NEW ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) CURRICULUM

District #220 has adopted a new ELA Curriculum that will be implemented starting next school year. This includes new reading, writing, and word study curriculum and student materials for all classrooms grades K-5. Consequently, our teachers will be participating in professional development training over the next two weeks in preparation for the implementation of the new curriculum. You can anticipate that your child’s teacher will be out of the classroom for a full day over the course of the next two weeks. Our district will also be providing a Parent University for all elementary parents to learn about the new curriculum and how they can continue to support their child at home. I will share the details of the upcoming parent meeting as soon as they are available.  

BIG EVENT - BROOKFIELD ZOO FIELD TRIP 

We shared with students that our BIG EVENT will be an all school field trip to the Brookfield Zoo! Information went out to parents via email on Thursday. Please be sure to complete the Google Form to provide permission and indicate your child’s lunch choice as soon as possible! We are looking for chaperones to join us on the event. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher directly if you are interested. We do already have many chaperones who have already signed up, but are looking for just a couple more for some classrooms! 

Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) 

This coming week, our 3rd – 5th grade students will continue to participate in the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR). The IAR is the required standardized state testing.

 

Students will complete three Math tests (one per day) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, April 11th-13th. Make-up assessments will be conducted when possible throughout the assessment window and will need to be completed by Friday of this week. It is extremely important that students are in attendance for these assessments and prepared to do their best, as the assessments are used to rate our school on the Illinois School Report Card.

 

Parents can help ensure that their children are prepared to do their best as well! Please be sure that your child:

• Gets a good night sleep on the evenings before the tests

• Eats a healthy breakfast on the morning of the assessments

• Arrives to school on time, as some testing will begin immediately in the morning

• Brings their iPad updated and fully charged

• Brings their school issued headphones or earphones

Please be sure to read the official letter regarding IAR with additional suggestions as to how parents can support students with the testing and more details regarding the assessments. You may also contact me directly with any questions.

Reminders 

• Registration for summer school is open! Visit the district summer school site for the catalogs and to register! 

Upcoming Dates

Monday, April 17th - 3rd-5th Grade IAR Testing, Math I 

Tuesday, April 18th - 3rd-5th Grade IAR Testing, Math II

Tuesday, April 18th - April PTO Meeting, 9:15 a.m. 

Wednesday, April 19th - 3rd-5th Grade IAR Testing, Math III

Friday, April 21st - Family Dance 

April 24th - May 12th - Fastbridge and MAP Spring Assessment Window 

Tuesday, April 25th - 5th grade students visit middle schools 

Wednesday, April 26th - 5th Grade Feed My Starving Children Field Trip 

Friday, April 28th - Grove BIG EVENT 

Monday, May 1st - Friday, May 5th - Teacher Appreciation Week 

Tuesday, May 16th - May PTO Meeting, 9:15 a.m. 

Thursday, May 18th - Spring Open House and Book Fair

Thursday, May 25th - 5th Grade Farewell Ceremony

Wednesday, May 31st - Field Day

Thursday, June 1st - Last Day of School

We are excited for the Grove Family Dance this coming Friday, April 21st. We have over 480 people attending! We are in need of volunteers! Please sign up if you can - https://tinyurl.com/FamilyDanceVolunteers