Cougar Clips

Happy Friday Kipling Families,

Please see the RSVP for our Anxious Generation Parent Night below. I want to make sure I plan for enough space for the number of people who will be attending. Officer Maldonado will also be joining us that evening to discuss social media, group text threads, online bullying and other technology challenges our kids (and we) are facing.

It is hard to believe but a very busy October is fast approaching. We have an early Pumpkinfest this year on Saturday, October 5th and then Picture Day follows close behind on Tuesday, October 8th. Toward the end of the month we have Parent Teacher Conferences and then our Halloween parties and parade. Please mark your calendars!

All my best to you and your families over the weekend.

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary School

Car Drop-off and Pick-up procedures are listed below - please make sure to follow these traffic expectations to keep all students and families safe. The entire drop-off/pick-up process usually only takes approximately 10 minutes or less for about 450 total students.

-Please stay in your car and continue to pull as far forward as possible. We want to keep the line moving as efficiently as possible. Please do not get out of your car and gather by one of our doors or walk up or down the sidewalk to meet your children. Our teachers and staff will get them to your car.

-If your child needs to be unbuckled/buckled in please let our staff know and someone can help them get in or out of the car. If your child cannot get in or out of the car themselves, we highly recommend you park in the lot and walk them to the front door.

-If you want to walk your child to or from the door, please find a parking spot in the lot or on the street and then walk to the building.

-No blocking of any driveways

-Mandatory reduction in speed

-Staying off cell phones when you are near or on school property

-Awareness for surroundings (kids/parents/staff crossing, etc.)

-Having patience

-For school-wide or PTO events, DO NOT park on Longfellow. Briarwood Country Club will allow our families to park in their lot when our lot is full.

Parents, we have been reviewing bus expectations with our students who ride the bus. Can you please talk with your students at home to reinforce these directions?

-They should be seated with their seatbelt fastened at all times.

-They should not be yelling to ensure all students can hear the driver.

-All Kindergarten and 1st grade students must sit at the very front of the bus.

-And most importantly, they need to follow these expectations so the driver can focus on driving and not get distracted.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child has a safe and positive experience on the bus.

We’re going back to the Wolves Game!

Mark your calendars! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 1:00-4:00 pm & 5:00-8:00 pm and on Friday, October 25th from 8:30-11:30 am. All DPS109 schools will hold in-person parent-teacher conferences this year with an option to attend virtually for parents/guardians who are not available for an in-person conference. Parents will sign up for a conference using Sign-Up Genius. I will share links for all teacher sign-up forms on Thursday, September 26th, at 12:00 pm (noon).

It is best practice to hold one parent conference per child, to ensure that both parents receive the same information regarding their child’s strengths and needs. Therefore, I ask that parents sign up for one joint conference per student. We look forward to seeing all of our parents during conferences. Conferences are a discussion between parents and teachers. At this time elementary conferences do not include students and therefore we ask that children not attend the parent-teacher conference.

Over the summer, I read the book, The Anxious Generation, which explores the significant increase in anxiety among today's youth, examining the underlying causes and societal factors contributing to this trend. The book provides practical strategies and insights for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to help young people manage anxiety and build resilience.

I would like to invite parents and guardians to join me in person on Thursday, September 26th from 6:00-7:30 in the Kipling gym to discuss some of the topics introduced in the book. DPS109 School Resource Officer, Officer Maldonado, will also join us to present her information about keeping our children safe online.

You do not have to read the full book to join the conversation! Since many of you are short on time, the links below will provide you with enough information to participate in this event.

Video Interview with the author (21 minutes)

Video Summary (9 minutes)

Written Summary (4 minutes)

Please RSVP below by Friday, 9/20.

Each week I will be sharing a resource from Common Sense Media. The PTO will also be including resources in many of their weekly PTO newsletters. The resources provide a wide variety of information including the impact of social media and technology on mental health, relationships, and student well being. We are hoping that these resources will spark conversations with your children, help you to set healthy boundaries in your home, allow you and your children to make more informed decisions about technology use at home, and contribute to developing children’s ability to safely and responsibly navigate the digital world.

This week: We the Digital Citizens

Park District Before and After Care

The Deerfield Park District runs all of our before and after school care programs. Please contact the Park District, 847-945-0650, if you have questions.

Park District After School Enrichment Information

To see a brochure of programs and get more information, visit https://www.deerfieldparks.org/programs/youths-teens/.

If you have any questions, please contact the park district directly as they run the programs.