Welcome Back! 

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Break, spending time with family, friends & those you love — it may have looked different this year, but nonetheless I hope you were able to express gratitude. Now we move to the month of December, full of learning, fun, and special events…and a holiday break to enjoy in just 3 short weeks (and 2 days)! We have lots to do with our kids from now until December 22nd, and look forward to their growth when they return in January.

Be proud of what we’ve accomplished with our students so far this year — what an exceptional year it has been! You all continue to amaze us with your perseverance and innovation as you embrace changes and demonstrate flexibility and resilience and do EVERYTHING YOU CAN to make learning engaging and meaningful – despite taking place via Zoom. As we return from a restful Thanksgiving Break, I’d encourage you to focus on some self-care:

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 30th
E-Learning Resumes – Welcome Back Kubbies!
Happy Birthday Barbara Zawadzka 🙂

Tuesday, December 1st

Wednesday, December 2nd
Happy Birthday Lizbeth Hohmeier
Happy Birthday Lynette Aguirre
CPT Meetings

Thursday, December 3rd

Friday, December 4th
Happy Birthday Michelle Miro
5 by Friday! Have you made 5 positive connections with your families this week?

(12/05) Happy Birthday Becky Zora

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Overcoming Engagement Hurdles with Remote Learners via Eric Sheninger

Connecting Students in a Disconnected World via Cult of Pedagogy

7 Morning Routines for Teachers via WeAreTeachers

It’s that time of the year…..Fall Parent/Teacher Conference Week
Goal: Strengthen the home-school relationship! 

You and the parents are both there to help create the best possible outcomes for the student 🙂

While the format is different this year, our goal is still the same! We all want to understand each student’s unique needs, skills and personality to help that child learn and grow the best we can. 

It’s important that parents know that we see and notice small things in their children (even virtually) — every positive is worth noticing and celebrating! Sharing positives with parents makes a huge impact on building strong relationships.

**Allow some extra time for tech issues! 
This is the first time parents are doing conferences online, too! 
Give a little wiggle room to deal with technical difficulties, especially for parents who don’t regularly use Zoom  themselves.
***Don’t waste too much time trying to resolve technical issues. If you need to fall back on a regular PHONE CONFERENCE this time around, that’s okay! 

Try to gather information that will be helpful to you:

What concerns or issues do you think your child is experiencing with school?
What successes have you noticed your child has experienced this year?
What do you see as your child’s strengths and weaknesses?
Do you have any specificity questions or topics you’d like to discuss?
In what areas do you need support at home from me?

Virtual Conferences will be different — but the goal is to give parents important information about the whole student, gather feedback from parents & create solutions together! 

Feel free to invite an admin (just like in-person conferences) to be present for a potentially difficult virtual conference. Donna and I are here to support you!

*Do share AND ask about students’ social and emotional wellbeing
*Remind parents and caregivers of school expectations (how to be a great remote learner)
*Inquire how it’s going from their perspective
*Highlight student work by screen sharing on Zoom ! 
*Offer suggestions, but don’t forget to be equally understanding, patient and encouraging. We may not know all of the struggles that families have been going through (job loss, illness, working from home while trying to help their kids with school, etc). Now more than ever, teachers & families are working as a team.

*Just like you would follow up after a conference (regarding something that was discussed, or a suggestion), follow up with an email, a text or a phone call to the parent — revisiting something specific you discussed in the conference. It shows your commitment to that child’s growth and development! 

Let’s make sure we make the most of Conference Week to learn and share to best help our Kubbies!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 9th

Tuesday, November 10th

Wednesday, November 11th
Happy Birthday Julie Fister 🙂

Thursday, November 12th

Friday, November 13th
Happy Birthday Stephanie Polakowski 🙂
NO SCHOOL – Full Day Parent/Teacher Conferences

(11/15) Happy Birthday Sandy Montes De Oca 🙂

Thank you for your incredible flexibility and professionalism, as you shifted to full remote while our district executes an Adaptive Pause. The transition was seamless and your students did a wonderful job adjusting to the change. We appreciate YOUR flexibility as you continue to accept the changes and adapt as things evolve this school year. We are grateful for your attitude and positive outlook. Thank you for making the best out of situations, when life hands you LEMONS….and seeing them as a great opportunity to do amazing things!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 2nd

Tuesday, November 3rd
Election Day – No School

Wednesday, November 4th
Institute Day – *All Staff Remote – No E-Learning

Thursday, November 5th
Happy Birthday Giselle Alvarez 🙂
Happy Birthday Sandy Montes de Oca 🙂

Friday, November 6th
Finalize Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule by today!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 26th
Red Ribbon Week: Rally in Red Against Unhealthy Choices & Bullying (Wear Red)

Tuesday, October 27th
Red Ribbon Week: I’m too Bright for Unhealthy Choices (Wear Bright Colors/Neon)
Mentor Meeting @ 4:00pm

Wednesday, October 28th
SD81 shifts to Remote Learning for All students
Red Ribbon Week: Kubbies Are Buddies (Wear Kubbie Gear)
CPT Meetings

Thursday, October 29th
Red Ribbon Week: Vote to Have a Healthy Future (Wear Red, White, Blue)

Friday, October 30th
Say BOO to Drugs & Bullying (Wear Orange & Black)

Blog Post Worth Reading:
Helping Students Navigate the COVID Reading Slump via Pernille Ripp

Letter to a Stressed Teacher in 2020 via Danny Steele (read below)

Teacher Friend,

You’re stressed.  I know you are.

