Mustang Memo
September 18. 2023
We thank you all for your time and partnership on Curriculum Night and for the School-Parent Compact. Please know we welcome any feedback you had on that process using the linked form, there were some points we have already taken into consideration and hope to modify for future Curriculum Nights. The year has picked up pace and we are back in the swing of business as usual. Students are completing their beginning of year assessments that will help us develop strategic supports for their success, and staff are working diligently to establish academic routines that all learners can access. We are also working to regularly celebrate staff who embody our mantra, "Living the Legacy," you can see Coach Springer and Ms. Rubel were our first recipients and at our next staff meeting, they will pass the crown!
Some other odds and ends on your radar:
We will begin our series of safety drills soon. In compliance with with district and state guidance, all drills must be completed within the first 90 days of school. Our Lockdown Drill will take place on 9/20 at 9am. Following this drill, classes may have age-appropriate discussions about the other option-based responses. Just as we prepare our students and adults to properly respond to a possible fire or tornado, we also need to prepare them to be aware of the proper response during other threatening situations. Please be assured that, both prior to and after the drill, teachers and staff will discuss the importance of this procedure using age and developmentally appropriate language with our students. We will also remind students that this is only a practice drill and that no one is in danger. If you have any questions, please reach out.
District 65 will be hosting a competitive debate program and we invite you to learn more using this link District 65 Competitive Debate Program.
The District welcomes Maredeth Teamer as the Elementary School Athletic Director, succeeded Mr. Kyle Gessert. Maredeth's journey through the Chicago Public School system ignited her passion for sports and education. During her time there, she actively participated in organized basketball, tennis, and volleyball. With over a decade of experience in the education field, she has served as both a Special Education Teacher and Paraprofessional in various school systems, including Chicago, Prince Georges County, and Baltimore County/City Public School systems.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership,
King Arts Admin
MUSIC
K-5 students are starting off their year in music getting familiar with the classroom instruments. Students 2nd-5th are focusing on playing with good mallet technique.
DANCE
K-5 students are learning how to move safely throughout dance class. 5th grade is beginning to dive into the elements of dance (body, space, time, energy, and action) and how the elements work together to create movement in dance. Currently we are exploring the body element of dance.
DRAMA
8th grade students in the Drama rotation adapted and performed the story Rainbow Fish for Mrs. Young’s Kindergarten complete with costumes and props. The Kindergarten enjoyed meeting the “big kids” and the 8th graders did a wonderful job connecting with the Kindergarten. After the play they worked on a Rainbow Fish art project. 3 cheers for a K-8 school!!!
PTA Updates
Let’s Celebrate – Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, The King Arts PTA and Cultural Celebrations Committee (C3) invites you to join us in celebrating and learning more about our Latinx community. We would love to host a stand-up event or activity for Hispanic Heritage Month before October 15. If you want to get involved, you can email kingartspta@gmail.com.
ETHS Incoming Freshman Transition for 8th Graders
The King Arts PTA invites you to an informational meeting that will help prepare your eighth grader for the transition to ETHS in the fall of 2024. Alicia Hart (she/her), ETHS New Student Transition Coordinator, will share details about upcoming opportunities to help acclimate your eighth grader to their transition to ETHS throughout the current school year. Critical dates, pre-registration information, summer learning opportunities and much more will be shared! This virtual meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, October 3, from 7 – 7:45 pm
Below is the dial-in information:
Join the ETHS Transition Meeting
Meeting ID: 861 5826 9280 / Passcode: 317828
District 65 Lit Year Sign-Ups Still Open for K-3rd Graders
Start your school year right with our new Direct to Home Lit Year Program!! Throughout the year, your student will receive 15 age-appropriate books with Black main characters to help build their home libraries. This program is open to all District 65 K - 3rd-grade students but is subject to the first 200 sign-ups. Participation is FREE. Books will be shipped directly to your home (3 mailings of 5 books) throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Sign up at http://bit.ly/44iiKz2 by September 30th. If you have multiple children in D65, please complete a separate form for each child.
The D65 PTA Pumpkin & Fall Decor Fundraiser is OPEN NOW!
All proceeds from the sale benefit the D65 PTA One Fund and will be distributed to all schools.
