Week 15: 11/18/19 – 11/22/19

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“When asked to identify what made the school so good, every person, without fail, said it was the people of the school: the children, the families, and most importantly, the staff. Nobody said, ‘We have a really great computer lab’ or ‘a brand new reading textbook.’
(Eaker, DuFour, & DuFour, 2002)

With the Thanksgiving holidays quickly approaching, I thought it was a great time to simply offer heartfelt thanks to all of you for enriching the lives of our students. Whether you are a returning teacher, a teacher in a new role, or a teacher new to Kennedy School, I am sincerely thankful that you are here. I have the best job in the world because I am surrounded by the hardest-working teachers in the world. In the above quote, Eaker & colleagues have clearly stated what makes our own school great: It is not our facilities, or our curriculum, or technology; instead, it is each of you performing great deeds day in and day out. THANK YOU for teaching me so clearly what effective teachers do differently, and thanks for teaching with passion each day!

Wow, is the timing and relevance of this blog post most appropriate ….. You must take 2 minutes to read Beth Houf’s post, entitled Exhausted Educator, I See You!  As she says:
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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 18th
Celebrations/Culture Committee Meeting (2:30pm)
Kindergarten/Reading Room Data Meeting @ 2:30pm
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:50pm (Room D115)

Tuesday, November 19th
Happy Birthday Shandi & Alissa Hammer 🙂
***SPIRITWEAR ORDERS DUE! Bring all orders received to OFFICE!
K/1st Grades to LMS for Lincoln Musical (9am)
PreK Thanksgiving Feasts (in Cafeteria) 9:45am-11:00am and 1:30pm-2:45pm
Innovation Team Meeting @ 2:30pm
Buddy Reading Night @ Washington School (PreK/K/4/5th grades) at 6:00pm
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Wednesday, November 20th
*Little Cesar’s Pizza Delivery Day!
2/3rd Grades to LMS for Lincoln Musical (9am)
2/3rd STEAM CPT in 1st Grade Project Space
ParaProfessionals Meeting @ 2:10pm (Conference Room)
Wizards Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm (Board Member Appreciation)
*Please remember to turn in your cards to Sara’s Office by today!

Thursday, November 21st
November Buddy Event
Happy Birthday Emily Kronlage 🙂
Thanksgiving Potluck in Teacher’s Lounge!

Friday, November 22nd
November Budy Event
SLBC Swimming @ YMCA

Thanksgiving Break: November 23rd – December 1st 

COMING SOON (after Thanksgiving Break)……..
WINTER WONDERLAND!

The 4th annual event will be on Wednesday, December 4th from 5:30-7:30pm at Lincoln Middle School.

It will be free admission for our families & not only will they have an opportunity to eat a delicious pasta dinner (served by the Board of Education), there will be crafts and games for children, as well as pictures with Santa. This year, there will be some awesome raffle baskets & silent auction items!

 Please fill out the Google Form below if you’re able to help!
Let’s make this an AWESOME event for our kids! We need volunteers to help make each “station” a success. Your help and time is greatly appreciated!
SIGN UP HERE <—–*******Have you signed up to help yet!?
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Week 14: 11/11/19 – 11/15/19

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Parent-Teacher conferences offer teachers & parents the opportunity to see, celebrate and support each individual child. Just as we all appreciate praise for our efforts, parents appreciate praise for their efforts & their child’s progress. As you offer information about the students in your room, always remember that you are speaking about someone’s ‘whole world’ and remember to be mindful of how that information will be received by your audience. I’m confident you will exude professionalism and confidence this week as you inform parents about curriculum, assessment, grading/reporting, strengths & opportunities for growth. I know you will continue to develop a positive working relationship with your families and deepen that home-school partnership. Thanks for all that you do in preparation for this very busy week!  If Donna, Sara or I can offer you any support this week with conferences, please do not hesitate to ask.

*Please make sure to keep the master Fall 2019 Conference Google Doc updated as changes are made! Also, please notify staff members who have added a “comment” or “note” in the cell so they are aware that a conference time was changed!

Blog Posts About Conferences:
6 Tips To Get the Most Out of Parent Teacher Conferences

What I Really Want to Ask At All Those Parent-Teacher Conferences
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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 11th
American Education Week*
Parent/Teacher Conference Week
3rd Grade Veterans’ Day Performance @ 9am (LMS)
Happy Birthday Becky Shoufer & Julie Fister 🙂 

Tuesday, November 12th
Happy Birthday Sara Mixa 🙂
NO FACULTY MEETING (P/T Conferences)

Wednesday, November 13th
Happy Birthday Stephanie Polakowski 🙂
Kennedy Singers to LMS @ 9am (Rehearsal)
PATS Field Trip to Wonder Works
NO CPT (P/T Conferences)
Paraprofessionals Meeting @ 2:10pm – Conference Room
3-5th Grade Chorus Concert @ LMS (6:30pm)

Thursday, November 14th

Friday, November 15th
Happy Birthday Sandy Montes de Oca 🙂 
NO STUDENT ATTENDANCE – Full Day P/T Conferences

 

WINTER WONDERLAND
The 4th annual event will be on Wednesday, December 4th from 5:30-7:30pm at Lincoln Middle School.

