Knights of Innovation at KIPLA

Dear Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy Families

It is with great excitement that I am transitioning into the principal position at Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA) for the 2024-2025 school year. I am eager to serve students and families from across the Kaneland community. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this school, known for its commitment to innovation, personalization, and excellence, but more importantly the dedication of the staff to work collaboratively to support all of its students. I have been a part of the Kaneland Education Community for most of my career since starting as a kindergarten teacher at Kaneland North (now John Stewart). I have been able to serve as an assistant principal or principal in each of the district’s four elementary schools. Most recently, I was principal at Kaneland John Shields Elementary. I am eager to continue bringing my skills as an instructional leader to KIPLA and work with you as a partner in education as I learn your children’s personalities, learning styles, and interests.

My husband and I reside in Naperville where we are raising our two children. Our oldest daughter is starting her teaching career this fall as a 7th and 8th-grade math teacher. Our youngest son is a freshman at the University of Illinois. Like many parents, our children's interests drive most of our free time, which has largely been spent at marching band events, other musical endeavors, and scouting. My husband and I enjoy playing tennis and hiking with our rescue pup, Ahoy McCoy!

I am eager to get to know the families who make up such a supportive community and excited to be a part of the learning that has been a district focus and part of the Kaneland Strategic Plan for nearly ten years.

We are thrilled to welcome back our students in a few weeks! If you have any questions while we prepare for the upcoming year, don't hesitate to reach out. "Knights of Innovation at KIPLA" will serve as a primary means of communication throughout the school year. My goal is to send a newsletter out the first Monday of the month and then in between if there is important or time sensitive information. These newsletters will also be posted on the school Facebook page.

You can also follow us on Facebook at Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy

• July 22 - 7th & 8th grade girls volleyball registration opens - register through Infinite Campus
• August 5 - IgKnight/HMS Art Club Registration opens - register through Infinite Campus
• August 8 - Supply Drop Off - between 10:00-12:00 and 4:00-6:00 - more information will come out.
• August 8 - PTO meeting at 6:15
• August 14 - First Day of School
• August 22 - Picture Day
• September 2 - No School
• September 5 - KIPLA Curriculum Night 5:00-7:00
• September 11 - Virtual Parent night for interested KIPLA families 6:30-7:30
• September 12 - PTO meeting @ 7:30
• September 20 - PTO Bingo Night @ 6:30

KIPLA Calendar Link District Wide Calendar Link

Inspire (grades 3-5) - Mrs. Cantrell, Mrs. Galvan

Empower (grades 6-8) - Mrs. Babich, Mrs. Satterfield, Mrs. Trembley

Pathway (exploratory) - Mr. Snyder, Mr. Wright

Student Support - Mrs. Caragher, Mrs. Gunderson, Mr. Munro,

Paraprofessionals: Ms. Carrano, Ms. McCue, Mrs. Young

Recess/Lunch Monitor: Mrs. Osmun, Mrs. Pipenhagen

Nurse: Mrs. Ranteria

Office: Mrs. McCoy, Mrs. Treadway

The following reminders are helpful to make sure that your child is safe and that our school can run as smooth as possible:

• 3rd - 5th grade students, must have a parent sign in and sign out when coming late or leaving early in the school day.
• 6th-8th grade students can sign themselves in if late, but parents need to sign them out to leave early in the office.
• If your child has a change in going home routine at the end of the day, the office needs to be notified in a timely manner. It is helpful to have this information before 2:00.
• If your child's routine is to be picked up daily, you do not need to notify the office every day.
  
• Notify the office if your child is involved in sports at Harter or clubs at Harter or other schools, the office needs to be advised so that the student can be transported to the school.
• Chromebook loaners are not for day-to-day use. Loan in the morning and return before the day ends. If your Chromebook is broken, please bring it into the office so we can get it repaired with tech and you check out a loaner for a longer time, if necessary.

Do children's laughs and smiles make your heart happy? Do you enjoy spending time with students? Do you have late morning/early afternoon availability (2.75 hours per day)? If so, please reach out to Mrs. McCoy about our lunch/recess monitor vacancies. We'd love the opportunity to learn more about you and share more about these positions. Please contact her at 10324@kaneland.org or via phone at (630) 365-5110 extension 72129 or complete an online application via the link below.

PS - We are also still looking for Substitute teachers for the year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to learn about our flexible scheduling and building opportunities!

Kaneland Employment Online Application

Registration for our Fall athletic teams is open, but the deadlines are approaching. These programs take place at Harter Middle School. KIPLA students are able to join. Please note that all athletes require a current physical on file to attend practice or tryouts. Physicals are considered valid for 13 months. Please send physicals as soon as possible and avoid waiting until tryouts (volleyball) or the first day of practice (cross country).

Girls Volleyball

• Volleyball is open to 7th and 8th grade students.

• Students must be registered by August 4th in order to try out.

• Please click here for more information.

Cross Country

• Cross Country is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.

• Students must be registered by August 9th.

• Please click here for more information.

To register your child for an athletic activity, click the Registration icon at the top of the screen on our athletic website.

Please contact Pattie Pattermann with any questions (10382@kaneland.org).

All bus times and teacher assignments will be posted to your child's Infinite Campus account. Please know these are subject to change leading up to the night before school starts.

All students who are eligible to take the bus will automatically be routed to one. We realize that families have unique circumstances that may not require the need to take the school bus (daycare, preferences to drive, etc). If this is the case, we ask that you let Mrs. Treadway in the office know that your child will not be taking the school bus. Should circumstances change and your child need to take the bus they will be able to ride with notice.

The Sugar Grove Park District CARE program provides a safe, supervised environment where children can socialize, play, or do homework before and after school including sports, arts and crafts, games, reading, storytelling, music, videos, and study time. This program is for children entering Kindergarten – 5th grades and is held at each of the elementary schools in the district. KIPLA students are eligible to attend and will have a bus that takes them to the elementary school where this is housed. Enroll Now!”

https://www.sgparks.org/care-program/

What is Back to School Anxiety?

Beginning school again after a long break can cause nervousness in all students. Students of all ages can worry about their new classrooms if they will make friends, the demands of school, or being away from their parents or home environment.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

Children who are anxious about the start of the school year may have emotional and/or physical symptoms of anxiety such as sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal problems, isolation from family or friends, avoidance of normal activities, feeling weak, tired, or restless, trouble concentrating, and having an increased heart rate.

How to Help Your Child with Back-to-School Anxiety:

Listen, Validate Feelings, and Be Empathetic - If your child opens up and is honest with you about their anxiety, listen to them and validate their feelings. Ensure your child knows it is okay to feel anxious and that you are there to help them through their feelings. Help your child determine what they are worrying about then coach your child to help them problem solve how to help work through their fears or concerns.

Self-Care - Establish self-care routines or strategies with your child. Teaching your child self-care strategies can help them with remembering to check in with their thoughts and feelings when they are becoming overwhelmed with anxiety.

School Year Routines - Create back-to-school routines and practice them before the school year starts. Practice waking up, getting dressed and ready, eating breakfast, then leaving the house. Resume your school year bedtime routines a week or two before school starts. Have a playdate with a familiar peer who attends your child’s school.

Role Play Feared Scenarios - Role-play the scenarios that your child is concerned about. Take turns in the role of your child and whoever else is in your child’s fear (a “mean” teacher, a hard activity, an uncomfortable social situation, etc.). Your responses will help your child learn how to deal with the situation in an appropriate way. Role-playing can also help your child learn how to respond with less anxiety about the situation. Visit the school to rehearse drop-off and pick-up routines or spend time playing on the playground.

Be Supportive and Reinforce Successes - Be supportive of your child’s anxieties about the new school year but continue to get them to school. Allowing your child to stay home from school because of their anxiety will only reinforce their fears. Reinforce the successes that your child does have. Acknowledge their bravery in facing their fears.

This is the link for the Podcast site: https://rss.com/podcasts/302seconds/