What a great first week (technically 3 days) at Kennedy! Despite the few tears, the smiles and laughs outweighed the few. I appreciate everyone’s help and extra care during arrival. Thank you to ALL staff for going the extra mile to help get our year off to an amazing start. Let’s keep that up this week, as well! This week, we welcome our littlest Kubbies! All extra hands on deck around 8:25am in the PreK hallway near Door 22!!!

As we prepare for our first full week with the students, I hope you will take a few quiet moments to put aside lesson planning, forget about your to-do list and consider our purpose (as a school, and as individual educators). When we walk in on Monday morning, please remember that you are a difference maker! The small gestures you make to welcome students and show an interest in their lives will have an impact. This year, you will have opportunities to build confidence where it hasn’t existed, develop connections that have never been present, and generate hope with your students. Our classrooms are filled with little ones with a variety of needs, and it’s up to US to make sure they thrive! The only way for that to happen is to build a connection with each student. When we truly know them all as individuals, we can understand them as learners.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, August 19th
1st Day of Pre School
Happy Birthday Lauren Oraham 🙂
MAP Testing Window Opens  **See schedule/add the dates and times when your classroom will test! 

Tuesday, August 20th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm (Presentation Space) *agenda will be emailed out

Wednesday, August 21st
Common Plan Time
Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, August 22nd
Benchmarking Begins <—-click here for schedule

Friday, August 23rd
Kennedy Bus Evacuation Drills <—PreK-3rd teachers: Sign up for your time slot!

*Remember, we must also make an effort to build relationships with our families, too! Read this awesome blog post here about how to successful engage with our families!

Blended Learning Playlist …. be sure to check off the items as your completing them! 

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 27th
NO SCHOOL – Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 28th
1st Grade Picnic
Laptop Refresh Continues <–click for schedule
Happy Birthday Jaime Rutkowski 🙂
PreK Screenings (8:30am-12:00pm)
LAST Faculty Meeting @ 2:40pm

Wednesday, May 29th
3rd Grade Picnic

Thursday, May 30th
1/2 Day of School – LAST DAY!
LAST Day of School ~ All staff report to the bus lane at 10:50am for our annual tradition of “waving goodbye to our students” …. *Check out our photos/videos from previous years here.
Happy Birthday Tanya Disheva 🙂

FINAL THOUGHTS…….

“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.”

It’s hard to believe we have reached the point in the year where we only have 7.5 days left! It has been a great year of teaching & learning, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your friendship and support.

In the middle of packing away materials, finishing report cards & last minute projects, there is one part of the year that is so bittersweet….the good-byes! Remember to take time to tell your students what they mean to you this week. Have lunch together in the project spaces/classrooms or outside. Ask each student to share their favorite memory. Share your favorite memories with your class. Send a Kennedy Kubbie positive postcard to every student and put it in the mail on the last day of school to wish them a great summer! ENJOY THESE LAST 7.5 DAYS! It’s the happiest & saddest time all in one. So, while you’re counting down the last few days and trying to cross off those final items from your never-ending to-do list, remember to enjoy your final time together & make your end of the year count! 

Keep in mind, the end of the year is not always happy for some of our students, whose only security and love comes from US. Thank you in advance for loving the students and reassuring them that we love them and can’t wait to see them again soon!

For those of you moving on to new adventures, remember that you’re only as good as your last exit…….and for those of us returning, know that students remember the educators that we are the last week(s) of school…..so let’s make sure they remember the best of what we have to offer. This last 7.5 days is going to FLY by so please commit to making them count. Let’s all feel great about what we’ve accomplished this year! Finish strong and wrap up the year with a beautiful bow…Have a wonderful week and remember to be great for our Kubbies and each other.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 20th
Benchmarking Continues
PreK Celebrations (8:15-8:45/9:00-9:30am, and 9:45-10:15/10:30-11:00am)
Kindergarten Graduation Practice @ LMS
RTI Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
8th Grade Graduation (7pm)

