A Message from Food Services......

To the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of School District 25 Elementary Student(s):

It is your responsibility to monitor your student(s) lunch account balance(s) using an on-line account at www.mymealtime.com.  The ID number needed to add each student to your account is the same number students use as a “server password” to log on to school computers.  There is no cost for setting up an account.  Only if you decide to pay on line is there a fee.  You are always welcome to send in checks to your child’s school to add funds to your child’s lunch account.

If you have any questions about how to set up an account, please refer to the district website at www.sd25.org, select departments and then food service.  On the food service home page select pre payment options.  If you need additional assistance please call the Food Service office at 847-758-4883. 

Starting April 16th the District will be using an automated phone message to let you know when your child’s account is negative more than $2.65.  Calls will be made between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.  Once your child has a negative account balance in excess of $7.95, they will be called to the office and given an alternate meal.  When adding money to your child’s account online there is a twenty-four (24) hour delay in the money showing up in the account.  You must print your confirmation letter or send a check with your child to school to avoid the alternative lunch. Alternative lunches are the same price as the regular lunch and will meet nutritional guidelines.

If your family is experiencing financial difficulty, please complete an application to see if you would qualify for free or reduced price meals.  Applications are available on the District 25 website or from the office at your child’s school.

Sincerely,

Coletta Hines Newell

Director of Food Services

It's Math Workshop Time!

Many of your students may have come home this week discussing how math in our class is now structured a little bit differently in our room.   I'm now incorporating Unit 8 (Fractions) of Everyday Math with a new model called "Math Workshop".   Some of you may have heard the term "Guided Math".   It is structured very similarly to the concept of Guided Reading that I utilize during literacy time.

Before a unit starts, your student is given a pre-test over the upcoming unit to determine concepts that your child already has mastered and ones that I need to reinforce with them.   Based off of the pre-test, I place your child in an appropriate guided math group with similar students working at their same ability level.   

The beginning of our math time starts off with a whole group "mini-lesson" that focuses on the math concepts for the day.   Afterwards, your student is placed with their guided math groups for more in-depth practice of the whole group skills.    Depending upon the group your child has been placed in, some students work on reinforcement skills if I felt they could use more practice in an area, while others work on enrichment skills if I believe that they could use an additional challenge in a particular area.

The groups rotate through stations utilizing the following stations:
1.  Meet With Teacher: Students work on journal pages with teacher involving reinforcement or enrichment skills.
2.  Math Fact Practice: Students work with a partner to practice their multi./div. facts and take a time test.
3.  Technology: Each individual students works in Khanacademy.org or other online game focusing on the topic at hand.
4.  Supplemental Activity: Students are given group reinforcement or enrichment supplemental activities.

After each station, students are asked to reflect upon their time at each station.  Each day I look at their reflections and progress with their journal, Khan Academy, and supplemental activity to determine additional reinforcement or enrichment activities for the next session.    

Homework will still remain the same with the students having a Homelink page to complete.   Those students that qualified for the enrichment groups are given supplemental challenge Homelinks.       

Over the past few days the kids have been loving the new model and cannot wait for math time!   From a teacher standpoint, this new model allows me to work more individually with students that are struggling with a particular concept.  While at the same time, it also provides more of a challenge for students that need enrichment activities in a particular area.   Hopefully this success will continue and we can utilize this model with upcoming units throughout the rest of the year!  :)

  

Our Spring Break Adventures

Alex and his friend Lily had fun soaking up the sun and swimming in sunny Sanibel Island, Florida.  Look at the beautiful palm trees swaying in the background.  

Anthony went to the Museum of Science and Industry over Spring Break.  WATCH OUT for big sharks!!!!

Natalie had a wonderful time visiting the Chicago Art Institute.  Here she is observing the "American Gothic" painting.   So cool!

Caroline caught a queen lady fish while visiting friends in Clearwater, Florida.  Amazing!

Caroline is enjoying some ice cream with her brothers and sister.  Mmmm....delicious!

Caroline went to a spring training game of the Boston Red Sox.  She got a ball from Dustin Pedroia. Wooohoo!

Aidan is having a blast inside a jet at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

Aidan enjoyed being on the beach with his family in Florida.  Check out that sand fort!

 Addie had a great time with her family in Clearwater, Florida.

Addie had a wonderful time at Busch Gardens.  Too fun!

 Dallas and his brother had fun on their "stay-cation" by visiting the Chicago Art Institute.

Dallas was also able to visit Soldier Field.   So fun!

JJ at the Heinz History Center's Sports Museum (Pittsburgh is a HUGE sports town)

JJ riding the Duquesne Incline (a 137-year-old cable car with incredible views of downtown Pittsburgh)

George fishing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with Dad & friends/neighbors.  Check out what they caught!   Yikes!

Brady celebrated Grandma's birthday and got to meet Auntie Patty's new dog, "Buddy."  Look how adorable!

On his birthday, Emilio was able to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children.  What a generous thing to do!

Emilio and his sister had a wonderful time at Orbit Skate Center.   Check out his moves!

 Mia enjoyed visiting the American Girl Doll Store in downtown Chicago.  Mia's always the ballerina!

Check out Mia about to jump off the diving board at Olympic pool!   Way to go!

Kay and her family had a spectacular time visiting beautiful Can Cun, Mexico! She's having fun sipping a cool drink and playing life size Jenga!  Check out the crystal blue water in the background.

Zachary & his brother Liam doing slot car racing.   What a blast!

Zachary indoor go carting. He even climbed a rock wall. Pretty fun day! 

Mrs. Hynek's daughter Alyssa having fun at the Bulls Game!

The Hynek family had a wonderful day playing at the new Dave and Busters.   (Pictured is Mrs. Hynek's son Brayden).

The Hynek Crew had fun filled day visiting the Museum of Science and Industry with Grandma and Grandpa Meli.   They were in town visiting from Hilton Head, South Carolina.