Big Hollow Schools

Our Vision: "Big Hollow School District #38 will be a model of student achievement for elementary school districts in the State of Illinois."

Our Mission: "Inspiring a diverse school community to be passionate and empathetic learners."

Please click here to read news from our Warrior Cafe!

Congratulations to our yearbook cover contest winner!!! The winning cover was drawn by Alexis Kintis in 4th grade, Mrs. Pfisterer's class!!! :)

There will be an ALICE presentation for parents on December 3 at 6:15 at the middle school! All parents are invited to attend to learn how we are teaching our students to respond to an emergency. Thank you!

The importance of consistent attendance at school cannot be stated enough. Please help your child get to school each day.

As stated in Greatschools.org:

A 2008 study conducted by the Rodel Community Scholars at Arizona State University that tracked students from kindergarten through high school found that dropout patterns were linked with poor attendance, beginning in kindergarten. Gregory Hickman, director of the Rodel Community Scholars program and former director of the Arizona Dropout Initiative, notes they discovered that as early as kindergarten, behavioral differences are apparent between those who go on to graduate and those who drop out, with dropouts missing an average of 124 days by eighth grade.

Does your child know their home address and phone number? These are great facts to help your child memorize! We highly encourage you to help your child remember one or the other, or both, as we know in emergencies it will benefit your child greatly.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Over the past several years we have seen a dramatic increase in school violence and school shootings. As the experts analyze these horrific events it is apparent that we need to do more, not only taking steps in an attempt to prevent the event from occurring, but training of students and staff on procedures that we all need to survive an active shooter in our schools.

Big Hollow School District has adopted and begun implementation of a new procedure that we, as well as experts across the country, believe will increase the chance of survival during an active shooter incident. This new procedure will teach our staff and students the ALICE system. What does it mean?

A - Alert: Get the word out! Armed Intruder in the building rather than the use of any codes. Use clear, concise language to convey the type and specific location of the event.

L - Lockdown: Good starting point. We will continue to lockdown students in secure areas when that is the best option.

I - Inform: Continuation of the use of clear, concise language to convey the type and specific location of the event. Communication keeps the intruder off balance and allows for good decision-making by our staff.

C - Counter: Apply skills to distract, confuse, and gain control.

E - Evacuate: Reduce the number of potential targets for the intruder, and reduces the chance of victims resulting from friendly fire when help arrives.

The philosophy of ALICE is to use technology and information in a way so that staff and students can make informed decisions in a crisis, remove as many people as possible from the danger zone, and provide realistic training so that those involved have a better chance of surviving.

In short, using the ALICE method we will teach our students and staff:

1. Listen carefully to the location and type of event.

2. Get to and/or remain in a secure area until it is safe to evacuate.

3. Should an armed intruder invade their area, apply skills to distract, confuse, and gain control.

4. As soon as it is safe to do so, evacuate.

Please understand, in NO WAY are we asking or teaching our students or staff to make any attempt to subdue and armed intruder. However, we will provide them with the knowledge that if faced with a life or death situation there are methods that can be applied to greatly enhance their chance for survival. The methods that will be taught in the event that an armed intruder directly confronts them are:

• Cause distractions to interfere with the ability to shoot accurately
  
• Cause as much chaos in the room as possible to create sensory overload
• Do not be a stationary target
• How to control the intruder using body weight, not strength (not taught to younger children)
• How to interact with responding Law Enforcement

Younger students need constant reminders of safe practices (much like you may already do for 'stranger danger', in order for them to make good decisions related to their personal safety. Parents can prepare their child(ren) for the ALICE plan by helping them understand the following objectives at home:

1. There are people of all ages, color, and types that can be mean and may wish them harm.
2. Self-confidence comes from trying things that are hard and getting better each time.
3. There are many solutions and options when faced with a problem.
4. When your child is prepared for difficult situations they can make informed decisions and will have more self-control.
5. Your child is smart and capable when given the proper tools.
6. Help your child identify and assess possible crisis situations.
7. Have your child demonstrate the ability to get away from someone who has their hands on them. (Stranger Danger)
8. Have your child explain to you the different safety drills we practice at school and what they mean. (Fire, tornado, evacuation, lockdown, earthquake, ALICE)
9. Help your child name where they need to go in case of evacuation.
10. Discuss the importance of following the teacher's directions without hesitation.

Training will emphasize that the best way to survive an armed intruder is to evacuate. When that is not possible, being mentally prepared and having been given the authority and ability to act will save lives.

The training and lessons on ALICE will be held throughout Big Hollow Primary and Elementary Schools on November 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 16. In the event that a teacher is absent, the lesson will be taught the next day the teacher is present. We will be reading a story that you can read to help you understand what the students will be discussing, I'm Not Scared . . .I'm Prepared, by Julia Cook.

More information can be found at www.alicetraining.com

ALICE lesson summaries

Lesson 1: ALICE - What is it? What does ALICE stand for? Introduce A (Alert) and I (Inform.) Importance of communication - Stop, Look, Listen. It is very important to listen to the teacher's directions and be silent when someone comes on the PA so that we can stay informed.

Lesson 2: Review ALICE acronym. Introduce L (Lockdown) and C (Counter). At the primary school level, Counter means to make noise and distract. It means doing something other than staying still and waiting.

Lesson 3: Review ALICE acronym. Introduce E (Evacuate) Students are taught that If it is safe to do so, we may choose to evacuate. Similar to a fire drill, students will be taught multiple ways to exit the building. Students will be taught to meet at a rally point outside of the school.

Lesson 4: Review ALICE acronym. Review of lessons 1, 2, and 3.

Lesson 5: Review ALICE acronym. Students will practice a barricade/lockdown drill with their classroom teacher.

Lesson 6: Review ALICE acronym. Students will practice an evacuation drill with their classroom teacher.

Closure message: We all want to be safe at school. The ALICE method of responding will help us learn to do that and we'll be learning and practicing more this year. We will participate in an ALICE drill with the Lake County Sheriff's Office this year.

Important Notice from Big Hollow's Warrior Café

Are Mornings hectic at your house - getting homework gathered,

back packs loaded and getting out the door in time to catch the bus or beat traffic?

Is there just not enough time for breakfast?

Well, let the Warrior Cafe help start your students day with a tasty healthy breakfast available everyday, and we offer hot breakfast 2-3 times each week. Check out our menu's located on Big Hollow's website under "What's for Breakfast and Lunch".

Our school hours this year have been changed to 8:45-3:30 pm. The earliest time for drop off is 8:30 am. When using the drop off lane, please be sure that students exit the vehicle on the curb side. Parents may not exit the vehicle. Be sure students only exit when your car is parked between the two crosswalks. We can best ensure the safety of all students, parents, and staff when our drop off procedures are followed.

If you are picking up your child from school, you must notify the school office by 2:15 pm. You can call earlier in the day, or even, days ahead of time. It is also very helpful to send your child's teacher a note in the agenda or an email.

If you have an emergency situation occur after 2:15 pm, please notify the office and an exception will be made.

YOUR New PTO BOARD

Here is your PTO Board for the 2018-19 School year:

District Liason-Linda Merrill

Volunteer Coordinator-Lisa Swiderski

Secretary-Jean Hayes

Treasurer-Sarah Johnsonbaugh

Vice President of Fundraising-Chris Ledger

Vice President of Events-Angie Vasey

President-Cindy Haran

We are looking forward to another amazing year!

Please reach out to us at info@bighollowpto.com at any time! Check out the PTO Website: https://bighollowpto.ptboard.com/

#onedistrictonecommunity

#BHWARRIORPRIDE

Our PBIS program is stronger than ever but we need your help!!!

We recently opened a PBIS student store and could use donations of small prizes (see picture) for students to be able to "purchase" with their STARbucks! If you have any small prizes hanging around your home that you would like to donate, we would need the items in quantities of 30 or more so that students can plan out their purchases. You can send in the items to either the Primary or Elementary office. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!!!

All Big Hollow students are STAR students! Big Hollow students will be expected to demonstrate Safety, Take Responsibility, keep a positive Attitude, and always be Respectful. Many students have earned rewards and positive behavior referrals for being positive role models. If you would like to contribute and help to our PBIS program, please contact us. :)

Do you work for a local business? Do you possess talents or skills that could benefit our students and teachers? Would you be willing to be our partner to benefit our schools and improve the relationship between Big Hollow and the community?? We would love to enable our students to benefit from your expertise, unique talents or resources!!

Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Michelle Dzik at the Elementary School 8477405321, or Mrs. Lenayn Janusz at the Primary School 8477405320 if you are interested.

We are now on Facebook and Instagram!!!

Follow Big Hollow Primary on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BigHollowPri/

Instagram @BigHollowPri

Twitter @BigHollowPri

Follow Big Hollow Elementary School on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/bighollowelem Instagram @bighollowelementary

Twitter @bighollowelem

Parents- if you are interested in helping us get donations from Office Max, we would love your assistance! Office Max/Office Depot donates 5% back to Big Hollow School District when you make purchases at their stores! You just have to provide the school ID when you shop online, in-store, or by phone:

BHSD Primary: ID #70115039

BHSD Elementary: ID #70032818

BHSD Middle: ID #70032817

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

November 30- Report Cards Available in Skyward

December 3- ALICE training for parents 6:15 pm Middle School

December 3 -Parent Presentation - “Protecting Children In A Hyper Digital Age" Middle School Cafeteria - 7pm

December 7- Early release 1:30 pm

December 21- Early release 1:30 pm

December 24-January 4- NO SCHOOL- Holiday Break

January 14- School Board Meeting 7 pm

January 21- No School- MLK Jr. Day

January 22- Citizens' Advisory Council Meeting 6 pm

http://www.bighollow.us/uploads/5/6/8/6/56865445/2018-2019_school_calendar_1.4.pdf