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.

CHICKS AND SQUIDS - WHAT A DAY!!!!

FIRST GRADE NEWS

THEY'RE HATCHING

This chick is slowly coming out - what's taking so long?

He's afraid he'll be given homework!!!

WOW!!!! Mrs. Riadi's room is full of peeping!

Make sure to ask your students about their new chicks!

2ND GRADE NEWS

SQUID ALERT

Scientists from High Touch High-Tech are visiting Ide to teach our 2nd grade students about the wonders of the sea! Students felt real squid, drew pictures with squid ink, looked at microscopic sea creatures and saw a real shark!!!

PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK

What's going on at Elizabeth Ide?

Sunday, May 4th - Family Fishing Derby - 11:00 - 1:00 Patriot's Park Downers Grove

May 5th - May 9th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7, 8, and 9 - 2nd Grade High-Tech, High-Touch

The 1st grade chicks will be hatching sometime this week :)