HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays

Winter has blown in with a bang! Below zero temperatures, piles of snow and gusty winds have been an integral part of the last few days. While I've been out running errands and shopping, I haven't noticed the cold, but the warmth. The warmth of children's smiling faces, the warmth of people giving (Toys for Tots, Food pantry workers, church donations) and the warmth of families spending time together. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by what needs to be done before we can enjoy the holidays but try to focus on why you're doing these things. Why do we run around looking for the perfect gift? Why do we try to bake dozens upon dozens of delicious cookies in a matter of hours? We do it out of love - love for our family and friends. Keep that as your focus of the holiday season and you too will feel the warmth!

January Events

Monday, January 5th - Classes resume

Monday, January 5th - 9th - Aimsweb Benchmarking

Saturday, January 10th - Market Day Pick-Up @ LV

Tuesday, January 13th - Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

Friday, January 16th - Vision/Hearing Screening

Monday, January 19th - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 27th - Board Meeting @ PV 7:00

Friday, January 30th - Ide Movie Night @ PV

THIS WEEK

This week is a very busy week here at Elizabeth Ide

2nd Graders are travelling around the world during reading learning about the different ways other countries celebrate the holidays. On Thursday, they are going to share goodwill with the residents of the Fairview Baptist Home. Friday, our 1st graders will be learning how to make paper to go along with their recycling unit. While the kindergartners will be hunting for the missing gingerbread man! Oh no where can he be!

Friday all the classrooms will be treated to holiday parties. Thank you volunteers for always making these days so special for our students. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing holiday break!

A BUSY WEEK

Conference Week

This week we held parent-teacher conferences. Parents and teachers were able to meet and discuss their children/students. This can often be any eye-opening experience. Parents often learn things about their children that they were unaware of; quiet children at home can be the chatty students in a classroom or show musical aptitude in the music room! Teachers see their students in a different light and may remember what is was like to sit on the other side of the table. Overall the week went well and I hope you all had a positive experience.

Recess

It's that time of year when we have to ask will recess be inside or outside? If the temperature outside is 20 degrees or lower (including wind chill) we will stay inside. All students will go outside, unless we have a doctor's note on file stating the student needs to stay in. When snow is on the ground, students need snow pants and boots to go up to the playground. Those studentswithout these items will only be allowed to play on the blacktop so please send your child prepared for outside recess.

Classroom Volunteers

Just a reminder that younger siblings are not allowed in the classrooms when you are volunteering in the classroom (room parties, classroom readers, mystery guest, etc.). If you have any questions please call the office at 630-783-5200. Thank you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Who's Bringing the Pumpkin Pie?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust. Wow - What a Pie!!!!! If you make one this big please feel free to share with the office!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy and relaxing Thanksgiving Day!!!

THE WEEK OF 12/01 - 12/06/08

Conferences Take Place all Week

Tuesday, December 2nd - Report Cards go home

Friday, December 5th - NO SCHOOL

Saturday, December 6th - Market Day Pick-Up @ PV

NEW MEMBER OF THE ELIZABETH IDE FAMILY

Future Teacher?

Mrs. Olsen and her husband Robert welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family today! Evalina Catherine Olsen was born at 12:20 a.m.; 7lbs, 13oz and is 20 inches long.

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for”

Congratulations!!!

Preview of Next Week

Tuesday, November 18th - Board Meeting at 7:00 @ PV

Wednesday, November 19th - 2nd Grade Musical at 7:00 @ LV

Thursday, November 20th - Ide PTO Meeting @ 7:00

UPCOMING EVENTS AT IDE

WHAT'S GOING ON NEXT WEEK?

Monday, November 10th

Parent Link - Lice 101

7:00 @ PV Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesday, November 11th

NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day

What is Veteran's Day

Veterans Day originally was held every November 11th, and though it typically falls on this day, officially the holiday is now observed on the weekday that falls closest to November 11th every year. It was first incorporated by President Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919. Other countries today also still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty which ended WWI.

It was in 1938 that Armistice Day was enacted as an official American holiday. But eventually after WWII, citizens felt that the veterans of all wars should be recognized, not just those of WWI. So in 1954 Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In America, the holiday now celebrates the approximate 2.9 million U.S. veterans with parades and ceremonies among other events.

Friday, November 14th

Elizabeth Ide Movie Night

Kung Fu Panda @ PV @ 6:30

NEXT WEEK AT ELIZABETH IDE

Wow - look what's going on!!!!!

Monday, November 3rd - Red, White and Blue Day

1st and 2nd graders will be participating in a mock election

Will they predict the winner?

Tuesday, November 4th - NO SCHOOL - Teacher's Institute

Don't forget to vote!!!!

