Have a Wonderful Winter Break!

Have a wonderful, safe winter break! 

We cannot wait to see you in 2013!

In the meantime, we will miss you!  

School resumes on January 7, 2013.

Music Concert This Week!

O - M - G!  Is that professional in a school blog?  We don't have the kids write like that when they learn but seriously, WOW!  The concert this week was amazing!

The kids were perfectly clad, the make-up was unbelievable, and the hairdos brought many of us back to our school days.  The students' talent with singing, playing instruments, and writing scripts was superb!  There were so many staff members that contributed to the success of this amazing occasion.  Thank you to the entire CM staff for giving kids this experience and giving the audience a thrilling evening.  

Of course, none of the magic that night would be possible without our musician the magician, Mr. Jesse Rathgeber!  You work wonders with children and help them to let their true colors shine through!  Thank you for all that you do to make each of our days brighter!  

Update on Monday

Hello Parents -

We have started our pajama day at Country Meadows!  When I was outside this morning, the kids were very excited about being comfy in school today and they cannot wait for exercise day tomorrow!

This morning, many staff were available at drop off and in the halls to make a welcoming and reassuring presence for children.  All kids are in their classrooms and learning as I type this.  I would just like to let you know that our plan remains to leave the decision to families when it comes to discussing these events.  At this point in time, we do not plan to initiate conversations with kids about the events in Connecticut.  However, we are here and available for kids to listen and reassure them as well.

Staff met this morning and we practiced conversations with children in the event that the children do initiate conversation.  Our response to children with be empathic, reassuring, and will direct them back to their parents.  I am available as well as our school social worker, Mrs. Bodenheimer, to speak with anyone, adult or child, whenever needed.

I also met today with our School Resource Officer, Janet Freeman, to touch base about our plans in place.  Our head custodian and I met to review our safety plans as well.  Both report that we run a pretty tight ship at CM with very well trained adults and kids.  Many parents have shared that information with me as well.

On the note of parents, I want to personally thank all of the parents that have sent messages of support to me as well as teachers.  Yes, this is hard for our staff as well and your faith in us means the world to all of us.  Thank you, thank you for your kindness and consideration.

Here is a resource that I have shared with staff and you might find helpful.  We also have printed copies available in the main office as well as other literature from this website.

Talking to Children About Violence

I will keep you updated as the week continues.  

My best -
Katie Schneider

Tragedy in Connecticut...

Dear Families -

The Country Meadows community extends our deepest sympathies, thoughts, and care to the families and victims of the tragedy that struck in Connecticut today.  This reminds us that life is fragile and this also causes us to feel vulnerable.   I want to assure you that we feel more than prepared as to how to respond quickly to ensure the safety of our students.  At Country Meadows and Woodlawn (and all other D96 schools), we have a number of plans of action to respond to a variety of disaster situations that have been developed through the collaborative efforts between District 96, Lake County Sherriff's Office and Countryside Fire Protection District.  We regularly review the plans and hold practice drills throughout the year.

As I sifted through news reports this afternoon, I read many stories of teachers reacting to noises that they heard without hesitation by locking children in classrooms and bathrooms for their safety.  I am convinced that their quick thinking to protect children was a result of drills similar to those that we practice.  I know that the staff at Country Meadows would act just as quickly and stop at nothing to protect your child.  I am so proud of the staff in Connecticut whose first instincts were to protect their students and I know that our staff would do the same. 

Our hearts are broken for the community in Newtown, Connecticut.  Staff reflected this afternoon about the grief that this community is facing.  It is unspeakable to know that they lost children, friends, family, and colleagues.  These people are the very reason that we wake up each day and are thrilled to go to work.  We often call each other our extended family and your children light up our lives.  As we said goodbye to your children this afternoon, we gave thanks knowing that they were safe and headed home to a weekend with family. 

In the posting below, you will find information to support conversations with your children.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to the staff at Country Meadows.  We are here to answer any questions and provide any support that we can.   Also, please check Superintendent Schmidt's posting from this afternoon for a bit more information.    

http://www.kcsd96.org/board/SuptNews/ParentLetter_121412.html

My best,

Katie Schneider

School Tragedy in Connecticut

School Tragedy in Connecticut

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut this morning has evoked sadness, grief, anxiety, and anger.  Children who are struggling with their thoughts and feelings of the shooting may turn to trusted adults for help and guidance.  We offer these suggestions as you talk to your child:

