IG Guardian

Happy New Year! When we return next week, we will be reviewing with all students our school-wide expectations:

• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Ready to Learn

We will revisit what each of these looks and sounds like in different settings so that all students know what is expected from them each day.

Through Morning Meeting activities and our Second Step lessons, students will also be reminded of how to handle different situations that will help them determine if it is a "little deal" (something they have the tools to handle on their own) or a "big deal" (where they need to find an adult). One thing that tends to trip us up is the idea of conflict, specifically when something is considered bullying. To offer a common understanding, here is what we mean when we refer to conflict and bullying:

We expect conflict to happen because we are complex individuals with different perspectives. Our goal is to provide students with the tools they need to handle conflict so it can remain a "little deal." For something to be considered bullying, it has to meet the specific criteria above and is most certainly a "big deal." If you or your student has any information about a bullying situation happening, please let your teacher or school administration know right away.

Finally, a reminder that I will be out on family leave after winter break and will return on Monday, February 13. I will respond to any emails when I can, but please reach out to Mrs. Kruzel or Dr. Wagner, who will fill in for me while I am out, for any immediate needs. I look forward to seeing you all again next month!

• January 9 - Institute Day, No School
• January 10 - Students Return
• January 12 - PTC Meeting 7:30pm
• January 16 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day, No School
• January 17 - Board of Education Meeting 7pm
• January 27 - Fuel Up to Play 60 Assembly
• January 28- RTSD26 Family Night with the Chicago Wolves 7:00pm

As mentioned in the parent letter shared in December, the Indian Grove social worker and school psychologist will present age appropriate information regarding Personal Body Safety to all IG students in January 2023. This presentation is in accordance with Erin's Law, which was passed in 2013.

To gain an overview of the program that was written by District 26 social workers in consultation with Northwest Center on Sexual Assault, please go to the River Trails School District Site (www.rtsd26.org). Click on the Families Menu Tab on the top of the page, then click Erin’s Law on the left sidebar.

If you do NOT want your child to participate, please go to the webpage detailed above. You will find the link to Erin’s Law opt out form. You can complete this form online or at your child’s school office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either the building social workers, principals or Dr. Carie Cohen (Assistant Superintendent for Special Services) at 224-612-7304 or ccohen@rtsd26.org.

River Trails Park District Kid Squad before and after-school childcare will return to Indian Grove on Tuesday, January 17.

For more information about Kid Squad and how to sign up, please visit the Kid Squad page of the River Trails Park District.

Winter Benchmark Assessments

Students completed the winter MAP (grades 2-5) and Aimsweb (grade 1) assessments before winter break. Individual student reports will be shared in January.

ACCESS

Students that are identified as English Learners will be taking the annual ACCESS test for English Language Proficiency during the month of January. The test is broken into four parts, completed on four different days: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

A look ahead:

• February - CogAT (grades 3 and 5)
• March - Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) (grades 3-5); Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) (grade 5)
• April - Spring MAP (grades 2-5)
• May - Spring Aimsweb (grade 1); Spring Panorama

More information about those will be available as we get closer to the dates. If you have any questions about any of the assessments, please contact Mrs. Kruzel.

Beginning January 10, 2023 and for the remainder of the 22-23 school year, breakfast will no longer be offered in the cafeteria. If you need breakfast, please complete the pre-order form here. Breakfast costs $1.90 for all students, payments can be made by using MyMealtime. A survey will be sent in the spring to determine if breakfast will be offered for the following school year.

The Board of Education approved this change at their November meeting due to the low demand for breakfast at our school. A survey will be sent in the spring to determine if breakfast will be offered for the following school year.

Please drive slowly and cautiously in the parking lot when picking-up or dropping-off students, especially as the weather gets colder and the chances for icy conditions increases.

