I’m sure we’ve all encountered situations when we’ve observed a parent raising their voice at their child, or you’ve tried to soothe a student that was sad from being yelled at by his/her parents before school. I wonder how many of our students come to school upset, repeating messages to themselves that they’ve heard from their parents/care-givers that perpetuate their own negative feelings about themselves?

On the flip side, I’m fortunate to constantly witness the positive models that you are for our students at Kennedy. Every morning, faculty greet students with a smile, telling each and every one how happy they are to see them! I’ve seen upset students calm down, because a teacher spoke in a soft, loving voice. I’ve seen high fives and hugs, and teachers praising students.

Our students are so lucky to have you in their lives to make sure that they hear positive messages each day to build them up!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 1st
First Grade Field Trip to Safety Town (HIP Mall)
Environmental Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 105)
Happy Birthday Sarah Sicher 🙂 

Tuesday, October 2nd:
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 7:20am (Room 109)
Multiage Field Trip to Safety Town (HIP Mall)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 118)
PEP Meeting @ 6:00pm @ LMS

Wednesday, October 3rd:
TAPS Common Plan

Thursday, October 4th:
3rd Grade Field trip to Goebbert’s
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 104)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Happy Birthday Stephanie Alessi 🙂 

Friday, October 5th:
Fall Picture Day <–click for schedule
GROUP Staff Photo on playground @ 7:10am: Wear your kennedy polo or a blue shirt!
Happy Birthday Barbara Brzozowska! 🙂 

(10/6): Happy Birthday Anna Gabriel (green bus) 🙂
(10/7): Happy Birthday Nicole Novak 🙂
(10/8): NO SCHOOL/Columbus Day

Learning is what happens when we seek new experiences, try what we have never experienced, or when we fail to accomplish what we set out to do. Doing the same exact thing again and again will not create new learning. BE BOLD! What’s the worst thing that can happen?

 Monday, September 24th:
Happy Birthday Britney Taylor 🙂
Happy Birthday Lorena Esqueda 🙂
Common Core Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 205)

Tuesday, September 25th:
Happy Birthday Marta Ocon 🙂
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm <—click for agenda

Wednesday, September 26th:
Happy Birthday Nicole Duffy! 🙂
Assessment Common Plan
2nd Grade Field Trip to Goebbert’s
SLBC to Schiller Park Post Office

Thursday, September 27th:
PreK Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
RTI Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm

Friday, September 28th:
Spirit Assembly (Friendship) 9:00am

(09/29) Happy Birthday Stefanie Widmaier 🙂

(09/30) District 5K: Project Heart Well
There’s still time to register! You can even sign up the day of the event. This is our 2nd annual 5K Walk/Run that begins/ends at Kennedy School. Hopefully we’ll see many of you there!
8am Check-In
9am Start of the 5K

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 17th:
CYCLE 1 ASSESSMENTS THIS WEEK
*Breakfast & Lunch back in the cafeteria*
Code Red Drill @ 9:30am <–click to review procedures
Common Core Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 205)

Tuesday, September 18th:
SLBC Outing to Jewel
Happy Birthday Danielle Peckhart 🙂

Wednesday, September 19th:
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm
Happy Birthday Roger Pape 🙂 

Thursday, September 20th:
Common Core Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Happy Birthday Michelle Lang 🙂 

Friday, September 21st:
Happy Birthday Bridget Elliott 🙂

*From Venspired blog:

Stuff. Your desk looks like a crazy paper box exploded. You have people you don’t see eye to eye with and wish it could change. You’ve got a meeting and four workshops coming up. Your to-do list is bigger than the Yellow Pages. You spilled your coffee all over the car. You forgot to sign your own child’s planner. Your yogurt you wanted for lunch is expired. Stuff.

Moments. You get your day started in the classroom. You Skype with an engineer who designs roller coasters, one kid is super excited about becoming an engineer. You have a conversation with a kid and introduce her to a book that was your favorite when you were a kid. You smile at a kid who looks a bit sad and that kid smiles back and starts talking to you about his dog. On the way out of school, one kid comes running back to tell you about something amazing he’s inventing. One conversation or moment could inspire a student. Moments.

The stuff will be forgotten. The moments? They’re the little things that matter most.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 10th:
Dress Rehearsal for Sept 11th Performance (8:50am-10:15am)
Common Core Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 205)
Happy Birthday Katie Falcone 🙂

Tuesday, September 11th:
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm & 3:30pm
Happy Birthday Jaime Bolognone 🙂
Happy Birthday Beatriz Diaz 🙂
September 11th Remembrance Ceremony 7:00pm (Clock Tower)

Wednesday, September 12th:
1/2 Day (K-3 Students dismiss at 10:55am)
Agenda <—Click to see Agenda (*Inservice will be in gymnasium*)

Thursday, September 13th:
3rd Grade Field Trip to Schiller Park Library
Curriculum Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

Friday, September 14th:
5 by Friday 🙂

(09/15) Happy Birthday Blanche Dougal 🙂
(09/16) Happy Birthday Jody Horan (orange bus driver) 🙂 

***Being positive not only makes you better, it makes everyone around you better. Sign the pledge, choose to be positive & make a positive impact!

Your enthusiasm and positive energy set the tone for your students. Your attitude is one of the few things you can actually control, be sure to use it wisely!

Have a great week, everyone!

*From Venspired by Krissy Venosdale:

It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day. The details. The little things. The stuff that doesn’t matter. Today I read a post by Diane Ravitch, “Neil Armstrong Thanked His Teacher” and was struck by the words. “They will remember you.” I can remember so many vivid details about teachers I have had. I just don’t remember their classrooms, I remember who they are as people.

They will remember you. Your words. Your actions. Your accomplishments. Your struggles. Your conversations. Your passions. Your crazy hair after a windy day on the playground. Your favorite sweater. Your favorite snack. Your time together.

Even when they grow up and get ready to walk on the moon.

They will remember you.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 3rd:
NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 4th:
SLBC to Super Low
RtI Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 118)

Wednesday, September 5th:
Common Plan

Thursday, September 6th:
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, September 7th:
5 by Friday 🙂

(09/08) Happy Birthday Bailey Stenzel 🙂

Here are some Curriculum Night ideas I found on Pinterest: