News From CLA!

Happy 2025 ABLE and REACH Families!

We are back in the new year and ready to continue our year of fun and learning. January is shaping up to be an exciting month, and despite the colder weather, things are heating up with engaging activities and new adventures.

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about the opportunities our students will enjoy, thanks to the generosity of the one-five Foundation.

Mr. Kooiker, one of our outstanding Intermediate REACH teachers, applied for and received a one-five Foundation grant to help establish a Makerspace here at CLA. With these funds, he has created a Broadcasting Club for ABLE and REACH students, where they can collaborate on projects using technology while building teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Additionally, our new 3D printer in the Makerspace has everyone—students and staff alike—excited to explore its creative possibilities.

Our incredible ABLE Intermediate and Middle School teachers, Jessica Busse and Jenny Orth, also applied for and received a one-five Foundation grant. This grant will allow ABLE students to take a deep dive into their special interests and explore the things that bring them joy, enriching their learning experience in meaningful ways.

We are deeply grateful to the Mini-Grant Committee for supporting these innovative ideas and helping to bring them to life for our students.

We’re thrilled to be back and can’t wait to see all the great things 2025 will bring!

Sincerely,
Matt Stary
Principal, Conyers Learning Academy

• NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 21st

• NO SCHOOL - Institute Day

January 23rd

• Catch Up with Heinz 2:00 - 3:00 PM

January 28th

• Taco Shop Dine & Share 11:00 am - 8:30 PM

January 31st

• 6th-8th Grade End of Quarter 2

February 5th

• CLA PTA Meeting - 6:30 PM @ CLA

February 12th

• Board of Education Meeting 7:00-10:00 pm @ WRS Middle School

February 17th

• NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

Elementary students generally go outside for recess every day. Therefore, they should dress appropriately for the weather. In extreme cold conditions, a winter coat, hat, gloves, boots, and dressing in layers is advised. Exceptions are made only when a child brings a doctor’s note excusing them from outdoor recess.

During extreme cold watches and warnings:

If the temperature outside, together with the wind chill, is below 0°F, all students will remain inside for the entire lunch hour.

If the temperature outside, together with the wind chill, is between 0°–10°F, students will be outside for no more than 20 minutes. At the principal’s discretion, the students may be kept inside for the entire lunch hour.

If the temperature outside, together with the wind chill, is above 10°F, students will have regular outdoor recess.

Please click on this link for the D15 School Calendar.

Did you child lose something at school? Please check out our virtual Lost and Found to search for and claim your child's missing items. CLA Virtual Lost & Found

Infinite Campus' Campus Parent is designed to provide real-time access to student information. The easy-to-use design displays what is currently happening in the classroom so you can understand, monitor, and participate in the educational process.

• Announcements

• Attendance

• Grades & mid-term progress reports

• Registration information

• Transportation information

• Pay fees

You can log into Campus Parent using the Campus Parent Web Portal or Mobile App.

Make sure you have your account set up for the new school year! To learn how to set up your account, watch tutorials, or access a help center, please visit the district website.

All of your transportation information can be found in the My Ride K-12 App, district 15's new GPS Bus Locator. For more details and directions on how to download, follow the link to our district page.

SPARK (Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge) is sub-committee of Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA, which serves all PTAs/PTSAs in District 15, providing leadership development, PTA resources, and programs for students and families. SPARK is proud to serve families of children with disabilities in Community Consolidated School District 15 and beyond.

Please see the attached fliers for dates and times of the upcoming SPARK events.

January (English/Spanish)

February (English/Spanish)

March (English/Spanish)

Hello ABLE and REACH Families,

Happy New Year! We’ve got some exciting events coming up, so be sure to mark your calendars.

• Monthly PTA Meeting: February 5th, 6:30–7:00 PM in the CLA Lounge.
• Tuesday January 28th 11:00 am - 8:30 pm - Dine & Share at Taco Shop - 800 N Quentin Rd. Palatine. A portion of your bill will support the CLA PTA and help fund activities for our students and staff. Mention the CLA PTA at the register or show them one of our fliers.

Not a member yet? It’s never too late to join our small but mighty CLA PTA! By joining, you’re helping support our school with activities, events, and so much more. Membership doesn’t require you to volunteer or attend meetings (though we’d love to see you there!). Sign up today to make a difference!

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see you at an upcoming event!

Sign up here: https://cla.givebacks.com/store

Follow us on Facebook at CLA PTA FACEBOOK PAGE

Any questions? Email us at conyerspta@gmail.com

We are getting ready to begin our Winter FastBridge assessments for our REACH K-8 students. These brief assessments provide data on learner’s reading and math development. The FastBridge assessments typically take less than 10 minutes per student, but the data gained provides teachers with insights and suggestions to help address each child’s needs.

