Caruso Connect - August 14th
Caruso Middle School is an inclusive and vibrant community where Blue Jays
take ownership of their social-emotional and academic growth by supporting,
challenging, and celebrating self and others.
Good Evening Blue Jay Families:
School is just a few short days away. This past week has been an exciting one, and we are confident we will be ready to welcome your students back to the building next week! I would like to publicly thank Marcia (Student Support), Alli (AP), Angie (front office), Nick (our custodian), teacher leaders, our teaching and support staff that has been in the building, our leadership team, and our SEL team for all of their efforts these past few weeks. There has been a tremendous amount of effort preparing for this school year, and I am beyond impressed with them.
Official student schedules were made available in Family Access. Developing student schedules is a complex process. We have put a significant amount of time into creating balanced classes that meet student needs. The student schedules listed represent the final student schedule for your child. Changes to student schedules will not be made. Our teachers are very excited about their new classes and have been working hard to prepare for the new school year. If you feel an error has been made, please contact Mrs. Waller.
While this week's Caruso Connect is long, we have much that we want to share. Some highlights include the following:
A Focus on School-Wide Behavior Expectations: Our Caruso Way Committee has worked with the help our building leadership team to design school-wide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) referred to as the Caruso Way: Act Responsibly, Care for Self and Others, and Give Your Best. This work will allow us to explicitly teach our students and staff the expected Blue Jay behaviors, regardless of where they are in the building. See below for our full PBIS matrix.
Structured Lunch: Like last year, we will be starting this school year with assigned tables at lunch by pairing two ExSEL groups (18-20 students) to sit at specific tables within the lunch room. We found success in this last year and feel that it supports students adjusting back to school. When looking back at past school years, it is clear to us that lunch time can be a very stressful time for students. We need the ability to equip our students with the skills to find success at lunch. We also have revamped our training for staff who supervise lunch in order to better meet the needs of our students.
Cell Phones: Below you will find our cell phone policy. This is not a change from last year. We have seen the negative impact of cell phones on students during the school year, and all the anxiety, social drama, and distraction they can cause. As a staff we will of course ensure that if your student needs to communicate with home they are able to do so throughout the day. If you need to get a message to your student during the day, please contact the office. An important article used in our decision making is linked here.
Student Deliveries: We ask that you try to limit student deliveries during the school day. We will no longer be allowing and/or accepting any DoorDash or similar delivery options for any student under any circumstances. All deliveries will be refused. Families are welcome to drop off lunches themselves. We have extra Chromebooks, chargers, and copies of books here at Caruso, so it is not necessary to drop what you're doing and run these items to school. If something is truly needed during the day, we ask that you bring it in to the front entrance, label it with your student's name and grade, and leave it on the Drop Off table in the vestibule. We will then bring it into the office for your student to pick it up. Please note, students are not permitted to order their own lunches during the school day. If you order/bring lunch for your student, please do not provide food for other students.
Please visit the DPS 109 Back to School Page for additional reminders.
Welcome back to Caruso Middle School!
Tim, Alli, Marcia & the Caruso Staff
Tim Brodeur - Principal - tbrodeur@dps109.org
Alli Waller - Associate Principal - awaller@dps109.org
Marcia Klita - Coordinator of Student Support - mklita@dps109.org
2023-2024 Calendar Changes
Thursday, October 26th, will now be a half day of school, with conferences held in the afternoon and evening.
Friday, October 27th, will be a non-attendance day for students, with conferences held in the morning.
Tuesday, November 21st, will now be a regular attendance day.
Thursday, March 21st will now be a half day of school, with conferences held in the afternoon and evening.
Friday, March 22nd will be a non-attendance day for students, with conferences held in the morning.
New Information
School Lunch Information
Spirit Days
Caruso Bell Schedules
Office Information
If you need to drop off a forgotten item for your student in the front lobby, the front office will not be calling your student down to pick it up. We cannot continually interrupt classes with these types of announcements.
