THE TIGER PAUSE September 2014 Offices 847/888-5290 Website: schools.u-46.org/kms Attendance Line: 847/888-5290 x5291 KIMBALL MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT NEWSLETTER Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to Kimball Middle School and the 2014-15 school year. It is a pleasure to see this fine school come alive with activity as the end of the summer preparations have concluded and the students and staff begin to fill the hallways. This issue of the KMS Tiger Pause includes important information about events designed to orient you and your child to Kimball Middle School. We have a couple of major initiatives that will continue this year, ROAR and WICOR strategies that are highlighted in this newsletter. We are also focusing our efforts on increasing the number of students considered college ready on MAPS and Explore scores as well as increasing the number of students that exceed the typical annual growth in reading and math. I would like to invite all Kimball parents to attend our Parent Back to School Night program on Thursday, August 28th beginning at 6:30 pm. We hope that this evening opens communication channels with your child’s teachers and gives you a feel for what is being taught in the classes. Important information about progress reports, report cards, and the Kimball Evidence and Organization Binders are also included in this newsletter. Consider visiting the Kimball Website by connecting through the U46 website (www.u46.org) or visiting KMS directly at schools.u-46.org/kms . You may also register your email address at this website to receive daily announcements throughout the year. Also using the parent or student portal with Infinite Campus will allow you to stay on top of academic developments with your child’s classes. This system allows parents to access their child’s information including grades, attendance, behavior, and assignments online through the Parent Portal. If you haven’t registered for the Parent Portal, please go to the U46 website (www.u-46.org) with your child’s ID number to create this valuable access. The Kimball staff and I look forward to working closely with you this year to provide a successful middle school experience for your son or daughter. Sincerely, Al Tamburrino Principal We focus on learning and plan to succeed! KIMBALL INFO AVAILABLE ON WEBSITE AND BY EMAIL This will be one of the few newsletters that is sent home with the students. Future newsletters will be available on the Kimball Website schools.u-46.org/kms . Hard copies will be available in the office and can be sent with your child by request. An automated phone call will be sent when a new newsletter is posted on the website. Parents/Guardians can receive Kimball daily announcements and emergency notifications by email in a timely and direct fashion. To receive these items by email use the following simple steps: 1. Go to the Kimball website: schools.u-46.org/kms 2. On the right side of the screen under “profiles” select the link for Kimball Newsletter and Announcements 3. Enter your email address and name 4. Select the box Join Email Lists Subscribers can Unsubscribe at any time by following the steps at the bottom of each email. THREE PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED FOR SCHOOL YEAR This school year the Kimball staff will continue to implement several initiatives to positively impact students’ learning. Initiatives such as the ROAR program, the Organization and Binder system, the Kimball Dress Code, key-learning strategies including Cornell Notes, marking the text, and many others will continue. The staff is also focusing its efforts on three main priorities: 1) Using assessment in instruction (CCSS and New grading system); 2) Using WICOR/Avid Strategies through the school 3. Using high order questioning and discussion strategies(Avid strategies). You will hear more about these focus areas in upcoming newsletters. UPDATED PHONE NUMBERS CRITICAL Kimball and U46 has used an automated phone system to help communicate important or urgent information to its parents/guardians. Please help keep this communication line open by maintaining current and accurate phone numbers. Contact the Kimball Office 847/888-5290 x5291 or 5295 to make any changes. CLASS BINDERS Evidence and Organization System at Kimball This school year, the Kimball staff has made a strong commitment to help students focus on the organization of their school work and efforts. This initiative is also a significant part of our ROAR program – specifically Organization. To do this, we have asked students to be prepared with specific colored 3-ring binders for each of their classes. Each subject area should have a different color to help students quickly identify the proper materials as they move to class and at the end of the day for homework. Although