Important Information to note:
- On October 28th, Country Meadows will be hosting a HAT DAY (after re-takes, of course). If a students wishes to wear a hat to school, we are “cheering for change.” If a student brings spare change to school (in any denomination) he/she will be able to wear a hat in school all day long! The change will be donate to a fund called “Cubs of Country Meadows” which supports students and families in a time of need. Thank you so much for your contributions!
- Many parents have asked about ways to donate to our school community. The staff at Country Meadows has put together a fund “Cubs of Country Meadows” in order to support our students. Most recently, we were able to purchase about $500 worth of books at the book fair for students that may not have otherwise been able to participate. A huge THANK YOU to so many wonderful staff and parents that have shown us the power of “paying it forward.” I have never seen smiles so big and kids so excited to pick and receive a book. Being able to provide these opportunities to students is a true gift and we cannot thank you enough! If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Cheryl Kelly, Deb Stanton, or me and we will absolutely help you do that!
Here are some of the wonderful comments our visitors left with us!
Each month, District 96 hosts visiting educators to learn about our practices. Last year, Country Meadows even hosted visitors from Canada! On Wednesday, we hosted about 25 visitors from Sycamore School District. They are working to model our practices in providing what is best for students at all times. Our visitors left wonderful notes for our staff about the amazing, well rounded education we are providing. I cannot possibly be more proud of this staff and parent community so I thought I’d share their remarks with you!
Visually engaging classrooms with explicit expectations!
We love that you teach to extend when students have met!
The students could tell us what they were working on--and explain it!
All staff very positive and professional - strong leadership among all staff!
Using google docs is a wonderful way to collaborate.
I found it to be so helpful that collaboration occurs between all staff members! All are involved and enthusiastic -- way to go team!
Your school is beautiful! Everyone from staff to students was very nice! Thank you for answering all of our questions.
Team leaders and principal were excellent hosts, flexible, answered and addressed lots of questions and shared extensive info. Exemplary leaders!
You have the nicest, most welcoming teachers - everyone was inviting warm and helpful!
Student engagement is very high.
The evidence of rigor is amazing!
Hanging student learning targets on wall helps students to focus on learning.
There are many common building initiatives evident and in practice like PRO and Social Thinking.
We saw so much evidence of collaboration and there is no doubt that student learning takes priority.
Country Meadows has such a positive climate!
We were impressed that all adults have ID from parents to all staff are wearing ID badges.
WOW! The children are very well behaved. Great rapport between children and teachers.
It was obvious the children respect learning and are in tune with the teachers.
I loved to see the Daily 5 so prevalent in every classroom.
Great staff and kids.
Great day of learning!
Halloween is coming!
On October 31st, each classroom will have a Halloween Celebration as well as participate in a Halloween Parade. Students are so excited to celebrate. I love hearing about the costumes they have planned. We are planning for beautiful weather and genuinely hope that everyone has a safe and healthy Halloween that weekend.
Parade -
Our parade will begin around 1:30pm inside school for students. Weather permitting, we’ll parade outside the building and parents/families are welcome to watch IN THE FRONT PARKING LOT. The kids will be able to see each other’s costumes during an indoor parade before we parade outside. We did this last year and it was really fun for everyone. The parade should be outside around 1:45pm.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the students will parade inside the building for each other and, for obvious security reasons, an indoor parade will be for STAFF AND STUDENTS ONLY.
Parties -
The parties will begin just after the parade, which will be around 2:00, and are for students only. The PTO has generously arranged for a determined committee of parents to put together activities for the students that afternoon. The party is for the students in the classroom only. Additional family members will not be permitted to attend even if a parent is helping to throw the party.
If you are a party planner, please refer to the safe snack list on our website to make sure we are keeping everyone safe. Also, if you are a party planner arranged by the PTO, please make sure you are identified in the office and wear your nametag at all times while in the building.
Costumes-
As you being planning to create at home or costume shop for the perfect ensemble, here are the costume expectations so we can make sure that we have a wonderful pre-celebration that afternoon at Country Meadows!
Students should bring costumes for the parade to school but costumes are not to be worn to school. The costume should be “kid friendly” so that each child may change into the costume independently after lunch. It’s recommended that students put costumes on over their clothes so they are changed quickly in their classrooms and do not need to fully change.
ANY HAIR COLOR OR MAKEUP MUST BE APPLIED BEFORE COMING TO SCHOOL…and we’d hope that if you do add color to hair or faces, it’s simple and does not distract anyone from learning for the day. Do not allow your child to bring make-up or hair color to school.
Costumes should be “kid friendly” in their content, too. NO MASKS, WEAPONS (real or fake!), BLOOD, SUPER SCARINESS, OR GENERAL ICKINESS should be a part of a costume. Also, we assume all costumes will follow our school dress code so NO BARE TUMMIES, please. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
From the PTO
Thank you so much to all parents for a successful Ice Cream Social, Cookie Dough Sale, and Book Fair. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as it it enables the PTO to be able to do wonderful things for students! Thank you sincerely for participating and contributing! Click here for an update from the PTO.