Parents, you do not need to come INSIDE the front office to check your student in or out of school. If you are picking your student up during the day or early for an appointment, please ring the front door bell, and we will call your student down to the office to sign out. We cannot allow students to leave without verifying a parent/guardian or emergency contact is physically present at the front door. We will not excuse your student with a phone call from your car. We must see your face in the doorbell. Please update emergency contacts in your Skyward account to reflect any person you may need to pick up your student for any reason. These are the only people who we will allow your student to leave with.
All students who feel ill need to see the nurse who will assess the situation. Students should not call or text you directly to pick them up (especially since they should not have their phone!)
Arrival and Dismissal
If arriving between 7:30 and 7:45, students should enter at the north side of the building at the Athletics Entrance. Students will wait until 7:45 to head to class. If a student needs to see a teacher before school, they will need to present a pass/note/email from the teacher to do so.
After 7:45, students should utilize the following entrances:
All students riding the bus: Athletics Entrance (north side of building)
6th Grade - Front Door (south side of building)
7th Grade - 7th Grade Door, north side of building (walk down sidewalk towards building)
8th Grade - 8th Grade Door, west side of building
Students should enter and exit vehicles only on the passenger side and on to the sidewalk or grass, and once you drop off, please keep moving.
Respect the staff working and please follow their directions. They are doing all they can to keep all students and staff safe.
When the weather is beautiful, we have many students who walk or ride their bikes to school. When the weather is less than ideal, many more students are driven. Please ensure that you leave home early enough to account for the increased volume of traffic. It is expected that students are in class at 8:00 AM ready to learn.
Students entering after 8:00 AM must do so through the main office and will receive a tardy pass.
If you are picking up your student during the school day, please buzz the front door and we will call your student down for dismissal.
Please help us be good neighbors, and do not turn around in driveways in the neighborhood.
PBIS Matrix
Check-In System
The Check-in system at Caruso is a way for staff to proactively engage with students in making better choices for both academics and behavior. The key to this program is allowing students to reflect on their area(s) of growth.
The first component is a behavioral plan which will promote a positive environment in our school. Social responsibility begins with taking ownership for behaviors and how they impact others. It is our expectation that your student will behave responsibly in school just as you expect them to do so at home and in public. We believe this plan will encourage positive behavior in all common areas. The goal of this plan is to raise students’ awareness concerning appropriate behaviors and build within them the proper tools to behave in a way to achieve success. Please note that behaviors that are unsafe for a student or to others may result in an immediate office referral.
The second component of this plan is to achieve the common goal of having students come to class “Ready to Learn.” Our expectations are that students will come to every class with the needed materials and completed homework. This preparedness increases essential student instructional time.
A student will “check-in” during the class period when expectations have not been met. The student will meet with the teacher to reflect upon classroom behavior either after school that day or the following morning to develop a plan to increase their success in class. We believe the reflective process is the most important piece of this plan for the student. If multiple check-ins occur, we will implement a sequence of interventions to support the student’s future success.
Check-In System Intervention Ladder:
At the beginning of each quarter, students will start with a “clean slate." If they earn check-ins throughout the quarter, the following steps will be taken:
Rewards Day:
At the end of each quarter, students who have demonstrated positive behavior and completed all assignments, will be invited to participate in the Rewards Day celebration. Students who do not meet these requirements will not be able to participate in the planned Rewards Day activity and will have an alternative activity.
Reflection Room:
When students are assigned a visit to the Reflection Room where they will complete a reflection form. The intention is for students to have a stronger understanding of their actions and abilities to change them for the positive. The reflection room supervisor will then email a copy of the reflection form to families.
Lunch Time: Lunch Periods on Tuesday or Thursday
After School: 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Monday or Thursdays
We look forward to your support in this endeavor. By working together, we can improve student success in school with the goal of graduating productive members of society. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s homeroom teacher.
Medication
Please do not send any medication, over-the-counter pain pills (Tylenol/Advil/aspirin), or cough drops with your students. State law prohibits students from taking medication at school outside of the nurse's office with a doctors' note on file. We will confiscate any meds found outside of the nurse's office.
