Grab a piece of paper and try to answer the above questions as you reflect on the 2014-2015 school year.

It’s hard to believe we have reached the point in the year where we only have one Friday 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 2014-2015 school year:
Please take a few minutes to complete this “End of the Year Reflections” form.

Monday, May 25th
NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
Happy Birthday Monica Sloma 🙂

Tuesday, May 26th
BREAKFAST in the lounge @ 7:30am
2nd Grade Field Trip to Brunswick Zone
1st Grade Picnic to North Park
Kindergarten Graduation Practice @ LMS
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm
Class Building: Multiage & 3rd Grade
8th Grade Graduation @ 7:00pm (E. Leyden HS)

Wednesday, May 27th
Kindergarten Graduations @ 9:00 and 11:00am (at Lincoln School, Little Theater)
3rd Grade Picnic to North Park
Class Building: 1st Grade & 2nd Grade
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, May 28th
Volunteer Breakfast (8:45am-9:45am)
3rd Grade “Fly Up” Day~Trip to Washington School @ 9:45am
End of the Year Celebration @ Melissa’s House after school

Friday, May 29th
Last Day of School for 1st-3rd Grade (full day)
Class Building: Kindergarten & PreK

(05/30) Happy Birthday Tanya Disheva 🙂

Articles Worth Reading:
Bringing the School Year to a Strong Finish

Keep Your Students Reading This Summer

From Josh Stumpenhorst’s Blog:

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 18th
3rd Grade Field Trip to Brookfield Zoo
Multiage Picnic at North Park (10am-1pm)

Tuesday, May 19th
1st Grade/Multiage Field Trip to Stahl Family Theater
Kindergarten Picnic at North Park (11am)

Wednesday, May 20th
1st Grade & 107/103 to LMS for Buddy Activity (9:00am)
PreK Picnic at North Park (9:45am and 12:45pm)

Thursday, May 21st
Pre School Celebrations
3rd Grade Dinosaur Fair <—click to sign up
2nd Grade Picnic at North Park (11am-1pm)
Kindergarten Graduation Practice @ 11:30am at LMS (Rms 127, 128, 129)
Kindergarten Graduation Practice @ 12:30pm at LMS (Rms 130, 131, 132)
District Retirement Party @ 4:00pm

Friday, May 22nd
FIELD DAY! (Indoor or Outdoor) Look for an email from Jimmy Kennedy for schedule!
Classroom Teachers will receive t-shirts on Thursday after school. Please distribute them to students Friday morning!
DARE Graduation @ LMS (2:00pm)

(05/25) NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day

CD Cover/Sleeve Freebie from TpT

End of Year Assessment: A Closer Look

LearnZillion: What Is It?

Google Chat/Hangout Tips

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. Here’s our week at a glance: Monday, May 11th 2nd Grade/103/107 Field Trip to the Brookfield Zoo Tuesday, May 12th 1st Grade/101/109 Field Trip to the Brookfield Zoo Kindergarten Young Authors Day @ 1:30pm Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm Wednesday, May 13th 1st Grade & Multiage Memorial Day Rehearsal @ LMS (8:45am) Thursday, May 14th Memorial Day Concert @ LMS (9:00am) – 1st & Multiage SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm BPAC/Title I Meeting @ 5:00pm (Kennedy) Friday, May 15th LAST Spirit Assembly of the 2014-2015 school year 3rd Grade CUBS Game Trip Article Worth Reading: What We Choose To See

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.  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 4th
Reading Room Testing Begins
Spring AIMSweb Testing Begins
PARCC EOY (ELA Unit 1)
Happy Birthday Abby Domingo 🙂
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in Lounge from Tacos Locos (10:30am-1:30pm) courtesy of Dr. Boryszewski & The Board of Education

Tuesday, May 5th
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast in Lounge, courtesy of SPEA
PARCC EOY (Math Units 1 & 2)
PreK Field Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo

Wednesday, May 6th
1/2 Day of School
Support Staff Luncheon (in cafeteria)
9:00am: Veterans Visit 1st & Multiage Classrooms
2nd/7th Grade Buddy Activity (@ LMS) 9:30am
3rd/8th Grade Buddy Activity (@LMS) 9:40am
Nurse Appreciation Day!

Thursday, May 7th
Kindergarten Field Trip to the Brookfield Zoo
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, May 8th
Last Buddy Event
108 & 110 Young Authors @ 1:00pm
100 & 102 Young Authors @ 1:50pm

Articles Worth Reading:

5 Things You Can Do With Google Voice

Leave Audio Comments for Students in SeeSaw

Ideas for Using PearDeck in Your Classroom

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 27th
MAP MakeUps (Monday & Tuesday)

Tuesday, April 28th
Multiage Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum
KONICA Key Card Training <—every staff member must click the link & sign up for a slot
*No Faculty Meeting*

Wednesday, April 29th
TAPS <–click for schedule

Thursday, April 30th
PATS Field Trip to Navy Pier Children’s Museum @ 3:45pm

Friday, May 1st 
PreK Screening
Last Day of Reading Room
Last Day of Pull-Out Interventions (Ms. Barcas/Ms. Munoz)
*Classroom Teachers will receive Spring AIMS Benchmarking copies in their mailboxes.
Spring Benchmarking 2015 Instructions Can be Found here.
RSVP’s due for the District Retirement Celebration

(05/02) Happy Birthday Cano! 🙂

Articles Worth Reading
26 Fun and Memorable End of the School Year Celebration Ideas

What Having Twins Taught Me About Teaching

Not Just Another Student…That’s My Baby

What Will Your Students Remember About You?

