Week 27: 03/04/19 – 03/08/19

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Monday, March 4th
Hop on Pop Day – Wear Your Pajamas to School
3rd Grade Data Review Meeting with Reading Room
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (in faculty lounge) – anyone else who is available and wants to help make snacks, you’re welcome to join! 

Tuesday, March 5th
Fox in Socks Day – Wear silly socks to school!
Happy Birthday Debi Cesario 🙂
Kindergarten Field Trip to The Field Museum
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (in faculty lounge) – finishing touches for the big event!
Project Unify Basketball Game @ LMS, 4:00pm

Wednesday, March 6th
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish – Wear Red & Blue to school
Dr. Seuss Night! 6:30-8:00pm  *Hope to see you all there*

Thursday, March 7th
Cat in the Hat Day – Wear your favorite hat to school
2nd Grade to LMS @ 8:45am to Rehearse for Performance
Talent Show After-School Rehearsal (2:30pm-4:00pm)
Mentor/Mentee Meeting 3:45pm-5:00pm

Friday, March 8th
Green Eggs & Ham Day – Wear Green to school
2nd Grade Dr. Seuss Musical Performance @ LMS, 10:00am
SLBC Swimming
LAPEL SHOW performs for 3rd Grade (in gym) at 1:15pm

Keep in mind we will have many visitors in our building on Wednesday for the big event! Please give your classroom spaces some extra TLC.  This is our opportunity to shine! Let’s continue to make Dr. Seuss Night a memorable event for our students, families and
the community of Schiller Park!

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Week 26: 02/25/19 – 03/01/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 25th
Yearbook/Technology Club 2:30pm-4:00pm
Kindergarten Data Review with RR @ 2:30pm

Tuesday, February 26th
1/2 Day of School for Students
1/2 Day of Parent/Teacher Conferences <—click for schedule
Please keep the master schedule updated as changes are made! 

Wednesday, February 27th
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm

Thursday, February 28th
Happy Birthday Alicia Peccatiello 🙂
Charity Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm
AFTER SCHOOL TALENT SHOW REHEARSAL 2:30pm-4:00pm
2nd Grade Family Sports Night 6:15pm-7:30pm

Friday, March 1st
PreK Screening
Happy Birthday Tami Ericksen 🙂
Pennies for Patients Kickoff (Presentation Space) <—click for schedule

(03/02) Happy Birthday Bonnie Bricker 🙂
(03/03) Happy Birthday Natalie Barcas 🙂

Week 25: 02/18/19 – 02/22/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 18th
Presidents’ Day – NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, February 19th
1st-3rd Grade to LMS for Washington Musical (8:45am buses will start loading with 3rd grade)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (Upstairs PD Space)(

Wednesday, February 20th
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, February 21st
SLT Meeting @ 2:45pm (Conference Room)

Friday, February 22nd
Spirit Assembly @ 9am

(02/24) Happy Birthday Shannon Keating

Week 24: 02/11/19 – 02/15/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 11th
1st Grade Data Meeting w/RR
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Tuesday, February 12th
PreK Family Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Talent Show Auditions (throughout the day in the Presentation Space)
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm

Wednesday, February 13th
6th Grade Buddies Visit 1st Grade (9am)
2nd & 3rd Grade TAPS during CPT

Thursday, February 14th
Happy Birthday Kaitlin Hillner 🙂
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm

Friday, February 15th
Happy Birthday Agnes Niewinski 🙂
1st Grade Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
PreK Parent Workshops
Trimester 2 Ends
Please be sure your Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule is finalized in google spreadsheet!

(02/17) Happy Birthday Jackie Hood & Mike Deany 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
The Importance of Not Stepping In – via George Couros

Six Strategies for Tackling Perfectionism – via John Spencer

Week 23: 02/04/19 – 02/08/19

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From blogger Krissy Venosdale (this blog post is perfect…especially after engaging in thought-provoking dialogues with each of you about Winter MAP scores). 

“Take a typical lesson, on a typical day, in a typical classroom. We are constantly reaching out to the learners who have fallen behind. Tutoring. Interventions. Extra time. Small group. Individualized Instruction. Scaffolding. All of these things are so important, and we’d all agree, essential for the success of students who need the extra support.

But doesn’t every kid need support? What about the kids who already know it? Maybe they learned it on their own, got it really quickly, or read about it once before. They think differently. Should they wait to learn? What will be done differently for those kids?

We tend to say things like, “They’ll be fine.” But fine really isn’t good enough. What if we offered more for all kids. Not just on one lesson, or one day, but whenever they need it. Bringing everyone up to a level that, for them, is enough for a good healthy stretch. Reaching, struggling, extending.

Because in that stretch? There is learning….The kind every kid deserves.”

