It’s that time of the year.
Where winter break is definitely in the past.
Where we’re starting to feel a bit of the testing pressure.
We’re stressed about conferences & report cards.
When Spring Break is close…..but not quite close enough.
Take time today to remember that we alone have the power to choose our good attitude.

Be the kind of person who doesn’t allow other people or circumstances to dictate how we feel or treat those around us. Instead, be the consistent one for those around you.
Be thankful for the impact that we have on not only our students, but also on our peers.

Choose to be happy. Choose to be positive. Choose to smile. That doesn’t mean you are unaware of circumstances, or stress, or drama, or struggles….it just means you choose to RISE above it, and be happy anyway. To let your mood be dictated by your blessings and not your afflictions.

We constantly preach to our Kubbies the importance of being kind and how one small act can make someone’s day — I may be a week late to the “Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 14-20)” but I still challenge you to the Random Acts of Kindness Teacher Challenge — can you complete 10 simple, kind acts that will make our students’ and colleagues’ days just a bit brighter? Let’s make February 22nd-26th Kennedy School’s #RAKWEEK *A copy can be found in everyone’s mailbox!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 22nd

Tuesday, February 23rd
1/2 Day of School (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
*Click here for schedule! Be sure to keep it current if parents cancel or reschedule
*NO Faculty Meeting due to conferences

Wednesday, February 24th
Report Cards Sent Home (with those students who did not have a Spring conference)

Thursday, February 25th
Baby & Bridal Shower @ 2:45pm (Cafeteria)
Happy Birthday Shannon David 🙂

Friday, February 26th
SLBC Swimming
Spirit Assembly @ 9:00am

(02/28) Happy Birthday Alicia Peccatiello 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
His Smile by Jon Harper

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Resources by Technology Rocks, Seriously

There is so much that goes in to making each day at Kennedy School successful, from arrival/dismissal duties, hallway passings, serving 400+ children hot lunch, communication with parents, 1:1 student conferences about academics or behavior, individual supports for some of our neediest students….the list goes on! And that doesn’t even include the work that goes into planning and implementing the stellar learning opportunities that you provide students each day! In addition to the day-to-day work you do to make this the best school for students, there are countless moments that you are working together as a staff to collaborate or problem-solve, showing you’re willing to do whatever it takes to ensure students experience success. Not every solution works for everyone, but I’m confident that you always keep children at the forefront of your decision-making, you never give-up on any child, and you ultimately always do what’s best for your students. That’s why we’re here. As the school year moves forward, let’s continue to work together, support one another, and more importantly, support our students! TOGETHER we can continue to move forward to make Kennedy School the best school for our students!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 15th
NO SCHOOL: Presidents’ Day
Happy Birthday Melissa Alicea 🙂
Happy Birthday Agnes Niewinski 🙂

Tuesday, February 16th
Talent Show Tryouts (During the day)

Wednesday, February 17th
2nd/3rd TAPS
Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm (LMS)
*Favorite Childhood Book Google Form & Picture due to Tiffany
Happy Birthday Jackie Hood 🙂
Happy Birthday Mike Deany 🙂

Thursday, February 18th
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
BPAC Meeting @ 3:15pm
Happy Birthday Nikki Culberson 🙂

Friday, February 19th
Reading Room Plan Day

Looking for a Safe Search Engine for our Kubbies?

Kiddle, powered by Google, is a site that is great for younger students.
Kiddle searches safe sites written specifically for kids, sites with content written in an easy way for kids to understand (handpicked by Kiddle editors), and famous sites written for adults but with great content (filtered by Google). A message pops up if a student tries to search for something in appropriate.

Kiddle is visual, has a big thumbnail image for each results, and is super readable since the print is larger than normal search results.

It includes options for Web, Images, News and Videos – just like Google.

Presidents’ Day Fun:
Click here to view the Technology Rocks. Seriously blog post <–tons of ideas !

Blog Post Worth Reading:
How to Break Free of the Dreaded Teacher Slump via Pernille Ripp

All They Need Is Love via Andy Jacks

Thought for the Week:

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 8th
Cycle 4 Assessments
PATS Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Jump Rope for Heart Week
Rooms 101/109 Field Trip to PF Changs
New Teacher Meeting @ 2:50pm
Happy Birthday Linda Jennings 🙂

Tuesday, February 9th
103/107 Field Trip to PF Changs
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, February 10th
104/106 Field Trip to PF Changs
Kindergarten Information Night @ 6:00pm (cafeteria)
TAPS Common Plan for PreK/Kinder/1st

Thursday, February 11th
1st-3rd Grades to LMS for Washington Musical
207/208 Field Trip to PF Changs

Friday, February 12th
Trimester 2
February Buddy Event
PreK Field Trip to Stahl Family Theater
*Spring Parent/Teacher Conference Schedules due by Friday! <–click for google doc

(02/15) No School: Presidents’ Day
Happy Birthday Agnes Niewinski 🙂
Happy Birthday Melissa Alicea 🙂

Interested in ordering a Dr. Seuss Shirt?  Click here
Shirts are $20/each, come in white, black or blue with either glitter or metallic writing. Orders are due by Tuesday!

