Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 9th
Book Fair Begins
SLT Meeting (Re-Schedule) @ 2:30pm
Happy Birthday Karen Niewinski 🙂 

Tuesday, September 10th
AXA Rep in Faculty Lounge
Faculty Meeting  @ 2:30pm <–click for agenda

Wednesday, September 11th
1/2 Day (agenda will be emailed)
Happy Birthday Jaime Bolognone 🙂
Happy Birthday Beatriz Diaz 🙂

Thursday, September 12th
Curriculum Night 6:00pm-7:30pm

Friday, September 13th
Lunch with SPEA Co-Presidents in Lounge

(09/15) Happy Birthday Blanche Dougal-Kane 🙂

*If you have a website that you frequently use on your iPads, you can add the link to your home screen (to make it look like an app) to get to it quicker. Watch this video clip to find out how.

*A reflective blog post on homework

Some Curriculum Night Ideas from Pinterest:

From Venspired:

“You cannot walk into a discussion about education and not hear the word ‘standard’ mentioned at least 16,432 times. I may be exaggerating, but the focus on Common Core, on rigor, on assessing students’ knowledge has become the entire discussion. What about kids? What about guiding them to think about others? What about helping them understand that they can make a difference? This quote sums up everything about education. We want our students to excel academically. We support them in learning to read, write, and problem solve. We want them to do well in their studies, to achieve standards, to reach goals. But beyond that….Do good. We want that too. Even more importantly, we need to guide learning experiences so that students can have the opportunity to want it. Inspire them. I’m not saying standards aren’t important, but standards won’t change the world. Our kids will.”

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, September 2nd
NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

Tuesday, September 3rd
Mentor Meeting @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, September 4th
10:30am SLC/SLBC Outing
CCSS Common Plan Time

Thursday, September 5th
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, September 6th
5 by Friday!

(09/08) Happy Birthday Bailey Stenzel 🙂 

The start of the school year is the best time to begin building positive relationships with our families, too! I encourage you to meet our goal of 5 positive contacts by Friday over the next few weeks (phone calls, post cards, notes home, etc). Let’s remember our goal for the 2013-2014 school year….to make sure that 100% of our parents experience communication/contact with their child’s teacher prior to the November conferences:

Our first full week was outstanding! The energy in our building is positive and energetic. Thank you for setting the tone each and every day to make sure our students and each other have a great day. Continue to build one another up and support each other when needed.

As I visited each classroom in our school this past week, I observed each of you setting the tone for a culture of caring in your classrooms; classrooms where teachers and students care about learning, about each other, and care about our community. The first weeks of school set the tone for the entire year. If our students leave school feeling excited about themselves as learners & about you as their teacher, then we’re doing something right!  Always remember that our kids will meet any expectations we set for them, as long as we are firm, fair, and consistent with these expectations and build relationships with our students so that they will want to meet them. The primary way to accomplish this positive relationship-building with our students is simply caring deeply about them as learners and young people and taking the time to get to know them, as well as showing them just how much you care.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, August 26th
Reading Room Opens!

Tuesday, August 27th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm <—click for agenda
Parent/Teacher Collaboration Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm

Wednesday, August 28th
Assessment/Report Card Common Plan

Thursday, August 29th
Evacuation Drill @ 9:15am
Happy Birthday Audrey Tillack 🙂

Friday, August 30th
Code Red Drill
5 by Friday: Let’s send out 5 positive postcards 🙂
(Extras can be found in the office)

(09/01) Happy Birthday Rosa Andreuccetti 🙂
(09/02) NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

*App recommendation: Chalk Talk Blog recommended “Endless Alphabet” app as a perfect way to build students’ vocabulary. The app can be purchased in the App Store for $5.99.

What a great first week (technically 3 days) at Kennedy! As expected, there were a few tears, but the smiles and laughs outweighed the few. I appreciate everyone’s help and extra care during arrival. Thank you to ALL staff for going the extra mile to help get our year off to an amazing start. 🙂

As we prepare for our first full week with the students, I hope you all remember that you are a difference maker! The small things you do to welcome students and show an interest in their lives will have an impact. This year, you will have opportunities to build confidence in a child where it hasn’t existed—develop connections that have never been present. Kennedy School is filled with students with a variety of needs, and it’s up to each one of US to make sure they are successful this school year. How can we be sure that this happens? By building a connection with each student. When we truly know them as individuals, we can understand them as learners.

 Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, August 19th
1st Day of Pre School
MAP Testing Begins in Faculty Lounge
Fall AIMs Benchmarking Begins
Morning Intervention Routines begin in classrooms

Tuesday, August 20th
Insurance Meeting with Colleen Trapp @ 2:30pm (cafeteria): All staff are strongly encouraged to attend. Meeting with be recorded for PreK staff.