the color coordination for each subject is not a steadfast requirement, it will be a tremendous help to the students. The teachers in each department will be monitoring this program and the volume of assignments to minimize the materials students carry home. Typically, the student should bring their “Utility” binder home each night since it has important supplies and their assignment notebook. The teachers will also work with the students to regularly clean out unnecessary materials in the notebooks. If you have been unable to provide these supplies for your child, please contact the school office so we can help. Note that students enrolled in the Avid program will only need one 3” white binder. This binder will be used in place of all the colored binders. This is a requirement of the Avid program as it will be graded each week. Your cooperation, input, and support is needed to help make this organization system successful for our students. THE TIGERS R.O.A.R ! Respect, Organization, Achieve Success, and Responsibility or R.O.A.R. are the expectations for all Kimball Students in all situations. This is our PBIS model. (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) Students will be trained on how to behave in all areas of the school during the first week of school. Lessons will also include, using the binder system, using an assignment notebook and how to organize your locker! Teachers reward students for displaying positive behavior with ROAR Bucks. These ROAR Bucks can be redeemed for special privileges in the classroom or for bigger prizes in the monthly raffle. We are always looking for donations for prizes, let us know if you have some ideas!! Also, check out our Kimball website for more information about PBIS. Middle School - The Schedule Each student at Kimball has a schedule consisting of 8 periods. The schedule has 5 core subject areas Math, English, Reading or World Language, Science, and Social Studies in addition to physical education and an exploratory class. This year the teachers and students are arranged in a team format. Basically the same group of five core subject teachers share the same group of students. Each teacher is committed to providing the best learning opportunity for our students and supporting the team as a whole. The goal of the instructors is to provide consistent focus and high standards toward the objectives identified for each subject area. Another significant programming emphasis at Kimball is the environment that our exploratory and PE classes provide. These areas of instruction are designed to promote investigation and exploration of a wide variety of subject areas. Consequently, students have the opportunity to acquire a sense of direction when thinking about a future career. Future newsletters will include more information about classes and instruction at Kimball. EXPLORATORY PROGRAM The middle school Exploratory Program embraces the middle school concept by providing students with a diverse set of life, culture, and career-based experiences. These experiences provide students with opportunities to discover and expand their personal talents and interests. In the Exploratory program, students not only apply their basic academic skills but also practice social skills and teamwork, enhance their cultural awareness and exercise creativity. Participation in the exploratory rotation allows students to develop life long passions and goals. Exploratory Areas include: Art- Ms. Doherty Orchestra – Ms. Ward FACS- Mrs. Southcomb Band – Ms. Shofner Computers- Mrs. Perry Chorus – Ms. Sager Project Lead the Way – Mr. Burke Avid – Ms. Piccirilli, Mrs. Frye, Ms. Oswald, Mrs. Lucchesi AVID is a program designed to help students in the middle academically achieve at a higher level with support. Criteria is set up for acceptance into this program. Students can apply to enter each year between grades 7 and 12. Part of the AVID experience is the regular tutorials using a Socratic method of problem solving. Parents or college students who are interested in becoming a tutor for this program should contact Mr. Tamburrino at Kimball, or the U46 Avid Coordinator at (847/888-5000). STUDY AREAS OPEN BEFORE SCHOOL The Kimball Library will be open beginning at 8:05 am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and announced Fridays for students to finish homework, work on group projects, browse for a new book to read, or just to come in and have quiet time to read. Additionally, the lunchroom has a designated quiet study area for those students who would like to study before school during breakfast times (8:25 – 8:50 am) or during lunches. 