Friday, April 27th

Dear Country Meadows’ Families –

Happy Friday!  I just wanted to be sure you don’t miss a few important announcements in the Principal’s Message.  First, we are hosting a school-wide ABC countdown to usher us into the end of the school year; you’ll find the specific details explained.  Also, we hope to see you at the Cinco De Mayo celebration at Country Meadows on May 4^th at 6:30pm.  Finally, synchronize your calendar with information shared in the Principal’s Message, some dates were incorrect on the district calendar.  For additional information about each of these topics, click here to be linked to the Principal’s Message.

PTO is hosting Staff Appreciation week next week, see our PTO newsletter to see how you can help - thanks!  Click here for the weekly PTO newsletter.

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

My best -

Katie Schneider

Use the links below or scroll down for the posts.  

Cinco De Mayo Celebration!

ABC Countdown!

"Woodlawn, Here I Come!"

Kindergarten Transition Day

Spring MAP Testing Begins Monday!

May Art Show Date Correction

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Teacher Appreciation Week!

We look forward to honoring our teachers next week during teacher appreciation week!  The PTO has many celebrations prepared to thank our faculty and staff for their hard work. Please help me thank our wonderful teachers and assistants for all that they do to care for and educate our students!

Spring MAP Testing Begins Monday!

The Measures of Academic Progress assessment, or MAP, will be administered during the weeks of April 30^th and May 7^th.  As you recall, MAP measures students’ progress over the course of the school year in the areas of reading and math.  The computerized assessment is one way that we measure students’ academic growth over the course of the school year.  You will receive a copy of your child’s cumulative results at the end of the year.  Your child’s data will be included with his/her trimester three report card.

Your child's teacher will share specific dates and times.  Please, help your child to be prepared with a great night rest and healthy breakfast.  

Kindergarten Transition Day

Hi Families -

Please note that Kindergarten transition day is accidentally listed twice on the district calendar.  The correct date is May 31st.  If you have a child that is not in Kindergarten at Willow Grove but will be here next year, please plan to bring your child to participate in the transition morning.  Students will arrive between 8:45 and 9:00am on the 31st!

We can't wait to meet the kiddos!

ABC COUNTDOWN!

To bring in the end of the school year, the whole school is going to be participating in an ABC Countdown!  See below for what your child can expect on each day!  

May  2^nd- A: Arts Day! - Have fun in your classroom exploring the arts! 

3^rd- B: Beach Day - Dress up like you’re headed on vacation (school appropriate, of course). 

4^th- C: Chicago Pride Day – Show your Chicago pride by wearing something for Chicago (for example, Cubs or Sox). 

7^th – D:  Data Day – Each classroom will spend part of the day, tracking and graphing data! 

8^th- E: Exercise Day- Wear your sweats, warm ups, and gym shoes.  We will be sure to talk about the importance of exercise and being heart healthy.

9^th- F: Favorite book- Bring your favorite enjoyable book to school to share with your classmates. 

10^th- G: Game Day- Get ready to play a surprise game in the classroom!

11^th- H: Hat Day- Wear your favorite hat to school today.

14^th- I: “I’m good at” Day – Your teacher will let you know the classroom plan for sharing a strength of each student.

15^th- J: Jump Day- Get excited to spend part of the day jumping and hopping at school.  Wait for the adult directions! 

16^th- K: Kindness Day– We will all engage in random acts of kindness today.  Compliment your classmates when they go out of their way to be kind to others!

17^th- L: Love Day- Your classroom teacher will give you specific directions about how we are going to celebrate love day. 

18^th- M: Mustache Day- Come to school with a fake mustache on and/or make one with your teacher in your classroom and wear it for some giggles.

21^st- N: No Homework Day- Take the night off!

22^nd- O: Opportunity to Move Your Seat Day- Follow the teacher directions with how we will do this.

23^rd- Prepare with your Pal – Visit with your Cub Community Pal during the day to prepare for the evening event, Celebrate Learning!

24^th- Q: “Quit Doing School Work And…”- You’ll have to wait and find out what your teacher has planned for a little break!

25^th- R: Reading Rocks Day:  You will get to read with others at Country Meadows, so much fun!

29^th- S: Summer Birthday- Wear your favorite summer gear as we celebrate all the special summer birthdays!  Your teacher will give you direction on how we will celebrate. 