FastBridge test results for students from the fall, winter, and spring testing periods will be available to parents via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

The winter months are the time of year when illnesses tend to increase. This is something that is often out of everyone’s control, and we truly appreciate your efforts to prioritize your child’s health, well-being, and with the benefits of attendance.

Attendance Updates:

We know that balancing health and attendance can be challenging, and we appreciate your continued efforts to ensure students are at school when they are well enough to attend. Here’s how our school’s attendance so far this year compares to attendance last year:

23-24

September - 90%

October - 87%

November - 89%

December - 87%

January - 87%

24-25

September - 89%

October - 90-%

November - 86%

December - 86%

January - 81%

We’re proud of the effort our families have made to keep attendance strong, even during a challenging season. Let’s continue to work together to make this a successful school year for all students!

Tips to Promote Student Health:

Encourage frequent hand washing: Regular hand washing includes using soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, and drying hands thoroughly. Singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice is a great way for younger children to time themselves!

Stay home when sick: Use our district guide to help determine if your child can attend school or should stay home. If your child is showing symptoms of illness, such as a fever or persistent cough, please keep them at home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

Healthy habits: Make sure your child gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals, and stays hydrated.

Thank you for your partnership and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Sincerely,

Matt Stary

Principal, Conyers Learning Academy

Please click on this link for the latest D15 newsletter!

SAVE THE DATE!

District 15 invites the community to an open discussion-style meeting with District 15 Superintendent Dr. Heinz as a way to connect and engage with residents and families in an informal setting.

January 23, 2025, 2-3 pm, at the Rolling Meadows Village Hall

Interested in joining the District 15 team? Mark your calendar for an upcoming CCSD15 Job Fair!

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10 am to 1 p.m.

Location: Educational Service Center, 580 N. 1st Bank Drive, Palatine

For more information: Contact Andy Elbert, Director of Human Resources, elberta@ccsd15.net, 847-963-3020 or Jamie Randell, Human Resource Specialist, randellj@ccsd15.net, 847-963-3014

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on our incredible REACH Intermediate Teachers!

These dedicated educators manage the unique challenge of balancing multiple grade levels while addressing the diverse social-emotional and academic needs of their students. Through tireless effort, they differentiate instruction to meet the specific learning needs of each individual child.

Not only are they outstanding teachers, but they are also compassionate and caring individuals who make a meaningful impact on their students every day.

We are so grateful for all they do to support our REACH students!

Mr. Matt Kooiker has been an integral part of the CLA team for 14 years, dedicating his entire time in the district to supporting our students. One of his favorite aspects of working at CLA is celebrating the milestone of transitioning students back to their general education buildings—a testament to the growth and progress our programs foster.

Outside of work, Matt loves spending time with his family, being a dad, and staying actively involved in his kids’ lives. When he’s not at CLA, you can find him on the golf course or enjoying some of his favorite things: coffee, tacos, and, of course, more golf!

We are lucky to have such a passionate and dedicated teacher on our team!

Cathy Rustman has been a dedicated member of the district and CLA family for an incredible 19 years!

One of Cathy’s favorite memories as a teacher comes from her time working on the ABLE side. She recalls a lesson on Abraham Lincoln with a group of non-speaking students who loved to learn but faced challenges accessing their communication boards. During the lesson, Cathy asked when the Emancipation Proclamation happened. One student, using a number board and an alphabet board, quickly responded with "1865." It was a moment that brought tears to her eyes then and still does today—a powerful reminder to always provide students with the tools they need to showcase their knowledge.

Outside of school, Cathy enjoys playing cribbage, board games, and doing puzzles. She’s also passionate about knitting, sewing, and painting. But above all, six of Cathy’s favorite things are her wonderful grandchildren.

We are so lucky to have Cathy as part of our CLA family. Her dedication and compassion make a lasting impact on our students and staff alike!

Come check out our new and improved website!

Our wonderful administration and office team are here to support our students and families however we can. We are looking forward to connecting with you at CLA at the events we have planned for the upcoming year. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office or email us directly.

Matt Stary - Principal (starym@ccsd15.net)

Christy Loh - Assistant Principal (lohc@ccsd15.net)

Jamin Blancarte - Secretary (blancarv@ccsd15.net)

(Se habla español)

Lynn Erdmann - Clerical (erdmannl@ccsd15.net)

Debbie Vojak - School Nurse (vojackd@ccsd15.net)

Principal - Conyers Learning Academy - Therapeutic Day

Email: starym@ccsd15.net

Website: https://cla.ccsd15.net/

Address: 2800 Central Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Phone: 847-963-3480