3 THE TIGER PAUSE CLUB KIMBALL Boys & Girls Club of Elgin @ Kimball Club Kimball is back and better than ever! For just $10 for the whole year, join us for homework help, event planning, sports clubs, movie days, games, field trips and so much more! Come check us out after school in the auditorium – can’t wait to see you there! For questions or more information, please contact Angel Pedraza by phone (847) 608-5017 or email apedraza@bgcelgin.org. Here’s to a great year! PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES & PTK (Parents Together for Kimball) Kimball is looking for a couple of parents who would be interested in being a part of the school’s School Improvement Team or representing Kimball with the district’s Citizen Advisory Council. The team will meet minimally twice per month in the morning from 8:00 to 9:00 am in the library. If interested, please contact Mr. Tamburrino at x5295. One of the best ways to be involved with the school is to be a part of Kimball’s parent organization, PTK. If you can help 1 hour in the year, one hour each week, or something in between, PTK would like to have your involvement. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Parents interested in being a committee chair are needed. If you have an interest in any of these positions, please come to the next PTK meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7:00 pm in the school library or contact Mrs. Genz at 847/8885290. A TIGER “THANK YOU” TO THE KIMBALL ARMY OF PARENTS A special THANK YOU to all parents who participated in helping with the summer registration and the first couple of days of school. The Kimball Army of Parents helped students with directions, locker combinations and other concerns during the first few days of school. With this support our student and staff experienced a great beginning of the school year. Thank you for your time and efforts with our students. Our Parent Army of Volunteers included: Jeff Henderson, Angela Landrowski, Pam Pouse, Jane Duffy, Karesa Carter, Greselda Baeza, Bonita Diaz, Maria Aguinaga, Veronica Betz. NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE Students are not allowed to take medication at school unless a Medication Permission Form has been completed by the parent and doctor and turned in to the school nurse. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications require a permission form. The medicine must be in the original pharmacy container and properly labeled. New permission forms are required each school year. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home before and/or after school hours. In situations when a student's health could be compromised by not receiving medication during school hours, the medication policy must be followed. Please contact the school nurse, Ms. Wessendorf, CSN or Ms. Jen Sternberg, RN if you have any questions or need a medication permission form. STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS COMING HOME SOON The week of September 15th marks the mid-point of the 1st quarter and this means progress reports will be sent home by the end of that week. Mid-Quarter Progress Reports are expected to be carried home by the students on September 24th and at the midpoint of each grading period. The purpose of these reports is to see that both student and parents are notified of the student’s progress. Since they come at the midpoint of the grading period, there is still time enough left to do something about improving any grades, if necessary. Progress reports are reports of progress – not final grades. If you have questions about a progress report or to set up a teacher conference, please contact the child’s teacher(s). PARENT CONFERENCES In order to increase the parental contact and communication at Kimball Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoon/evening of October 23rd and during the day on October 24th. Calls to schedule conferences will be taken beginning on October 17th. More information will be provided in the October newsletter. ATHLETIC SEASON PASSES AVAILABLE For sports where admission fee is charged (Girls’ Volleyball, Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ Basketball), season passes at reduced prices are available at the door. The normal admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. The holder of a season pass may attend all twelve games, home and away, for the following reduced fees: SINGLE - $10 HUSBAND AND WIFE - $16 FAMILY - $20 Season passes may be purchased at any U46 middle school and used at any U46 middle school LUNCH AND FOOD SERVICE INFO The Food and Nutrition Department uses a computer program in the Kimball Cafeteria to efficiently distribute breakfast and lunch. All students need to scan their ID card when they go through the hot meal line. This program improves our record keeping, speeds up the lunch lines and makes life easier for you by using identification cards. The student’s school photo ID can be used as a debit card. Money can be deposited in your child’s account and accessed at meal time with their student ID/debit card. WHO USES THE PHOTO ID CARD? 1) All students, for inventory and record keeping purchases, will have their lunches recorded. 