30^th- T: T-shirt Day- Wear your favorite t-shirt!

31^st- U: Unwanted Day- We will begin the cleaning process and send home things from our desks that are unneeded for the rest of the day.

June  1^st- V:  uV Day-I  It’s Field Day so make sure you wear lots of uV protection!   

4^th- W: Wear USA Day- Wear read, white, and blue to celebrate your patriotism.   

5^th- X: X-tra Day- X-tra ___________!  Your teacher will surprise you!

6^th- Y: Yearbook Day- Get special autographs from your classmates.

7^th- Z: Zero Day- Zero days left of school. Come and say goodbye to a wonderful year at Country Meadows!

May Art Show Date Correction

The District 96 printed calendar lists an incorrect date of May 14 for the Area 125 Consortium Art Show. Please note that the Area 125 Consortium Art Show will be held on Mon., May 21, at 7 p.m. at the Stevenson High School Field House. 

"Woodlawn, Here I Come!"

Dear Fifth Grade Students,

You are invited to attend this voluntary and exciting program tailored just for you!  This program, co-led by Mrs. Bodenheimer and Mrs. Leonard, is an introduction to Woodlawn Middle School.  We will meet on 5/9/12, in the morning before school: 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9^th

7:30am to 8:20 am

C. M. Learning Center

During this before school session, we will answer your questions, give you valuable information, and provide you with some ideas for 6^th grade.  The goals of this program are to familiarize you with Woodlawn, to answer your questions, and to assist you with a smooth transition to middle school.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2011

7:30 am to 8:20 am--C.M. Learning Center

All you need to participate is: 

• Transportation to school.
• A desire to learn more about Woodlawn

We hope to see you!

Please contact Mrs. Leonard (x8103) or Mrs. Bodenheimer (x8309) with any questions.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration!

We hope to see you at our Cinco De Mayo celebration!

When:  May 4th at 6:30pm

Where:  Country Meadows

Who:  The Entire School Community

Hosted By:  The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee and The D96 Bilingual Staff

Click here for more information and to sign-up:  CM UPDATED FORMS PAGE

Jump Rope for Heart

Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Nihill are so pleased to announce 

that the students of Country Meadows 

raised over $2,000 for the American Heart Association!  

Thank you to everyone that participated and contributed 

to this amazing cause!  

Friday, April 20th!

Dear Country Meadows’ Families –

It is unbelievable how fast April is flying!  Before we know it, another successful school year will have been completed!  Please come to the upcoming presentation, “Understanding Bilingual Education,” on April 26^th at 7pm.   You’ll find information below from our Superintendent, about 2^nd Grade dental exams, and an announcement about lawn treatment to make our grass look more beautiful! 

The PTO is looking for some help!  If you are interested in volunteering or donating food for Staff Appreciation Week, please contact Kris Taylor at Kristaylor5835@comcast.net.  Also, don't forget about the Leider Sale beginning May 1st.  Click here for the weekly PTO newsletter.

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

My best -

Katie Schneider

From Superintendent Schmidt

Please share your feedback on the new report card format: CLICK HERE AND COMPLETE THIS BRIEF SURVEY.  Be sure to click the SUBMIT button when you finish, to send your responses.

The survey will be available through 4:00 p.m. on Mon., Apr. 23.

Thank you!  We greatly appreciate your time and responses.

Second Grade Dental Exams

Please remember that second grade students are required by Illinois state law to have a dental exam.  If you are unsure if you have completed this requirement, please call our school nurse.  The required dental form can be found on the District 96 Student Health Forms link.

Board of Education and Staffing News in District 96

In open session on Tues., Apr. 17, the District 96 Board of Education regretfully accepted the resignation of Board member Don Shannon. During Mr. Shannon's more than 14 years of service, the District improved in overall rank from 55th to 8th in the state and has received the highest Financial Recognition Status from the Illinois State Board of Education for the past 8 years. READ MORE about Mr. Shannon's devoted service to District 96 students, staff, and community.

