Weekly Communique
October 14th, 2022
Thoughts from Dr. Pacatte
Principals Week
In 1990 the Governor of Illinois designated the third full week of October as Principals Week. I had the opportunity to be a school principal for sixteen years with seven of those years served for this district at both Spaulding and Gurnee Grade School. Being a school principal is an incredibly rewarding position, yet challenging in ways too many to list.
Principals across the country invest so much time in their schools, students, and staff, often at the expense of their own families. Unfortunately, that is just part of this job. The rewards come with the success of our students; watching them grow into responsible individuals, developing their own personalities, and taking responsibility for their day to day choices and behaviors. The satisfaction and energy come from the partnerships that are formed with parents that are cheering on both their child and the staff supporting their child.
Running a school guarantees that you will have bumps in your day, everyday. Maintaining the grit and resolve to keep the students and staff at the front. I am always impressed with our building leaders as they lead the instructional programs while they are managing a myriad of smaller challenges like pockets of rocks, late busses, missing substitute teachers, handing out breakfasts, fire drills, and fall out from social media.
Dr. Jennifer Glickley and Mrs. Maria Moreano from River Trail School, Mr. Ryan Lazar and Mrs. Kim VanMatre from Viking School, Mr. Kevin Simmons and Mrs. Miriam Torres from Prairie Trail School, and Dr. Ellen Mauer and Mrs. Alicia Johnston from Spaulding School thank you for everything you do every single day!
School Safety Seminar
Please remember the School Safety Seminar being held at the Warren Newport Public Library on Thursday 10/19. If you have concerns or questions regarding drugs and alcohol, mental health, or proper storage of weapons in the home, this will be the perfect opportunity to have them addressed. Please see the attached flyer for further information.
Tweet of the Week
Mental Health Day for Students
Did you know...
Public Act 102-0321 allows for students to take up to five (5) excused Mental Health Days during the school year:
- Parent/Guardian must report the absence to the school attendance line, and must specifically state that the absence is for a Mental Health Day (a medical note is not required for the first 5 days of this type of absence).
- Mental Health Days can only be used for full day absences.
- Students can make up any school work missed during a Mental Health Day (per the teacher's policies and timelines for make-up work).
- Mental Health Days will count toward absenteeism reported to the State, although they will not count towards truancy.*
* The Illinois State Board of Education defines Chronic Absenteeism as "absences that total 10% or more of school days of the most recent academic school year, including absences with and without valid cause".
Please refer to the 2022-23 Parent & Student Handbook for complete details regarding Gurnee School District 56's Attendance Policy.
Having Fun Doing the Mile Run
All students at Spaulding School recently completed a mile run. All first and second grade students received a certificate with their name and time. Kindergarten students received a certificate showing they completed the run. The fastest runner in the school was a second-grader, Antonio, who completed the run in a blazing time of 7:21, the third fastest time ever run at Spaulding since records have been kept.
River Trail school library is getting creepy!
The preschoolers are investigating the differences between real and artificial leaves.
Mrs. Rasmussen added adjectives to the parts of speech they know. First, the students brainstormed adjectives to describe animals. Then they identified nouns, verbs, and adjectives in sentences.
Viking School Student Council
Halloween Event for children and adults with special needs
D56 PTO NEWS
22-23 Destination Imagination
Warren Township Youth & Family Services
FRIENDSHIP GROUP - Social skills and experiential group – IN PERSON
This popular 8-week group addresses the needs of children who wish to improve and develop their skills at making friends and communicating. In a fun and interactive environment, the children develop skills such as listening, conversing, compliments, and introductions… Monday, October 17th, for grades 3-8 from 5 – 7 pm. Registration: www.warrentownship.net/childadolescentservices
PARENTING THE ADHD CHILD
PARENTING THE ADHD CHILD- A positive approach to understanding your ADHD child - VIRTUAL
This 4-week program presents information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including embracing its strengths, understanding common challenges, and useful approaches to parenting… Tuesday, October 18th, from 6:30-8:00 pm via zoom. Registration: www.warrentownship.net/adultservices
HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN HANDLE BIG FEELINGS - VIRTUAL
This workshop will address your child’s emotional and social development, emotional awareness, self-regulation, responding to anxiety, and the development of calming behaviors…Thursday, October 27th, 2022, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, via Zoom. Registration: www.warrentownship.net/adultservices
Gurnee Park District
October 28 – Halloween Drive-In, Featuring Disney’s COCO
Buy your tickets to come to the drive-in at Hunt Club Park (900 N. Hunt Club Rd. Gurnee, IL)! Guests are welcome to purchase from food trucks or bring in their own food and beverages. Movie will begin at 7:30 pm with guests arriving as early as 6:45 pm.
- Buy tickets online $28 per vehicle
October 15 – Trick or Treat Street
The NEW Trick or Treat Street will be held at Viking Park (4374 Old Grand Ave. Gurnee, IL) on October 15 from 1 – 3 pm. Best for ages 0 – 6, but the entire family is welcome to attend. Pre-registration and day of registration available.
- Pre-registration Fee Gurnee R/NR - $10/$13
- Day of registration Fee Gurnee R/NR - $15/$18
Village of Gurnee 28th Annual Jon Callaghan Memorial Turkey Trot
Heart of the City
Lake County Health Department
Stay Up-to-Date with COVID-19 Boosters
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 12 years and older receive the updated bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna released an updated booster in early September. Pfizer-BioNTech’s updated booster shot is recommended for individuals 12 and older, and Moderna’s updated booster shot is recommended for adults 18 and older. Visit the CDC page Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters for more information. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding the new booster.
Visit Vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you.
Get Your Annual Flu Shot
The flu season is here and it is important to get your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get the flu shot. It is especially important for adults 65 years and older to get vaccinated as they are more vulnerable to severe diseases. The best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu is to get your vaccine.
The flu shot and the COVID-19 booster vaccination can be administered at the same time. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a flu shot and COVID-19 booster location near you.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics
Keep your pet healthy and up to date on routine vaccinations. All dogs and cats in Lake County are required to be vaccinated against rabies and registered. Low-cost pet vaccinations are an affordable way to keep pets up to date with their shots and in compliance with rabies vaccination and registration requirements.
On a limited basis and by appointment only, Lake County residents can receive low-cost rabies and distemper vaccinations for their pets at Lake County Animal Care and Control. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 847-377-4700. Visit our Pet Clinics page for more information.
Lake County Rental Assistance Program Now Open
NEWS: Lake County Rental Assistance Program Now Open. Apply at lakecountyil.gov/4578
Beginning today, Lake County renters who faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for the new Lake County Rental Assistance (LCRA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent. The application period will run from Oct. 11 - Nov. 15, 2022.
Lake County is working with community partners to help keep families in their homes as we continue to work together and move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may receive up to six months of assistance with rent.
Trick or Treat Hours in Lake County 2022
O trick or treat, O trick or treat. How lovely are thine satchels? The ghouls are coming to a neighborhood near you. Here are your #LetsGoLakeCounty Trick or Treat hours. https://blog.visitlakecounty.org/trick-or-treat-hours-in-lake-county-2022/?fbclid=IwAR3r9nYjIGFPASXJUeD_uNsOYzBxheOgQmXEF6J1wfVB79WASfLcVSaa4rs