5th Grade Presentation

Parents of current 5th graders, if you missed the orientation program presented this week on Tues., Mar. 12, here are MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS. School supply kits for students who will attend Woodlawn next year must be purchased through Woodlawn by Mar. 22 (the original deadline of Mar. 15 has been extended by 1 week, so order promptly). MORE INFO

Morning Drop Off

Hi Parents -

We've been getting feedback that there are many cars that are dropping kids off in the bus lanes.  

Please, please, please remember to not pull into the bus lane to drop off in the morning.  Please drop them off by the drop off door to help keep our kids safe and secure.  

Thank you so much!  
The people that love keeping your kids safe

Last call for things your kids won't want to miss!

LAST CALL!

School Supply Kit orders are due Friday 3/8.

Pizza Bingo preorders are due Monday 3/11.  

Don’t miss out!!  

Forms can be found here:

 http://www.kcsd96.org/CM/09CM/forms.html

Click here for this week's PTO Newsletter.

ISAT Update!

The students are working so, so hard!  We are extraordinarily proud of their tenacity and are astounded by their diligence in taking the assessments.  

Monday will be the last day for formal testing and then make-ups will continue throughout next week.  Thank you for all of your support in making sure your child has a great night of rest and a power packed breakfast!  

Class Placement Information

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.

Parents of 5th Graders - Do Not Miss this Opportunity!

Please do not miss this event.  This is the ONLY opportunity for this experience.  There is not another meeting later this year.  

The D96  Parent-to-Parent (P2P) Network is partnering with Woodlawn and Twin Groves Middle School principals and staff to present a brand-new transition program for parents whose current fifth-grade students will be attending middle school in August 2013. 

This don’t-miss program on Tues., Mar. 12,  @ 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School Gym, for ALL District 96 parents of current fifth graders will feature a student panel for Q&A and practical transition tips, middle school staff, and Principals Heather Friziellie and Greg Grana. 

Please note that this program replaces the school-based programs presented in previous years. One program/one date for ALL parents of current D96 fifth-grade students: Tues., Mar. 12, 7 p.m., Woodlawn Middle School gym, 6362 Gilmer Rd, Long Grove 60047.

HOT off the PRESS PTO NEWS!

The annual  School Supply Kit Sale is underway; order before March 8^th.  

Also, we are taking pre-orders for the always-popular Pizza Bingo Night, which will be held on Wednesday March 20^th.  Please pre-order to guarantee your Pizza Bingo night actually includes pizza!!   

Supply Kit and Pizza Bingo order forms are on the web.  Thanks!!

Click here for this week's PTO Newsletter.