Conley Correspondence
Weekly Communication 11.15.2024
Our students shared what they are grateful for this season! Thanks to our PTA for organizing this opportunity for us to reflect and have a thankful mindset!
Report Cards
Grades are live on PowerSchool. You will be provided with a paper copy of your student's report card at conferences.
Conley Goes Gold!
4th & 5th Grade Music Concert
What day is my child’s performance?
Monday, November 18th: Brickey, Castro, Gogny, Scardina, Schultz
Tuesday, November 19th: Golyshko, Hedrick, Jacobs, Kittl, Mulvey, Riebock
Wednesday, November 20th: DeLaPaz, Garcia, Hollabaugh, Jarosz, Pipitone, Secor
What time is the performance?
The concert starts at 7:00 pm. Your child should arrive no earlier than 6:45 pm.
Where is the concert?
The concert will be held in the Conley Gymnasium. When students arrive, they should meet their teacher in the cafeteria.
What should my child wear to the performance?
Students should wear a shirt that is one of the Olympic flag colors (red, black, green, blue, or yellow), paired with dark-colored pants. They should also wear comfortable shoes suitable for standing and moving.
Attendance Update for 11.15.24
Conley's Scholastic Book Fair
Dear Families,
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.
Interested in supporting Conley's Book Fair (set-up, checking out student purchases, and/or taking down), please sign-up for a time(s) to volunteer on our form.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: 12/2/2024-12/5/2024 – 9am-3pm 12/6/2024 – 9am-12noon
Location: Conley Library
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage:
While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.
When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called
Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books
from the Fair.
Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.
Happy reading,
Mrs. Katie Surjan
Principal
PS: Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school!
Save the Date: Family Academic Night
Tuesday, December 3rd
Join us for a fun night out at Conley!
Conley's Academic Night will be held from 4:30-6:00pm
Erin's Law Lessons
November 18th, 19th, 20th, or 22nd
Many states, including Illinois, have passed in the past several years laws with the intent of increasing the awareness of child sexual abuse. You may have heard of this legislation under its more common name, Erin's Law, in honor of Erin Merryn, a brave young woman who has crossed the country advocating for laws that will increase awareness of this crime against children. One of the requirements of this law is that schools provide an age appropriate curriculum to all students relating to sexual abuse prevention through age appropriate curriculum which may include a variety of discussions, activities, videos and role play scenarios. The purpose of the lessons is to provide students the tools needed for personal safety and to provide a nurturing and caring environment open for disclosure of any incidents.
During the week of November 18th-22nd your child’s teacher, along with the school Social Worker, will present a Child Sexual Abuse-Assault Program discussing the following concepts:
● What is Child Sexual Abuse and Assault
● Myths/Facts about abuse, assault and abuser/perpetrator
● Instincts and Secrets
● How to protect self from sexual situations
● Identifying and learning to tell safe, trusted adults
Nationwide, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be the victim of child sexual abuse by the age of 18. Through this program aimed at educating and empowering students, we want to provide your student with the knowledge and skills to use if ever affected by sexual violence.
District 158 believes that all of our students will benefit from participating in this program. Additional parent/guardian resources can also be found at www.erinslaw.org.
If you have any questions about the content of the program, or if you wish to inquire about opting out, please feel free to contact the school office at (847) 659-3700.
Upcoming Winter Coat Drive
89 coats donated and counting...
Please help others in need during this holiday season. We want to ensure that everyone, whether they are an adult or child has access to a warm coat as the temperatures begin to drop!
You are welcome to start bringing in coats as soon as possible (or wait to the official start date of collection).
We so appreciate your support and help with this community service project!
Toys for Tots Annual Fundraiser
Conley is once again a collection site for Toys for Tots! Please send a new, UNWRAPPED toy in with your student to bring to the office if you would like to participate. THANK YOU! We will be collecting until Tuesday, 12/10/24. Spread the word - They are especially in need of toys for 10-12 year olds!
From the Nurse's Office
Significant increase in pertussis cases reported throughout McHenry County
11/14/2024 Media Contact: McHenry County Department of Health Nick Kubiak, Public Information Officer
McHenry County Department of Health reports significant increase in pertussis cases throughout McHenry County
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has reported a significant increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases, particularly among school-aged children, throughout McHenry County. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease, and early recognition and treatment are crucial to preventing its spread.
Pertussis can start with mild symptoms like a runny nose, low-grade fever, and cough. The cough progresses to intense coughing fits (paroxysmal cough), sometimes accompanied by vomiting, a high-pitched "whoop" sound, exhaustion, and even pauses in breathing (apnea). The severity and course of the disease can vary based on age and vaccination history. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, or even death.
Pertussis spreads through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, especially in close-contact settings like school classrooms. Frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes are important prevention steps. Anyone who develops symptoms should promptly consult a healthcare provider. If a child is diagnosed with pertussis, parents are encouraged to inform the child’s school to help lessen further spread.
To prevent transmission, those diagnosed with pertussis are advised to take the prescribed antibiotic for five (5) days and remain isolated until the five-day antibiotic treatment has been completed. Household members and close contacts should also be treated with antibiotics and stay home if they experience symptoms, remaining at home until they have completed the five-day antibiotic treatment. With or without treatment, the cough associated with pertussis can persist for weeks or months.
Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure against pertussis. While immunity can diminish over time, vaccinated individuals who contract pertussis usually experience milder symptoms. The MCDH encourages all residents to check with their healthcare provider to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date. Pregnant women should receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to protect both themselves and their newborn.
The MCDH offers DTaP and Tdap vaccines at a reduced cost for those who qualify. To make an appointment with the MCDH, please call (815) 334-4500, or contact your healthcare provider for vaccination options.
For more information about pertussis and vaccination, call the MCDH at (815) 334-4500 or visit MCDH.info.
Upcoming Spirit Days
November
November 22: Favorite Band/Artist
Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board
The Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board (VBB) is a way to connect Huntley 158 families with enrichment and educational events and programs in the community. This year, rather than receiving a separate email, families can find these opportunities on the district’s Virtual Bulletin Board webpage in our weekly newsletter. We encourage you to click the link and check out what’s happening for students and families in the community!
To submit a program or event for inclusion on the Huntley 158 VBB, organizations must be not-for-profit or a taxing body based in Huntley 158 boundaries or a surrounding community. Please email your event flyer in PNG or PDF format to kimoore@district158.org and include "VBB" in the subject line. To ensure accessibility for all, flyers must be accompanied by a brief description of your event that includes the name of your event, date, time, location, call to action/website link (if applicable) as well as contact information. Thank you!
Helpful Links
Conley Elementary School
3-5 Elementary School in Huntley Community School District 158
Address: Dr. John Burkey Dr formerly, 750 Academic Dr, Algonquin, IL 60102
Conley Main Office: 847-659-3700
Conley Absentee Line: 847-659-3711
Principal: Katie Surjan
Assistant Principal: Jeremy White
Principal's Administrative Assistant: Kathy Michel
Attendance Administrative Assistant: Lindsay Brunschon