11/01/2015 V.20 I. 04 With four kids at home ranging in age from 16 to 9, our dinner conversations can always be interesting! It’s sometimes hard to get a word in edgewise with kids excitedly discussing Halloween costumes or Christmas lists. However, as soon as I ask how school was, they all seem to quickly run out of things to say. “How was school today?” “Fine.” Sound familiar? As the first quarter draws to a close and conferences are quickly approaching, I am eager to hear my children’s thoughts about school. I knew there had to be a better way to get my kids to open up to me about their lives. The answer? Ask some really odd but specific questions. Such as: · · · · · · · What was the best thing that happened at school today? Tell me something that made you laugh today. If you could choose, who you would you like to sit by in class? Where is the coolest place at school? If I called your teacher tonight what would he/she tell me about you? If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed up someone who would you want them to take? Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school. These questions have led to some interesting conversations at home! I encourage you to try some out and see what your children have to say. I guarantee it will be a lot better than “fine.” See http://www.simplesimonandco.com/2014/08/25-ways-ask-kids-school-today-without-asking-school-today.html for the full list of ideas. Online Report Cards come out on Monday! One of the exciting features of the new parent portal is our ability to send your child's report card to you electronically. This system will allow you to keep your child's report cards stored permanently from year to year, giving you historical access in the portfolio screen. An added benefit is our ability to conserve the amount of resources and money spent on the use of paper. Below are instructions for you to easily access this information; 1. Log into your parent portal account 2. Click on the "portfolio" tab. 3. Select your student. 4. Electronically sign that you have seen the report card Please note: You will not be able to see any information posted until noon on the posting date for each quarter. 1.Quarter 1: November 2 2.Quarter 2: January 25 3.Quarter 3: March 24 4.Quarter 4: Last Day of School Character Word of the Month Citizenship: November is a great month for this word. In November, we honor our veterans and men and women currently serving in the armed forces. These individuals make great sacrifices so that we can enjoy our country’s freedoms. Citizenship is fulfilling duties as part of a group. Good citizens use their freedoms and rights responsibility. When you demonstrate citizenship you follow rules, do your best at the job of being a student, keep our school safe and clean and respect the rights of others. Keep the importance of citizenship in mind this November. Make HBT a community that is a great place for everyone!! Each month when a student demonstrates the word of the month they are awarded a ‘bronze buddy’ by a staff member. That student gets to visit the prize box in Mrs. Ahlstedt’s office and has their picture taken and posted on the bulleting board outside the office. One person per month is randomly selected and wins a $5.00 gift card from Target! Congratulations to all Bronze Buddy recipients for the month of October by demonstrating respect!! Monday, November 02, 2015 Report Cards are available online PTO Meeting 7:00 PM Thursday, November 05, 2015 Early Release - No lunch for students. 9:00 - 12:10 PM Friday, November 06, 2015 Teacher Institute Day - No School for Students Saturday, November 07, 2015 Trivia with a Twist Monday, November 09, 2015 Parent University 9-noon / BPAC 6:00 - 8:00 all at CT in the LMC Tuesday, November 10, 2015 4th & 5th Grade Music Program 6:00 PM 7:00 - 8:00 PM Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Veterans' Day & Assembly 9:15 AM Wednesday, November 11, 2015 5th Grade Field Trip Space Challenger: Kloet & Jenkin 9:00 - 3:15 Friday, November 13, 2015 5th Grade Field Trip Space Challenger: Denton & Ferguson 9:00 - 3:15 Monday, November 16, 2015 School Board Meeting @CHS LMC 6:00 PM Nov 23- 27 Thanksgiving Week Break - No School for Students Monday, November 23, 2015 Parent & Teacher Conferences 8:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2015 Parent & Teacher Conferences 8:00 - 12:00 PM Monday, December 07, 2015 PTO Craft Night 3:35 - 5:00 PM Monday, December 14, 2015 PTO Meeting at HBT 3:40 PM School Board Meeting @CHS LMC 6:00 PM Friday, December 18, 2015 Child's Play Manuscripts are due Friday, December 18, 2015 Winter Sing & Class Parties Dec 21, 2015 - January 1, 2016 Winter Break Monday, January 04, 2016 School Resumes TBD 9:00 - 3:35 PM *As a reminder, all field trip chaperones