 23 - January 7
Monday, January 8: First Day Back From Break
Friday, January 19: Student Book and Puzzle Exchange