As the ABC Countdown begins this Thursday which counts down the final 26 days of the 2014-2015 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 20th
ELL Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (LMS)

Tuesday, April 21st
1st Grade Field Trip to Kohl Children’s Museum
Happy Birthday Anna Kaminska (Yellow Bus) 🙂

Wednesday, April 22nd
PreK/PATS Spring Feast (2-3pm)
Happy Administrative Assistant’s Day!
Earth Day <–click for Earth Day Resources courtesy of Technology Rocks, Seriously

Thursday, April 23rd
ABC Countdown Begins! “A” Day
Kindergarten Field Trip to Morton Arboretum
Spring Choral Concert Rehearsal @ LMS (Kennedy Singers) @ 9:20am
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Spring Choral Concert @ 6:30pm

Friday, April 24th
Spirit Assembly
PreK Field Trip to North Park

Articles Worth Reading
Fix?

Free iPad App Reviews Arranged by Grade

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 13th
SPRING MAP TESTING BEGINS <—click for schedule
*Art on a car begins
Buddy Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm

Tuesday, April 14th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm (cafeteria)

Wednesday, April 15th
CPR Class in gymnasium @ 2:00pm
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, April 16th
4/5 and 5/PreK Buddy Visits @ Kennedy & Washington Schools
Baby/Bridal Shower @ 3:00pm (see invite)

Friday, April 17th
Spring Picture Day

(04/19) Happy Birthday Jacklin Vargas & Chris Gonzalez 🙂

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 6th
NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, April 7th
Teacher Institute Day – See the Kennedy Conference for Agenda (sent by Christa)
Happy Birthday Mirta Cruz 🙂

Wednesday, April 8th
Classes Resume for Students
Happy Birthday Sharon Muntova 🙂
PERA Presentation (*Certified staff only) @ 2:10pm in Cafeteria

Thursday, April 9th
SLT @ 3:00pm

Friday, April 10th
Pre School Screening

Articles Worth Reading:

Homework Help DesK: Free Interactive Resource for Kids & Parents

Seesaw Gets Helpful Updates

I Just Want to be Normal, Daddy

Thank you to to all who came to support our Kennedy Kubbies last Thursday evening for the annual Talent Show, as they showcased their very special talents in front of a packed audience of family, friends and teachers! The gym was beautifully decorated thanks to a group of parent volunteers from ABC & committee members. The children had a wonderful time making memories they will never forget. Thank you to the Talent Show committee for their hard work planning and organizing the event. Thank you also to the Reading Room teachers for having the book fair open before & after the talent show. Finally….thanks to all who came to see the kids—their smiles and hugs showed just how much they loved having you there to support them! Pictures can be found on the right of this blog in the sidebar, or here.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 23rd
Last week of Pennies for Patients
*Cycle 5 Assessments This Week

Tuesday, March 24th
1st-3rd Grade to LMS for Musical “Into the Woods”
SMART Training @ 2:50pm (Room 110) in lieu of faculty meeting

Wednesday, March 25th
Lincoln Investments in Lounge for Lunch & Learn
2nd Grade Young Authors Celebration @ 11:00am
TAPS Common Plan
Happy Birthday Diane Serio 🙂

Thursday, March 26th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Field Museum
Multiage Young Authors Celebrations
(Rooms 101/109 from 8:40am-9:10am)
(Rooms 103/107 from 1:45pm-2:15pm)
*Donna will count total number of shamrocks hanging on classroom doors at the end of the day!

Friday, March 27th
Spirit Assembly
*Winning class with the most shamrocks from donations towards Pennies for Patients will receive Shamrock Shake Party*
PreK Field Trip to Brunswick

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 on April 7th for a Teacher Institute Day. We’ll welcome the students back on April 8th.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, March 16th
Scholastic Book Fair This Week
Week 2 of Pennies for Patients

Tuesday, March 17th
Happy St. Patrick’s Day ~
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, March 18th
1/2 SIP Day
Book Fair (buy day)
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, March 19th
Talent Show Dress Rehearsal @ 8:30am
Book Fair (buy day)
Talent Show 5:30pm (Door open at 5pm: Book fair will be open before & after Talent Show)

Friday, March 20th
NO Reading Room Plan Today ~
5 Positive Connections by Friday! 🙂

(03/22) Happy Birthday Sharon Heitz *red bus*

Blogs Worth Reading:
How do YOU share your genius?

The Things We See