Tomorrow marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week! The entire week is about celebrating ALL OF YOU who influence the lives of our students. I certainly appreciate all the little things you do, but what I appreciate the most is the safe, nurturing learning environments you create for our children. I’m reminded daily of how hard you work to make a difference in your students’ lives and the lives of each other.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the children at Kennedy School. I continue to be both inspired and empowered by your dedication and passion! The children are blessed to have the experiences you provide. I hope you enjoy your special week and as we enter into the “home stretch”, please keep your eye on the children and know you have made an incredible impact on their lives.

I hope you know how much I enjoy working with you and how proud I am to be your colleague. Thank you for all that you do here at Kennedy School. You are changing lives!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 1st
Teacher Appreciation Week!
Enjoy a Luncheon (courtesy of Dr. Boryszewski & the Board of Education)
PreK/PATS Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo

Tuesday, May 2nd
Breakfast (Courtesy of SPEA)
Volunteer Breakfast 8:45am-9:45am
Kindergarten Young Author Day @ 1:30pm
*Chipotle BOGO Free Teacher Appreciation Deal


Wednesday, May 3rd
Enjoy a Luncheon (Courtesy of ABC Parent Group)
*Please RSVP for the Retirement Party by today! Envelope/Money is in Melissa’s office
Happy Birthday Michelle Sosa 🙂

Thursday, May 4th
Room 108 Young Authors Day @ 9:00am
3rd Grade CUBS GAME trip @ 11:00am
Happy Birthday Abby Domingo 🙂

Friday, May 5th
Rooms 100, 110, 101, 102 Young Authors Day @ 9:00am
Rooms 103 and 109 Young Authors Day @ 10:00am
Happy Birthday Jenny Maier 🙂

“Just know that, even if nobody said “Thank You,” today, there’s a kid somewhere who loves you, who appreciates you, and who is wondering about something because of something you said in your classroom. Right now there might be a parent who thinks you are the best thing under the sun because you might be the very first person who has understood her child. There’s an administrator who is grateful to have you on staff at your school. At this very moment, there is a student close to graduating high school who found a photo from your classroom that she has saved all these years because you were her favorite. Tonight, a colleague of yours will go home with a smile because something you took the time to say today. One of your students that pretends not to care about his work will be working extra hard tonight, because he wants to show you he can do it.

You’re appreciated. You matter to more kids than I can count on my fingers and toes, and your message to the world will travel well into the future in the hearts of kids who will grow up with dreams and passions that all started right where you are. In your classroom.

Just in case you forget.”

*Congratulations to our Team from Kennedy who participated in the Autism Speaks walk today at New Trier HS! Your colleagues raised over $1700! 🙂 Way to go!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 24th
Technology Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Project Space)

Tuesday, April 25th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Morton Arboretum
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm (Presentation Space)

Wednesday, April 26th
1st Grade Visits 6th Grade Buddies @ LMS
PreK/PATS Spring Feast (2-3pm) in Cafeteria
Administrative Assistant’s Day

Thursday, April 27th
9am – Kennedy Singers Rehearse @ LMS
Room 116 Family Music Showcase @ 1:30pm
Spring Choral Concert @ 6:30pm (LMS)
Happy Birthday Becky Lilovich 🙂

Friday, April 28th
Spring/Summer Birthday Breakfast (in lounge before school)
Spirit Assembly
*Go blue for Autism!

As the ABC Countdown begins this Thursday which counts down the final 26 days of the 2016-2017 school year, remember to look to the end of the year as setting the stage for next year. A strong finish helps build for a successful year to come. To ensure a strong finish and a positive launch to the next school year, keep the following in mind:

*Have high expectations for all. The end of the school year is not only about celebrations. It’s about learning. Focus on what is important and find the balance between keeping learning at the forefront of your classroom and enjoying those “end of the year” celebrations.

*Be well planned. Act with intention and purpose each day. Students thrive on routine and consistency. Just because the weather is getting warmer and field trips are blooming, the last thing you want to do is lose focus. It’s important to ensure that the learning process continues to bloom and that students are engaged!

*Keep a positive and hopeful attitude. This time of the year can be emotional and exhausting for all. Remember to find the good stuff. It’s there if you take time to look for it.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 17th
Welcome Back! I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful weekend!

Tuesday, April 18th
3rd Grade Field Trip to Field Museum

Wednesday, April 19th
1/2 Day – SIP Agenda Coming Soon
Happy Birthday Chris Gonzalez 🙂
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm
(Congrats to Heather Longo, Alanna Mixter & Britney Jeskey – we will be recommending these stellar educators for tenure)

Thursday, April 20th
ABC Countdown Begins!  – Animal Day
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
BPAC Meeting @ 4:00pm (Kennedy School

Friday, April 21st
5 Positive Connections by Friday! 🙂
Bubble Day

I challenge each of you to look at the number of days remaining this school year as the number of days you have to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 Instead of saying you have ____ days left of school until summer break, think of it as:

____ days together to make lasting memories
____days left to share this adventure
____days left for us to grow together

Each and every day our students need us. Remember that you may be the only constant presence in some of your students’ lives. Make a choice each day for your presence to be a positive, constant factor. It’s a great opportunity that we have to come to school and have an impact on students’ lives from day to day.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 10th
Note Date Change*Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm (Presentation Space)

Tuesday, April 11th
STORYBUS visits PreK Students
PATS Field Trip to Trailside Museum
Student Handbook Review Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS Conference Room)
ART SHOW @ 6:00pm (Art Room & Media Center)

Wednesday, April 12th
2nd/3rd Grade TAPS Meeting

Thursday, April 13th
2nd Grade Pen Pals from New Trier HS Visit Kennedy
Baby/Bridal Shower @ 2:30pm (Cafeteria)
Spring Band Concert @ 6:30pm (LMS)

Friday, April 14th
5 Positive Connections by Friday!
GO BLUE FOR AUTISM!

It is my hope that you all had a restful, relaxing Spring Break. As we enter the final 7.5 weeks of school, I realize this can be a challenging time for us, as both students & staff get Spring Fever. We have been working hard for 7 months and we’re getting closer to the end of the school year. Now is when we must do our best work. The cliche of “it’s not how you start, but how you finish” is so true! We must finish strong and carry out our momentum until the end of the school year. Keep in mind, the more you stray from your classroom routine/schedule, the more antsy your students will get. If you keep focused, they will follow your lead.

As we approach the final 7.5 weeks of the school year, it is easy for many teachers to get into that familiar habit of wishing that the year would end. I want to encourage you not to fall into that rut and make the last 7.5 weeks enjoyable and productive for your students.

Each and every day our students need us. Remember that you may be the only constant presence in some of our students’ lives. Make a choice each day for your presence to be a positive, constant factor. It is a great opportunity that we have to come to school and have an impact on students’ lives from day to day. We all became educators because we care about kids. When the students feel that their teachers care about them, when they feel safe in our classes, optimal learning will take place.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 3rd
School Resumes

Tuesday, April 4th
Teacher Institute Day (see Kennedy Conference for Agenda)

Wednesday, April 5th
Common Plan Time

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

Thursday, April 7th
Happy Birthday Beata Dering 🙂

(04/08) Happy Birthday Sharon Muntova & Mirta Cruz 🙂