I’m a principal, and it’s easy for me to say, “Hang in there — thanks for all you do!”  But I want you to know exactly what it is that I’m thankful for.

Last spring was a whirlwind.  I’m sorry that so many of you didn’t really get to say goodbye to your students.  You invested into their lives all year, and then the rug was ripped out from underneath you.  That hurts.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 19th
Bully Prevention Week: Wear Kennedy BLUE as a Sign of Peace & Safety
Fire Prevention Week
***FLU SHOTS @ 3:15pm – 1st grade project space
Happy Birthday Eva Popowska 🙂

Tuesday, October 20th
Bully Prevention Week: Hands Are for Helping Day!

Wednesday, October 21st
Bully Prevention Week: UNITY Day! Wear Orange
Happy Birthday Andy Hohmeier
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, October 22nd
Bully Prevention Week: What You Say Matters Day!
Happy Birthday Jimmy Cahill

Friday, October 23rd
Bully Prevention Week: What is Cyberbullying?

I hope everyone had a wonderful 3-day weekend, enjoying the beautiful fall weather, making new memories with those you love and getting much needed rest and recharging!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 12th
NO SCHOOL –

Tuesday, October 13th

Wednesday, October 14th
Kennedy Supply Pickup (11-12pm)
*Please email Melissa if you plan to work in your classroom Wednesday morning (in order to help distribute supplies)
CPT Meetings

Thursday, October 15th
Happy Birthday Kirby Luczak & Rose Karas!
CF Meeting @ 3:15pm

Friday, October 16th
Happy Birthday Rosa Worwa

(10/17) Happy Birthday Mary Beth D’Andrea

Thank you for all you’re doing to prepare for our Kubbies who will be returning in-person on Monday! We are so excited to see the students!!!! WE CAN’T MASK OUR EXCITEMENT!!!! Despite school looking different from pre-covid school, I’m confident HOW our Kubbies will feel when they are learning with you, will remain the same…..AMAZING, SPECIAL, LOVING, SAFE, and ENGAGING! Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to providing incredible learning opportunities for our students, despite the method and despite the obstacles. You are doing an incredible job!

*Please be sure to read the Friday 10/2 update email 

Monday, October 5th
First Day of Hybrid (In-Person) for Kindergarten & 1st Grade Students
*Hybrid Schedule for students adjusts, effective today

Tuesday, October 6th
Curriculum Facilitator Meeting @ 3:15pm @ Kennedy (Kindergarten Project Space)

Wednesday, October 7th
*Everyone works remotely on Wednesdays*
FLU SHOTS in 1st grade project space (11:30am-1:00pm) if you signed up!

Thursday, October 8th
*Please work to ensure your supply bags are assembled and ready for next week’s supply pick up date!

Friday, October 9th
Happy Birthday Mandy Vanderwaal 🙂

(10/10) Happy Wedding Day to Lauren Caputo

(10/12) NO SCHOOL

(10/13) Kennedy Supply Pick Up!
*Email with more info, times, and a social media graphic to follow! 

Please take a moment to read this blog post that was shared in my email over the weekend with the Updated Hybrid Schedule & the napkins you received this morning will make a little more sense 😉

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 28th
*Hybrid Schedule Begins for All Staff (M,T,T,F 1/2 Day minimum)
Happy Birthday Gina Cacioppo

Tuesday, September 29th
Curriculum Facilitator Meeting @ 3:15pm

Wednesday, September 30th
*Everyone Works Remotely on Wednesdays*
CPT Meetings

Thursday, October 1st

Friday, October 2nd

**Check out the SLT Notes from last Thursday

Monday, September 21st

Tuesday, September 22nd
Curriculum Facilitator Meeting @ 3:15pm

Wednesday, September 23rd
1/2 Day of School
*PreK Day ends at 10:30am
*K-3 Day ends at 10:55am
*No Afternoon Specials/SEL
MyView Literacty Training Webinar (12-3pm)
Happy Birthday Amanda Quinlan

Thursday, September 24th
Happy Birthday Britney Lane

Friday, September 25th
Happy Birthday Marta Ocon

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 14th

Tuesday, September 15th
Supply Pick Up!

Wednesday, September 16th
CPT
Board of Education Meeting

Thursday, September 17th
SLT Meeting

Friday, September 18th
MAP Testing Begins (3rd grade)

(09/20) Happy Birthday Michelle McMorrow