Wednesday, November 5th - Mrs. Hansen out of district

Thursday, November 6th

Parent Link @ PV @ 7:00

Parent Support Group - Behavioral Strategies

Everyone Invited!!!

Picture Retakes - am only - pm kindergartners need to come in for pictures

FACTS ABOUT HEAD LICE

The bane of many parents, the head louse is a tiny, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Although they may sound gross, lice (the plural of louse) are a very common problem, especially for kids ages 3 years to 12 years (girls more often than boys). Lice aren't dangerous and they don't spread disease, but they are contagious and can just be downright annoying.

In Center Cass District 66 many procedures are in place when an incident occurs. These procedures go above and beyond what the county and state health departments require for school districts. These procedures are listed below:

1. When a parent notifies the school that a child has lice we check the classmates of that child to insure that the lice have not spread to other students.
2. If a child is found to have lice at school, the child is sent home immediately with instructions on how to eliminate the lice. Once the child has been treated he/she may return to school.
3. Mrs. Heckman, our school nurse, checks all students who have been treated for lice after seven days to insure that they are free of lice.
4. When a child is confirmed to have lice in school, the classroom is vacuumed and desks and chairs cleaned in the event that a louse has jumped off the infected child.

Mrs. Heckman remains current on all new treatments and preventative measures available and implements them accordingly. We need parents to do the same. Please tell your students not to share combs, brushes, hats, headbands, etc. with other students. For more information please click on the following link http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/factsheet.html .

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 630-783-5200.

HALLOWEEN HAS BEGUN

Tonight is the Night of the Ide Spooky Forest Halloween Event

If you haven't signed up and would like to come you may pay the $5.00 fee at the door

The party is from 6:30 - 8:30

Shuttle Buses are available from Prairieview

Wear your Halloween Costume and Come for a Spooky Good Time

Watch for pictures in next week's blog!

PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Monday, October 27th - Magazine Drive Winners Home Run Inn Lunch

11:30 - 12:30

Tuesday, October 28th - Board of Ed Meeting - 7:00 @ PV

Thursday, October 29th - October Birthday Lunches with the Principal

Friday, October 31st - Halloween

1:30 - Costume Parade

Weather Permitting the Parade is Outside; All Parents may watch the parade anywhere outside

If the Parade is inside, parents will be escorted to the gym to watch the parade

2:00 - 3:00 - Classroom Parties

Only parents volunteering for the parties are allowed down to the classrooms

For insurance reasons, younger siblings may not attend the parties

Please call the office if you have any questions 630-783-5200

What's Happening Next Week?

Another Busy Week is Coming Up at Elizabeth Ide

Wednesday, October 22nd

Early Dismissal at Noon

Only AM Kindergarten attends and are released at Noon also

ALL PICK-UPS are at 12:10

Friday, October 24th

HALLOWEEN FUN FEST

6:30 - 8:30

Dress in your Halloween Costume

and come for a night of Ghoulish Fun

Illinois Principal Association (IPA) Conference

The IPA - Building Blocks of Educational Leadership

I have been privileged to attend the IL Principals Association 37th Annual Principals Professional Conference held in Peoria, IL October 5 - 7, 2008. Dr. Adolf Brown III, an international speaker and trainer from Virginia, keynoted the opening session on Monday titled "Ahead of the Curve - Closing the Achievement Gap." Dr. Christopher Koch, IL State Superintendent of Schools, updated attendees on the state of education in IL at the Second General Session. The Third General Session was extremely motivating; Michael Dorn a nationally renowned speaker from Georgia presented "School Safety Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." He really opened my eyes to the large and important role I play in my students' lives. I also attended small group sessions focusing on staff development, issues facing new principals and RtI.

The IL Principals Association is a 4300 member professional organization representing elementary, middle and secondary principals, assistant principals and deans throughout Illinois. The Mission of the IPA is to advance learning through effective educational leadership. I am proud to be a member of this organization.

OCTOBER IS HERE

Where did September go? The beginning of the school year went by quickly and smoothly. RtI is up and running and the students and staff are doing an excellent job with all of the changes. The kindergartners are happy to be in school, the first graders are used to being here all day and the second graders are enjoying being the "big" kids.