Wednesday, August 21st
CCSS: Curriculum Common Plan
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, August 22nd
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm

Friday, August 23rd
5 Positives Family Connections by Friday (postcards can be found in the office)

Articles Worth Reading:
Building Relationships 

Here’s How Being a Father is Changing Me as a Teacher 

Shine Together

A Teacher’s Heart Speaks on the First Day of School

Wow! It’s crazy to think we’ve reached the point in the year where we only have one Friday remaining! It has been a great year of teaching & learning, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your friendship and support.

In the middle of packing away materials, finishing report cards & last minute projects, there is one part of the year that is so bittersweet….the good-byes! Remember to take time to tell your students what they mean to you this week. Have lunch in the classroom or outside. Ask each student to share their favorite memory. Share your favorite memories with your class. Send a Kennedy Kubbie positive postcard to every student and put it in the mail on the last day of school to wish them a great summer! ENJOY THESE LAST FEW DAYS! It’s the happiest & saddest time all in one. Things will never be the same. You’ll never have another group JUST like them. So, while you’re counting down the last 5 days and trying to cross off those final items from your never-ending to-do list, remember to enjoy your final time together & make your end of the year count! 🙂

Here’s our final week at a glance for the 2012-2013 school year:

Monday, May 20th
PreK Celebrations (9am-Rooms 112/133AM, 10:15am-Rooms 134/135AM, 1:00pm-Rooms 112/133PM, 2:15pm-Rooms 134/135PM)
3rd Grade Fly Up Day: Visit to Washington School at 9:15am
1st Grade Picnic to North Park
2nd Grade & 103/107 ZOO Trip
Multiage Class Building @ 2:30pm

Tuesday, May 21st
Kindergarten Graduation @ 9:00am (rooms 129, 131, 132)
& 11:00am (Rooms 127, 128, 130)
Kindergarten Class Building @ 1:30pm
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm
Mentor Celebration @ 3:45pm

Wednesday, May 22nd
1st Grade & 101/109 ZOO Trip
1st Grade Class Building @ 10:00am
Assessment & End of the Year Records Common Plan
2nd Grade Class Building @ 1:45pm

Thursday, May 23rd
3rd Grade Picnic
Pre School class building @ 9:00am
3rd Grade Class Building at 2:30pm

Friday, May 24th
Last Day of School (1 hour long: students dismiss at 8:55am)
End of the Year Check-Out with Donna/Melissa *click here for the checklist*

As the last day of school is approaching, it’s very tempting to hit the “cruise control” button. Let’s make a commitment to finish the year as strong as we started & not hit the cruise control button….our kids deserve better! Students will feed off our attitude and if we expect the best from them, then we must give them the best of us! 🙂

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 13th
FIELD DAY!
Cycle 6 Assessments This Week
Celebrations Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (Room 104)
3rd-8th Spring Choral Concert @ LMS (6:30pm)
Happy Birthday Carrie Sipple 🙂

Tuesday, May 14th
3rd Grade Zoo Trip
Kindergarten Picnic

Wednesday, May 15th
1/2 Day (K-3 students dismiss @ 10:55am, AM PreK @ 11:30am)
Support Staff Luncheon 11:30am-12:30pm
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm

Thursday, May 16th
Volunteer Breakfast @ 8:15am-8:45am (cafeteria)
**Info about classroom coverage will be emailed out later this week**
Second Grade Picnic
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
3rd Grade Dinosaur Fair @ 6:00pm
Happy Birthday Rebecka Mirandola 🙂

Friday, May 17th
Spirit Assembly (Trustworthiness)
District SLC/SLBC Picnic @ Kennedy Park
Multiage Picnic
DARE Graduation
LMS Graduation

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The entire week is about celebrating ALL OF YOU who influence the lives of our students. I certainly appreciate all the little things you do, but what I appreciate the most is the safe, nurturing learning environments you create for our children. Our Kennedy Kubbies LOVE coming to school each day & know that each person cares about them.

In last week’s blog, I wrote about the relationships we must build and foster throughout the school year with our students in order for meaningful learning to occur. I encourage you to take some time & watch the TED Video below. Rita Pierson, an educator, speaks about the value of relationships & “how every child deserves a champion–an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection & insists that they become the best that they can possibly be!”

