Avoca West News
April 1, 2024
April 8th Solar Eclipse Information for Caregivers
On April 8th at approximately 2:00pm, the Chicagoland area will be treated to an almost perfect, complete solar eclipse. Although we are not in the path of totality, the sun will be 93% obscured (blocked out) in our area. Hopefully, the skies will be clear so that our students (and staff!) have a chance to view and talk through this rare astronomical event together. We have been fortunate to secure special safety glasses for students and staff to support safety for all during this event.
According to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): "[T]here will not be another total eclipse visible in the continental U.S. until 2045. You can find out what will happen at other locations by going to: www.timeanddate.com/eclipse /solar/2024-april-8. Feel free to check out other resources available at https://www.nsta.org/eclipse.
Opting Out: If you do not want your student to participate in the viewing of the eclipse please complete this opt out form by April 5th. Anyone heading out to view will review safety protocol with students.
Getting Ready for State Testing (3rd-5th grades)
Next week, our 3rd-5th grade students will take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) tests. There will be two ELA tests and three Math tests. On these days it is critical to:
- Bring a fully charged iPad to school
- Get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast
- Headphones are needed
- Gum and mints are allowed during testing (but will not be provided by your child's teacher)
5th graders will take the Illinois Science Assessment as during the month of April.
Volunteer Opportunity from Ms. Tromp 🎨
On May 15th we will be having a Mosaic Garden Community Art Project event after school around 3:15 pm at Avoca West. Students, families, and staff will be able to come together as a community to create mosaic stepping stones to display outside of Avoca West. This is a wonderful way to bring everyone together and we are very excited about this community project!
I will need 20 volunteers to help out with the event. Volunteers should arrive at 1:30 pm on May 15th to help out with set up. Below are the different volunteer jobs that I will need assistance with:
Brush vegetable oil onto each tin pan with a pastry brush to prepare for the concrete
Making concrete by mixing concrete mix with water to prepare for tin containers
Pouring concrete into tins and smooth out with small shovel
Laying out tins onto tables after concrete is poured into them and monitoring students as they grab one before they decorate
Help sort and set up mosaic tiles into containers on a table to prepare for students to select for their mosaic project
Monitor mosaic tile section and help students select their tiles for their mosaic project
Check in on students as they are working on their project and help students place finished project on table to dry
Help clean up materials after community project is finished
If you would like to volunteer, please let me know HERE (see form below) or by sending me an email at trompl@avoca37.org. Thank you!
Best,
Lauren
Mark Your Calendars
TUESDAY, April 2nd -- SCHOOL RESUMES FOR STUDENTS
Wednesday, April 3rd -- Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day!
Monday, April 8th-April 12th -- IAR testing (3rd-5th grades) Please see above for additional info
Friday, April 19th -- 8:45 start -- Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Monday, April 22nd-24th -- 5th Grade Illinois Science Assessment
Tuesday, April 23rd -- Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Wednesday, April 24th -- Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day & Suzuki Concert in evening!
For future dates, see the Avoca West and District calendars on our website!
Follow Us for Daily Smile-Makers!
Questions? Comments?
Website: http://avoca37.org/avocawest/
Location: 235 Beech Drive, Glenview, IL, United States
Phone: 847-724-6800
Twitter: @AvocaWest37