October is going to be a very busy month at Elizabeth Ide. The following is a list of upcoming events:

Saturday, October 4th - Market Day

9:30 - 10:30 @ Lakeview Jr. High

Friday, October 10th - PreSchool Screening

Friday, October 10 - Gym Night - 6:30 - 8:00

Monday, October 13- NO SCHOOL - Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 14th - School Board Meeting

7:00 @ Prairieview

Thursday, October 16th - Ide PTO Meeting @ 3:45

Wednesday, October 22nd - Early Dismissal @ 12:00

ONLY AM KINDERGARTNERS ATTEND

ALL PICK-UPS are at 12:10

Friday, October 24th - Halloween Fun Fest - 6:30 - 8:30

Tuesday, October 28th - School Board Meeting

7:00 @ Prairieview

Friday, October 31st - Halloween

1:30 - Costume Parade

2:00 - 3:00 - Classroom Parties

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT IDE

THANK YOU

A big thank you goes out to the PTO and the Parent & Teacher Volunteers who made the Ide Book Fair/Ice Cream Social such a success. A great time was had by all!

Another thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to help with picture day and the magazine drive turn in days. These days would not have gone so smoothly without you!

PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Tuesday, September 30th

Final Magazine Turn-In Day

September Birthdays have lunch with the Principal

Saturday, October 4th

Market Day Pick-Up at Lakeview @ 9:30 - 10:30

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Next week is going to be a very busy week. Beginning Monday we will be implementing RtI at Elizabeth Ide school. Today letters were sent home with the name of your student's reading teacher. Those students who are in need of extra interventions and small group instruction received a separate letter as well. All students are receiving the same curriculum and the reading expectations for all students were described at our grade level Curriculum Nights. In each grade level, the weekly newsletters explain what will be worked on in reading and language arts and that is what you should focus on at home.

Other Events

Tuesday, September 23rd - 1st Magazine Turn-In Day

Wednesday, September 24th - Ide Book Fair/Ice Cream Social - 6:30 - 8:00

Thursday, September 25th - Picture Day

Friday, September 26th - 2nd Magazine Turn-In Day

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

Elizabeth Ide Students are Excellent Summer Readers

The three libraries that serve our district all conducted summer reading programs. Indian Prairie hosted "Get in the Game" , Woodridge hosted the "Reading Bug" and Downers Grove hosted the "Reading Game". I am very proud of all the students that participated and worked so hard during the summer - Congratulations to you all!

RtI - Response to Intervention

RtI Parent Link

Last night we held an informative Parent Link evening about RtI - Response to Intervention. Over 100 people attended. The information was presented in a powerpoint format which you can view at the following link:

http://www.ccsd66.org/RtI/RtI_files/frame.htm.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call me at 630-783-5200. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

WELCOME BACK

It's hard to believe our first week of school is almost over. It's great to see everyone's smiling faces again and to hear the voices of children in the building (believe it or not it gets way too quiet over the summer)!

Here's a summary of some important events coming up for Ide:

Thursday, September 4th - RtI Parent Link Night at Prairieview @ 7:00

Wednesday, September 10th - 1st and 2nd grade curriculum night

1st Grade @ 6:30 in the Ide Gym

2nd Grade @ 7:00 in the Ide Gym

Monday, September 15th - Magazine Drive Kick - Off

Tuesday, September 16th - Early Dismissal at Noon

AM Kindergartners

Wednesday, September 24th - Fall Book Fair/Ice Cream Social - 6:30 - 8:00

Thursday, September 25th - Picture Day

THE END OF THE YEAR WAS BUSY!!!!

Friday, May 30th

School Picnic was Rained Out, but not Washed Up

It rained on our picnic, but not on our fun! Some of the games were able to go outside for a little while, but most of the day was spent in the school between the gym, IMC and the 1st/2nd grade open areas. The students had a wonderful time thanks to all of our volunteers who made the day so special!!!

Wednesday, June 4th
Our Kindergartners Graduated

Our kindergartners graduated to first grade and full day. There was much excitement as they received their diplomas and told what they wanted to be when they grow up. Everyone had a wonderful day!

Thursday, June 5th

LAST DAY of 2007-2008

Today was the last day - we all survived. Both students and teachers are ready for a much needed break to refresh for the Fall. I hope you all have a fun and relaxing summer!

KINDERGARTNERS LEARN THROUGH SONG

Jim Gill Visits Kindergarten

Our kindergarten classrooms received a special treat today when Jim Gill visited our school. Below is information about Jim and his program:

Jim Gill is, by training, a child development specialist with a Master’s Degree from the Erikson Institute of Chicago. He speaks to early childhood educators, child care providers, and children’s librarians at conferences throughout the country about the value of play, in general, and the many connections between music play and literacy.

The link to his website is http://www.jimgill.com/new/home.html

SCHOOL PICNIC

Tomorrow, Friday, May 30th is our school picnic. We are all hoping for a sunny day, but there are rain plans in place. So if you are volunteering you will be needed rain or shine. Thank you and keep your fingers crossed!!!!!

