EARLY DISMISSAL

Next Friday, September 30th will be an early dismissal day. We have a total of six of these days this year to allow for the professional development of our staff. Teachers engage in activities that will benefit all of our students.

Only AM Kindergarten will attend on the 30th (we alternate the days between am and pm). PM Kindergartners DO NOT attend. All students will be dismissed at NOON. Pickups will take place after the buses leave at 12:10.

Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns at 630-783-5201. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

REMEMBERANCE

September 11, 2011

Sunday will be the 10th anniversary of the 09/11 attacks on New York and Washington. It's hard to believe 10 years have gone by since that frightening day. This is a good time to reflect on the good things we have in our lives and remember those we have lost.

I will never forget being at school that day and worrying about what was going to happen next and how I would keep my students safe if something happened here. I couldn't wait to get home when the day was done and just be with my family, at that time Gary and the dogs. We watched and cried as we saw the days events unfold over and over again. I couldn't imagine how the people who lost their loved ones felt and was overcome with an immense feeling of sorrow and loss of security.

Then one day Mrs. Olsen and I had recess duty and we saw a plane fly overhead. Seeing that simple object somehow brought us hope. We knew that normalcy would return to our world and we would be able to go on. It is that kind of hope that we have to hang unto during difficult times. As we struggle through a trying economy, loss of loved ones and life's curve balls hang on to hope - turn to the people who love and care about you. And be grateful everyday for the positive people and things in your lives.

AND WE'RE OFF

The school year has begun. I enjoyed seeing so many students and parents today at our Open House. I am looking forward to having another wonderful school year with all of you.

I just want to say THANK YOU again to everyone for your kind words, support and gifts during this difficult summer. Losing Gary was very hard and having Marc go through such a major surgery was difficult. However, all of you have helped in so many ways and I truly appreciate everything! Marc is doing great and is back to being 100%!

There are many exciting events coming up in September and I have listed those below. Please feel free to call the office or me if you have any questions and WELCOME BACK!

September Events

Monday, September 5th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Thursday, September 8th - Curriculum Night - 1st Grade 6:30 / 2nd Grade 7:00

Thursday, September 15th - Ide Book Fair / Ice Cream Social - 6:30 - 8:00

Thursday, September 29th - Picture Day

Friday, September 30th - Early Dismissal @ Noon

UPDATE

I hope you are all having a good summer despite the hot, stormy weather. I just wanted to let you know that my son Marc will be having surgery this Friday, July 29th at Children's Memorial Hospital. This summer doctors discovered that Cerebral Spinal fluid has been dripping out of his nose since he moved in last year. We have taken him to pediatricians, allergists and ENTs since he moved in to find out why his nose constantly runs and have finally gotten our answer.

The surgery is pretty intense and will last 3 - 5 hours and we will be in the hospital 3 - 7 days depending on how the surgery goes. I will be out of the office from July 29th - August 5th and will try to return part time the week of August 8th. I will update these dates if anything changes. Thank you again for all of your support and concern these past few months I truly appreciate it and hope to be able to blog some happy events soon.

If no one is available at Ide to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about the upcoming school year please call the district office at 630-783-5000.

Thank you, Mrs. Hansen

10 Years

Please appreciate every moment you have with your family.

Today Gary and I would have been married 10 years. In those 1o years, we navigated our way through the roller coaster called "Life". I became a principal, Gary took over his family business, we lost beloved family members and cried together, we bought a boat (Gary's dream) and a horse (my dream) and began the process of adopting our wonderful son Marc, but nothing prepared me for May 25th. Losing Gary is the hardest thing I have ever been through. Our wedding day was filled with love and wonderful memories (along with a fun fishing theme). Those memories are rushing back today and I am so glad I have them.

Please enjoy this long holiday weekend and make forever memories with your families.

SUMMER IS HERE

Summer is here (well at least today it feels like it). I hope you are all enjoying your time together.

I cannot thank all of you, along with the PTO, for your generosity and support. The lawn service and donations are so appreciated. I am taking next week off to try and get my head around what is happening and take care of a lot of paperwork. If you need to speak to someone about school matters and no one is in the Ide office please call the district office at 630-783-5000. Thank you for your understanding.

Appreciation

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their support during this extremely difficult time. Your cards, gifts, hugs, etc mean so much to Marc and I. There are no words to describe how I feel right now, but I can tell you how much I appreciate all of you.

I feel like I have written so many blogs about enjoying time with family and appreciating every moment and once again I have been taught that lesson. I don't understand why this happened and probably never will but I am grateful for the 16 years Gary and I had together. They were full of ups and downs but always full of love.

Please appreciate everyday you have with your loved ones; good and bad. Please enjoy the summer and smile often. Please say I love you when you have the chance.