2) Free lunch students - Ala carte purchases still need cash. 3) Reduced lunch students - we encourage you to prepay, but cash will be accepted on the lunch line. 4) Paid students who have prepaid for lunches. This is a nice option for students that don’t like to carry money or for parents who don’t want to look for $2.50 every day. Parents can send a check made payable to Kimball Cafeteria. The amount of the check is entered into the computer. Each day when the student uses his/her ID (debit card) the meal charge is deducted from the balance. Your child will be notified when the balance is low. Any student wishing to pay cash on the lunch line will be able to do so. However, he/she must still use the ID card. The Food and Nutrition Staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may also request a report of what your child is eating for breakfast or lunch by contacting Mrs. Shaw, Cafeteria Manager at 888-5290. KMS OFFERS BREAKFAST TO STUDENTS Kimball will continue to have breakfast available to its students this year. Breakfast is available in the lunchroom beginning at 8:25 a.m. each morning and is available to ALL students in the same manner as lunches. Students approved for free or reduced lunch can also receive free or reduced breakfast. To enter the lunchroom students will need to enter the building through the center-front entrance next to the library. This is the same entrance students may enter to see a teacher or study in the library or lunchroom before school starts. FALL TESTING BEGINS SOON During the first quarter of the school year, Kimball will conduct two significant assessments of student achievement. First, all students will be assessed with the MAPS test in reading and math beginning September 3rd. MAPS or Measure of Academic Progress is a test done on the computer with immediate results. The scores are reported as a RIT score with a typical range between 150 and 270. Each student has a Goal Setting Worksheet for Reading and Math in his/her assignment notebook. On this form will be listed their most recent MAPS score in addition to the current scores in reading and math. The reading/Spanish and math teachers will spend some time with the students to help set goals for this school year. All 8th graders and those in special programs or interventions will be tested with MAPS again in the winter. All 7th graders and those students in special programs or interventions will be tested with MAPS again in the spring. ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S CORNER Mr. Jaime Cadengo PHONE MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS and PHONE USE We request that messages to students be limited to emergencies only. Please make transportation arrangements or have a plan in place for alternate transportation before you arrive at school. Calling students from class is disruptive to the entire class and takes the student away from valuable class time. Students are not permitted to USE cell phones at school. A student must keep the cell phone turned off and in their locker during the day. Cell phones may only be used after school hours outside of the building to reach a parent. Abuse of this privilege may result in disciplinary action including confiscation of the phone, parent notification, and other forms of discipline. Please do not text message your child during the day because of the disruption it causes. Also, students who have phones with cameras are not permitted to take pictures at school. ID CARDS NEED TO BE WORN/DISPLAYED Students will receive their ID card on the third day of school, August 20th. All students are expected to wear their permanent ID card to all classes. Exceptions to wearing the ID’s for safety reasons will be indicated by individual teachers. A student needs to ask their first period teacher for a temporary ID sticker each day that he/she does not have his/her permanent ID card. Students who lose their permanent ID card must replace it quickly. The permanent ID card will allow the student to check out library books, attend athletic and extracurricular events and be dismissed to the lunch lines first. Permanent ID cards may be replaced for $3. ATTENDANCE Regular and punctual attendance is a key to a student’s success. A student who is absent from school must have his/her parent call the attendance office at 847/888-5290 x5291 as soon as possible but no later than 10:00 a.m. Attendance related messages can also be left on this phone line after school hours. If a parent does not call, the school will make an effort to contact the parents of each absent student. If there is no contact with the parent, the student must submit a note explaining the absence to the attendance office when he/she returns to school. If no call or note is received, the absence will be considered a truancy and reported to the county truancy officer. 