“What makes a good school has very little to do with how rich or poor the students are, or the type of curriculum that’s taught. It has very little to do with the special programs, expansive playing fields, snappy uniforms, or whether the school is wired to the Internet. What makes a good school, whether it’s public or private, religious or nonreligious, charter or non-charter, is a feeling. A feeling shared by the entire staff that their particular school is special. The feeling that their school really belongs to them.” (Manna, 1999).

At Kennedy School, each member of our team has a distinctive character that cares deeply about each and every one of our Kennedy Kubbies. Your unique attributes and talents contribute to the feeling people get when they enter this building. As a result, our children will remember you long after they leave Kennedy.

“Schools are not buildings, curriculums, and machines. Schools are relationships and interactions among people.”

I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable weekend with friends and family. Here’s our 4-day week at a glance:

Monday, September 5th
NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 6th
**Please park at St. Maria Goretti Parking Lot
1st Day of PreK (Meet & Greet for first 30 minutes of the session)
Book Fair (Preview Day) <—did you sign up for a slot to preview the books with your class?
*Media Center time begins

Wednesday, September 7th
Book Fair (Buy Day)

Thursday, September 8th
Book Fair (Buy Day)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Curriculum Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

**Check out our Kennedy School Curriculum Night Pinterest Board & pin your ideas to the shared board.

Friday, September 9th
GO GOLD for Childhood Cancer Awareness
Reading Room Plan Day
*5 by Friday — Have you made 5 positive connections this week? Phone call, email, positive postcard….

(09/11) Happy Birthday Beatriz Diaz 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Checking Out:

An Easy Way to Distribute Contact Info During Open House

Begin the New School Year with a Positive Mindset

Two Ways to Visually Show Classroom Noise

As I visited each classroom in our school this past week, I observed each of you setting the tone for a culture of caring in your classrooms; classrooms where teachers and students care about learning, about each other, and care about our community. The first weeks of school set the tone for the entire year. If our students leave school feeling excited about themselves as learners & about you as their teacher, then we’re doing something right!  Always remember that our kids will meet any expectations we set for them, as long as we are firm, fair, and consistent with these expectations and build relationships with our students so that they will want to meet them. The primary way to accomplish this positive relationship-building with our students is simply caring deeply about them as learners and young people and taking the time to get to know them, as well as showing them just how much you care.

Here’s our week at a glance:

(08/26/16) Happy Belated Birthday Melissa Berlanga 🙂
*Remember: Emergency Drills will be rescheduled to future dates, after Pre School begins! 

Monday, August 29th:
New Teacher Meeting @ 2:50pm (Room 104)

Tuesday, August 30th
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, August 31st

Thursday, September 1st

Friday, September 2nd
Pre School Meet & Greet (9-10am and 12-1pm)

(09/05) NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

What a great first week (technically 3 days) at Kennedy! As expected, there were a few tears, but the smiles and giggles outweighed the few. I appreciate everyone’s help and extra care during arrival. With the new traffic patterns & arrival procedures, it would not have gone as smoothly without everyone’s help and patience. Thank you to ALL staff for going the extra mile to help get our year off to an amazing start.  Let’s continue on the path with a smooth week ahead — any and all help is greatly appreciated as we help our Kennedy Kubbies acclimate to the arrival and dismissal procedures.

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 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. Please take some time to read this blog post entitled, “Dear Teacher…” as it perfectly captures the life of an educator.

Here’s our week at a glance:

(08/21) Happy Birthday Lisa Bilotta 🙂

Monday, August 22nd
Aimsweb Fall Benchmarking Begins

Tuesday, August 23rd
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, August 24th

Thursday, August 25th
MAP Testing will begin with 3rd Grade

Friday, August 26th
5 Positive Family Connections by Friday
Please use the Positive Postcards in the office, as well as any other form (phone call, email, note home, certificate) to make 5 positive connections with your students’ families by Friday!  🙂

Sunday, August 28th ABC Pool Party Event for Kennedy Families
**Please talk this event up with your students this week 🙂

Grab a piece of paper and try to answer the above questions as you reflect on the 2015-2016 school year.

It’s hard to believe we have reached the point in the year where we only have 4 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 FOUR 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! 

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 (4 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.

“No one has a problem with the first mile of a journey. Even an infant could do fine for a while. But it isn’t the start that matters. It’s the finish line.”

  ― Julien Smith

Here’s our final week at a glance for the 2015-2016 school year:

Monday, May 16th
PreK Celebrations
3rd Grade “Fly Up Day” to Washington School
Kindergarten Graduation Rehearsals @ LMS
Multiage Picnic
8th Grade Graduation @ 7:00pm (E. Leyden HS)

Tuesday, May 17th
Kindergarten Graduations @ LMS (9:00am and 11:00am)

Wednesday, May 18th
2nd Grade Bowling Field Trip
3rd Grade Dinosaur Fair
1st Grade Picnic

Thursday, May 19th
Last Day of School for 1st-3rd Grades (Full Day)

Friday, May 20th

“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.”