Pre-Sale: Now through Monday 9/25 Order here: https://go.rallyup.com/d65pumpkinsale2023
Pick-Up/Sale: Friday, 9/29 4-7pm @ Dawes (440 Dodge Ave @ corner of Oakton)
Join the King Arts PTA
The King Arts PTA is committed to creating antiracist space where community and belonging take center stage. We are a group of hard-working and remarkable parents and teachers that reflect the diverse student population that we serve. Given our goals strategic goals, the King Arts PTA is covering the cost for all caregiver and teacher members who choose to opt in. Caregivers and teachers can also opt to cover their membership and donate to cover a community membership.
PTA membership gives you voting rights on our Annual Budget, Budget Proposals/Exceptions, Bylaw Amendments, Executive Team Slate Nominations and much more.
Become a Member, Visit: https://www.district65.net/Page/2218.
Volunteer Opportunities
URGENT NEED: ESCCA SERVE Volunteer – Tuesday, September 19
We are so lucky to have King Arts volunteers help with ESCCA throughout the year. We have three volunteer openings left this Tuesday from 6:30-9pm – our first SERVE commitment for the school year. ESCCA is trying to meet the needs of as many students of D65 as possible - Volunteers are vital and the backbone of this program. If available, please sign-up here: https://signup.com/go/wyjvfFU
7th and 8th Grade Community Connectors Needed
We are looking for Community Connectors for the 7th and 8th grades. Being a Room Community Connector for your scholar’s homeroom is a great way to connect with your child’s teachers. This is not a time-consuming volunteer position. You will be asked to attend one meeting in the fall and then help communicate school and homeroom news (and needs) to parents, primarily through email. Opportunities to co-host grade level celebrations, activities, dances, etc. also exist. We encourage volunteers to attend PTA meetings. Since we are not a neighborhood school, we need to work a little harder to build our community, a sense of belonging for every student, and this is a great way to help! If you are interested, please sign-up here: https://forms.gle/Ek9sBkKukGG1d8J86.
Seeking King Arts PEP Representatives
The PTA Equity Project is seeking school community members engaged and interested in working towards a more equitable school experience for D65 students. Each D65 PTA is asked to recruit 1-2 equity-minded ambassadors to partner with its PTA to share tools and education on equitable practices within the D65. PEP representatives will also help to educate its school community on One Fund distribution process and submit King Arts’ upcoming majority vote on continuing the future of the One Fund distribution.
Time commitment is two hours monthly from September through May 2024. Additional volunteering hours are possible for PEP Fest (tentatively scheduled for early June) and One Fund Town Halls, averaging a total of 10- 15 hours throughout the school year.
Questions? Email kingartspta@gmail.com for more information.
4th & 5th Grade King Arts Co-Ed Flag Football & Cross-Country Coaches
The school-based 4th & 5th Grade Flag Football League and Cross Country are a great way to show our school spirit and play football or run with friends while making new ones!
Coaches are volunteers from their respective school, and they schedule their own practices. If you're interested in being a volunteer coach, please contact kingartspta@gmail.com. The season starts September 30th!
In case you missed it …
- Middle School Athletics Website here
- Community Connectors needed for 7th and 8th grade, volunteer here
- ESSCA SERVE Day, volunteer here
- Sign-up to water, harvest and tend to the school Edible Garden here
- D65 Volunteer Background Process D65 Volunteer Background Screening_Sept 2023.pdf
- Join the King Arts PTA here
- Donate a King Arts PTA Membership, MemberHub
- Purchase Spirit Wear, MemberHub
Save the Date
King Arts ESCCA SERVE Volunteer Day
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30 – 9pm
1500 McDaniel Ave., Evanston IL 60201
ESCCA asks that volunteers do not bring their elementary or middle school-aged children with them to a SERVE. If interested, please sign-up here: https://signup.com/go/wyjvfFU
School Yard Clean-Up
Sunday, September 24, 11 am
King Arts Playground
The Green Team will host a school yard clean-up. In addition to trash pick-up, volunteers will have an opportunity to discuss work that needs to be done in our edible garden and school courtyard. Green Team projects for the school year will also be discussed.
September King Arts PTA Open Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, September 26, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
In-Person, King Arts Library
Principal Calloway will share SY2024 goals and the team's strategic focus for the school year. The PTA will share additional information regarding extracurricular activities and clubs available to K - 8 scholars. We also will share volunteer opportunities and event plans for the school year. There will be time for community members to share their suggestions and ideas. We hope to see you there!
ETHS New Student Transition Night for King Arts 8th Grade Families
Tuesday, October 3, 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Virtual Event
Join the ETHS Transition Meeting
Meeting ID: 861 5826 9280 / Passcode: 317828