are double checked through the Dru Sjodin Sex Offender Public Website to ensure our children’s safety. COMMUNICATION PAGE ~ BPAC ~ Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee We would like to make you aware of the Spanish Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) that exists in District 301. The purpose of this group is to form a collaborative union between school district parents/guardians, teachers, administrators and community members. In addition, parents can learn how to support their student’s academic progress and learn about other resources and opportunities that are available in our community. This organization is a wonderful way to welcome and support our Spanish speaking families into our District 301 community. This year, our goal is to promote and increase parent/guardian involvement within the committee. We are asking for your support as staff across the district to encourage more parent participation. All parents/guardians of Spanish speaking ELL students will be sent a formal invitation to each meeting. Parents/guardians of Spanish speaking students who are not currently participating in the ELL Program are also welcome to attend. BPAC meetings will be held at Country Trails Elementary from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, November 9th Thursday, January 14th Tuesday, April 19th Dinner will be served and childcare will be provided at each meeting. On Saturday, March 12th, the district will host a Parent University from 9-12p.m. at Country Trails. The Parent University presentation will be determined at the previous meetings by the BPAC members. Breakfast and childcare will also be provided at the Parent University. Thank you for support and encouragement of our Spanish speaking families. Child’s Play Assembly Calling all writers! In February we will be welcoming a group of performing actors called Child's Play to perform some original stories written by HBT students. If your child would like to submit an original story, poem, or song to be considered by the group, manuscripts are due Friday, Dec. 18th. Child's Play will choose at least one HBT story to perform with the possibility of performing a few. There will also be honorable mentions for additional stories not chosen to be performed. More information will be coming, but now is the time to start thinking of ideas! PTO REMINDER: Orders for our HBT Butter Braid Fundraiser are due Monday November 2nd!! Our goal is for each student to sell a minimum of 10 Butter Braid Pastries! The profits from this fundraiser will be used towards school events, assemblies, supplies for the classrooms, and school improvements projects for the library and playground! If you have any questions feel free to contact Mollie Schambach at mollieschambach@hotmail.com. Thanks again for helping us to reach our goal! Registered Nurse Substitutes Needed for School Health Offices District 301 is looking for qualified nurses to substitute in our school health offices. The applicant must hold a State of Illinois Nursing License, but does not require certification through the Illinois State Board of Education. Music Notes from Mrs. Maggie Smith Fourth and fi h grade students have been busy this month preparing for their concert, “Discover Space!” Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 10! Students will arrive at 6:45 pm in their classrooms. Third grade choir students will meet in the music room. The concert will begin at 7:00 pm in the gym. Also this month in music class: · · · · Kindergarten students learned some fun Halloween songs like “What Will You Be on Halloween”. First grade students completed their rhythm unit and learned how to play a spooky os nato for the song “Skin and Bones”. Second grade finished their melody unit and sang “Halloween” and “Pick a Pumpkin”. Third grade students began learning A and B on the recorder. Third grade students also explored Flat, a composion app. Addi onally, third grade students are now able to check out their recorders and books for home pracce. Students should fill out the checkout form on their Chromebooks at the beginning of music class. Recorders and books are due back at school on the next music class day. Students who do not bring back their recorders in a mely manner will be held accountable with the following consequences: à First offense: The student writes his or her name down and borrows one of Mrs. Smith's recorders à Second offense: The student writes his or her name down, borrows one of Mrs. Smith's recorders, and his or her parents are no fied. à Third offense: The student goes to the office and fills out a behavior reflec on sheet with Principal Ahlstedt. The student loses par cipa on points for each day the recorder or book is missing. Recorder checkout will be