Kingsley Connection

Dear Kingsley Families,

We want to take a moment to thank you all for another successful week! A special thank you to our amazing PTA for organizing the powerful assembly on bullying featuring Chicago Bear's mascot Staley—it was a memorable and impactful experience for our students.

As we look ahead, don't forget this weekend’s Trunk or Treat event, sponsored by our PTA! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of costumes, candy, and community. The event will take place on Saturday, October 26th from 3:00-5:00. We look forward to seeing you there!

Finally, I have made a correction below regarding costumes. Students should bring their costumes to school to change into before the parade. They should not wear them to school.

Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend!

Chuck Brewster (Principal) & Eleni Gajewski (Assistant Principal/District Curriculum Coordinator)

Any teams that want to compete must be entered by November 15, 2024.

The Reading Games will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at O'Neill Middle School

The Reading Games is a fun reading competition for District 58 and District 61 students in grades 3-8. Students read books from the book lists, then face other teams to answer questions about the books they've read. It is a great opportunity for kids to read new books and discuss them with friends. Teams are made up of 5-8 students, and may include students from different grades and schools. However, due to space limitations, participation in the Reading Games is limited only to Districts 58 and 61 students. Teams will read books and be asked questions from Book List 1 (3rd-4th grades) or Book List 2 (5th-8th grades).

Team Registration

Completing the team registration form below reserves your spot as a team to compete at the Games. You do not need to identify the students that will be on your team for this registration, so there is time to finalize the team members. Between December and January, you will be asked to provide more information about your team, including team name and volunteers. Each team should plan to have the following overall adult participation:

• 1 Team Contact – This person would be a contact point for the Reading Games committee over the next several months until the event, and would work with the team to coordinate practices and reading. (This person can fill one of the three volunteer roles on the day of the event, if they wish, but that’s not required.)

• 1 Adult Team Volunteer - This person will fill a role separate from the team on the day of the event, as a moderator, scorekeeper or other needed role. (This can be the Team Contact or another parent)

• 2 Adult Team Chaperones – These people will stay with the team on the day of the event to supervise the team. (The Team Contact can fill one of these roles, or both can be filled by other team parents. This is in addition to the separate Team Volunteer listed above and would not be the same person)

Team Registration

Individual Registration

If you have a child who would like to participate but does not have a team, you may request a spot using the individual registration form. Although we cannot guarantee a spot on a team, we will do our very best to match children to existing teams, or to assist you in creating a new team.

Individual Registration

If you have any questions, please email us at readinggamesdg58@gmail.com, or your Kingsley contact beckybettinger13@gmail.com. We are happy to answer questions!

Good luck to our readers as they uncover the magic within these books!

We would like to invite you to recognize our Kingsley staff members with a shoutout. If you have a postitive comment to share with any of our staff members, please complete this FORM. Shoutouts will be shared with staff members in their weekly newsletter.

We are glad that our students enjoy playing on the playground. However, it is our priority to ensure that all students make it home to their guardians safely after school. When the playground has students on it at dismissal, it is difficult to know if students have checked in with their parents/guardians, or are still waiting to be picked up. We kindly ask that if your child wishes to play on the playground, to please wait until 3:15pm, when we are confident all students are safely with their guardians. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Weather permitting, we will bring our Halloween Costume Parade outdoors again this year. We invite families to join us and view the parade on 10/31 at 1:45pm on the intermediate playground blacktop area located on the East side of the building. Below is a map for your reference. There will be cones that will identify the viewing area for parents. We ask that you please stay behind the cones while viewing the parade.

District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and Mr. Brewster/Mrs. Gajewski. We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.

All Kingsley students are invited to participate in the PTA Reflections program! This nationally sponsored art contest provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boost student confidence and align with our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) goals. Entries will have the chance to advance to the Council, Region, State and National Levels!

Here’s how you can help support your student’s participation:

• Read more about the Reflections program and this year's theme, "Accepting Imperfection."

• Encourage your student to start creating! They can make a drawing, painting, dance routine, poem, short story, song, film … how they interpret this year’s theme is up to them.

• Learn about the categories for entries and look over the contest rules.

• Entries are due Friday, Nov. 1

• Drop off visual art and written projects in the front office. Digital entries (music, dance, film, photography) can be turned into the office on a flash drive, CD or DVD, or uploaded to a free hosting service (Vimeo, YouTube) and emailed to kingsleypta.reflections@gmail.com.

Look out for more information in upcoming Kingsley Connections! Questions? Email Colleen Malone at kingsleypta.reflections@gmail.com

October 26 - Trunk or Treat

Octboer 31 - Halloween Parade and Class Parties

November 3 - Daylight Savings Time

November 5 - No School - Election Day

November 8 - Fun Lunch

November 19 - PTA Meeting (Via Zoom)