Quote & Image from Krissy Venosdale’s blog, which can be found here

“Teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Although my role has changed and I’m lucky enough to teach teachers, teach students, and teach myself on a daily basis, I’m still a learner first. I updated this image with some fun colors & a mosaic background, because our teaching life is made of millions of tiny learning moments, melded together into one unique experience that makes us who we are as a teacher. And that? It’s something pretty special.”

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 1st
ACCESS Testing continues <–click for updated schedule

Tuesday, February 2nd
Tech Roll-Out Evening for 3rd-8th grade students & parents @ LMS (5:30pm-7:30pm)

Wednesday, February 3rd
2nd Grade/Lincoln Buddies Event
MyOn Meeting for classroom teachers in cafeteria (1:55pm-2:55pm)

Thursday, February 4th
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
I Heart Art Show (6:00pm-7:30pm) <—-click for flyer/invitation
Happy Birthday Anne Weinthaler 🙂

Friday, February 5th
Pre School Screening
5 by Friday! Remember to make those 5 positive connections with students by Friday!
Happy Birthday Jenna Bartello 🙂

(02/06) Happy Birthday Dina Natalie & Heather Longo 🙂
(02/07) Happy Birthday Alanna Mixter 🙂

Mark Your Calendars:
Jump Rope for Heart takes place February 8th-12th
Talent Show Permission Slip (<–click to view) due by Friday 2/5
Kindergarten Information Night for incoming Kinder students (including those in our PreK program) on Wednesday, 2/10
1st-3rd Grade students go to LMS to see Washington School’s Musical on Thursday, 2/11
Trimester 2 Ends on Friday, 2/12
NO SCHOOL on Monday, 2/15

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
Detour “Around the Danger Zones” of Classroom Management

Building Relationships With Families of ELLs

Share 6 Encouraging Words #6WordEncourage

6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2016

Here’s our week at a glance:

(01/24) Happy Birthday Ofelia Golden 🙂

Monday, January 25th
ACCESS Testing Begins > > REMINDER: NO READING ROOM
*See Anne’s email in Kennedy Conference for schedule
NO BOOK CHECKOUT (Becky will push into your classrooms for a read-aloud)
Happy Birthday Brooke Gorowski 🙂

Tuesday, January 26th
100th Day of School
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm <—agenda will be emailed
Happy Birthday Brian Key 🙂

Wednesday, January 27th
Technology Common Plan <–click for agenda/breakout sessions

Thursday, January 28th
Yearbook Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm

Friday, January 29th
Spirit Assembly

100th Day Ideas from Pinterest

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.

“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 18th
NO SCHOOL: MLK

Tuesday, January 19th
Appy Hour in Room 110 @ 2:45pm
*Come eat some snacks & learn about QR codes! Bring your iPad!

Wednesday, January 20th
Community Information Night @ Kennedy School (6:00pm)
Board of Education Meeting at Kennedy School (7:00pm) – gymnasium

Thursday, January 21st
PreK Field Trip to Museum of Science & Industry
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, January 22nd
Winter Birthday Breakfast int he Lounge @ 7:30am
Kindergarten Field Trip to Disney on Ice
Happy Birthday Michelle Morgan 🙂

(01/23) Happy Birthday Jen Yarnell 🙂

Are you using Go Noodle for indoor recess? If not, check out this blog post!

Looking for helpers! If you haven’t signed up already, consider spending time helping out at our 1st annual “I Heart Art” show on Thursday, February 4th. Helpers will be compensated for their time.

Also, the annual Stars on Stage Talent Show will be on Thursday, March 17th. We are still looking for helpers to facilitate the rehearsals leading up to the main event! Helpers will be compensated for their time.

Thank you to those who are able to commit to attending the Community Information Night on Wednesday evening, as well as our Board of Education meeting, both being hosted at Kennedy School this month. Please let me know if you are able to attend! Your presence and support are valuable and greatly appreciated!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 11th

Tuesday, January 12th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm in cafeteria
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS, Room 313)

Wednesday, January 13th
1/2 SIP Day (agenda will be emailed on Monday)

Thursday, January 14th
Happy Birthday Jen Fullone 🙂

Friday, January 15th
Happy Birthday Ami Freeman 🙂

(01/17) Happy Birthday Cheri Grimaldi 🙂
(01/18) NO SCHOOL: MLK

Make sure the day off of school next Monday today isn’t just about a day off. It’s a reminder, from our past, that we are all here to do something. Ask your students, colleagues & each other, what that something is.

Thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr. for the great quote & the great reminder:

Below From Venspired:
The best part about a New Year is that it always feels like a fresh start. No matter what. We turn the page, finish one calendar and start another. We try to start remembering to put the right year when we write the date (I’m sure most of us will be writing 2015/2016 tomorrow on our boards!).

2015 was a year full of memorable moments—may your 2016 be a year of “new”….
new ideas, new connections, new challenges, new gratitude, new perspectives.

As we embark on the second half of the school year, I encourage everyone to take some time and reflect on your performance since the beginning of the school year. The KEEP, STOP, and DO activity always helps me reflect on my practices; both professional & personal. What do I want to keep doing? What do I want to stop doing? What do I want to start doing?

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 4th
School Resumes
MAP makeups this week
*2nd, Multiage & 3rd Grade Teachers: Please be sure to enter your Winter MAP data into the Google Doc & schedule a Winter MAP Data meeting with me by the end of the week.
Aimsweb Winter Benchmarking Begins

Tuesday, January 5th
PATS Field Trip to Museum of Science & Industry
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 110)
Yearbook Committee @ 2:35pm

Wednesday, January 6th
Happy Birthday Mayra Tellez 🙂
Happy Birthday Callie Biasco 🙂
Curriculum Pacing/Planning Common Plan Time

Thursday, January 7th
SLT  Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, January 8th
5 By Friday !

Below are some New Years Ideas from Pinterest:

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

9 Strategies Teachers & Leaders Should Add in 2016

Excellent Websites for iPads in the Classroom

New Year, New Challenges

Remember…..You might be the ONLY smile a child sees each day.
Your hug might be the ONLY hug he/she gets for the holidays.
Every day really IS a chance to make a difference.
Let’s make these next 5 days great ones for our Kennedy Kubbies 🙂

Donna, Tiffany and I appreciate all that you do for the students and families of Kennedy School. We value each one of you as members of our team! We wish you and your families the most joyous of holiday seasons. Thank you to the entire Kennedy staff for always caring and taking pride in what you do! Thanks for perservering through the stressful times. Thanks for finding blessings & positives all around you. It has been a fantastic 2015 and we are looking forward to seeing you all again for what promises to be an even brighter 2016!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 14th
Santa & The Village of Schiller Park visit Kennedy School (in gymnasium)
School Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 132)
MAP Testing Continues
Cycle 3 Assessment Week

Tuesday, December 15th

Wednesday, December 16th
December Buddy Activity
Tech Common Plan
Happy Birthday Sue O’Connell & Ola Heitz 🙂
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm (LMS)

Thursday, December 17th
1st, 2nd and Multiage Classrooms Participate in HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD “field trip/assembly” in gym
(2nd Grade: 8:30am-9:15am)
(1st Grade: 10:30am-11:15am)
(Multiage: 12:30pm-1:15pm)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, December 18th
Polar Express Day!
Spirit Assembly @ 8:45am
Happy Birthday Kimberly Sendelbach 🙂 

(12/29) Happy Birthday Jimmy Kennedy 🙂

Blogs Worth Reading:

To Teachers Everywhere
Golden Rules for Engaging Students in Learning Activities
Google Drive Search Updates
Reindeer Fun
Christmas Games 

A great activity to do before Winter Break….what we’ve accomplished in 2015 and what we want to accomplish in 2016!

Here’s our week at a glance:

(12/06) Happy Birthday Michelle Nelson 🙂

Monday, December 7th
Happy Birthday Dr. Kim Boryszewski 🙂
Lunch & Learn with 1st Investors
Paraprofessional Meeting @ 2:50pm (lounge)
ABC Parent Group’s Winter Wonderland @ LMS (6:00pm-8:30pm)

Tuesday, December 8th
Happy Birthday Cindy DeRose 🙂
Yearbook Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, December 9th
Happy Birthday Mandy Carlson 🙂
PATS/PreK Tree Decorating Party 2:00pm-3:00pm (cafe)

Thursday, December 10th
SD81 Band Concert @ 6:30pm (LMS)

Friday, December 11th
Reading Room Plan Day
Holiday Party 

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Calling All Learners & Teachers for Hour of Code 2015 via Edutopia

You Totally Have Time for #HourofCode by Krissy Venosdale

5 Great Things You Can Do with Google Sheets by Richard Byrne

Dear Students: A Letter to All of Our Amazing Students by Ryan Steele