Spring Break always arrives at the perfect time of the year! As we head into the final five days of school prior to break, I’m hopeful that students & staff will take full advantage of their time away from Kennedy. For some, it will give them time to recover from feeling under the weather, and for others it is time to spend with family & friends. Regardless of how you plan on spending the break, I hope you soak up every single second and come back re-energized for the home stretch!

Have a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break! Safe travels for those of you who are flying or taking a road trip. We look forward to seeing everyone as we welcome the students back on Monday, April 4th.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 21st
Cycle 5 Assessments
Multiage Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 132)

Tuesday, March 22nd
Yearbook Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm (Reading Room)
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm
Happy Birthday Sharon Heitz 🙂 *Lift Bus Driver

Wednesday, March 23rd
1st – 3rd Trip to LMS to see the Lincoln Musical (@ 8:45am)
Rooms 101/109 Young Author’s Day (12:30pm-1:00pm)
Technology Common Plan (Breakout Sessions)

Thursday, March 24th
Rooms 103/107 Young Author’s Day (1:40pm-2:15pm)
PATS Field Trip to Navy Pier/Chicago Children’s Museum (3:45pm-7:45pm)

Friday, March 25th
Spring Birthday Breakfast in Lounge
Spirit Assembly
SLBC Swimming
Happy Birthday Diane Serio 🙂

March 26th – April 3rd: SPRING BREAK! 
(03/29) Happy Birthday Eric Humbles 🙂
(03/30) Happy Birthday David Donegan 🙂
School Resumes April 4th

Origo One
A new YouTube channel offering one minute math lessons for teachers and students. The first few videos in the series seem to be aimed at elementary school teachers. The videos offer a nice and concise representation of some elementary school math teaching strategies.

Google Drive: Search & Locate the Location

3 Tips for Using YouTube Videos in Your Classroom

3 Helpful Google Docs Updates Released Last Week

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 14th
Book Fair (Preview Day)
2nd Grade Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
PARCC Testing Continues for 3rd Grade (all week)

Tuesday, March 15th
TEACHER INSTITUTE DAY: No School for Students
SCOTY Awards 4:00pm

Wednesday, March 16th
Book Fair (Buy Day)
Curriculum/Assessment Common Plan Time
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm (LMS)
LAST DAY TO TURN IN PENNIES FOR PATIENTS DONATIONS!

Thursday, March 17th
Book Fair (Buy Day)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Talent Show Dress Rehearsal (@ 9:00am)  *Will be streamed live via Google Hangouts On Air — LINK will be emailed to the Kennedy Conference for any classrooms that want to “tune in” on their SMART Panels at any point during the rehearsal. 
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Talent Show (@ 5:30pm) ~ Doors open at 5:00pm ~ Book Fair open before & after talent show

Friday, March 18th
Reading Room Plan Day
Buddy Event for March
5 Positive Connections by Friday! 🙂
Spring Spiritwear Sale ENDS!

Articles Worth Reading:
Restocking the Deck: How Teachers Can Counteract the Effects of Poverty on the Developing Mind 

Your Leadership Legacy: How Do You Want to be Remembered?

“Each of us lives on in the memories we create, in the systems and practices we set in place (or don’t), and in the lives we touch. We guarantee that what people will say about you [when you’re gone] will not be about what you achieved for yourself but what you achieved for others. Not how big a campfire you built but how well you kept others warm, how well you illuminated the night to make them feel safe, and how beautiful you left the campsite for those who would come after you to build the next fire.”

Apps to Check Out:
PicKids

EPIC! 

Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with disabilities.

The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support & to promote inclusion and acceptance!

When one student has an attitude of acceptance & inclusion toward people (especially fellow students) that is a wonderful thing. When that one student becomes many….when an entire school has a climate of acceptance and inclusion…it becomes a powerful community! Ultimately, when a school climate conveys and fosters understanding, inclusion and respect for all, the students internalize those lessons for their lives both within and beyond school.

Our goal is to educate the Kennedy students, staff and community that we should love everyone for who they are and accept all differences. Please be sure to check out the email Amanda sent regarding Kennedy’s approach this year to teach our Kubbies about diversity, acceptance & perseverance. On Wednesday, we will “Spread the Love” by having students sign a pledge, promising to use kind words. Our theme this year is “Welcome to RESPECT CITY: Population Everyone”. On Thursday, we are asking all classroom teachers to read a book (the school has purchased a copy for every classroom teacher), and have your students participate in an activity where they will paint their own, unique “fish” rock. We are also asking that our whole school community wear GREEN this Thursday. 

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 7th
*Pennies for Patients Continues
Project Unify Week <—click to view letter that will be sent home with students
National Board Information Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 110)
PARCC Meeting @ 2:45pm

Tuesday, March 8th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Field Museum (8:30am)
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm
RTI Committee – Immediately Following Faculty Meeting
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (Room 313 @ LMS)

Wednesday, March 9th
Curriculum/Team CPT
Technology Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm

Thursday, March 10th
Wear Green to show we respect and celebrate the differences in everyone!
Read “Only One You” by Linda Kranz & have each student paint a rock:
PreK Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum (8:45am)
Talent Show Rehearsal (2:30pm-4:00pm)

Friday, March 11th
SLBC Swimming
Book Fair Preview Day
Happy Birthday Erin Moza 🙂 

(03/13) SD81 Music Booster Pancake Breakfast (9:00am-12:00pm) at LMS

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Take Control of Your Camera Roll with Google Photos

The 8 Best Google Chrome Extensions As Chosen By Teachers

7 Reading Readiness Apps

NewsELA Brings Leveled Current Event Articles to iPads