ABC Countdown!

ABC COUNTDOWN!

May

1^st- A: Arts Day! - Have fun in your classroom exploring the fine arts (music, art, drama, etc)!

2^nd B: Beach Day – Dress up like you’re headed on vacation (school appropriate, of course).

3^rd- C: Country Meadows Day - Rep your CM Pride!  

6^th– D: Dance Day - Your teachers have plans for you to dance today!  

7^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.

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

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

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

13^th- I: Illinois day- Wear IL sports teams or IL college gear!

14^th- J: Jammies Day- Get comfy at school, no slippers please!  

15^th- K: Kindness Day– We will all engage in random acts of kindness today.

16^th- L: Limbo Day - limbo in and out of school!  

17^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.

20^th- N: No Homework Day- Take the night off!

21^st - O: Outside day - Enjoy some extra time outside with your class!

22^nd- P: Pirate Day - Talk like a pirate and take part in pirate activities (eye patches optional but absolutely NO WEAPONS)  ...AAARGH!

23^rd- Q: “Quit Doing School Work And Enjoy Music!”

24^th- R: Run Your Socks off Day - CUB CRAWL!

28^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.

29^th- T: Thank you day:  While at school, make a thank you card for someone in the building

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

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

June

3^rd W: Wacky Day - Inside out, mismatched, and just plain silly clothing and hair day!

4^th- X: X-tra Recess Day- The name says it all!

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

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

MAP testing:  Fall, Winter, and Spring for all!  What exactly does that mean? 

Specific dates and testing times are available through your classroom teacher.  The assessing will begin on April 29th, 2013.  There will be a short make-up window if your child is absent during the assessment.

We are in the midst of using NWEA’s Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) to gauge each student’s current level of performance in the areas of reading and math.  This is a multifaceted, computer-based assessment that pinpoints each child’s ability.  The assessment becomes increasingly more challenging as students respond correctly and simplifies when students respond incorrectly.  The exactness of this assessment gives the educators at Country Meadows valuable information about each student.

We look at each student’s overall RIT score in reading and math to measure progress.  This fall score was a benchmark to which we measure your student’s growth.  The MAP assessment will give us a projected score for each student to achieve by spring.  The goal is for each student to make at least one year’s worth of growth by hitting the projected target that the assessment provides.  Our winter assessment will provide us with valuable information about the academic growth that each student is making so teachers can continue to challenge all students. 

We will meet or exceed each student’s targeted growth by analyzing strengths and weaknesses that are identified by the assessment.  Score reports will detail categories in which students are excelling and need more support, in both reading and math.  

The most exciting part of the assessment is watching students challenge themselves.  Since each student receives a growth target that is unique to his or her academic achievement, each student is working to his or her own goal.  Students are thrilled when they work hard and as a result, see the RIT score soar!  Yet, the assessment will give us comparative information as well.  A national percentile is provided in both reading and math for each child.  This percentile tells us our students’ performance relative to other students in the nation. 

As this assessment is completed and score reports are analyzed, you will be provided with information about your student.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about the assessment, how it is administered, and how the information is used, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

BOX TOP Contest

Round up all those box tops you have been collecting all winter!!  The next BOX TOPS CONTEST will run April 29^th – May 3^rd.  The top 3 classroom winners will win indoor recess games!

LAST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!  The Ice Cream Social and Spirit Wear committees both need volunteers for next year. If no one steps up, these events will not take place next year. Grab a friend and pitch in to help support the PTO. If interested contact Mike (mpburns@comcast.net) by May 3^rd.

Come to Our Community Celebration on May 9th!

Click on one of these 3 links to get more infomation!  

UPDATED HOME PAGE | FORMS PAGE | FORM

Don’t know what to make for dinner? Don’t want to cook?

Come on out to Buffalo Wild Wings on April 23^rd for our next dinner night fundraiser!

15% of all food sales will be donated to our PTO.  Dine in or carry out – all day!

See the PTO newsletter for more details - Thank you for supporting the PTO!

Click here for this week's PTO Newsletter.

Next Week at a Glance!

Tuesday, April 23rd is Early Release.  Students are dismissed at 2:00pm.

Wednesday, April 24th we are hosting the author, Aaron Reynolds.  A huge thank you to the PTO!

Wednesday, April 24th is the 2nd and 3rd Grade Performance at 6:30pm.

Please register early to help us plan for next year!

We want to make the very best plans for all kids next year.  Help us by registering as soon as possible!  