made available for fourth and fi h graders a er their concert. For more informa on on recorders or anything else in music class, please refer to the music class website: h ps://sites.google.com/a/ central301.net/hbtmusic/ Veterans' Day Agenda Support our Country! Wear patriotic colors in honor of Veterans’ Day Thursday, November 11th. Agenda: 8:45—9:15 Coffee and donuts in the Library Media Center 9:15—9:45 Join us for an assembly in the gym featuring: · · · · · · · · Boy Scouts: Flag Ceremony National Anthem - 8th Grade Band and 5th Grade Choir Members Girl Scouts: Pledge and Care Code Introduction from Carrie Fifth graders speak about Veterans Day Introduce veterans 8th Grade Band - Performs Marches of the Armed Forces 8th Grade Choir - Performs America the Beautiful COMMUNICATION PAGE Student Absences can be reported 24 hours a day. You may use the attendance voicemail by calling 847-4646008 and pressing 2 for the attendance line. You may also email your child’s teacher and the office staff at: Carol.gallois@central301.net Pamela.roesslein@central301.net Late Arrival ~ Students are released from the bus to enter the building at 8:50 AM and learning begins at 9:00 AM. If your child is arriving late to school, please walk your child into the school office to sign them in. Early Release or Change in After School Routine ~ A change in your child’s after school routine is extremely important to everyone whom it involves: the child, the parent, the teacher and the HBT staff. The best and most efficient way to communicate this information is by sending a note with your child that morning indicating the change. As emails are a more timely way to accomplish this goal we can not always guarantee that email will be received and / or read in time. Please include the following when preparing a note: · Child’s first and last name · Teacher’s name and grade. For example 1 Mox or 1 Moxness · Date and time of pick up · Who specifically will be picking up the child · Person name of who is writing the note and contact information. Please note: · When a students need to be released prior to the end of the day. The student will remain in the classroom until the pick-up person arrives to sign them out. · Parents/Guardians are encouraged to communicate these changes by 2:30 PM Thank you in advance for helping our after school routine run smoothly! Contact via Telephone. Contact via Email Attendance line ~ 847-464-6008, Press 2 Staff Webpages General Office VM ~ 847-464-6008, Press 4 Contact our PTO Business Hours ~ 847-464-6008, Press Zero HBT PTO Page Questions regarding policies review the: : CCUSD301 Elementary School Student and Parent Handbook The Cooler Weather has Arrived Did you know that the land that HBT sits on is the highest elevation in Kane County? The wind and air temperature can vary greatly from where you live to the HBT playground. Students go outside daily for lunch recess. Please make sure they have proper clothing for the cooler weather. Howard B. Thomas Grade School’s Choir, Fourth and Fifth Grade Students Present: Tuesday, November 10 7-8 PM (students arrive at 6:45) Gym All students should arrive at 6:45 and be dressed in nice, casual clothing. Fourth and fifth grade students will meet their teachers in their classrooms. Third grade choir students will meet in the music room. Picture by: Victoria 4L Volunteers Wanted for CRAFT NIGHT Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 3:35 - 5:00 p.m. This is a very popular PTO event and we need several HBT family volunteers! HE RE’S HOW YOU CAN HE LP: WHAT IS CRAFT NIGHT? This is a FREE after-school event where all HBT students are welcome to attend to make a variety of WINTER AND HOLIDAY crafts There is no charge to the kids--all materials are donated. Itʼs held in the HBT Cafeteria right after school. Parents must pick their children up after the event--no late bus service is offered. WHAT KIND OF CRAFTS ARE DONE? The parents who volunteer to be Craft Leaders can choose the craft they want to demonstrate to the kids, but there are some limitations--see attached guidelines. Craft Leaders can work in pairs as well. Find a friend and lead a craft together! HOW MANY CRAFTS ARE OFFERED? There are usually10-15 different crafts the kids can make. Each craft is set up on one of the cafeteria tables, so the kids go from table to table to make the various crafts. We need one Craft Leader to stay at each table during the event to demonstrate the craft and help the kids as needed. HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL BE THERE? We estimate that 200 students will attend this year. Craft Leaders need to have enough for every student who registers. We will have a headcount closer to the date, after we collect student permission slips. QUESTIONS? SEE ATTACHED