JUNE 2022 FAMILY NEWSLETTER

June 7, 2022

Topic: Unassigned

 

June 2022

 

Calendar Reminders

Please make note of the following dates:

  • Thursday, June 23 — Board of Education meeting

FREE LUNCH

A free, healthy lunch will be served throughout the summer for any child 18 years of age and younger.

Dates: Jun. 6 – Aug. 5, 2022, Monday – Friday 

(NOT served  June 20, July 1, 4, 8, 15, 22)
Times: 9:30 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.

CCSD21 in-person summer school students will receive meals on site. Current menus are posted at ccsd21.org and updated monthly.

See locations here.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Supplies and Registration Fees Provided 

Once again, District 21 will be providing all enrolled students with school supplies needed for the 2022-2023 school year. These kits – filled with items such as pencils, pens, glue sticks, scissors, crayons, notebooks, and much more – will be distributed to each student upon return to the classroom.

Additionally, for the 3rd year in a row, the district will be waiving registration fees for each student.

ParentSquare: TIPS, APP, and MORE

Improve your engagement with our district by using ParentSquare tools. You account must be activated using the contact information on record with School District 21. To activate your account, go to parentsquare.com/signin. Enter your email address or cell phone number on the right side, under “Sign Up.”

Once you activate your account, you’ll  have access to tools, like secure messaging (text or email) with your student’s teacher, adjusting language and notification settings, and more.

For more information:

LESSONS ON TRANSFORMATION AND HOPE

On May 17, Longfellow Elementary School students, along with 5th grade teacher Heather Popilek planted a butterfly garden, complete with milkweed and flowers. Done in conjunction with writing editorials and persuasive letters on “Save the Monarchs,” these students are giving monarchs a better chance of survival by restoring their habitats while practicing persuasive writing.

Thank you and congratulations to these industrious students.

SEASONS OF LOVE

Nothing spoke louder than Riley Elementary School 5th grade students and those in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing NSSEO Program who performed a celebration of friendship called “Seasons of Love.” While all Riley students receive sign language instruction, the greater gift is forming priceless bonds with each other, which is always the language of love.

LANGUAGE SERVICES

Are you new to the district? Is there a language other than English spoken in the house? If your child is between grades Pre K-8th and not enrolled in an Illinois public school, the Illinois State Board of Education School Code requires them to be screened to determine whether they qualify for the English Language Services. The services will guarantee a consistent, well-defined, high-quality, equitable curriculum that prepares students for high school, college, career and life.

(See the Language Services Model for the 2022-2023 school year here.)

No action needed now. Families will be contacted to make an appointment and provided with details of location and times.

For additional information please contact our Language Services Department at 847.465.7299.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

There are lots of ways to keep your child engaged in learning over the summer. Here are a few, endorsed by the district.

Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 850 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card. Read more here.

Indian Trails Public Library is hosting a summer library adventure, beginning June 1. “Every Trail Has a Story” is open to all ages and there is no residency requirement.

There are 3 Easy Ways to Register

  1. In-person at the main library or a branch.
  2. Online through the Beanstack website or app (Apple) (Android).
  3. Call 847.459.4100.

HATS OFF TO THE NEW PRINCIPALS

We are pleased to follow the personal and professional success of our CCSD21 family members: Catherine Joy, as the new Frost Elementary School Principal, Annette McBride, as the new  Kilmer Elementary School Principal and Melissa Mariconda, as the new Assistant  Principal at Riley Elementary School.

Catherine Joy served successfully as an assistant principal at Cooper Middle School.  Prior to that, Ms. Joy was a coordinator, coach and teacher in the district, who distinguished herself as a thoughtful, caring and collaborative educator. Her experiences in multiple schools in the district will serve her well as she takes on this leadership role at Frost.  Ms. Joy was very well received by the Frost interview panel of staff and parents.

Annette McBride has spent the last year serving successfully as the assistant principal at Kilmer Elementary School.  Prior to that, Ms. McBride was an assistant principal of student services in Round Lake.  She also was a modern language Spanish teacher for eight years in Glencoe School District 35. Ms. McBride distinguished herself with a friendly, thoughtful approach. Her experiences in the classroom and as the assistant principal at Kilmer will be a tremendous asset to her in this new role.  Her commitment to ensuring a safe, and supportive learning environment for all students was evident throughout the interview process. Ms. McBride was very well received by the Kilmer interview panel of staff and parents.

Melissa Mariconda served successfully as a special education teacher at Tarkington. Prior to that, Ms. Mariconda served as a special education and general education teacher in Prospect Heights School District 23. Ms. Mariconda distinguished herself as a hard-working, reliable, outstanding educator. She understands all students learn differently, and advocates for every student she works with. She has taken on multiple leadership roles in her building and has a desire to learn and grow as an administrator.  Ms. Mariconda was very well received by the Riley interview panel of staff and parents.

Congratulations to all.

EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY WITH FARM ANIMALS

Kindergarteners at Frost Elementary School got a taste of farm life last month when Wagner Farm in Glenview brought their “Ag at Your Door” program to the school. The students learned the importance of agriculture and got to pet a chicken and a cow. They also created a rope out of string and shucked some corn. “The students loved it and it’s not every day you see a cow on the school playground,” said Dana Cichansk, kindergarten teacher at Frost.

What’s planted now will be harvested later.

MAKING OUR HEARTS SING

Last month, the Cooper Symphonic Winds competed as one of the top eight middle school bands in the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival and did a fantastic job. College professors from Minnesota, North Carolina and Florida, who served as judges, said the following about our students: outstanding group, very well prepared, plays above their years, and the high school program must be excited to get these students. While the band did not win top honors, in the end, the students received invaluable performance experience. Wood Oaks Middle School in Northbrook took home the top award.

Way to go, Cooper Symphonic Winds.

8TH GRADE PROMOTION

Congratulations to the 8th graders at Cooper, London and Holmes Middle Schools, who participated in graduation ceremonies last month. District 21 wishes them the best of luck as they enter the next chapter of their educational life. We are honored to help them through this transition and celebrate their successes.

Check here for photos. 

BUS DRIVERS NEEDED

Being a bus driver is not just a job, it’s an adventure. Join First Student, the leading transportation service, by helping provide transportation to and from school for our students. Begin your adventure with these benefits:

  • $21.00/HR starting wage; depending on experience
  • No experience necessary! We train!
  • Paid CDL training
  • Hours guarantee
  • Paid holidays
  • Additional hours available – charter route opportunities!
  • Child ride-along program
  • No nights or weekends

Interested? Call First Student at 847-541-0220.

BOARD UPDATE

The  livestream video of the May 26 Board of Education meeting can be viewed here. The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting of Community Consolidated School District 21, Wheeling, Cook County, IL, will be held on June 23, 2022, 7:00 p.m. at the CCSD21 Gill Administration Center, 999 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, IL 60090.