What a great first week (technically 3 days) at Kennedy! As expected, there were a few tears, but 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!

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 administrative tasks and consider our purpose, or “our why” as we called it on opening day (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 individuals 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.

WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER! Please take a few minutes and complete the Google Form here!

Here’s our week at a glance:

(08/19) Happy Birthday Lauren Oraham 🙂

Monday, August 20th
1st Day of PreSchool
MAP Testing Window Opens <—be sure to schedule your classroom’s testing times
Let’s get our “flex time” routines started soon!

Tuesday, August 21st
Happy Birthday Lisa Bilotta 🙂
Turn in the yellow ABC Pool Party envelopes to office by noon.
Karli T will pick them up & issue wristbands to those who paid. A second envelope will be placed in your mailboxes for any remaining orders. Teachers will help distribute wristbands on Friday for students to talk home.

Wednesday, August 22nd

Thursday, August 23rd

Friday, August 24th
Kennedy Bus Evacuation Drills – (Schedule to Sign Up for a time slot will be emailed this week).

5 by Friday! As a school, let’s all commit to making 5 positive connections by Friday of every week! Use the Kennedy postcards that were in your swag bag. All out? No problem! Positive Postcards can be found in the main office!

*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!

(08/25) ABC Pool Party 7-9pm

It’s hard to believe we have reached the point in the year where we only have 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 in the classroom 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 FIVE DAYS! It’s the happiest & saddest time all in one. So, while you’re counting down the last 5 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 of school…..so let’s make sure they remember the best of what we have to offer. This last week 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 last week at a glance for the 2017-2018 school year:

Monday, May 21st
Kindergarten “fly up” day to 1st Grade  8:00am-8:30am <–click for schedule
2nd Grade Field Trip to Brunswick Zone (9:30am-12:30pm)
3rd Grade DINOSAUR FAIR <—click for schedule

Tuesday, May 22nd
Pre School Celebrations!
Kindergarten Graduation Rehearsals @ LMS
2nd Grade Picnic @ North Park 
1st-3rd Grade “fly up” day 1:30pm-2:00pm <–click for schedule
8th Grade Graduation @ 7:00pm (Stephens Center)

Wednesday, May 23rd
Kindergarten Graduations @ LMS
9:30am – Rooms 129, 131, 133
11:30am – Rooms 127, 128, 130, 132
Class Building During CPT

Thursday, May 24th
Kindergarten Screenings
1st Grade Picnic @ North Park
Summative Meetings (Your administrator will email you to schedule your appointment – bring your laptop)

Friday, May 25th
Happy Birthday Monica Sloma 🙂 
Kindergarten Screenings
Summative Meetings
PreK Class Building @ 9:30am
LAST Day of School ~ All staff report to the bus lane at 2:25pm for our annual tradition of “waving goodbye to our students” …. *Check out our photos/videos from previous years here.

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.”

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:

(05/13) Happy Birthday John Grobe 🙂

Monday, May 14th
Spring Benchmarking Begins
PreK Picnics @ Kennedy Park
Yearbook Club (2:30pm-4:00pm)

Tuesday, May 15th
Kindergarten Picnic @ North Park (9am-1pm)

Wednesday, May 16th
Awesome Attendance Celebration (Project Space) @ 8:15am
1st Grade Field Trip to Stahl Theater (10am)
Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, May 17th
May Buddy Event!
Kindergarten Dress Rehearsal @ LMS
SLT (Combined)

Friday, May 18th
K-3 FIELD DAY
3rd Grade Visits Washington School (Fly Up)
DARE Graduation @ 2:00pm (LMS)
Last TWD of the Year!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🙂 This entire week is about celebrating ALL OF YOU!

I appreciate all that you do to prepare meaningful learning opportunities for your students each day, but what I appreciate the most is the safe, welcoming, nurturing learning environments that you have established for our Kubbies who LOVE coming to school each day.

I hope you know how much I enjoy working with each of you & how proud I am to be your colleague. Thank you for all you do here at Kennedy School. You are appreciated today & everyday.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 7th
Teacher Appreciation Week! <—be sure to check out all the deals!
PreK/PATS Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
Reading Room Plans with Kindergarten @ 2:35pm
*Last Week of Reading Room

Tuesday, May 8th
Happy Birthday Jen Mauck 🙂
Kindergarten Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm (Presentation Space)
Mentor Celebration @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, May 9th
1/2 Day of School  (Agenda will be emailed)
Support Staff Luncheon
2nd Grade to LMS for Buddies (8:50am-9:40am)
Technology Committee Check-In @ 2:45pm
D81 Retirement Celebration @ 4:00pm

Thursday, May 10th
1st Grade to LMS for Dress Rehearsal (9am-10am)

Friday, May 11th
9:00am – 1st Grade Memorial Day Performance @ LMS
Last Day of Reading Interventions/Reading Room/Bilingual

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
End Your School Year with What Matters Most via Aaron Hogan

Tic Tack Toe in the Blended Classroom by Eric Sheninger

Saying “yes” To Yourself by George Couros

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 30th
Reading Room Plan with 1st Grade @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, May 1st
Volunteer Breakfast (8:45am-9:45am in cafeteria)
Kindergarten Young Author Day @ 1:30pm