Registration emails were sent out April 1 for the 2013-14 school year. ALL students who will attend District 96 in the Aug. 2013–June 2014 school year must register.  Click on the link in the registration email you were sent to open the online registration form for your student. The subject line of the email reads: "Register your District 96 Student for 2013–2014 School Year."  Please read carefully to confirm the accuracy of the information that appears. It is very important that we have current contact information for your family to send you communications and to reach you in an emergency. Please update your information as necessary. Registration questions? Please call 847.459.4260, ext. 7722

Class Placement - TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!

We are going to start our class lists!  
Please make sure your information is turned in today because we value your input!

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a tremendously difficult job that takes many hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members.  We at Country Meadows take it very seriously.  The process for class list creation is as follows:

• First, teachers think about the social and academic needs of each of their current students while recording pertinent information to assist in the decision making process.
• Next, teachers meet together as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced in terms of academic, social, and emotional needs as well as considering friendships and other areas.  This is no easy task and often takes several meetings.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic needs, friendship patterns, etc. as they make a match for each individual child.  Specialists and the specials team collaborate with the teams as needed during this process as well, and I attend each of these meetings.
• Each grade level team types a draft set of class lists that are then submitted to me.  One at a time, I will consider each student and his/her placement.  At this time, parent input is also considered.  Any changes in the draft lists are reviewed by the classroom teachers to ensure balance.
• Final class lists are then created in August with summer changes for move ins/outs reflected.

This process happens at grades 1-4.  Willow Grove creates the class lists for our incoming kindergartners enrolled there and I will add in students who attend private kindergartens.  Our 5th grade team actively works with Woodlawn to provide data and input related to placement decisions as well.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students.  It is a delicate balancing act which takes much consideration and thought by professionals who know and care about your children.  Our goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child.  Please know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons.  The process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we do not make changes once this process occurs, as removing or moving one child can disrupt the balance of a class, impacting all students.  

I welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs, and learning style. I will take into consideration pertinent information about your child’s learning style and needs, received on or before FRIDAY, APRIL 19th, 2013. While we welcome your input, specific teacher requests will not be honored.  Please put your thoughts in writing* and address them to me (Katie Schneider) either via hard copy letter or email (kschneider@kcsd96.org).  

*I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, we receive lots of parent input, and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as ultimately I am responsible for reviewing final class lists in August when teachers are not working.

From the Attendance Office ~

Please remember to call the attendance office if your child will not be in school. That is a big help to us.  

Please also remember how important it is to send notes to school with your student regarding changes in after school plans. Notes are needed in the morning.  Please, do not email us to alert us of change in plans.  Often, there is little time for educators to check email during the day and our office staff could be out sick.

Also, please make every effort to get your child to school on time.  It is always best for our students to start their day on a positive note and it is disruptive when children come into a classroom already engaged in learning.  Our tardies are exceedingly numerous and your efforts to get here before 8:20 are greatly appreciated.

The PTO Needs You!

Last call for 2013-2014 Committee Co-Chair volunteers!! 

Sign up deadline is April 15^th.  Please help us to insure that all of the PTO’s fundraisers and programs continue next year.

Visit the online sign up form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zxViaWqeMikXKyLZ9rAr7WzSgGWtrxQIed5Az2sQjDw/viewform?edit_requested=true

Thank you to everyone who donated items for the PTO Teacher Conference Meal on Monday.  We appreciate your support of the PTO and our teachers and staff!

Mark your calendars for our next dinner night fundraiser on April 23^rd at Buffalo Wild Wings.  See the PTO newsletter for more details!

Only One More Week to Submit Placement Information...

For Class Placement Information Click Here!

Thank You for GREAT Conferences!

We would like to extend our 

deepest thanks to the parents of CM!

We LOVE collaborating with you 

about your student's learning!  

5th Grade Parents - Click here!

Check out the UPDATED CURRICULUM WEBPAGE with a link for 6th-grade placement info.

A Message From Mr. Rathgeber

Dear Country Meadows Community,

Ms. Schneider has given me this chance to reach out to the CM community to share a rather sad announcement. This year will mark my last at Country Meadows; I will not be returning in the fall. Instead, I will begin coursework at Arizona State University, working towards a Ph.D. in Music Education. I hope to continue assisting in furthering music education through work as a college professor, author, and researcher in order to ensure that many more children have a chance to discover their creative and feelingful potentials through the wonders of music. This decision comes after many discussions with my family, friends, co-workers, professors, and fellow music teachers, and it did not come easily. I love being a part of the Country Meadows family and it has been my greatest pleasure to teach and be taught by the extraordinary students who grace its halls. I can honestly say that this position has been a “dream job” for me and I count myself as a very lucky man to have had the chance to follow my passion for music and teaching in such an enriching and inspiring place as this school. 

