Tuesday, February 25, 2014

It's ISAT Testing Time Next Week!


Hi Parents,

            Can you believe that it's almost March and the school year is quickly coming to an end?    March Madness brings on ISAT Testing that starts next Mon., Mar. 3rd and goes through the following Tues., Mar. 11th.

            Of course, we've been preparing the students for the "big week" all year, throughout our everyday curriculum, activities, and learning, but I was wondering if I could also get a little help from the parents in making sure that they have a successful testing week.

So, Mrs. H has compiled a few requests for both parents (and students too!):

1.   Please make sure that your student is on time for school.   All of our tests are given in the morning.  When students arrive late for school it creates undue anxiety.    I will like to try and prevent this next week so that our brains are ready to go!

2.   Please try your best to not schedule any doctor's appointments during the mornings of ISAT Test week.    If your child misses a day, they will have to make up their test another day.    It would help us if this could be prevented.

3.   Please DO NOT send your child to school if they are feeling sick.  There's no reason for us to force a test on a student if they're not feeling well.    Plus, they most likely won't perform at their best if illness gets in their way.   We can always make up the section that they have missed at a later time.

4.  Please help out by making sure that your child takes the time before leaving school to eat breakfast and also to make sure that it's a HEALTHY one!   (I told the students that sugary cereals and Pop-Tarts aren't going to make their brains function at their best. :) ).   

5.   Please be sure to pack a healthy snack for your students during test week.    We will try and eat our snack right before test time.

            In addition, I will be giving each of the students with a Wintergreen Lifesaver Peppermint to have right before they take their test.   Research shows that peppermint stimulates the brain and decreases test anxiety.   Feel free to read this article to find out more:

            Of course, if you do not want your child eating a peppermint or if they are allergic to them, please let me know before Monday! (As a side note, your student is not required to eat a peppermint if they don’t like them!)

            As always, thanks for your support in making it a successful test week for all!   We're going to do fantastic!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

A Message Reminder From the Office......


  • Due to snow/cold days school will be in session on Thursday, March 20th and Friday, March 21st. 
  • Absent students will need to be reported to the office (847 506-6999 x7400)
  • Spring Break is March 24th to March 28th

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Symphony Orchestra Field Trip is Friday!


Get excited!  Our field trip to see the Symphony Orchestra is scheduled for this Friday, February 7th.   Mr. Berger is requesting for students to wear nice, but regular school clothes for the event.  They do not have to dress up, but please try and refrain from wearing clothes with holes or frays. 

Because the performance starts at noon and we will be leaving for the event at 10:30 am, students will have the option of eating their lunch at school before we leave.    Students will then again be able to either finish their lunch or eat a snack again upon our return around 2:00 pm.   As a result, please make sure that you pack a lunch and drink for your child that also contains an additional snack.    Hot lunches and/or milk will not be an option for those that did not pre-order a sack lunch because we are not present at school when lunch is served.  

The following students pre-ordered a sack lunch that will be given to them in the morning as an option to eat from Mrs. Hynek’s and Mrs. Jensen’s classes:
Ursula J., Daniel K., Emilio R., Dallas S., and Amanda D.
It is highly suggested for these students that pre-ordered a lunch to also bring an additional snack to school upon their return to school.  

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.   We look forward to a fun and successful trip on Friday.   Thank you for your parental guidance.   Please feel free to visit Mr. Berger’s blog for additional information regarding the performance we’ll be seeing:
http://westgatemusic160.blogspot.com