SHEET, OR EMAIL LEA ANN LARSON AT LLarson626@gmail.com Sign up with the attached form by Nov. 9! A. Craft Leader If you are the hands-on type who demonstrate a craft from beginning to end, this is where we really need you! Perfection is NOT necessary--just a little enthusiasm and a lot of patience. If you can also donate the materials, great! Plan to bring enough for about 200 studen ts. B. Donate Craft Supplies Not wanting to oversee an actual cra ft, but willing to donate basic supplies? Fan tastic! We can use the following: glue dot s, holiday/winter stickers, washable ink pads, holiday/winter rubber stamps, paper punches, markers, coloring pages etc. C. Donate plain paper lunch bag s, gift bags and shopping bags This year we will set up a station so every kid can decorate some plain paper bags to use as gift bags for their crafts. We will need lots of plain paper lunch bags or plain small/medium paper gift bags and some tissue paper too. D. Donate snacks or bottled water Since this is right after school, we will serve some simple snacks to the kids. E. Event Helper Come and help where ever we nee d you that day. THE FORM BELOW BY NOV. 9, 2015 raf t N igh tEmail yourRETURN questions to Lea Ann Larson at LLarson626@gmail.com. Vo lu n te e r in fo fo r3:C35-5:00 DEC. 7, 2015 CRAFTERS GUIDELINES: Craft Leaders should plan on demonstrating simple holiday or winter crafts that can be completed in 10 minutes or less. PLEASE NO GLUE, GLITTER OR PAINT! The completed craft must not require any drying time. Instead, choose a project that assembles with glue dots. Consider pipe cleaners, paper plates, beads, craft sticks, foam designs, stickers, rubber stamps and stamp pads, printed duct tape, markers, etc. Bring enough for 200 kids, if possible. If you have a more involved craft that you will partially pre-assemble at home, in advance, that is fine. But no food items as craft materials. DONATIONS NEEDED! If you donʼt want to lead a craft, consider helping with the supplies. We will need glue dots, rubber stamps, stamp pads, pipe cleaners, etc. **** Gift Bags: Instead of wrapping crafts this year, we are going to have the kids make Gift Bags as one of the crafts. We need plain paper lunch bags or small to medium gift bags that the kids can decorate with markers, rubber stamps, stickers, etc. Tissue paper is also needed. **** Shopping Bags: We need a plastic shopping bag for each student to hold their crafts as they go from station to station. CLEAN bags from Wal-Mart, Jewel, Meier, etc. are fine, or if someone can supply new plain bags that would be appreciated too. **** Snacks, Bottled Water & Paper Goods: We will serve popcorn, and we also need some non-messy snacks, like crackers, washed grapes, fruit snacks, mini carrots, etc. NO DIPS. We also need 9-10 cases of water bottled water (8 oz.) and some small paper plates and napkins. OTHER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TOO If you want to attend and help as needed, we need lots of extra hands! Let us know when you are available on the form below. CUT HERE CUT HERE YES, I CAN HELP WITH PTO’s CRAFT NIGHT! Return this form to HBT PTO CRAFT NIGHT COMMITTEE by Nov. 9, 2015. Send questions via email to Lea Ann Larson at LLarson626@gmail.com. Put “Craft Night” on subject line. NAME_______________________________________ CELL#_________________________ EMAIL_______________________________________________________________________ I can be a Craft Leader, and will supply all materials for my craft for about 200 students. I can be a Co-Leader, with ___________________________________(name of other parent ). We will supply all materials for our craft for about 200 students. I can be a Craft Leader, and will use materials donated by others. The craft will be chosen by the Craft Night Committee. I can donate supplies for some of the crafts, such as glue dots, stickers, stamp pads, etc. I can donate 100 (or more) plain lunch bags or plain small/medium gift bags. I can donate 25 (or more) new or like-new plastic shopping bags. I can donate four packages of tissue paper for the gift bag craft station. I can donate a snack, a case of bottled water or paper goods. I can help at Craft Night as needed during these times: Set Up Check-in kids Event Helper 2:30" 3:25 - 4:00" 3:30 - 5:00" (Circle one or more) " Make & Serve Popcorn 2:30 - 4:00" " Snack Table Clean-Up 3:00 - 4:30 4:45 - 5:30 The Craft Night Committee will contact each volunteer in November to work out the details for your craft, your donations or your time to help. THANK YOU!!! Transportation’s October Newsletter During the week of October 19th, District 301 performed their bus evacuation drills. These drills were performed safely and effectively by both the drivers and their students. The drivers also reviewed the