I hope you know how much I enjoy working with each of you and how proud I am to be your colleague. Thank you for all that you do here at Kennedy School. You are changing lives!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, May 6th
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in faculty lounge (10:30am-1:30pm)
Kindergarten Zoo Trip

Tuesday, May 7th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm
Special Board Meeting @ 7:00pm

Wednesday, May 8th
SLBC to Jewel
PreK Visits Washington School for Buddy Activity
Technology Common Plan

Thursday, May 9th
Memorial Day Dress Rehearsal <–click for schedule
Pre School Picnics
SEL Committee Meeting @ 3:45pm (Faculty Lounge)
Kennedy Memorial Day Concerts @ LMS

Friday, May 10th
FIELD DAY <—click for schedule
Technology Inventory Check-In <—All teachers: Sign up for a time slot with Eric
(Print Out This Inventory Checklist for your time slot)

I hope everyone enjoyed this beautiful weekend! I’d like you to try a challenge. First, divide a piece of paper into three columns. In the first column, make a list of  all your students. Try not to use alphabetical order, line order, or table groups to help you remember. Just write the names as they come to mind.

Then, in the middle column, next to each child’s name, write one thing you know that child likes to do or cares passionately about.

In the third column, make a star if you’re sure the child knows that you know this about him/her.

The results of this activity can be quite humbling. There may have been 1 or 2 students whose names didn’t come to you right away in the first column—That’s a sign that you need to spend more time with them.

In the second column, you may have had difficulty knowing an interest….This shows that you may need to find out more about that child’s gifts & hopes—maybe lunch with the teacher, extra time to chat at arrival, or being together during Friday Free Time.

The names without stars in the third column show that one cannot assume students know that we care about and appreciate their talents & interests….we need to connect with them!

Students who have positive relationships with their teachers TRUST. Knowing students well is essential if you want to engage them (and their parents) in working with you to address or change any problematic behaviors. Building positive teacher-student relationships is work that continues throughout the school year, and one of the aspects of teaching where there’s always room to improve. Give this exercise a try!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 29th
2nd Grade Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium
Spring Benchmarking Begins
Reading Room Testing Begins

Tuesday, April 30th
1st/Multiage Field Trip to Stahl Family Theater
Wendy’s Night 5:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesday, May 1st
PreK (Rms 112/135) Field Trip to North Park Village Nature Center
1st Grade Buddies Trip to LMS @ 9:30am

Thursday, May 2nd
PreK/PATS Field Trip to Lincoln Park Zoo
Kindergarten Young Authors Day @ 1:00pm
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Happy Birthday Abelardo Cano 🙂 

Friday, May 3rd
PRE SCHOOL SCREENING
3rd Grade Trip to Cubs Game
Happy Birthday Molly McSorley 🙂

(05/04) Happy Birthday Abby Ptak 🙂

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 22nd
MAP Testing Continues
Earth Day: Classroom Teachers- Please remember to include a “No Power Hour” in your schedule!
PreK Field Trip to North Park Village Nature Center (Rooms 133 & 134)

Tuesday, April 23rd
Happy Birthday Angela Mastromauro 🙂
3rd Grade Field Trip to Field Museum
Faculty Meeting @ 2:30pm & 3:30pm <—click the link to see our faculty meeting Tackk
Retirement/25 Years of Service Celebration @ 4:00pm

Wednesday, April 24th
3rd Grade to LMS for Buddies Activity
1/2 Day: K-3 students Dismiss at 10:55am/AM PreK @ 11:30am

Thursday, April 25th
Veterans Visit Kennedy School  <–click to see schedule
Kindergarten Field Trip to Morton Arboretum
Spring Band Concert (5-8) @ LMS

Friday, April 26th
Spirit Assembly (Fairness)
April Buddy Event!

Here are some Earth Day ideas from Pinterest. Click on the pictures to connect you to the website:

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, April 15th:
Spring MAP Testing Begins (in faculty lounge)

Tuesday, April 16th:
1st-3rd Grade to LMS to see The Wizard of Oz musical
Environmental Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm
PEP Family Event @ Kennedy School, 6:00pm

Wednesday, April 17th:
SLBC to Dollar Tree
PreK/PATS Spring Feast (2:00pm-3:30pm)
Common Core Common Plan
Board Meeting @ 7:00pm (LMS)

Thursday, April 18th:
SLT Meeting @ 3:00pm
Retirement Celebration @ 4:00pm

Friday, April 19th:
Spring Picture Day 🙂
Kennedy Singers to Washington @ 9:15am for Centennial Rehearsal
5 by Friday!
Loaves & Fishes

(04/20) Village of Schiller Park Centennial Celebration @ Stalica Park
11:00am-1:00pm

(04/21) Anna Kaminska’s Birthday 🙂 (yellow bus driver)