BLOG POSTS WORTH READING:
Until the Final Bell

I Don’t Want to Leave

Thank You To All The Teachers Who…

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

I have come to realize 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

Everyone’s path through life leads them on a different journey
as some may be on a mountain… others might be in a valley
but both travelers need LOVE!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone
you may not hold the roadmap to your life but
remember to count your blessings along the way, follow your heart,
and always look for a sliver lining.
Monday, May 9th
Cycle 6 Assessments
2nd Grade/101/109 Trip to Brookfield Zoo
Kindergarten Picnic

Tuesday, May 10th
3rd Grade Trip to Brookfield Zoo
2nd Grade Pinic
*Last* Faculty Meeting of the Year @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, May 11th
1/2 Day of School
Multiage & 1st Grade Rehearsal @ LMS for Memorial Day Performance @ 9:00am
Retirement Party @ Biagio’s (4:00pm)

Thursday, May 12th
Last Day of Reading Room
Memorial Day Performance @ 9:00am (LMS)
3rd Grade Picnic
2nd Grade Young Author Day @ 11:00am

Friday, May 13th
Field Day
Kindergarten Graduation Rehearsal @ LMS
Happy Birthday Leah Ernst 🙂

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!

Monday, May 2nd
PreK/PATS Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo

Tuesday, May 3rd
Breakfast in Lounge (courtesy of SPEA)
Kindergarten Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
*Chipotle’s BOGO Teacher Appreciation Day Deal

Wednesday, May 4th
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in Lounge (courtesy of Dr. Boryszewski & Board of Education)
Multiage Bowling Field Trip (9:30am)
Happy Birthday Abby Domingo 🙂

Thursday, May 5th
Pre School Picnics @ North Park
Kindergarten Young Author Day (9:00am)
1st Grade/103/107 Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Mentor Program Celebration

Friday, May 6th
Pre School Screening Day
Last Day of Morning Interventions
Summer Birthdays Breakfast in Lounge
3rd Grade CUBS GAME Trip
Young Authors Day (110 & 108) @ 1:00pm
Young Authors Day (100 & 102) @ 1:50pm

(05/08) Happy Birthday Jen Mauck 🙂

One More Thought…. I don’t think anyone knows the meaning of the phrase “Only so many minutes in a day!” better than someone in education.  There is always something waiting for us. Meetings. Papers. Calls to make. Email to answer. Things to file. Things to look up. Lessons to plan. Committees. Grad classes. Tech tools to figure out. Family. Commitments. PD.   There may be days when we are stretched to the limit, feeling more like some human version of Stretch Armstrong with our arms pulled in different directions, about to break off.   But, at the end of the day, it’s true.  The things that matter?  We make time for them.   Those people that say,  ”Oh, I don’t have time for that…”  Is this an insinuation that some of us just have more time than others?   Time is not something we just ‘have,’ it’s something we make.  It’s something we make when things matter to us.

-Calling a parent with positive news about their child
-Sending a hand-written note to someone in the mail
-Making a home visit or watching a child’s extra curricular activity outside of school  to support them in their educational journey

People appreciate — they remember — it’s valued — and hopefully they will reciprocate when you take the time to show you care!

People remember…..When you take the time to acknowledge how you feel
….when you take the time to express your gratitude about someone else or something.

Check out the video below….please always choose to make time.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 25th
Spring AIMSweb Benchmarking Begins
School Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 132)

Tuesday, April 26th
Volunteer Breakfast (8:45am-9:45am) <–coverage schedule will be emailed
PATS Field Trip to the Trail Side Museum
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, April 27th
3rd Grade Visits 8th Grade @ 11:15am (Buddies)

Thursday, April 28th
Kennedy Singers to LMS @ 8:40am for Rehearsal
SD81 Spring Choral Concert @ 6:30pm

Friday, April 29th
LAST Spirit Assembly of the School Year
Spring Buddy Activity

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 18th
MAP Testing Continues

Tuesday, April 19th
3rd Grade Field Trip to the Field Museum
Happy Birthday Chris Gonzalez 🙂

Wednesday, April 20th
PATS/PreK Spring Feast (2-3pm) in Cafeteria
Groundbreaking Ceremony @ 6:00pm (all are welcome!*)
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm (hosted @ Kennedy this month * all are welcome! )

Thursday, April 21st
1st Grade Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Happy Birthday Anna K (Yellow Bus Driver) 🙂

Friday, April 22nd
PreK Field Trip to Field Museum
Earth Day
GO BLUE FOR AUTISM!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

A Nice Little Update to the Plickers iOS App

Kahoot Adds a Team Mode

How to Change Your Google Profile Image and Why You Should

Fair Is Not Equal

What I Really Want to Ask At All Those Parent/Teacher Conferences

Earth Day Ideas (Click each picture to link up to the resource):
             

As the ABC Countdown begins this Thursday which counts down the final 26 days of the 2015-2016 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 11th

Tuesday, April 12th
Spring MAP Testing Begins
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm

Wednesday, April 13th
1/2 Day of School
*Puzzle pieces due!
2nd/Multiage (101/109) to LMS for Buddies Activity

Thursday, April 14th
ABC Countdown Begins! “A” Author Day
SD81 Spring Band Concert @ 6:30pm

Friday, April 15th
Spring Picture Day
Swimming
GO BLUE for Autism Awareness Month

Check out the video below Bridget found and wanted to share:

“I am Autism” – Jack Mayor from James Edward on Vimeo.

It is my hope that you all had a restful, relaxing Spring Break. As we enter the final 7 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 7 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 7 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 4th
Welcome Back!

Tuesday, April 5th

Wednesday, April 6th
1st Grade, 107 & 103 visit 6th Grade (Buddies) @ 9:00am

Thursday, April 7th
1st Grade Field Trip to Stahl Children’s Theater (9:00am)
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Happy Birthday Beata Dering 🙂

Friday, April 8th
PreK Screenings
Happy Birthday Mirta Cruz 🙂
Happy Birthday Sharon Muntova 🙂

Blog Post Worth Reading:

One More Round by Hamish Brewer

“It’s that time of the year where we find out what we are all made of, what we stand for, and if we are truly all in for children and each other.”