Thank you all for your dedication and passion towards doing whatever it takes to reach every single child. Thank you for always making child-centered decisions and being relentless when it comes to ensuring all of our children grow and progress in all areas of their development. Thank you for nurturing and supporting each Kubbie on their path!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 4th
ACCESS Testing Continues
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE during PE this week
Happy Birthday Anne Weinthaler 🙂
Room 133 Field Trip to Barnes & Noble
Charity Committee Meeting @ 2:15pm (E217)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Tuesday, February 5th
Reading Room Opens
2nd Grade (Miro, Christopherson & Domingo) to PF Chang’s
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm
3rd Grade FAMILY SPORTS NIGHT 6:15pm-7:30pm

Wednesday, February 6th
Happy Birthday Heather Longo 🙂
2nd Grade (Keating & Rowland) to PF Changs
TAPS during CPT – PreK, K & 1st Grades

Thursday, February 7th
2nd Grade (Oraham & Ward) to PF Changs
Happy Birthday Alanna Mixter 🙂
Happy Birthday Izabela Rybinski 🙂

Friday, February 8th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Disney On Ice
SLBC Swimming at the YMCA
5 by Friday!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
4 Tips for Becoming More Observant in a World Full of Noise via George Couros

Welcoming Students With a Smile via Edutopia <—research just confirming that what we already do at Kennedy reaps POSITIVE benefits for both students & teachers!

Teaming Up to Support English Language Learners via Edutopia

Let’s Give Our Teaching Language a Makeover via Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

These Candy Heart Science Experiments Will Blow Your Mind via WeAreTeachers

32 Children’s Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day via WeAreTeachers

Week 22: 01/28/19 – 02/01/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 28th
ACCESS Testing Continues (RR Remains Closed)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Tuesday, January 29th
Paraprofessional Meeting @ 2:50pm (Conference Room)
*3rd Grade Family Sports Night = RESCHEDULED to February 5th!

Wednesday, January 30th
1/2 Day of School (Agenda will be emailed)
100th Day of School!

Thursday, January 31st

Friday, February 1st
5 by Friday! 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading
Four Ways to Support Colleagues Who are Supporting Students in Crisis  – via Allyson Apsey

How to Keep Overbearing, Micromanaging Parents from Stressing You Out as a Teacher – via Angela Watson

Marie Kondo in the Classroom: How Teachers Are Tidying Up via EdWeek

12 Google Calendar Tricks You’re Probably Not Using via PCMag.com

Google Slides & PearDeck via Alice Keeler

Week 21: 01/21/19 – 01/25/19

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Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr…..let’s honor Dr. King’s memory as we begin our work week. The following Dr. King quote can help us reflect on the work we are doing at Kennedy School.

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“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education.”

Do we hold high expectations for all of our learners?
Is critical thinking reinforced for all of our learners?
Is character education a focus in our classrooms everyday?
Are we serving others in our school community?

As you begin your week, keep the above quote in mind as you reflect on your practice.
Let’s have a great 4-day week!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 21st
NO SCHOOL: MLK Day

Tuesday, January 22nd
Happy Birthday Michelle Morgan 🙂
ACCESS Testing Begins (RR & Bilingual Closed all week)
PATS Field Trip to DuPage Children’s Museum
Faculty Meeting CANCELLED

Wednesday, January 23rd
Common Plan
SLT Meeting (Rescheduled from last week) @ 2:50pm

Thursday, January 24th
Happy Birthday Ofelia Golden 🙂
Charity Committee Meeting @ 7:35am
Technology Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm (1st Grade Project Space)

Friday, January 25th
Spirit Assembly!
SLBC Swimming @ YMCA
5 by Friday!

(01/26) Happy Birthday Brian Key! 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Checking Out:
30 Day Challenge for a Happier Teacher You – via Pernille Ripp
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Just One Teacher Can Completely Alter the Trajectory of a Child – via Baruti Kafele

4 Skills and Traits Great Schools Teach That Will Always Be Essential – via George Couros

Week 20: 01/14/19 – 01/18/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 14th
Yearbook Club @ 2:35pm
2nd Grade Data Review with RR

Tuesday, January 15th
Happy Birthday Ami Freeman 🙂
2nd Grade Field Trip to Adler Planetarium (8:45am-1:00pm)
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (B102)

Wednesday, January 16th
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, January 17th
Happy Birthday Cheri Grimaldi 🙂
SLT Meeting @ 2:45pm (Conference Room)
Mentor/Mentee Meeting @ 3:45pm

Friday, January 18th
5 by Friday! Make 5 Positive Connections or send 5 Positive Postcards by Friday!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Restorative Practices: Set Expectations and Hold Students Accountable via George Couros

Week 19: 01/07/19 – 01/11/19

Happy New Year and Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed a restful, relaxing break–time to disconnect from work thoughts, time to enjoy family and friends and to just enjoy time to relax. It is amazing how refreshing the holiday break can be to come back to start an amazing 2019! I know our students will be SO EXCITED to see you all on Monday morning!
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If you’re feeling any trepidation about getting up early for the first day in quite some time, I completely understand! It’s hard for adults and kids to get back into the swing of things after such a long break. This is a great time to re-connect with students and let them do so with their classmates by giving them time to talk about what they did over break! Keep in mind, it’s a great time to review classroom management basics as we embark upon a new calendar year at Kennedy, where our students are blessed to receive quality instruction on a  daily basis in safe and orderly classrooms. I appreciate your efforts with reinforcing behavior expectations. Here’s a great post on this topic: Ideas for Working with the January Slump.
Much like last year…… Jon Gordon’s “One Word” asks you to think of one word that gives meaning & focus to your life. Jon suggests coming up with one word instead of list of resolutions.