Tuesday, May 21st
Kindergarten Graduation

Wednesday, May 22nd
Kindergarten Screenings
1st Grade (Sloma, Marzec, Logo) Field Trip to LegoLand
2nd Grade Field Trip to Brunswick
1st Grade & 3rd Grade Class Building*
Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, May 23rd
1st Grade (D’Andrea, Kronlage, Zaprev, Peterson) Field Trip to LegoLand
3rd Grade Fly-Up Day to Washington (9am-10am)
Reading Room Resumes (DROP OFF)
Kindergarten Screenings (8am-12:30pm)

Friday, May 24th
2nd Grade Picnic
PreK Screenings
Last Day of Reading Room (DROP OFF)
3rd Grade DINOSAUR FAIR (11:30am-12:15pm)
*Kinder Class Building

(05/25) Happy Birthday Monica Sloma 🙂

05/27 NO SCHOOL: MEMORIAL DAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend. I saw this post from a blogger named “Farley” & wanted to share:

Mother’s Day is a celebration of
living moms
angel moms
birth moms
adoptive moms
moms with fur kids
step moms
grieving moms
those trying to become moms
and those that care for kids like a mom.

Here’s our week at a glance:

(05/11) Happy Birthday Alena Christopherson 🙂

Monday, May 13th
Benchmarking Week
Happy Birthday John Grobe 🙂
K-3 Fly Up Day (click here for schedule)
Yearbook/Technology Club (2:30pm-4:00pm)

Tuesday, May 14th
PreK Picnic (Kennedy Park)
Kindergarten Graduation Practice @ LMS
Technology Committee Meeting (3:05pm)
3rd Grade Family Sports Night (6:15pm-7:30pm)

Wednesday, May 15th
Author Aaron Reynolds Visits Kennedy (click here for schedule)
5th Grade Buddies visit Kindergarten (9am-10:15am)
Retirement Celebration @ 4:00pm

Thursday, May 16th
Kindergarten Picnic @ North Park
Awesome Attendance Party (8:15am-9:15am)
***MARK ICE CREAM FRIDAY KIDS TODAY (as ice cream is provided to all students tomorrow from the ice cream truck).

Friday, May 17th
Field Day @ North Park
DARE Graduation

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 6th
MAP Testing Begins!
LUNCHEON in Faculty Lounge courtesy of Dr. B and the Board of Education
PreK Field Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo
SLT (2:45pm in Conference Room)

Tuesday, May 7th
Breakfast in Faculty Lounge courtesy of SPEA
Volunteer Breakfast (8:45am-9:45am)
Mentor/Mentee Celebration

Wednesday, May 8th
1/2 SIP Day
Happy Birthday Jen Mauck 🙂
Support Staff Luncheon (11-12pm)

Thursday, May 9th
1st Grade Rehearses at LMS (8:30am-10:00am)
3rd Grade CUBS Trip

Friday, May 10th
Reading Room Drop Off
1st Grade Memorial Day Performance (9am)
5 by Friday! Continue to make those positive connections with families!!!!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 29th
Autism Acceptance Spirit Week
Pokemon Monday: Wear your favorite Pokemon character or create your own! 

Tuesday, April 30th
Sensory Friendly Tuesday: Dress in your comfy clothes, or wear sunglasses
Kindergarten Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
Kennedy Art Show 6:30pm-7:30pm

Wednesday, May 1st
What’s Your Passion Wednesday? Wear something or bring something to school to share your passion
1st Grade visits buddies @ LMS, 9am
SLC/SLBC Social Outing to Washington (11:30am-1:00pm)
Rosemont School District Touring Kennedy (1pm)

Thursday, May 2nd
Neurodiversity Thursday: wear rainbow or tie-dye clothes to school

Friday, May 3rd
Show Your Support Friday: Wear Kennedy Blue to show your support of Autism Acceptance
Reading Room Drop Off
5 by Friday! 🙂

(05/04) Happy Birthday Abby Domingo 🙂
(05/05) Happy Birthday Jenny Maier 🙂

As the ABC Countdown begins this Wednesday which counts down the final 26 days of the 2018-2019 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.