bus rules, emergency devices and emergency exits. National School Bus Safety Week was also celebrated. This year’s theme is Be Smart - Be Seen, I wait in a safe place!" The school bus is the safest form of transportation on the road and in lieu of this special week, the Transportation Department would like to remind students of some important safety practices. Students should avoid the Danger Zone area located in the 10 foot area around the school bus. While waiting for the bus, it is important to stand in a safe place away from traffic, especially in inclement weather. If students need to cross the street to board or depart the bus, they should always be alert to traffic; looking both left and right before entering the street. Student should always cross 10 feet in front of the bus. Our drivers will always signal the student when it's safe to cross. When two or more students are released or boarding from a bus stop, they are encouraged to cross in a group. It is difficult to monitor students who scatter around the bus in different directions or at different times, whereas students which move within the driver’s sights are more likely to avoid dangerous circumstances. Please become familiar with important Transportation information located in the Student/Family Handbook which can be found on your school’s webpage. Illinois Laws: Transportation would also like to share the importance of the laws regarding cell phone usage to our community and motorists. Please review the below information. Text Messaging and Cell Phone Usage: • It is illegal to compose, read or send a text message or email at any time while driving in Illinois. • It is illegal for anyone to use a wireless phone while driving in a school zone or in a construction or maintenance zone unless it is in voice-activated mode. • If under age 19, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving except during an emergency. Check your area for local ordinances concerning the use of cell phones while driving—many Illinois communities have ordinances banning cell phone usage. Violation of either of these laws may result in a fine and a moving violation on your driving record. Eating on the Bus: With Halloween quickly approaching, so do the Tricks and the Treats! We’d like to take this opportunity to remind our students that according to the State of Illinois EATING is NOT ALLOWED on the school bus. This policy is in place to avoid choking hazards and any anaphylactic reactions. In addition, District Policy indicates BEVERAGES & GUM are NOT allowed. Stopping for School Bus: According to the Illinois Rules of the Road, motorists must stop before meeting or overtaking a school bus loading or unloading passengers on a two-lane roadway. Warning lights will activated on the front & rear of the bus at least 100 feet (200 in rural areas) in advance of a stop. The stop arm will engage after the bus comes to a complete stop. Motorists must come to a complete stop and remain idle until the stop arm is no longer extended and the flashing lights have ceased. In addition, the Illinois State Board of Education and IDOT, Division of Traffic Safety, strongly recommends vehicles stop at least 20 feet before reaching the school bus to allow pupils to cross the roadway safely. IMPORTANT DATES: There are 7 half days remaining for the school year; 11/5, 1/15, 3/3, 3/24, 4/8, 5/13 & 5/26. If alternate busing arrangements are required for the above dates or any other reason, please complete a Student Transportation Information (STI) form located on the District’s website under Transportation Department. All requests require up to 48 hours’ notice. On November 1st Daylight Savings Time ends. Set your clocks one hours behind. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! Bilingual Parents’ Advisory Committee Meeting When? Monday, November 9th, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Where? Country Trails Elementary School, 3701 Highland Woods Blvd Elgin, IL 60124 Why? To discuss Skyward parent access We are providing dinner from Moe’s Southwest Grill. Dinner will be served from 6:006:45 p.m. in the lunchroom. Childcare will also be provided. We will be in the computer lab for the remainder of the meeting to view the presentation. **** Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 **** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: _________________________________ ______ Yes, I will attend the BPAC meeting. Number attending _______ To Building ELL Teachers Consejo Asesor de Padres Bilingües (BPAC) ¿Cuándo? el lunes, 9 de noviembre 2015 a las 6:00 de la noche ¿Dónde? Country Trails Elementary School, 3701 Highland Woods Blvd Elgin, IL 60124 ¿Por qué? Para discutir el acceso a Skyward para los padres Proveeremos una cena desde a las 6 hasta a las 6:45 