Reminder to please only drop off and pick up your students in the designated areas in the parking log:

• Drop Off: At the stop signs by door 5
• Pick Up: By door 8 at the end of the parking lot

Officer Friendly visits will begin in January and continue through the spring for different grade levels. During the Officer Friendly presentations, Officer Greg Sill from the Mount Prospect Police Department comes to IG and presents a lesson on the following topics:

January

4th Grade: Operation Lifesaver - Train Crossing Safety

• In this presentation, children will learn: - That railroad tracks and train equipment are private property. - That whether you are in a vehicle, on a bicycle, or on foot, you are required to obey the railroad warning signs, flashing lights and gates. - To play a safe distance from the tracks.
  

February

1st Grade: Think About Others, Be Considerate

• This lecture/video/discussion will focus on caring about how another person feels. We will define the word considerate and talk about positive ways to show consideration. A fourteen (14) minute video entitled, “Think About Others: What it Means to be Considerate” will be shown.
  

3rd Grade: Bullying: When the Going Gets Scruff

• The focus of this lecture/video/discussion will be to define bullying and give children some tools to stop bullying they witness or are victims of. A seven (7) minute video entitled, “When the Going Gets Scruff” will be shown. This video is hosted by McGruff the Crime Dog and involves his nephew, Scruff, being the victim of bullying at school. Tips are given to Scruff and his friend who witness the bullying. The discussion that follows the video reinforces the strategies to stop bullying and report it.

March

2nd Grade: It's Your Body - You're in Charge

• This lecture/video/discussion will focus on teaching children simple, straightforward tools to protect themselves. A foundation for future discussions, this program affirms the right of children to say "NO" to all forms of assault. This program will provide special tools for children to use if confronted with a real-life situation. A thirteen (13) minute video entitled, “It’s Your Body: You’re in Charge!” will be shown
  

April

5th Grade: Stranger Danger

• This lecture/discussion is designed to make the children aware of the fact that they may encounter strangers under potentially dangerous circumstances. Students will be taught how to avoid these situations and what actions they should take during one of these encounters. A video of an actual abduction will be shown followed by a discussion on what the victim should have done in this frightful situation to stay safe.
  

Important reminders for the when it is snowy:

• Gear: Please make sure that you send your student with hats, gloves, boots, snow pants and winter coat that they can get on and off by themselves.
• Label: Please label all clothing with your child's first and last name.
• Independence: Please help your student practice getting their gear on at home. Talk through with him/her the order to put things on (ex: gloves go on last). Please have them practice doing this task independently as there is often 1 teacher assisting up to 22 students at school.
• Regular Shoes: Students need to have a pair of shoes to change into to wear at school for the day if they wear boots to school. They will need gym shoes for P.E.
  
• Recess: Students need to have proper attire (snow pants, boots, hat, gloves) in order to play in the snow during recess times. Students that are not wearing adequate apparel for the snow will be blacktop only when outside.

All 2nd grade students are required to turn in a dental exam form signed by a licensed dentist before May 15, 2023. Winter break is a great time to fulfill this requirement! Dental forms can be accessed online under Parent resource/Health Services. If you have any questions, please contact the health office at (224) 612-7505.

Friday, February 10th at 6:30 pm at Indian Grove School

More details to follow.

If interested in volunteering for this event, in any capacity, please email Kelly Meeker at kellymeeker33@yahoo.com

Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Website: https://www.rtsd26.org/schools/ig/ptc/index
Twitter: @GrovePtc

Metra is conducting a safety poster and essay contest. It is open to all students (K-12) and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner will be selected from each grade. Prizes are $500 for 1st, $250 for 2nd, $100 for 3rd.

This year’s theme is “Stay Safe, Stay Off Train Tracks.” Entries are due by Friday, January 20, 2023. For more info, visit metracontest.com or check out the flyer below.

• Phone: 847-298-1976
• Email: iginfo@rtsd26.org
• Principal: Bill Timmins, wtimmins@rtsd26.org
• Asst. Principal: Emily Kruzel, ekruzel@rtsd26.org
• IG Staff Directory

Email: wtimmins@rtsd26.org
Website: http://ig.rtsd26.org/
Location: 1340 North Burning Bush Lane, Mount Prospect, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 298-1976
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianGroveSchool
Twitter: @IndianGroveEdu