Tiger Newsletter

• Monday, September 18, 2023 - GBB Practice
• Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - GBB Home Game Vs Wolcott
• Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Early Release Day, Prek Family Craft, GBB Practice, Museum of Tolerance 12:40 - 1:25, 1:30 - 2:15
• Thursday, September 21, 2023 - GBB Practice
• Friday, September 22, 2023 - Museum of Tolerance 11:52 - 12:25

We believe that cellphones have great utility. We have also found that learning and social behavior improve drastically when students are fully present so they can engage with their teachers and classmates.

We are excited to share that we will be making our school a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning. We are partnering with an organization called Yondr to achieve this goal. Yondr is currently used across the world in over 1,000 schools, as well as at concerts, comedy shows, weddings and special events of all kinds. The goal of these spaces is to encourage people to engage with each other and their surroundings.

Yondr employs a simple, lockable pouch that stores a cellphone. Every student will secure their phone in a Yondr pouch when they arrive at school each morning. They will maintain possession of their phones, and will not use them until they are unlocked at the end of the school day.

In 2019, Yondr surveyed over 400 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:

• ● 69% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance

• ● 84% of schools saw an increase in student engagement in the classroom

• ● 80% of schools saw a decrease in behavior referrals

  In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in adoption of the Yondr Program at our school.

We will roll out the implementation of Yondr Pouches during the week of 9/18/2023, students will be required to keep their smart phones, smart watches, and wireless ear buds in a Yondr pouch for the entirety of the school day.

We have been chosen as a site for the Mobile Museum of Tolerance. Classes in grades 5-8 will have a chance to board the mobile museum which will be parked on our property. Please refer to the Weekly Events Calendar above to see when the Museum is available. During those times up to 30 community members will be allowed to enter the Mobile Museum of Tolerance for a 30 minute program.

Here is a link to their website for further information.

The following programs will be presented:

Civil Rights 5th and 6th

This workshop explores civil rights in a historical and contemporary context. Students will view a documentary featuring numerous American civil rights heroes and draw comparisons between the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s with other fights for civil rights throughout US history. Conversations will also cover modern-day examples such as LGTBQ rights, Asian hate crimes, and bullying. Major topics of discussion include discrimination, racism, segregation, and nonviolent protest. Suitable for grades 5-12.

The Power of Ordinary People 8th Grade

While ordinary people have the power to create positive change in their communities, they also can become enforcers of hate and violence. This workshop explores both sides of this complex issue through the lens of the Holocaust, with short films discussing both bystanders to antisemitic violence in Nazi Germany and heroes who stood up against hate and saved victims of the Holocaust. The discussion will bring the roles of upstander and bystander into the modern day, leaving students with the understanding that they must take an active role in preventing hate and promoting tolerance in their communities. Suitable for grades 8-12.

The Anne Frank Story 7th Grade

Aimed at younger audiences, the goal of this workshop is to enhance middle school students’ ability to become proactive members of society by influencing positive change. Students view an immersive short film about the life of Anne Frank before launching into a discussion on the Holocaust, antisemitism, and resistance. Stereotypes, racism, and prejudice are defined and discussed in an age-appropriate manner. Suitable for grades 5-8.

• 157th Street will be blocked off at Price, only buses will be allowed down 157th Street.
• You may drop your child off along Price or Freeland.
• All students will now enter Door 1 upon arrival, doors open at 8:00 a.m..
• Please do not drop students off prior to 8:00 a.m.
• Students will enter the building and pass through the Evolv (all grade levels).

• 6th and 8th grades will exit through Door 12. (156th Pl)
• 5th and 7th grade will exit through Door 1. (Main Entrance)
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades will exit through Door 5. (Along Freeland St)

• 4th grade will exit Door 8. (on 156th Place)

• Kindergarten and Pre-K will exit via their classroom door.

• Students that take Daycare Vans or the school bus will exit through Door 2.

Email: nbako@L156.org
Website: L156.org
Location: 410 157th Street, Calumet City, IL, USA
Phone: 708-862-6625
Twitter: @natalie9881