Wednesday, May 2nd
1st Grade Visits LMS for Buddies (9-10am)
Kennedy Art Show 6:30pm-7:30pm

Thursday, May 3rd
Happy Birthday Michelle Sosa 🙂
1st Grade Field Trip to Schiller Park Library
4th Grade Visits PreK Buddies
SLT (Math) Meeting @ 2:35pm

Friday, May 4th
5 by Friday! 🙂
Happy Birthday Abby Domingo 🙂

(05/05) Happy Birthday Jenny Maier 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
26 Habits Highly Successful People Have (and the Rest of us Probably Don’t) via Inc.com

Why We Need to See Each Other Teach via Cult of Pedagogy

8 Ways to Lead – A Mindset Shift for Teachers via Medium

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 23rd
*Welcome Brian Key: He will be shadowing Jackie Hood this week & taking over for Jackie when she goes on maternity leave
Reading Room Plans with 2nd Grade @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, April 24th
3rd Grade Field Trip to FIELD MUSEUM
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm
BPAC Meeting @ 4:00pm

Wednesday, April 25th
Administrative Assistants’ Day
PreK/PATS Spring Sing (9-10am and 1-2pm)
TAPS (PreK, K, 1st)
DLA Learning Symposium 3:30pm-5:30pm

Thursday, April 26th
Kennedy Singers to LMS for Rehearsal (8:30-10:00am)
Spring Choral Concert @ 6:30pm

Friday, April 27th
Spirit Assembly
GO BLUE FOR AUTISM!

As the ABC Countdown begins this Friday which counts down the final 26 days of the 2017-2018 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.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 16th
Reading Room Plans with 3rd Grade @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, April 17th
District Discipline Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, April 18th
1/2 SIP Day
5th Grade Buddies Visit Kennedy Kindergarten
Baby/Bridal Shower  (11am-12pm)
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, April 19th
Happy Birthday Chris Gonzalez 🙂
SLT- ELA @ 2:35pm (Upstairs PD Space)
PATS Trip to Navy Pier (3:45pm-8:30pm)

Friday, April 20th
SLBC Swimming
5 Positive Connections by Friday!
Go Blue for Autism!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 9th
Reading Room Plan with Kindergarten @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, April 10th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, April 11th
TAPS (2nd & 3rd Grade)
West 40’s SCOTY (School Citizen of the Year) Awards @ 4:00pm (Congrats to Candice Smith, our award winner)

Thursday, April 12th
3rd Grade to CUBS GAME @ Wrigley Field (11:30am-6pm)

Friday, April 13th
Spring/Summer Birthday Treats in Lounge for Breakfast
Kindergarten Field Trip to Morton Arboretum
5 Positive Connections by Friday!
GO BLUE FOR AUTISM!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
Regret Prevention by Aaron Hogan

Relevance is the Fuel of Learning by Eric Sheninger

It is my hope that you all had a restful, relaxing Spring Break. As we enter the final 8 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 8 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 8 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 2nd
Welcome Back! School Resumes!

Tuesday, April 3rd

Wednesday, April 4th
8th Grade Buddies visit Kennedy 3rd Grade Buddies (10-11am)

Thursday, April 5th
SLT – Math @ 2:45pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Friday, April 6th
1st Grade Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum (10am)
SLBC Swimming

(04/07) Happy Birthday Beata Dering 🙂
(04/08) Happy Birthday Sharon Muntova & Mirta Cruz 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Anchor Charts 101: Why and How To Use Them by WE Are Teachers

Leaders Are Readers by TalentCulture

7 Ways for Teachers to Beat the Sunday Blues by Angela Watson

Spring Break always arrives at the perfect time of the year! As we head into the final five days of school prior to break, I’m hopeful that students & staff will take full advantage of their time away from Kennedy. For some, it will give them time to recover from feeling under the weather, and for others it is time to spend with family & friends. Regardless of how you plan on spending the break, I hope you soak up every single second and come back re-energized for the home stretch!

Have a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break! Safe travels for those of you who are flying or taking a road trip. We look forward to seeing everyone as we welcome the students back on Monday, April 2nd.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 19th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Field Museum
Yearbook Club (2:30pm-3:45pm in Project Space)
Reading Room Plan with 1st Grade

Tuesday, March 20th
Teacher Institute Day – No School for Students

Wednesday, March 21st
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, March 22nd
SLT (ELA) – cancelled

Friday, March 23rd
March Spirit Assembly
SLBC Swimming

March 24th – April 1st SPRING BREAK

(03/25) Happy Birthday Diane Serio 🙂
(03/28) Happy Birthday Lauren Pennington :

(04/02) School Resumes

Blog Posts Worth Reading
3 Conversation Shifts in Education by George Couros

Is This Really Important? by Jeff Zoul

Teachers Are the Driving Force of Change by Eric Sheninger

Teaching Area and Perimeter by Ashleigh’s Education Journey

Four Truths to Becoming a Trauma-Informed Educator by Allyson Apsey