Hello Country Meadows Community!
Earlier in the week, you received an email message from Superintendent Julie Schmidt regarding the upcoming school year. Included in that message was a link to news from me discussing Country Meadows specifically. I attached that message below in case you missed it and I have a few additions to share!
I am thrilled to announce Mrs. Carrie Kroes (pronounced cruise) has joined our second grade team. She is coming to us from Kildeer Elementary School where she supported 2nd grade. Carrie loves kids and is an extraordinarily dedicated, thoughtful teacher. You will notice that the moment that you meet her. Our second grade team is now complete with 5 sections, one of which is for bilingual education!
Also, I am so embarrassed but I forgot to introduce 2 integral parts of our team in that newsletter that went out. Ms. Laurel Deeter will be joining the 5th grade team and will be our 5th Grade Bilingual Teacher! Ms. Deeter supported our English Language Learners in 4th and 5th grade last year. She also worked at Woodlawn Middle School and greatly contributed to their success. Ms. Deeter is incredibly professional, is wonderfully knowledgeable, and will continue to make a difference for students as well as add to the collective capacity of our staff.
To replace Ms. Deeter (although she is not replaceable), Ms. Katy Barrett will become our new ELL Specialist. Ms. Barrett worked with our 3rd grade team last year and knows CM very well. She is such a passionate person, unwavering in her belief that all students can learn to high levels. We are thrilled that she will be supporting a variety of grade levels as well as students at Woodlawn.
Finally, I want to point out something very important to hopefully eliminate any potential confusion. We have 2 amazing educators named Mrs. Kiefer. There is no relation, only in their passion for student success. Mrs. Lori Kiefer will continue to teach 2nd grade. Mrs. Lauren Kiefer is coming to us as a 4th grade teacher. You can read a bit about her below. This summer, Mrs. Lauren (Bielinski) Kiefer got married and when we learned her new name we knew that she was destined to be a Country Meadows Cub! Yes, we have 2 dynamite educators named L. Kiefer!
Keep enjoying summer while we gear up for the new year! Make sure you check back frequently for updates and news. You'll continue to receive a Friday email with a link to this blog to hopefully help you to keep in touch with us.
My best,
Katie Schneider