It will be free admission for our families & not only will they have an opportunity to eat a delicious pasta dinner (served by the Board of Education), there will be crafts and games for children, as well as pictures with Santa. This year, there will be some awesome raffle baskets & silent auction items!

 Please fill out the Google Form below if you’re able to help!
Let’s make this an AWESOME event for our kids! We need volunteers to help make each “station” a success. Your help and time is greatly appreciated!

Week 13: 11/04/19 – 11/08/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, November 4th
1st Grade Data Review Meeting @ 2:30pm

Tuesday, November 5th
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – Teacher Institute Day (agenda coming)
Happy Birthday Giselle Alvarez 🙂

Wednesday, November 6th
Chili Bar in Faculty Lounge
3rd Grade to LMS at 9am for Veterans’ Day Performance Rehearsal
KENNEDY SCHOOL TOUR – District 48 Visiting @ 1:00pm
K/1 STEAM CPT – Plan on Meeting in 1st Grade Project Space

Thursday, November 7th
Vision/Hearing Testing
Happy Birthday Maria Rodriguez 🙂

Friday, November 8th
PreK Screenings
Vision/Hearing Testing
3rd Grade to LMS at 9am for Veterans’ Day Performance Rehearsal
*5 Positive Connections by Friday!
*Please try to have your report cards printed by today! If there are any issues, we need to know about them so we can help resolve them! 

(11/9) Happy Birthday Lauren Thorn 🙂

*Please make sure to keep the master Fall 2019 Conference Google Doc updated as changes are made! Also, please notify staff members who have added a “comment” or “note” in the cell so they are aware that a conference time was changed!

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Week 12: 10/28/19 – 11/01/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 28th
Red Ribbon Week: Dreams, Not Drugs (Wear Your PJs)
2nd Grade Data Review with RR @ 2:30pm
*Storybook Pumpkins: Begin working with your group!* See Sara’s Email

Tuesday, October 29th
Red Ribbon Week: Wear Your Favorite Superhero T-Shirt
Innovation Team Meeting @ 2:35pm
*Storybook Pumpkins: Work with your group!
Mentor Meeting (4:00pm-5:30pm)

Wednesday, October 30th
Red Ribbon Week: Team Up Against Drugs (Wear Your Favorite Sports Team Shirt)
Fall Birthday Celebration
*STORYBOOK PUMPKINS during CPT today!
Wizards Committee Meeting (3:00pm)

Thursday, October 31st
Happy Halloween  <—click for info
Parades at 8:45am, 12:30pm and 1:00pm

All Kindergarten Rooms: 10:30-10:50
All 1st Grade Rooms: 11:00-11:20
All 2nd Grade Rooms: 11:30- 11:50
All 3rd Grade Rooms: 12:00- 12:20
**Paras will be in the lunchroom to help with lunch but there will not be recess.
*NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES! Kennedy Singers Cancelled & SLT Cancelled.

Friday, November 1st
End of Trimester 1

**Reminder for Tenured Teachers*
Tenure teacher professional growth meetings completed before the end of the week!
ALL tenured teachers must complete a Professional Growth Plan.

Week 11: 10/21/19 – 10/25/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 21st
Bus Driver Appreciation Week 🙂
RED RIBBON WEEK BEGINS!
5th Grade Buddies come to Kindergarten (9am-10:15am)
3rd Grade Data Review Meeting @ 2:30pm
Dr. Seuss SIP Committee Meeting (D115) @ 2:50pm
Celebrations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 22nd
SPED Apple Orchard Field Trip
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm (Presentation Space) – ELL FOCUS
Washington School Community Forum @ 6:30pm
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Wednesday, October 23rd
UNITY DAY – Wear Orange
CPT – ELL FOCUS (continued)
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, October 24th
WEAR RED  for RED RIBBON WEEK
PreK Parent/Student Workshops
Kindergarten Field Trip to Didier Farm
SEL Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Upstairs PD Space)
BPAC Meeting @ 430pm at Washington School

Friday, October 25th
Fall Picture Retakes (depending on if we get fall pictures delivered Monday or Tuesday this week)
Spirit Assembly @ 9:00am
TRUNK OR TREAT! 4-6pm in Kennedy South parking lot! <—please let me know if you’re available to volunteer!
Screen Shot 2019-10-18 at 2.57.24 PM**Reminder for Tenured Teachers*
Tenure teacher professional growth meetings completed before November 1st.
ALL tenured teachers must complete a Professional Growth Plan.

