From the Desk of Mrs. Del Prete
Hello Bobcat families!
I want to give a HUGE thank you to those of you who join our teachers for our first ever virtual Parent Teacher Conferences. I know it was definitely a different experience than "normal," but I want you to know that having you as part of the team will really make the difference in your child(ren)'s school experience.
As we march on toward the second part of the holiday season, there are a few things I want to tell you, not only as the principal, but also as a fellow parent living through this Covid-crisis. I know you are doing and will continue to do your best as a parent. Remember to take a deep breath and every day work toward progress, not perfection. You got this!
I want to remind you that this is hard...temporary, but hard. You are likely overwhelmed by both the situation and by all the resources and tips you are getting on social media. Let me start by saying that there is no right or wrong way to do this. Children are always learning. The most important learning that they are doing right now is learning how to respond to hard and new situations. As parents you are their model. You are modeling how to be flexible, how to be kind, how to be patient and how to be innovative in challenging times. Here are my quick tips:
- Less is more. Do what you can and know you are trying your best. It’s ok if it all doesn’t get done. It’s also ok to make up your own academic plans for a day to spark a particular interest your child is showing. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but it’s also ok to take extra long recess one day.
- Expect trial and error as a family. Build a family schedule if that helps, but also expect for it to change as your family routine changes. Don’t get too tied to the first plan. Stay flexible.
- Acknowledge the extraordinary. This. Is. Crazy. Really it is. Take deep breaths and try to lead your household with incredible empathy. Children’s worlds have been flipped upside down (as has yours). Hug them tighter after the tantrum and be sure to take time to thank and forgive yourself.
- Use older siblings to your advantage. Does your child have an older sibling in the house? You have a built-in tutor. Be honest with your oldest. They are at the prime age of being able to understand others’ feelings and empathize with them. Say, “I am trying my best, but I am feeling stressed about helping everyone. Can I count on you to help me with __________?”
Social Distancing: I invite you to consider the act of social distancing is an act of solidarity. This is especially true as we change our actions to stand with those most affected like the elderly and those in the medical health field. It is also an act of solidarity to our community members who are uninsured, do not have paid family sick leave, are unemployed and all those who are on the front lines like those providing essential services. Please consider how you and your family will change your actions as an act of solidarity.
I want to take this opportunity to shout out and recognize the incredible work of our teachers and staff. We know that remote learning is not ideal, but we are all doing our absolute best. I want to thank our teachers and staff, many of whom have their own children or who have extended family members to take care of as we all adapt and balance our personal and professional needs.
I thank you, parents, for your continued support as we forge further into this "normal" together. In the last week I have been reminded of how powerful our faculty and staff is and through the stress of past weeks it was your children’s smiles and faces that brought me peace and joy. I wish you well and will think about our brilliant and beautiful community and my commitment to serve it well every single day.
I encourage you to follow and like Conscious Discipline on facebook and Instagram (@consciousdiscipline). There you will find tips and reminders that you may find helpful.
Finally, don't forget to follow us and tag us on Instagram (@bvgobobcats) to share pictures of learning, play, artwork or send messages to Bridgeview Staff. Seeing their lovely faces will definitely bring a smile to us all!
Be safe and stay well.
Candice
Parent On-Line Course
Dear Parents,
There is an on-line course, which is free for parents, titled, "Parenting in a Pandemic: Brain-Based SEL for Caregivers,” This course opened on October 7, 2020 and is available through December 31, 2020.
This fun and interactive course will support parents as they help students engage with remote or blended learning activities. Learn how to develop learning spaces at home, support student engagement, and self-regulation, and manage both parent and student social and emotional well-being when learning at home.
Note: After registering, parents will receive a follow-up email with instructions to enroll in this self-paced Canvas course.
Please feel free to register on the following link: https://ltcillinois.org/events/courses/?_course_audience=parents
If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to Anne Whiting at awhiting@isd109.org
Erin's Law Presentations
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades pre-K through 12.
Tom Kress, a survivor of abuse and motivational speaker, has been assisting our schools in implementing this mandate for the past few years. This program, entitled the POWER Project is developmentally appropriate and aligned with learning standards. The focus of his presentation is to teach children basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The concepts that will be discussed are:
• Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches
• Safety rules at home and school
• Saying “NO”
• Safe/Unsafe Secrets
• Telling a trusted adult
This year Mr. Kress’s presentation will be delivered through a pre-recorded video for students to view with a classroom teacher. A short, virtual live session will be scheduled the following week with Mr. Kress for students in grades 3rd - 6th to ask any questions they may have. The pre-recorded presentations and live question/answer sessions are scheduled at Bridgeview School on Thursday, December 3, 2020.
Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of (not participate in) this prevention education session, please fill out this Google Form.
Translated Informational Letters
العربية - خطاب إرين للقانون الإعلامي ونموذج جوجل
Język polski - list informacyjny dotyczący prawa Erin i formularz Google
Español: carta informativa sobre la ley de Erin y formulario de Google
Thank you,
Mrs. Del Prete
A Message from Mrs. Raschke, our Librarian!
Looking for something that will give you and your family access to more digital books?
The Open eBooks app will give kids access to a digital library of thousands of popular and award-winning children’s and young adult eBooks for free! Never before have educators and librarians had the ability to actively teach digital literacy, encourage family engagement, and share the love of reading through millions of mobile devices already in the hands of young people and their families. Open eBooks makes this possible.
The free app allows kids of all ages and their caregivers to instantly download up to 10 eBooks at a time to their mobile digital devices. Each eBook will be available for 56 days before it must be renewed. Students and their families can choose eBooks based on the topics that get them excited about reading and learning, and search for eBooks by title or author.
Attendance Procedures
Teachers will be tracking attendance in Google Classroom so you will not need to fill out an attendance form each day. The classroom teacher will handle this for you.
Don't Be Late!
8:10AM 1st Bell
8:15AM Tardy Bell
1:45PM School Dismissed
All students arriving late to school (after 8:15AM) must report to the office for a tardy slip. Every 5th tardy a note will be sent home. Continuous tardiness may constitute other disciplinary consequences. Our goal is for all students to arrive at school on time each day. When students are late, they miss instructional opportunities. Please keep in mind that students arriving after 9:15AM are no longer considered tardy, but will instead receive a half day absence.
Being late is detrimental to all students' learning, especially if it occurs on a consistent basis. Be sure to do all you can to prevent tardiness. Your child will thank you for it!
Calling All Substitutes!
Indian Springs SD #109 is looking to add to its list of available substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. If you are interested in being a substitute in our school district, please contact Mary Ann Hotzfield, School District Receptionist, at (708) 796-8700. The eligibility requirement to be a substitute teacher is to possess a teaching license or substitute teacher license (the substitute teacher licencse requires a Bachelor's Degree). The eligibility requirement to be a substitute paraprofessional is to possess a paraprofessional license. Feel free to contact Mary Ann Hotzfield for further details.
Bridgeview Elementary School
Email: cdelprete@isd109.org
Website: www.isd109.org
Location: 7800 S Thomas Ave Bridgeview, IL 60455
Phone: 708-496-8713
Twitter: @BVGoBobcats