Bus Information
Cell Phones and Headphones
Cell phones may be used on school grounds before and after school. Between the hours of 8am-3pm (8am-2pm on Wednesdays), cell phone use is prohibited in hallways, restrooms, lunchroom, and classrooms. During the instructional day, cell phones must remain out of sight and silent. It is recommended that they are in the student's locker and turned off. Smart watches are to be used to tell time during the school day and are otherwise considered cell phones.
Headphones MUST be wired are are not used during passing periods.
A student who fails to meet the expectations will be asked to comply with them and may be subject to a verbal warning or behavior check in.
Attendance and Tardies
Attendance:
If your student will not be in school, please report the absence to the health office by phone ((847) 945-8430 x6103) or email (carusoattendance@dps109.org) before 8:00 am. If you do not contact our school nurse by this time, she will contact you at home or at work to ascertain your child’s whereabouts. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students will only be dismissed to a parent or legal guardian, or to emergency contacts designated in Family Access.
Student Tardiness to School:
Students who arrive late are greatly disadvantaged because they miss starting the day with their peers and miss out on the instruction given at the beginning of class. This means that they are often unsettled and confused about tasks, resulting in reduced achievement, regardless of academic ability. It is also very important that students establish good routines and habits in preparation for the rest of their lives. Punctuality is a life skill that is important to develop.
Tardiness to school will be unexcused even if a family member brings the student(s) to school. Oversleeping, missing the bus, car/traffic problems, etc. are all unexcused. Tardies are excusable under the following circumstances: personal illness of student, serious illness or death in the family, a doctor/dentist/professional appointment (a note or phone call from a parent or a professional), family emergencies, and religious holidays.
School begins promptly at 8:00 am. Students are expected to be in class ready to learn by 8:00 am. If students are not in the classroom, they will be sent to the office for a pass. The consequences for tardiness are as follows:
Tardy #1: No consequence
Tardy #2: Warning and a phone call home
Tardy #3 & 4: Student will be assigned to the after school Reflection Room.
Tardy #5: Return with a family member. A family member must meet with a member of the administrative team and the student to discuss intervention measures going forward.
Please note: at the beginning of each quarter, students’ tardies will be reset to zero.
Student Tardies to Class:
Students are expected to be in class, in their seats, ready to learn at the start of class. Students who are not will receive a check-in.
Repeated Information
Open House
School Supplies
(Communicated 8/5/23)
If you have not purchased your school supplies, make sure to do so! The list can be found HERE!Planners
(Communicated 8/5/23)
All students are required to use a school issued planner. If you purchased a supply kit from the PTO you have purchased these. If you did not, they will be available for sale from the PTO at the New Jay & Locker Day for $10. If not purchased then, they will be available for sale in the main office.New Jay & Locker Day: August 16th
(Communicated 8/5/23)
New Jay & Locker Day is an optional time, on August 16th from 1-4 pm, for any new and returning families to visit our building, walk your student's schedule, and get acclimated to Caruso! Upon arrival, students will be able to pick up their locks and place supplies in their lockers.
While this is not a guided tour, maps will be available to help you navigate the building. Please note, teachers will not be in attendance and classrooms will not be open.
If your student cannot attend, alternative times are not available due to staffing needs. Staff will be available to help students on the first day of school.
Student Volunteers for New Jay & Locker Day
New Staff
(Communicated 8/5/23)
Eliza Cadkin - 8th Case Manager
My name is Miss Cadkin and I am so excited to be joining the Caruso team this year! I am a Caruso Middle School and Deerfield High School alumni and am looking forward to reconnecting with this amazing community. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. Throughout my time as an undergrad I created an individualized tutoring and advocacy program for students based in Champaign-Urbana or the North Shore suburbs. I student taught at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign, IL where I worked with second through fifth graders in a Functional Life Skills Program. Prior to that, I student taught at the middle school and high school level in a variety of roles. I cannot wait for the school year to begin and to form incredible relationships with students and families. I look forward to learning and growing with the Caruso community!