The Board of Education is now accepting applications to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Shannon's resignation. Applications are due Apr. 27, 2012, by 4:30 p.m. READ DETAILS / DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Also, at their meeting on Apr. 17, Supt. Julie Schmidt recommended and the Board approved the appointment of Twin Groves Assistant Principal Andrew Fenton, effective Aug. 1, 2012. Mr. Fenton succeeds Mrs. Amy Gluck in this role, as Mrs. Gluck will assume the responsibilities of Ivy Hall principal on August 1. READ MORE

Lawn Treatment Application Notice

District 96 uses Integrated Pest Management--a program that combines
preventive techniques, non-chemical methods (such as bait traps), and
the appropriate use of pesticides (with a preference for products
least harmful to human health and the environment).

On the weekend of My 5 & 6, 2012, the District 96 lawn treatment
provider, Zenith Landscaping will treat grassy areas adjacent to all
District buildings. Signs will be posted to indicate that the
treatments have been applied. In the event of rain, the applications
will occur on the following weekend, May 12 & 13, 2012.

A Special Announcement!

We are saddened to be losing Susan Marie Frisch as our beloved Reading Specialist.  She will be enjoying a very happy retirement and, I am sure, visiting us often at Country Meadows.  We will have lots of time to celebrate Mrs. Frisch's contribution to our school and district in the last two months of the school year.  Be on the lookout with future posts about the many gifts and talents she has bequeathed to our students.  


We are also thrilled to make the announcement that Lauren Fix will be stepping into the role of Reading Specialist at Country Meadows.  She is a revered classroom teacher, especially talented in the area of literacy, and a certified Reading Specialist.  Her knowledge of best practice, leadership ability, and many talents including a focus on technology will reach a wider audience of students at Country Meadows.  While Mrs. Frisch will be sorely missed, she also joins us in being so excited to spread Mrs. Fix's capacity in meeting the needs of all learners.

Here's a reminder about class placement...

Click here for information about class placement.  We value your input!  

Thank You for the Variety Show!

Thank you so much to the PTO, Mr. Rathgeber, and Mr. Hanrahan for such a fabulous Variety Show.  Country Meadows sure does have a lot of talent and we were just beaming at our incredible students.  There are so many parents that really went out of their way to organize such a wonderful event.  It was an incredible memory that all students will cherish for a long time!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this incredible experience!  

Fabulous Links!

Below, you will find two great resources that were produced as a result of presentations District 96 hosted.  Check them out for information on supporting your child's learning.  


INTERNET SAFETY AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES


SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING PODCAST

Standards for Student Dress

Hi Parents - 


We hope you had a wonderful spring break!  It was thrilling to see the kids come back to school yesterday.  We really missed them!  


With the unusually, early warm weather this spring (and hopefully more approaching soon), I would like to take a few minutes to remind you of our standards for student dress.  Here are a few things to keep in mind.  When it is warm outside, we do turn on the air conditioning to keep the environment comfortable in the school.  Students might get chilly if not dressed appropriately.  Also, our students move around the classroom all day long.  They might work at a desk or table and often times they use the floor space to meet as a class or in groups as well.  Students that wear too short of shorts or skirts really struggle to be comfortable in school when they are preoccupied with sitting appropriately.  


At school, when we communicate with students, we ask the shorts and skirts are at least as long as the student's fingers when arms are down to the side.  Also, when our little ladies are wearing tanks and sun dresses, we ask that straps are at least as wide as three fingers.  It is important that hats are off when inside school and that baggier shorts or pants are worn at the waistline.  The information provided to parents and students via the District 96 Handbook is below. 


If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time!  




4.12-e Standards for Student Dress. Students who are appropriately and comfortably dressed are able to focus on schoolwork more effectively. The following guidelines will be enforced by building administrators. Cooperation by parents is appreciated.
1. Dress or appearance that provokes or distracts other students or otherwise causes a disruption to the educational process is prohibited.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times.
3. Clothing, jewelry, or accessories may not have writing or pictures
that advertise or advocate alcohol, drugs, tobacco, obscenity, vio-
lence, or gang activity.
4. Pants must be worn at the waistline.
5. Hats are allowed on designated hat days only.
6. Half shirts, cropped tops, spaghetti straps, and underwear or
sleepwear worn as outerwear are not acceptable.
7. Undergarments should not be visible.
8. With the exception of appropriate jewelry, no chains should be
worn.

Students who are in violation of the policy and rules of student dress code will be asked to comply with the rules by either changing to other attire that is available at school, or by having parents bring different clothes from home. In the event there is noncompliance to the above regulations, a student may be suspended from school.