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 22nd
Earth Day
Yearbook/Technology Club (2:30pm-4:00pm)
1st Grade Plans with RR @ 2:45pm

Tuesday, April 23rd
1st Grade Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum
Kennedy Singers to LMS to Rehearse
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm
Spring Choral Concert for 3rd-5th Grades (6:30pm)

Wednesday, April 24th
Happy Administrative Assistants’ Day, Eva & Sue!
PreK Spring Sing (9-10am) in Gym
8th Grade Buddies Visit 3rd Grade (9am)
PreK Spring Sing (12-1pm) in Gym
TAPS (2nd/3rd) during CPT
RTI Committee (3-4pm in Upstairs PD Space)
Board of Education Meeting (7pm)

Thursday, April 25th
April/May Buddy Event
SLBC Family Showcase @ 1:30pm
Spring Choral Concert for 6th-8th Grades (6:30pm

Friday, April 26th
April/May Buddy Event
Last Progress Monitoring
Spirit Assembly @ 9am
Wear Blue for Autism Acceptance
5 by Friday! 🙂 Continue making those positive connections with families!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 15th
Spring Book Fair – Browse Day (1st Grade Project Space)

Tuesday, April 16th
Spring Book Fair – Browse Day (1st Grade Project Space)
SCOTY Awards (4pm at West Leyden) – Congrats to Wiktoria Samojalik

Wednesday, April 17th
Spring Book Fair – Buy Day (1st Grade Project Space)
PATS Field Trip to Oak Park Conservatory
RTI Committee Meeting @ 2:50pm (Upstairs PD Space)
TAPS (PreK, K, 1st)

Thursday, April 18th
Spring Book Fair – Buy Day (1st Grade Project Space)
3rd Grade Field Trip to Field Museum
Kindergarten Young Authors (1:30pm-2:00pm)

Friday, April 19th
Happy Birthday Chris Gonzalez 🙂
5 by Friday!  Make 5 positive connections with families!
SLBC Swimming
PreK Field Trip to Stahl Family Theater
Mrs. Bricker’s Class Trip to Barnes & Noble @ 10:30am (Dr. Seuss Night Raffle Prize)
Wear Kubbie blue to promote Autism acceptance 
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm

(04/21) Happy Birthday Anna K (yellow bus driver)

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 8th
Happy Birthday Sharon Muntova 🙂
3rd Grade Data Review with RR @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, April 9th
K-3 Railroad Safety Program in the Presentation Space <–click for schedule to see when you signed up!
Kindergarten Graduation Pictures in the Gym
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, April 10th
7th Grade Buddies visit Kennedy 2nd Graders (9am)
AXA Visits during lunches in the Faculty Lounge
Technology Common Plan (2-3pm)
District Discipline Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS Conference Room)
CPR Class @ LMS Room 108 (4pm-6:30pm)

Thursday, April 11th
Happy Birthday Samantha Alfirevic 🙂
Spring/Summer Birthday Treats in Lounge
Marine Biologist Visits 2nd Grade (in Presentation Space)
CPR Class @ LMS Room 108 (4pm-6:30pm)

Friday, April 12th
5 by Friday! 🙂 Make 5 positive connections with families!
Wear Kubbie blue to promote Autism acceptance 

It is my hope that you all had a restful, relaxing Spring Break. As we enter the final 9 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 9 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 9 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 1st
NO SCHOOL – Spring Break

Tuesday, April 2nd
Teacher Institute Day – Click here for agenda

Wednesday, April 3rd
Welcome Back, Students!

Thursday, April 4th

Friday, April 5th
SLBC Swimming
5 by Friday! Make 5 positive connections with families!

(04/07) Happy Birthday Beata Dering