The Mustang Memo

• Friday, February 28th - 2nd semester ends (Report Cards go home Friday, March 13th)
  

• Tuesday, March 17th - Institute Day (NO School)
  

• March 23rd - March 27th - Spring Break (NO School)
  

Every trimester, Mann School holds a school-wide celebration to acknowledge our students for following our Mustang Motto: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. We asked our student leaders on the Student Council Service Team for suggestions for our celebrations this year, and they overwhelmingly suggested a movie day! The kids spoke and we listened, so on Friday, March 6, students in each class will have the opportunity to have a movie day! Our teachers will use student voice to help select a grade-appropriate, G rated movie to watch at our celebration. If you would prefer your child not to watch the movie, please reach out to your child’s teacher by Wednesday, March 4 and we will provide an alternative activity.

Thanks,

PBIS Team

As part of the Mannapalooza fundraising dollars, we will be purchasing a buddy bench this spring. In addition to that, Student Council is working on their next service project. We want to collect 250 pounds of plastic caps/lids to donate a "Buddy Bench" to the school. A Buddy Bench is a special bench where students may sit down and others then join them. It promotes inclusion. Please see the flyer that explains what types of caps they are and are not collecting. Share with your neighbors. Caps/lids need to be clean and dry. Thank you for helping us earn a Buddy Bench.

(We will look to expand this program next summer when we can be back at Mann.)

The advanced math and reading courses (targeted for students between the 80th - 95th percentile on MAP) will run everyday for three weeks from Wednesday, June 10 to Tuesday, June 30 at Whittier (715 N Harvey Ave), because Mann will be undergoing Media Center renovations this summer.

The cost will be $380.00 per course for all three weeks. Students who are doing both the morning and afternoon courses may stay for a supervised lunch, at no extra charge. See schedule below.

Registration is now open for Mann ONLY students from January 29th thru February 12. Register now on ClassTrack Mann families will have two weeks to enroll, and then we will open it up to the other D97 families.

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--Math: 9:00am – 11:30am (Pick up at 11:30am, if student is not attending the afternoon reading course.

--Lunch and Recess Break: 11:30am – 12:00pm (Please bring a peanut-free lunch and water bottle.

--Reading: 12:00pm – 2:30pm (Drop off at 11:55pm, if student is not attending the morning course.)

New Chicago Tribune Article

Show your support for Reese and his family. A new fundraising goal of $75,000 will provide the best possible care for our third grade Mustang. 100% of the funds are designated for the costs of Reese’s therapies and long term recovery.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rsiler

The T-shirt campaign has been re-opened per popular demand. Please know that in order to go to print, 31 shirts need to be sold. The shirts will be available for purchase until Feb. 14th and will be delivered 10 days after that, so around 2/24.

Click here to support Anthony Siler for Reese Siler's Cancer Treatment and Rehabilitation

District 97 is currently monitoring the news regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been following recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which has been receiving guidance from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please be assured that we are following all recommended protocols of the IDPH, which includes routine deep cleaning and disinfecting in all of our buildings. We are also asking staff to review hand-washing techniques with students. We will continue to monitor updates about the coronavirus from local, state and federal agencies, and will keep families informed should recommendations change.

The IDPH recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Parents may sign up for the Kindergarten Readiness Test at any school by visiting www.op97.org/krt. Appointments at each school are very limited and subject to teacher availability. If parents are not able to find an appointment at their home school, they can sign up for another school or wait until the summer dates are released in the spring.

The Strengthening Families Program is a free, evidence-based prevention program for families with children ages 7 to 17. The 11-week program will teach effective parenting skills, healthy communication, stress management skills, conflict resolution and more. The program will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday from Feb. 25, 2020, through May 12, 2020, at the River Forest Community Center. Click here to view the program flyer.

From ISBE: "A school’s participation rate on state assessments impacts its rate of proficiency and its annual designation. ESSA requires states to calculate proficiency by dividing the number of students who met or exceeded standards by either the number of students who tested or 95% of the number of students who should have tested, whichever is greater. Schools with less than 95% participation in state assessments are ineligible to receive the Exemplary designation. Schools with any student group that has a participation rate below 95% for three consecutive years will develop and implement a Work Plan for School Improvement. English Learners must take all portions of the IAR to meet federal requirements, even those in their first year in the U.S. Their results in that first year provide a baseline for growth but do not count for accountability."

The District 97 Student Services Department will host a parent workshop, "Developing Your Child's IEP," on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Holmes School, 508 N. Kenilworth Ave. Staff will provide a step-by-step guide to understanding the IEP process. Childcare will be available. Event flyer >

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Parent Resource Site
The District 97 MTSS Team has created a D97 Parent Resource Site to further support instruction happening in the classroom. The site has been created to provide an overview of MTSS and support all students in the areas of reading, math and writing. Our team has selected resources that offer a free version to our families. If you have additional free websites or resources you would like to share, please reach out to MTSS Director Faith Cole at fcole@op97.org. Thank you for your partnership!