WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Week of March 3rd - 7th - Unplugged Week

Monday, March 3rd - NO SCHOOL - Casimir Pulaski Day

Tuesday, March 4th - Kindergarten field trip to Robert Crown Center

Tuesday, March 4th - Math Ahoy Night - 6:00 - 8:00 at Ide

Wednesday, March 5th - 1st Grade Music Concert 7:00 at Lakeview

Thursday, March 6th - Spring Picture Day

Wow! What A Busy Week!

LEAP YEAR = FROG DAY

Friday, February 29th - Leap Day

Why Leap Years Are Used?

The year 2008 is a leap year. If you look at a 2008 calendar, you will see that February has five Fridays–the month begins and ends on a Friday. Between the years 1904 and 2096, leap years that share the same day of week for each date repeat only every 28 years. The most recent year in which February comprised five Fridays was in 1980, and the next occurrence will be in 2036. February 29, the leap day, has been associated with age-old traditions, superstitions and folklore.

What is a leap year?

A leap year is a year in which one extra day has been inserted at the end of February. A leap year consists of 366 days, whereas other years, called common years, have 365 days.

Why are leap years needed?

Leap years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the earth's revolutions around the sun.

What is Elizabeth Ide doing to celebrate?

Tomorrow February 29th we will be wearing GREEN to celebrate Leap Day. Why? Well frogs leap and they are GREEN. I will be reading The Frog Principal to all of the classes in honor of this special day!!!! Make sure to ask your students about the fun activities they've done when they get home!

SUPER SATURDAY

The Snowflake Ball

This past Saturday our PTO hosted the Snowflake Ball. When I walked into the school I could not believe how beautiful it looked; the hallway was lined with hearts and snowflakes created by our first and second graders; our IMC was transformed into a wintery photo gallery and the gym was a magical winter's night. The boys looked handsome and the girls were beautiful in their finest attire for this wonderful evening. I would personally like to THANK the following people; Lynette Caldarazzo and Theresa Herstowski for co-chairing this event - we will truly miss you at Ide next year, you have the special touch that makes these events so spectacular; Paul Knight for being our DJ and keeping the kids dancing all evening; the entire PTO board and all the many helpers who gave up their time to help out, and the teachers who attended the event and even danced a little. A wonderful time was had by all!

IOWA TESTING NEXT WEEK

First and Second graders will be taking IOWA tests next week. These tests help teachers monitor student progress and offer guidance for placement the following year. They in no way affect a student's report card or grades. Please encourage your students to do their best on these tests, without causing any undo stress.

Some things you can do to help your students during testing:

1) Make sure they receive a full nights sleep the nights before testing
2) Make sure they eat breakfast in the morning and bring a healthy snack for during the day
3) Advise your students to try their best and ask their teacher when they don't
understand the directions

Thank you for your cooperation in making the test process as stress-free for your students as possible!

RECYCLE DAY IN 1ST GRADE

FIRST GRADERS LEARN RESPECT FOR THE EARTH

Elizabeth Ide first graders learned a very important lesson today, how to respect the Earth. The volunteers of SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting Education) visited the school today to teach the children how to make paper without abusing Earth’s natural resources. SCARCE is dedicated to educating students, teachers, residents, businesses, and the general public to conserve natural resources and energy, prevent pollution, reduce waste, recycle, and compost organic materials, so that together we can make a difference; we can protect the environment and work toward a sustainable future for our community. The hands-on papermaking activity taught the students the entire papermaking process and each of them received a sample piece of paper to take home. They also learned how to take are of and preserve natural resources. First grade, Lauren, summed up the experience by stating, “It was a lot of fun. We got to make the paper by pouring the water and mixing all the ingredients ourselves. I felt happy that we got to take the paper home. I learned that if we do this and recycle too we’re helping the Earth.” First grade teachers have been bringing this wonderful program to Elizabeth Ide for many years thanks to the PTO which provides all the funding. The teachers like this program because it teaches the 3Rs, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. For the first time, students learn how long it takes garbage to become biodegradable and how they can reduce the amount of garbage that goes into a landfill. This is a productive and entertaining activity that teaches lifelong lessons on respecting the Earth.

REMINDER - NO SCHOOL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH - PRESIDENT'S DAY

ANOTHER IOWA CHANGE

The Iowa tests have shipped and will be here this week. Therefore we are changing our test date one final time. We will be taking the tests the week of February 25 - 29 and make up tests will be the following week. This will be a better week for testing since the following week had Math Ahoy night and the 1st grade concert. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call the office with any questions.

Tomorrow are the class Valentine parties. Please make sure students bring any cards or treats they want to pass out to their classmates with them in the morning. Room moms who have signed up to work the party should arrive at 1:50 to begin setting up. Thank you for volunteering your time to make the parties so much fun!

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Darien Lions Club - Community Blood Drive

WHEN: Tuesday, February 12th - 4:30pm - 8:00pm

WHERE: Lace School Gym - 7414 S Cass Avenue, Darien

Blood donors must be 17 years old, in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, have a positive ID and also have waited 56 days since their last donation.

Blood cannot be manufactured! There is no substitute for blood; it can only come from a volunteer donor. Every pint of blood can save the lives of three to four people so donating blood is truly giving - THE GIFT OF LIFE! What a Valentine's Day gift that would be!

For more information, please call (630) 852-6922 - Gerry Kucera DLC Blood Drive Chairman

PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

Week of February 11 - 15

Monday, February 11th - 2nd Grade field trip to see If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Tuesday, February 12th - School Board Meeting at PV @ 7:00

Wednesday, February 13th - Elizabeth Ide PTO Meeting @ 3:45

Thursday, February 14th - Valentine's Day parties - 2:00 - 3:00

Have a wonderful weekend!

IT'S WINTER IN CHICAGO

I have heard many people complaining about the weather lately. We have to remember that it is winter in Chicago and that this cold and messy weather could be here for 2 more months! So we have to look on the bright side; we can build many more snowmen, the trees are absolutely beautiful and the kids can sled for many hours in the snow. Also, it could be worse look at these
February statistics:

Chicago snow extremes in February(1885-2007)

snowiest February ... 27.8" in 1896
biggest February snowstorm ... 13.4" Feb. 6-7, 1895

least snowy February ... 0.0" in 1987&1998 - HOW BORING!

So let's consider ourselves lucky because very soon we're going to hear "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." Have a wonderful wintery evening.

EARLY DISMISSAL - FEBRUARY 7TH 12:00

Thursday, February 7th will be an early dismissal day. All students will be dismissed at 12:00. Morning kindergartners do not have school; afternoon kindergartners report in the morning at 8:50. Please call the school if you have any questions.

In the afternoon, teachers will be reviewing new safety procedures and protocols instituted by the state of Illinois and the federal government. The security of our students and staff is of the utmost importance and having this time to review and discuss these items will benefit our entire district.

LESSONS LEARNED

This week has taught me many things but the most important is that life is too short. We need to cherish every moment we have with the people we love. Always say your sorry when you've done something to hurt them, always hug them when they need it, always say I love you even when you're upset. Life is precious and you never know when it will end so please appreciate every second of it.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and good wishes this week. They have meant so much to my family and me. Knowing how many people care really helps at a time like this. Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back on Monday.