Week 10: 10/14/19 – 10/18/10

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 14th
NO SCHOOL: Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 15th
Happy Birthday Kirby Luczak & Rose Karas 🙂
Medical Exclusion Day
SPFD Visits: Fire Prevention Presentations
PATS Field Trip to Bison Bluff
1st Grade Field Trip to Goebbert’s
Charity Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room E217)
Spirit Committee Meeting (Room D209)

Wednesday, October 16th
Happy Birthday Rosa Worwa 🙂
SPFD Visits: Fire Prevention Presentations
TAPS (2nd/3rd)

Thursday, October 17th
Happy Birthday Mary Beth D’Andrea 🙂
SPFD Visits: Fire Prevention Presentations
4th Grade visits PreK Kennedy Buddies (8:30am-9:45am and 11:50pm-1:30pm)
THE GREAT SHAKEOUT (Earthquake Drill @ 10:17am)
SLT (2:45pm in Conference Room)

Friday, October 18th
5 by Friday! Have you made 5 positive connections with families by Friday? 🙂
Positive Postcards can be found in the office!

(10/19) Happy Birthday Eva Popowska 🙂

Week 9: 10/07/19 – 10/11/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, October 7th
Parent Visit Day (9-10am and 1-2pm)
*Thanks in advance for welcoming our families for “Bring Your Parent to School Day”. This is a great opportunities for our families to experience the meaningful learning opportunities you create daily for our Kubbies! Remember, if your class is not in the classroom during the visitation time, please put a note on your door, sharing WHERE they can find your class. Please spend some extra time tomorrow morning making sure all of our learning spaces look AMAZING, NEAT and TIDY for all of our visitors!!!! Please encourage parents to sit next to their children and engage with them during the lessons/activities! 
SLT @ 2:45pm (Media Center U-Shaped Couch)
Fundraiser Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (Room D116)

Tuesday, October 8th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:40pm (Presentation Space)

Wednesday, October 9th
Happy Birthday Mandy Vanderwaal 🙂
PreK Field Trip to Goebbert’s
TAPS (PreK, K, 1st) during CPT

Thursday, October 10th
3rd Grade Field Trip to Goebbert’s
Flu Shots (2:45pm-4:00pm) in 1st Grade Project Space

Friday, October 11th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Goebbert’s

(10/14) NO SCHOOL: Columbus Day

Week 8: 09/30/19 – 10/04/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 30th
*Please join me in welcoming Lauren Thorn to the 3rd grade team! She will be serving as the maternity leave replacement teacher in Room E201 while Becky Zora is on leave. We wish Becky Zora the best of luck as she prepares to welcome Baby Girl Zora to their family!
*DRYFUS Therapy Dog Presentations This Week in Presentation Space (Click Here for Schedule)

Tuesday, October 1st
National Bully Prevention Month Starts!

Wednesday, October 2nd
Custodian Appreciation Day!
1st Grade Field Trip to Safety Town (B106, B107, B108, B111)

Thursday, October 3rd
1st Grade Field Trip to Safety Town (B101, B102, B105)

Friday, October 4th
PREK SCREENINGS
Author AARON REYNOLDS visits Kennedy SchooL<—- click here for schedule
Family Movie Night @ LMS (6:30pm)

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(10/06) Happy Birthday Anna Gabriel (green bus driver)
(10/07) Parent Visitation Day!

Week 7: 09/23/19 – 09/27/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 23rd
Happy Birthday Amanda Quinlan 🙂

Tuesday, September 24th
Happy Birthday Britney Lane 🙂 
2nd Grade Field Trip to Goebbert’s
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm
Mentor Meeting (4:00pm-5:30pm)

Wednesday, September 25th
Happy Birthday Marta Ocon 🙂

Thursday, September 26th
Happy Birthday Jill Michalski 🙂

Friday, September 27th
Spirit Assembly @ 9:00am
SLBC to YMCA for Swimming

(09/28) Happy Birthday Gina Cacioppo 🙂

Week 6: 09/16/19 – 09/20/19

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 16th
Dentist Visits (Room 135)
Happy Birthday Jody (Orange Bus Driver)
1st SIP Committee Meeting of the Year (2:45pm) <—click to see where committees will be meeting. Have you signed up for one yet? ALL staff sign up for ONE committee!

Tuesday, September 17th
Dentist Visits (Room 135)

Wednesday, September 18th
Dentist Visits (Room 135)
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, September 19th
Happy Birthday Roger Paper 🙂 
SLT Meeting @ 2:45pm (Conference Room)

Friday, September 20th
Happy Birthday Michelle McMorrow
GO GOLD for Childhood Cancer Awareness

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
The Importance of the Reciprocated Relationship in Education

Bringing Out the Gifts and Talents of Every Child