THIS WEEK IN REVIEW / PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

THURSDAY - MAY 22nd - PARENT LINK NIGHT

Last night's Parent Link was well attended and parents received an overview of suggested websites and summer reading books for their students. Below is a link to the list that was discussed last night:

http://www.ccsd66.org/Eliz_Ide_Summer%20Learning.html

FRIDAY- MAY 23rd - SPECIAL VISITOR IN MRS. AMISH'S CLASS

Today, Lucy's grandpa visited Mrs. Amish's classroom to lead the students in the singing of many of their favorite songs. A good time was had by all!!! Thank you :)

SATURDAY - MAY 24th - MARKET DAY PICK-UP

Tomorrow is Market Day pick-up at LV from 11:00 - 12:00

MONDAY- MAY 26th - NO SCHOOL - MEMORIAL DAY

THURSDAY - MAY 29TH - JIM GILL

Kindergarten will be treated to an assembly by Jim Gill who will teach many fun rhymes and readings through song to our kindergartners!

FRIDAY - MAY 30th - PICNIC DAY

Luau Picnic Day

THANK YOU!!!!!

I would like to thank the Tuesday Morning Early Birds Bowling League for their generous donation to Elizabeth Ide School. With their donation the following items will be purchased:

Storage for our Ellison Die-Cuts (new ones have been purchased):

New pencil sharpeners for the classrooms

Can crusher to make it easier for our Brownie troops to collect cans

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity; it is greatly appreciated!!

PARENT LINK

This Thursday, May 22nd there will be a Parent Link for all Elizabeth Ide and Prairieview parents at Prairieview at 7:00. This link will focus on how to continue working on your student's academic skills over the summer. Mrs. Kucera, the district technology director, will be demonstrating how to use the district webpage as a link to many academic websites suggested by teachers. Mrs. Schultz and myself have put together lists of summer reading books based on suggestions from teachers and the Illinois Reading Council. I hope many of you will be able to attend this informative evening.

Here is a small sample of suggestions sent to me by the first grade teachers:

Books:

Frog and Toad by Arthur Lobel

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parrish

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant

Arthur by Marc Brown

Horrible Harry by Suzy Kline

Cam Jansen Mysteries by David Adler

Clue Jr. by Parker C. Hinter

Jigsaw Jones Mysteries by James Preller

Junie B. Jones by Barbara Parks

Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Websites:

www.primarygames.com

www.coolmath4kids.com

www.funbrain.com

www.starfall.com

CHARACTER COUNTS ASSEMBLY

Elizabeth Ide Character Counts Assembly

Today the PTO treated us to a wonderful assembly by Rick Kelly about Character Counts and Reading. The kids learned about sharing, being fair, helping others and being responsible through song and dance. A good time was had by all. Check-in with the Indian Prairie Library, Rick is featured in their summer reading program!!!!!

Next Week at Elizabeth Ide

Monday, May 19th - Last Day for Communication Survey

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB227FJSPP78R

Wednesday, May 21 - Bus Driver Breakfast - Thank you for all of your hard work

Thursday, May 22nd - Indian Prairie and Woodridge Library School Visit

Friday, May 23 - 2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip

Saturday, May 24 - Market Day Pick-Up

RTI Update

I have written about RtI (Response to Intervention) in previous blogs, but since the end of the year is approaching and many of us our already thinking of next year I thought I would blog about it again. RtI is a new federal law with implications for general education as well as special education. Response to Intervention identifies and provides high quality instruction and research based interventions matched to student needs. RtI measures the rate of improvement over time to make important educational decisions. RtI uses ongoing student performance data to determine if an intervention is working. If the intervention is not working a different strategy is implemented in a timely manner. RtI uses a 3 tiered approach to problem solving. At the beginning of the year all students are screened, which gives us an indication of where each student is compared to their peers and which students need an intervention. The students move up the 3 tiers by working through different levels of interventions. RtI is an overall integrated system of educational service delivery. RtI is not an eligibility system or a way to place students in special education. It is a system that allows each student to receive the educational interventions needed to succeed.

We have formed committees in all three buildings this year who have attended training offered through SASED/ASPIRE throughout the year. We will begin to implement the RtI process next year and more will be explained in next week's blog. Thanks for reading!

THANK YOU PTO!!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week was Wonderful!!!

Thank you PTO and all of the moms who sent in the delicious food for the lunches last week. Everyone truly enjoyed them and it was nice not to have to think about what to bring for lunch!

I hope you all had a wondeful Mother's Day weekend despite the rainy, windy, chilly weather. Here's a little background on Mother's Day:

Mother's Day is celebrated to honor all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries including US, Australia, Canada and India celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May. Mother Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis. The Resolution for having a dedicated 'Mother's Day was signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Mothers Day with joy and devotion.