en la cafeteria de Moe’s Southwest Grill. Después estaremos en el laboratorio de computadoras para la presentación. **** Por favor RSVP por el miércoles 4 de noviembre 2015 **** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nombre: _________________________________ ____ Sí, asistiré a la reunión de BPAC el 9 de noviembre. ¿Cuántas personas? _______ To Building ELL Teachers Burlington Blast Girls Basketball Central District 301 Girls Only Youth Basketball Program Elgin, IL www.BurlingtonBlast.com 2015-16 Season Reg. Form- ONLINE REGISTRATION PREFERRED 2014-15 Season Registration Form Player’s Name: ______________________________ Birth Date: _____/_____/______ Age: _______ Registration is open to any girl residing within District 301 boundaries School Attending:*Please _____________________________________ __________ use only one form per player and complete Grade: BOTH pages* Address: _____________________________________________City / Zip: ____________/________ Parent’s Name: ________________________________________ Phone #: (_____) ______- _______ Cell #: (_____) ______- _______ Email: _________________________________________________ Has your child played for the Burlington Blast before? ____________If yes, what level? __________ UNIFORM NUMBER _________ DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A UNIFORM THIS YEAR? ________________Yes ____________No UNIFORM INFO [circle one]: Shirt Size: YM, YL, AS, AM, AL, AXL Short Size: YM, YL, AS, AM, AL, AXL REGISTER ONLINE AT BURLINGTONBLAST.COM VOLUNTEER: __________Coach ________Assistant Coach ______ Blast Helper Please fill out both pages of this form completely and return it to: Burlington Blast Basketball, 40W510 Stonecrest Dr., Elgin, IL 60124 Please make checks payable to Burlington Blast Basketball. All registration forms must be postmarked by November 14th. Those postmarked after 11/14/15, please apply a $50 late fee. No registration forms will be accepted after Registration Levels / Fees: Level ___ Rec League ___ Rec League Grade 3rd-4th grade girls 5th-6th grade girls Cost $160 with uniform (jersey & shorts), $120 without uniform $160 with uniform (jersey & shorts), $120 without uniform EXTRAS: __ $40 jersey only, ___$27 shooting shirt, __ $27 backpack, __$25 shorts SPONSORSHIP Please check all that apply: (see reverse side for details) ____Family ____ Level 1 ____ Level 2 ____Level 3 Contact Lisa wiith sponsorship questions at BlastBBall301@gmail.com Page 1 of 2 Corporate sponsorships: Level 1: $150 Company name on shirt Level 2: $250 Company name on shirt and trophy League Information ● Teams practice during week. Games played on Saturdays (Sundays are possible) ● ● ● ● ● November Skills Days Begin 11/8/15. Team practices begin in December. Games begin 1/9/2016 with season ending mid-March Instructional Leagues (learn, develop, and have fun!) Official referee Volunteers welcome at all levels Emergency Authorization: I the undersigned, parent or legal guardian of the participant, hereby authorizes the coaches, assistant coaches or activity supervisors to consent to medical attention in case of an emergency. Waiver of liability AND disclaimer: I the parent or guardian of the individual named herein, herby give my consent and agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Burlington Blast Girls Youth Basketball, its officials, coaches, and representatives from any claims arising out of injuries to the participant. This waiver includes traveling to, and from, all practices and Games. Conduct: The family and the participant named herein agree to abide by the following league conduct guidelines: Sportsmanship: Be positive role models and do your best to provide the players a positive experience. Display and instill in your child, or children, the principals of good sportsmanship and team play. Be aware that the game is for youth – not adults. Emphasize that winning is a result of good teamwork and execution of good fundamentals Respect: Always treat other coaches, players, officials and fans with respect, be supportive with the coaches and officials, never engage in excessive sideline coaching and never physically touch any child with force and/or endanger his/her well being. Communication: Never criticize an opposing team, its players, coaches, umpires or fans by word or gesture. Never ridicule or demean. Never use abusive or profane language. Does your child have any mental/physical disabilities that the league should be aware of? Yes No If yes, describe: ________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________Date: _____/_____/______ Questions about Blast?? Email Us at BlastBBall301@gmail.com REGISTER AT WWW.BURLINGTONBLAST.COM OFFICIAL USE AMOUNT PAID_____________ CHECK #_________________ Sponsorship Y/N Level_____ Page 2 of 2