Brett Cohn - 6th White Case Manager
My name is Mr. Cohn and I will be the 6th grade white Case Manager! This will be my first year working at Caruso as I have recently graduated from Illinois State University where I received my degree in Special Education. Prior to this year, I finished Student Teaching at Hammitt Junior-Senior High School in Bloomington Illinois, where I worked with 6th and 7th graders. I must say, I am beyond excited to be working at Caruso since I am a Caruso alumni! It makes me so happy that I get to teach in the building I once was a student in! Over the summer I work at Tamarak Day Camp and in my free time I love to cook, bake and play hockey! I cannot wait to get into the classroom and make this school year the absolute best!
Marc Favia - 7th White ELA Year Long Leave
My name is Mr. Favia and I am excited to announce that I will be a new 7th grade ELA teacher at Caruso this upcoming year! I am from Long Grove, Illinois before moving to the city where I currently live. This will be my second year teaching after filling two leave of absence positions at Daniel Wright Middle School in Lincolnshire. I have a Bachelor's degree in political science from University of Loyola Chicago and a Masters degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin Madison. I am certified to teach 5-12 Social Studies and 5-12 ELA. I am very passionate about my content, with the hope of inspiring my students to find passions of their own. I am extremely excited to start the year off with my new Caruso family.
Marcia Klita - District Coordinator for Student Services
My name is Marcia Klita, and I am honored to be the new District 109 Student Services Coordinator. Last year, I had the privilege to serve as the District Early Learners Coordinator and South Park Assistant Principal. Prior to my role here at Deerfield District 109, I served as a Special Education teacher supporting students with diverse learning needs in Grades 1-5 and team leader at John Middleton Elementary School in Skokie School District 73.5. I am thrilled to embark on this journey and grateful for the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on the Caruso family!
Katie Nowicki - 7th White Science
Jacqueline Padal - 6th White Math
My name is Ms. Padal and I will be teaching 6th grade mathematics at Caruso this school year. I recently graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with an endorsement in middle school math. As a collegiate swimmer, I spent most of my days in the pool and in the classroom. Shortly after graduating, I taught two years of fifth grade in Prairie Grove. When I am not in school, I love to run, read, and spend time with my family and dog. My dream has always been to help children fall in love with learning. With great passion, I hope to help students see the importance of math in their everyday life and grow to love it as much as I do. I am super excited to join the Caruso family!
Brad Rudd - 6th Blue Social Studies
Mr. Rudd. I’ve been teaching for 17 years. My wife of 21 years and I enjoy vacations where we hike with our dog, Frank. My hobbies are woodworking, fixing broken things, and reading. Riding motorcycles is my therapy.
Allison Waller - Associate Principal
I am Alli Waller and I am the new Associate Principal at Caruso! Prior to becoming a Caruso Blue Jay I served as Assistant Principal at Hillcrest Elementary School in Antioch and Freedom Middle School in Berwyn. I also taught and served in various other roles at the high school and middle school levels in the Chicagoland area. When I am not at school, I am spending time with my husband, two sons, and dog. I am excited and ready to get an amazing school year started!
Fall Athletics Information
(Communicated 8/5/23)
PTO Info
Coffee With Caruso
Join us for coffee w/ Caruso; a way for the adults in our students' lives to build stronger connections with us at Caruso. Space is limited to 25 people per event, please RSVP by calling the Caruso Main Office at 847-945-8430. Thanks to the PTO for Sponsoring Coffee.
Upcoming Events
August 16th - Locker Day 1-4 PM
August 21st - 1st Day of school. 1/2 Day
August 24th - Coffee with Caruso
August 31st - Open House 5:30-7:30 (Optional parent presentation from 5:00-5:30)
September 4th - No School
September 7th - Activity Fair at Lunch
September 25th - No School
Mrs. Klita, District Coordinator of Student Support
Mr. Brodeur, Principal
Mrs. Waller, Associate Principal
Caruso Middle School
Email: cmsoffice@dps109.org
Website: https://www.dps109.org/Page/9
Location: 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield, IL, USA
Twitter: @109Caruso