5 THE TIGER PAUSE POLICE BEAT – OFFICER MENDEZ PARKING AND BUSES Students being transported by parents must be dropped off before school and picked up after school in the south lot (closest to Paul’s Restaurant). The traffic flow of the south parking lot is in a counterclockwise fashion – one way only. Exit from the south parking lot to McLean Blvd. is not permitted. Please make sure to follow the markings and signs in order to create a safe traffic flow. Students being picked up after school should meet their rides in the south parking lot. Parents are NOT to pick up their child in the north lot or on Demmond St. after school . Bus students will be dropped off in the south lot in the morning to enter the building by the front doors. After school, bus students will be picked up in the north lot off of Demmond Street. Only bus students will be allowed in the north lot after school. There is no parent parking in the north lot or on Demmond St. COOKIE DOUGH & MAGAZINE FUNDRAISER October 6 - 15 Kimball will conduct its only major all-school fundraiser by hosting a cookie dough fundraiser. This event will begin with a kick-off assembly on Monday, October 6th. Students will be given an opportunity to win a limousine ride/lunch by securing an established number of cookie dough or magazine orders. More details will be provided to the students at the assembly and through our website. All orders are due to the Kimball office by Wednesday, October 15th. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward securing more technology for classrooms, student incentives, programs, and the activity bus costs. ROAR! SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ON SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY As a result of federal legislation (Pro-Children Act of 1994) the U46 Board of Education has adopted a Tobacco Prohibition Policy which prohibits the use of tobacco or tobacco products on all school property. This includes after school activities held on any school district property including the football, soccer, and baseball fields. NEW FLASHING LIGHT BEACONS INSTALLED A collaborative effort between PTK, Student Council, and the City of Elgin has produced a new flashing light beacon at the cross-walk on McLean Blvd near Demmond St. Students are able to use this beacon to cross McLean Blvd safely at the north end of the school property. Thank you to our Police Liaison Officer Mendez for his leadership with this multi-year project. The beacon was finally installed on August 15th in time for student use. HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY BLITZ 8th Graders will be presented with an orientation to the U46 High School Academy Program on September 16th. Representatives from the 5 high schools will visit Kimball to share information about the application process and the benefits of attending a high school academy. Completed academy applications are due back to Kimball in October. An Academy Parent Overview will be held on Thursday, September 18th. Open house programs will be held the week of September 22nd at each of the high schools. More details will be forthcoming regarding times and locations. Respect Organization Achieving Success Responsibility The Tiger Way! KIMBALL WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome the following new staff members to the Kimball family: Lisa Genesis Donna Rita Nicole Janet Chris Juan Dea Christner DeLaTorre Doherty Hagarty Hanneman Krambeer Moon Nieves Zguro English ELL/CCI Art Math and Science Science History & English Dean’s Assistant Head Custodian Spanish CALENDAR OF UPCOMING TIGER EVENTS Students may enter the school to meet with a teacher (M-F) or work in the library (Wed, Thur) beginning at 8:05 am. August Tuesday 26 8:05 am 7:00 pm Student Council Organizational Meeting – room 206 PTK – Organizational Meeting - Library Thursday 28 6:30 pm Parent Back to School Night September Monday Labor Day –no school 1 Wednesday 3 4:15 pm MAPS Testing Begins through 9/25 Girls Volleyball @ Tefft Thursday 4 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball vs. Kenyon Woods Monday 8 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball vs. Eastview Wednesday 10 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball @ Canton Thursday 11 7:00 pm C.A.C. Kickoff Meeting – Elgin HS Monday 15 4:15 pm 4:00-7:00pm Girls Volleyball @ Abbott Beginning Band & Orchestra Open House – Auditorium and room 10 Tuesday 16 Exploratory per’s HS Academy Blitz Presentations to students Wednesday 17 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball vs Larsen Thursday 18 TBD Academy Parent Overview – Location TBD Monday 