• Limit media exposure. Limit your child's exposure to media images and sounds of the shooting, and do not allow your very young children to see or hear any TV/radio shooting-related messages. Even if they appear to be engrossed in play, children often are aware of what you are watching on TV or listening to on the radio. What may not be upsetting to an adult may be very upsetting and confusing for a child. Limit your own exposure as well.  Adults may become more distressed with nonstop exposure to media coverage of this shooting. 
• What does your child already know? Start by asking what your child/teen already has heard about the event from the media and from friends. Listen carefully; try to figure out what he or she knows or believes. As your child explains, listen for misinformation, misconceptions, and underlying fears or concerns. Understand that this information will change as more facts about the event are known.
• Gently correct inaccurate information. If your child/teen has inaccurate information or misconceptions, take time to provide the correct information in simple, clear, age-appropriate language.
• Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer those questions directly. Your child/teen may have some difficult questions about the incident. For example, he/she may ask if it is possible that it could happen at their school; he/she is probably really asking whether it is "likely." The concern about re-occurrence will be an issue for caregivers and children/teens alike. While it is important to discuss the likelihood of this risk, he/she is also asking if he/she is safe.
• Be patient. In times of stress, children/teens may have trouble with their behavior, concentration, and attention. While they may not openly ask for your guidance or support, they will want it. Adolescents who are seeking increased independence may have difficulty expressing their needs. Both children and teens will need a little extra patience, care, and love. (Be patient with yourself, too!)

Providing a safe learning environment for our students and safe working environment for our staff is something we take seriously and is our first priority.  Additional information and resources are available online from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, www.nctsn.org.  If you or your child needs additional support, please contact your school principal.

I LOVE the 80s!

CNN! (Cubs News Network!)

Lost and Found

Lost & Found ~ Please encourage your kids or come by yourself to check our lost & found.  It's bursting at the seems!  Come on by or if you are here for the winter festivities like our 4/5 concert next week, feel free to take a peek.  It's set up on the ramp into the gym off the cafeteria.  

4th Grade Parents - Check This Out!

If you are a parent of a 4th grader, please mark your 2013 calendar to attend a district wide Math Night for Grade 4 Parents on Thurs., Jan. 10, 2013. The program will be 7–8 p.m. at Ivy Hall School in the Mat Room for ALL District 96 parents of 4th graders. Ivy Hall School is located at 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove, 60089. Join this lively workshop to learn the algorithms your 4th grader will be using in math this year. Bring a pencil!

Spirit Week - Week of December 17th!

We are hosting a Spirit Week, the week of December 17th! Staff and students are going to miss each other so much over the winter break, we want to have some fun while we are learning before we part ways for 2 weeks. Please mark your calendars accordingly!

Monday (17th): Pajama Day - Reminds us to get a good night’s rest for a full week of learning!

Tuesday (18th): Exercise day - We are all about staying healthy at CM!

Wednesday (19th): Country Meadows Spirit Day - We’re so proud to be Cubs!

Thursday (20th):  College Sweatshirt Day - We are college and career bound!

Friday (21st):  Holiday and Winter Spirit (Any color or design that reminds you of the
holidays! White = snow, for example!)  

Cafeteria Monitors

Have you been wondering how the cafeteria monitors are used?  

Over the last couple of weeks, we have shared a few new projects!  

We shared 2nd grade weather projects!  For 5 days, the second graders were responsible for recording the weather so they could create their very own weather report in front of a green screen! Their projects were far more interesting and engaging than the professionals!  

The Technology Club investigated a location that would make a great vacation spot.  They found pictures of the location and wrote a script as a commercial for that spot!  The kids learned how to make an iMovie and use a green screen.  

You may have seen the link in last week's Principal's Message for The Cub News Network-(CNN). A group of talented individuals wrote, recorded, and presented the week's news!  

We also send kids reminders about upcoming events like The Go Roma/Barnes and Nobles Fundraiser and daily after-school activities.  

We love this great way to communicate with our students and show off our school work!  

Did you love the 80's?

The staff at CM LOVED the 80's even though the kids we work with each day were just a twinkle in your eye!  

Think big hair bands, cover songs, fashionable clothes...Our 4th and 5th graders can't wait to show you how awesome the 80's truly were!  

On December 19th at 6:30pm, we will be transported back the decade when Full House began through the talents of CM students. The concert will feature student created scripts introducing each song, student created dances, students playing along on instruments, and OVER 50 featured vocal soloists!  

It will be a totally 80tastic event!  Join us for I Love the 80's!

P.S.  All performers should arrive to school by 6:15pm dressed in 80's inspired outfits. 

Make Your Holiday Shopping Easy!

