Please check out the PTO Newsletter!

Do you read it weekly for information about fun events for kids?  Check it out here.

Mark your calendar for this upcoming District 96 SEL program for parents:

Working well with others, demonstrating empathy, managing emotions, making positive choices–these are essential life skills for success in the workplace and the world. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) addresses helping students build these important skills.

• How is District 96 implementing social and emotional learning? What does SEL look like in D96 elementary and middle school classrooms?

Please plan to attend the SEL parent program on Tues., Jan. 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mat Room at Ivy Hall School, 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove. Staff will discuss the influence of SEL in their classrooms and Student Services DirectorKimberly Dahlem and Assistant Student Services Director Kim Lechner will explain district wide SEL goals.

Congratulations to our Grant Winner!

A Country Meadows staff member is a recipient of the 2013 Staff Innovative Grant Awards’ program sponsored by the District 96 Foundation. This year’s initiative was created to recognize those applicants whose projects concretely displayed innovation. Country Meadow’s winner was among twelve finalists whose ideas not only exemplified professional commitment to excellence in learning, but captured novel methods and/or technologies to elevate and advance student performance. Congratulations Robert Hanrahan for “News & Radio Station Technology Wizards!” If you wish to find out more about his winning project, stop by the display in the main office.

Valentine's Day

Please look at teacher’s newsletters for class specific guidelines about sending Valentine’s to school.  Many families choose to send a small card to school for each child in the class.  Most of the time, these do not include a small gift like candy or a trinket. 

Even though it is not expected, if you choose to include an item with your child's valentine, please note that only non-food items are permissible.  This practice is consistent for all classrooms in District 96 elementary schools including Willow Grove.

Candy, snacks, or any sort of food item will be sent back home with your child on Valentine's Day if sent to school.  Non-food items are permitted, and there are many pre-packaged Valentines that can be purchased that include a trinket (i.e., pencil, erasers, book mark, etc.).  Card and party stores or stores with a birthday party aisle (i.e., Target) are a great place to look for these types of items.  Here are some ideas of non-food items if you choose to include something:

•  pencils

•  erasers

•  stickers

•  play-dough

•  bubble wands

•  plastic or rubber figurines

•  capsules that become figures when placed in water

•  mini deck of cards

•  spinning top

•  crazy straws

Nearly 25% of our Country Meadows student body has medically based dietary restrictions and this does not include students on specific diets of family choice (i.e., vegetarian, low cal/sugar, religious, etc.) Monitoring individual needs and requests is not feasible, thus not safe. In addition it is frequently reported that several children eat Valentine's treats on the bus, as evidenced by an abundance of wrappers found.  This poses a choking risk, as well as exposure for students with specific health restrictions.  

Thank you for your support and cooperation.  If you have any questions, please ask!  

Parents of 1st and 2nd Graders

Dear Parents of 1^st and 2^nd graders:

We will be having an Inaugural Ball during PE on Friday, January 18, 2013.  Please remind your students to dress up for this special event!!  In fact, gym shoes are not required, because fancy shoes so make the outfit!  That said, if your student is in Mrs. Larson’s class he/she will need gym shoes to participate in a regular PE class, complete with running and games, after the ball!  Thank you for your support; it will be so fun!!  Mrs. Nihill and Mrs. Smith

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!