As sad as this announcement may come, we still have two more months to share musical experiences together. These two months will be filled with exciting concerts and more fun as we, together, continue to grow through music. As the school year draws to a close, we can say goodbye and also look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead of us. I thank you all for welcoming me with such open arms, sharing in the musical experiences over the past five years, and putting your trust in me to help guide your children as they realize their musical potentials. Most of all, thank you for letting me be a part of the exceptional family that is Country Meadows. 

Musically Yours,

Jesse C. Rathgeber

P.S. For any families that would like to keep in contact, please email me anytime at mrrathgeber@gmail.com. 

Ask Your Child...

...about revisiting behavior expections on Monday, April 1st!  

The whole school is working on making the right choice even when adults are not watching!  

WOOT! WOOT! We LOVE Conferences!

Parent/teacher conferences are an important opportunity to share your child’s progress with you.  It is also a time for you to ask questions and plan additional ways to support your child with the classroom teacher. 

Just a reminder that spring parent teacher conferences will be held on Monday, April 8th from 5:00-8:30 PM and Tuesday, April 5,^th from 10:00am - 1:30pm.  

Students will be dismissed on Monday at 2:00 PM.  Students will also not have school on Tuesday to accommodate for conferences.  We will be back in session on Wednesday!  

We look forward to meeting with you then.

PS - Don't forget about Spirit Week!  

After Spring Break PTO News!

Thank you for Supporting the PTO!!

The PTO is powered by its volunteers and helping out can be fun and rewarding.  We are still looking for committee co-chairs for 2013-14.  You can find the committee sign-up form online.  It has details on the time commitments, work involved, etc.  Grab a friend and join the fun! 

Go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zxViaWqeMikXKyLZ9rAr7WzSgGWtrxQIed5Az2sQjDw/viewform?edit_requested=true

Also, don’t forget to sign up to donate items for the PTO Teacher Conference Meal on Monday, April 8^th.  

Help us say “thank you” to our teachers and staff!  The online sign up can be found at: http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=spring_conference_meals

Please Don't Forget About These Things!

For Spirit Week Information Click Here!  

For Class Placement Information Click Here! 

Moms Need to Laugh!

As busy families, it's harder than ever to connect with other parents experiencing the same pleasures–and challenges!–involved in raising our kids. Building community in our schools and as a district helps us develop friendships and support each other. The District's Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network exists for that very purpose, and I hope you have been able to attend some P2P programs this year. If your calendar allows, the last P2P program sounds like fun:

Moms Need to Laugh

The D96 Parent-to-Parent Network is inviting all moms to The Grove Country Club (formerly Hillcrest), 3217 Rt. 53, Long Grove, at 10:30 a.m. on Fri., Apr. 12, for a program presented by Second City-trained professional keynote Sally Edwards. This program is just for fun–for moms who could use a good laugh and a comedian's insight into "women's life stages' and "the  secret to a good life." Don't miss this chance to meet other District 96 moms and enjoy some time together. The program is FREE. Guests also have the option to stay for lunch afterward if they choose ($18, including beverage, tax, and tip; order when seated from a menu including  salads and sandwiches).  DO YOU PLAN TO ATTEND?

PLEASE register early to help us make plans for next year!

Registration Update–Register by May 17 to Save

Registration emails were sent out April 1 for the 2013-14 school year. ALL students who will attend District 96 in the Aug. 2013–June 2014 school year must register. 

Click on the link in the registration email you were sent to open the online registration form for your student. The subject line of the email reads: "Register your District 96 Student for 2013–2014 School Year."

Please read carefully to confirm the accuracy of the information that appears. It is very important that we have currentcontact information for your family to send you communications and to reach you in an emergency. Please update your information as necessary. 

Registration questions? Please call 847.459.4260, ext. 7722

Straight From the Superintendents!

Straight from the Superintendents

On Wed., Apr. 10, 7 p.m., at Stevenson High School (West Building, Rm. 2104), superintendents from Districts 96, 102, 103, and Stevenson will talk about ways they are working together to improve student learning and organizational efficiency. Their discussion will also focus on the new Common Core learning standards.

Join District 96 Superintendent Julie Schmidt and her peers to learn more. 

Stevenson High School is located at One Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. Park in Lot B.