Expected and Unexpected Behaviors

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Check out our PRO Website to learn more about being a PRO.

Thursday morning, the whole school participated in stations learning about expected behaviors.  Each classroom traveled in Cub Communities to stations run by all support staff at Country Meadows.  Ask your child what an expected behavior is in each of our school locations.  Below, you'll find a list of Cub Communities and all of the places the students visited yesterday morning.  

Country Meadows Cub Communities

Ms. Magee and Mrs. Fey

Mrs. Leuze, Ms. Mete, and Ms. Sas
Mrs. Larson and Ms. Fishman
Mrs. Schnell, Mrs. Kick, and Mr. Southwell
Mrs. Niedermayer, Mrs. Kroes, and Ms. Deeter
Ms. Stanton, Mrs. Kiefer, and Mrs. Perales
Mrs. Linnenburger and Mrs. Clegg
Mrs. Abad and Mr. Blazek
Mrs. Colvin, Mrs. Kiefer, and Mr. Zak

Expected Behavior Stations

A. Bathroom

B. Cafeteria

C. Bus Evacuation

D. Bus Expectations

E. Recess

F. Morning in the Hallways and Hallway Walking

G. Assembly Behavior and Concert Etiquette

H. Green Zone and Voice Scale

I. STOP Method

J. Learning Resource Center Expectations

Plan ahead to DO THE DASH on Sept. 23

Join District 96 families, teachers, and staff for the 2nd annual District 96 Dash. The 5k walk/run will step off from Twin Groves Middle School, 2600 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., at 8:30 a.m. on Sun., Sept. 23. REGISTER ONLINE (each registered runner and walker will receive a T-shirt) and mark your calendar for this fun family activity that all ages will enjoy. All the PTOs in District 96 are working together to sponsor this event and will donate the proceeds to the District 96 Kids in NeedFund. If you are unable to run, please consider making a DONATION. 

Important Dates for the Start of the 2012-2013 School Year!

Mark Your Calendar!

Class Placement 

and bus information will be mailed on Wednesday, August 15th!

You should receive your letter on the 16th or 17th depending on mail service. 

Meet the Teacher

Visit your child's class and drop off school supplies 
from 11am - 12pm on Tuesday, August 21st.

The PTO Meet and Greet will be hosted in the cafeteria from 10:30am - 12:30pm.

First Half Day of School!

On Wednesday, August 22nd, school will be in session from 8:25am - 11:45am.

Normal hours will begin on Thursday, August 23rd:  8:25 - 3:00pm.  

Curriculum Night

First Grade and New Families are invited to a special welcome from 6:15 - 6:45pm.

Grades 1 and 2 will host Curriculum Night in your child's class from 6:45 - 7:15pm.

Grades 3, 4, and 5 will host Curriculum Night in your child's class from 7:15 - 7:45pm.

Join your principal, Katie Schneider, and the "non-classroom teachers" that work with your child in the cafeteria as well.  We will host 2 sessions from 6:45 - 7:15pm and 7:15 - 7:45pm.  

No School

Friday, August 31st for Institute Day

Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day

Monday, September 19th for Rosh Hashana

Wednesday, September 26th for Yom Kippur

D96 Dash

Join us for the District 96 Dash on Sunday, September 23rd to support students in need.  

Staffing Updates!

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

Highlights and News

Dear Parents,

I hope that you have had a wonderful summer.  We have been busy at Country Meadows preparing for the very best school year!  All staff cannot wait to see smiling faces at Meet the Teacher on August 21st from 11:00-12:00 to get us excited for the first half day of school on August 22nd.

As preparations continue for the start of the school year, we wanted to share information with you about new staff faces and assignment shifts within the building.  Please know that as we place our educators into positions, we always consider how to create the strongest instructional teams to maximize student achievement. 

As we shared in the spring, Mrs. Louise Schmidt, from our 1st grade team, will be moving into the role of Information-Communication-Technology (ICT) Coach expanding her instructional touch to all students at Country Meadows.  Each student will see her weekly and staff will gain from her instructional expertise.  Mrs. Lauren Backe, from Country Meadow’s 5th grade team, is excited to be taking on the role of Literacy Coach working predominately with teachers maximizing instructional practices.  Also Mrs. Lauren Fix, from our 2nd grade team, will be moving into the role of Reading Specialist working namely with students that need support in literacy as well as with Team Read in 1st grade. 

Continuing to create the strongest instructional team is always our focus.  Therefore, we would also like to share the following changes and additions to our teams:    

New Faculty Members 
            We are so lucky to be gaining the following experienced teachers on our educational team at Country Meadows. 

• Mrs. Lauren Kiefer previously taught 3rd Grade and will be joining our 4th grade team at Country Meadows.  You will love her enthusiasm for student learning. 
• Mr. Jim Blazek has been a teacher at Prairie Elementary School for 7 years with experience in both 2nd and 3rd grade.  He will be joining our 2nd grade team.  You will immediately notice how well he connects with kids.    
• Mrs. Bethany Colvin joined our staff last year to support 1st grade.  She has previously taught both 4th grade and Kindergarten.  She will be a 4th grade teacher at CM.  You will notice how well she genuinely understands and knows kids.

Other Position Changes

• Ms. Lindsay Stanton is excited to be joining the first grade team.  She is an Early Childhood certified educator and also pursuing a Reading Specialist degree. 
• Ms. Julie Mete is thrilled to be joining the 2nd grade team as Team Leader.  She is also an Early Childhood certified educator. 
• Ms. Lauren Fishman will be transitioning to the 3rd grade team.  Talents acquired through her Reading Specialist Certification will support learners that are both learning to read and reading to learn. 
• Mrs. Megan Abad and Mrs. Dawn Niedermayer will be moving together from the 4th grade to the 5th grade team.  Both are extraordinarily experienced, strong educators that guarantee students learn. 

We are very excited about the upcoming school year.  We are fortunate to have so many enthusiastic, experienced professionals joining our already committed and excellent faculty and staff.  We look forward to partnering with you this year to ensure your child’s success and to make it the best school year yet.

Also, teacher placement letters and bus information will be mailed to your home on August 15th.  Enjoy the rest of summer! 

My best –

Katie Schneider

Please Encourage Reading Over the Summer!

District 96 students are expected to read 20 minutes per day.


Elementary students may keep track of their reading time and titles using the SUMMER READING CALENDAR and SUMMER READING LOG online (download pdfs).

Want some great book ideas? Find BOOK SUGGESTIONS BY GRADE LEVEL 

ENJOY SUMMER!

Be safe and relax while we will miss you!