“A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be a ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp or biting or rich and soft and slow. A single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life!”

I challenge you to choose one word this January–a word to focus on, reflect upon as one goes about daily life. Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2019? It can be something tangible or intangible…it could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. Donna, Sara and I look forward to re-connecting with you all, hearing all about your Winter Breaks, and reflecting at our faculty meeting on Tuesday afternoon! Be prepared with your “ONE WORD”.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 7th
Welcome Back!
Keep in mind…..Some students will be BURSTING to share their breaks with you! Some kids will be DYING for a HUG! Some kids will need to shake off the cobwebs! Allow for it all! Connection over curriculum on Monday!  Let’s reignite our passion and remember to bring the awesome this week!

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*Welcome Back to Mayra Tellez, paraprofessional in SLC, who is returning from maternity leave!
*Welcome to Jessica Rock, student teacher working with Becky Zora

Tuesday, January 8th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm

Wednesday, January 9th
Common Plan Time

Thursday, January 10th

Friday, January 11th
PreK Screening
5 by Friday! Keep those positive connections with families going strong!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

6 EdTech Tools to Try in 2019 by Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

9 Tech Resolutions for Teachers to Make in the New Year via Erintegration

Week 18: 12/17/18 – 12/21/18

Let’s make this an amazing week for our KUBBIES!

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This week we have some changes to our usual routine — Santa Visits, Parents’ Night Out, Holiday Celebrations and sharing holiday wishes. Then on Friday, we all head home for Winter Break where our celebrations continue with our family and friends.

From Jennifer Dinielli’s Blog:
“True for some, not for all. As Winter Break draws near, along with all of the excitement, it is not uncommon to see an increase in undesired behaviors and regression to previous behaviors in our students. For many of our students, home is a place where relationships are unhealthy, meals are not prepared, and drugs/alcohol or violence are part of daily life. For these students, many of whom we may not even be aware of their circumstances, the most consistent, positive and secure part of their life is time at school. No wonder they are exhibiting some stress. When these students walk out of our doors on Friday, there may be no breakfast or lunch, no counseling services, no celebrations, no gifts, and no one to encourage and support them.

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So we support our children. We collaborate with our community to provide basic necessities (food, coats, meals). We give our kids books from our classrooms to read over the break. We express that we are thankful for each other and look forward to being together again as a school community in the new year.

And even though we are tired and looking forward to a much-needed break ourselves, we keep an eye on those who are acting out more than usual. We give them structure and routine. We give them a break. We give them encouragement. This may not be their favorite time of the year.”

Thank you for ALL YOU DO for our Kennedy Kubbies EVERYDAY 🙂 

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Santa & his elves will be visiting the students at Kennedy School on Thursday, December 20th. Santa will be set up in the front lobby for K-3rd (the couch area). *Santa will set up in the Pre School entryway near Door 22 for our PreK/PATS friends!

Thank you for your flexibility. As always, the office ladies will call your class down to greet Santa. Please remind your students, in the best interest of allowing Santa to visit with all 700 students, each Kubbie should be prepared to ask Santa for 1 item 🙂 We will be on hand to take photos of students & 1 “class” photo, which will then be posted on our school Flickr account for you to easily download.

Here’s our week at a glance:

(12/16) Happy Birthday Sue O’Connell 🙂

Monday, December 17th
Winter Benchmarking Continues
Holiday Fund Gift Wrapping (2:30pm)
3rd Grade Data Meeting with RR
RTI Committee Meeting (3:00pm)

Tuesday, December 18th
Winter Benchmarking Make-Ups
Happy Birthday Kim Sendelbach 🙂
Charity Committee Meeting (7:35am in RR E217)
Parents’ Night Out (4:30pm – 7:30pm) >> It’s not too late to volunteer! Sign up here! 
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Wednesday, December 19th
Reading Room Resumes!
PATS Field Trip to the Schiller Park Library (9:15am-11:30am)
TAPS (2nd & 3rd Grades)
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, December 20th
Santa visits Kennedy School
*KUBBIE holiday postcards due to office!

Friday, December 21st
Reading Room Drop Off
Spirit Assembly 9am
Pajama & Movie Day 🙂

(01/06) Happy Birthday Callie Biasco 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
3 Ideas for Taking Care of Yourself Before the Break by George Couros

Our Students by George Couros

What is the Point of a Makerspace by Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

Strong Relationships with Students Matter. Here’s How via Bill Ferriter

Will You Check On Me? via Danny Steele