22 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball @ Ellis Tuesday 23 7:00 pm PTK meeting - Library Wednesday 24 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball vs. Abbott 1st Quarter Progress Reports sent home with students SIP Day – no classes for students Friday 26 Monday 29 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball @ Larsen Tuesday 30 8:05 am 7th/8th per Student Council Meeting – room 206 Latino Institute Assembly – ELL students Wednesday 1 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball vs. Ellis Saturday 4 All day IMEA Jr. Band Auditions – Yorkville MS Monday 6 Assembly Cookie Dough & Magazine Drive Fundraiser Kick off assembly Tuesday 7 4:15 pm Girls Volleyball District Championship @ East Division 8th gr Champion Monday 13 October Columbus Day – No School Wednesday 15 Friday 7:00 pm Cookie Dough Fundraiser Turn-in Day Band & Orchestra Fall Concert - Auditorium 9:15-4:30 pm Last day of 1st Quarter Parent Calls to Schedule Conferences through Oct 22 17 Thursday 23 5:00-8:00 pm Evening Parent Conferences (call to schedule) Friday 24 8:00 – noon Morning Parent Conferences (call to schedule) Friday 28 7:00 pm PTK Meeting - Library 7 THE TIGER PAUSE PARENT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT KIMBALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Thursday, August 28, 2014 6:30-8:30 pm PARENTS: Please bring a copy of your child’s schedule. Period 0 identifies the interdisciplinary team that your child is on. Spiritwear will be available for purchase. Schedule 6:30-7:00 Welcome Presentation – Gym 7:00-7:30 School Focus and Priorities, PTK, Boys and Girls Club Interdisciplinary Team/Core presentations – various locations Your child’s team designation is printed in period 0 of their schedule Team 1-7th gr (Aces) Library Team 2-8th gr (Wildcats) Cafeteria – old/main section Team 3-7th/8th gr (Orange Crush) Auditorium th 7:35 – 7:50 Team 4 -7 gr (Tiger Sharks) Room 109 Team ELL – (Dream Team) Gym SPED – CCI, ELL-CCI, MLP, ELL-MLP, ED Classrooms (rooms on back) World Language (Spanish) – room 107 8th Grade – PE – gym or 7th Grade - Exploratories (rooms on back) Core teachers available in classrooms The lunchroom and library will also be open at this time 7:55 – 8:10 7th Grade – PE – gym 8th Grade – Exploratories (rooms on back) or World Language (Spanish) – room 107 or 201 Core teachers available in classrooms The lunchroom and library will also be open at this time 8:15 – 8:30 7th Grade – Exploratories 8th Grade – Exploratories or World Language (Spanish) - room 107/201 or World Language (Spanish)- room 107/201 Core teachers available in classrooms The lunchroom and library will also be open at this time 8:30 Evening concludes Core Classes consist of: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reading (for those not in Spanish) Exploratories consist of: 4-class Rotation (Art, FACS, Computers, PLTW), Avid, Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Reading Intervention or Intervention Lab ( see reverse side for exploratory classrooms) Exploratory Classrooms and Teachers Avid Room 108 Ms. Piccirilli, Mrs. Lucchesi, Mrs. Frye, Ms. Oswald Band Chorus Orchestra Room 10 Auditorium Room 12 Ms. Shofner Ms. Sager Ms. Ward Reading Intervention Room 202 Room 203 Mrs. Genz (7th Grade) Ms. Bennett ( 8th Gr.) Intervention Lab In-school Suspension Social Worker Room 102 Room 103 Room 207A Mrs. Park and various teachers Ms. Phillips Mrs. Lopez 4- Class Exploratory Rotation Art Room 200 Family & Consumer Sci Room 104 Computers Room 205 Project Lead the Way Room 109 Ms. Doherty Mrs. Southcomb Mrs. Perry Mr. Burke World Language- Spanish Mrs. Zguro room 107 Mr. Granadillo room 201 Librarian Mrs. Barry Library Physical Education Teachers Mrs. Patterson Mr. Kottkamp Mrs. Randell Mr. Clavenna Mr. Wielgus Special Education teachers and classrooms Mrs. S. Lewis Room 18 Ms. Mursewick Room 100 Mr. Heuer Room 112 Ms. Delatorre Room 214 Dr. Syphers Room 216 Mrs. Wadman Room 115 ED/BD Cross-Categorical ELL – MLP ELL- Cross-Categorical ELL – Cross- Categorical MLP Interdisciplinary Teams/Core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies/History, Reading Team 1-7 (Aces) – Mrs. Genz, Mrs. Hamblin, Ms. Seymour, Mrs. Lucchesi, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Frey, Mrs. Christner Team 2-8 (Wildcats) – Mrs. Kalusa, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Terriquez, Mrs. Small, Mrs. Kruse, Ms. Wintczak, Ms. Hanneman, Ms. Hagarty Team 3- 7/8 (Orange Crush) – Mr. Kalusa, Mr. Keck, Mrs. Leson, Mr. Musial, Mrs. Kelly, Ms. Hagarty, Mr. Wielgus Team 4 – 7 (Tiger Sharks) – Mr. Burke, Mrs. Frye, Mr. Wielgus, Mrs. Leson, Mrs. Southcomb ELL – (Sumatran Tigers) – Ms. Oswald, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Espinosa, Mr. Gamboa, Mr. Tovar, Mrs. Kesner, Mrs. Morales-O’Quinn