Visit District 96 Website where you will find a 

direct link to the Band and Orchestra Booster Fundraiser.  

They are offering gift card purchases 

that will help make your holiday shopping easy 

and raise funds for this amazing booster group!  

Visit  www.kcsd96.org and you'll see the link on the cover page!  

Singing at Barnes & Noble

You've heard about our concert on December 7th at the Barnes and Noble in Lincolnshire.  If you have any questions, please contact Jesse Rathgeber.  Just as a reminder, here are the times for performances:

6:30 - 6:40 1st grade

6:45 - 6:55 2nd grade 

7:00 - 7:15 3rd grade

7:20 - 7:35 4th and 5th grade

7:40 - 7:55 CM Singers

Upcoming Dates!

Check out our important upcoming dates on our first ever CNN (Cubs News Network) broadcast!

This is put together by our 5th grade Tech Club...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj_IDUZgIhY&feature=youtu.be

Tis the Season for Head Lice, unfortunately...

As winter weather has arrived, now is a good time to remind your children not to share hats, headbands, scarves or earmuffs with their friends as this can lead to an increased transmission of head lice.  Head lice continues to be one of the most common communicable conditions among children, and outbreaks are possible whenever and wherever children gather.  Since the onset of head lice is typical this time of year, it is a good idea to watch for signs that your child may have lice such as frequent head scratching. If your child has lice, there are a variety of treatments available.  Please check the District website, www.kcsd96.org, under the  “Family Resources,” “Student Health” link for specific information on head lice and District 96 practices.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from

the staff at Country Meadows!

We are so thankful for many things at CM!  Our students are wonderful and our parental support is unbelievable!  We are also incredibly thankful for a Board of Education that is unwavering in their belief in and support for doing what is best for kids at all times! 

We hope that you have a relaxing and safe holiday with friends and family!  

Visiting Educators!

On Wednesday, over 20 educators from Wisconsin spent the day at Country Meadows to learn about the educational process from the very best. Each staff member spent time speaking with this group (while your child was in specials) about the work that we do and how we do the work. Here are some of the comments that were left behind...

Celebrations from our PLC Visitors (I highlighted some of my favorites!): 

• Over and over again I kept coming back to the thought of “our children.”  In other words, everyone at CM perceives every student as one of “ours.”  That sense of collaboration is incredible and inspiring!

• Wonderful Staff!  Everyone was helpful and approachable.  Thank you for sharing all your experiences!
• Everyone on staff presented themselves in a confident and professional manner.  It was a great day - thank you for sharing your classrooms and ideas with us.  
• I feel so inspired!  I can’t wait to go back and start to implement the ideas I learned from you.  Everyone was so knowledgeable and helpful.  Thanks for a great day!  
• A special thanks to each team for taking the time to teach us today!  Have a great rest of the year!
• I love the way that everyone is on the same page! This must have take an enormous amount of work and dedication!  We are working towards what you are doing and hope we have the same results!
• You are all very knowledgeable and seem to love teaching.  
• The norms established within collaborative teams to promote efficient problem solving are very impressive!  
• Thank you to the specials from spending some time with us!  A big thanks to the whole staff - very friendly.
• Awesome day!  All teachers are so dedicated and on the same page.  Visiting is A MUST for all educators!  
• The staff is very positive and knowledgeable.  Everyone seems very excited about what they do!!
• Thank you all!  It was very informative!  Thank you for opening up your school to us!  
• The staff was very friendly and welcoming!  The school is an extremely inviting place!  Classrooms had a flow and consistency throughout the building, even the look of the classrooms (anchor charts) is similar.  The staff was open to questions all day, helpful constantly!  
• I loved the common sense approach of the teachers.  The acknowledgement that this level of greatness  is a “messy” process was reassuring and encouraging.  
• Thank you for opening your classrooms and disrupting your schedules to share what you do.  Wonderful job explaining.  Thank you for answering our questions - it feels doable!  
• I loved Team Read!  The 1st grade teachers/aides were amazing.  Thanks for sharing the great use of time and structure to meet ALL students needs.  
• Everyone was very well informed about your Professional Learning Community.  It was a pleasure to learn from your staff. I am amazed at the collaboration involved and positive attitudes.  
• The level of competence and passion in all of the “presenters” was wonderful!  The classrooms show how much the students are involved in the learning process!  Each classroom exceeds challenge and extensions!  
• I enjoyed listening to as many teaching staff as possible today.  Everyone is very positive!  
• Thank you to all staff for giving of their time and talents and helping us expand our understanding!