Carol Stream Chronicles
2024-2025
⭐ Veterans' Day Wall of Honor ⭐
Carol Stream Elementary students and teachers would like to honor the veterans in our lives through a Wall of Honor. Please use black ink to fill in the brick below for any special veteran (alive or deceased). The bricks will be used to build a Wall of Honor to honor our veterans. Pictures (not required) may be attached, but they will not be returned. *Please do not send in your only copy of a picture.* If needed, you may email the photo to romanod@ccsd93.com please include the veteran's name and student’s name. Your student will bring home a copy of this form below, but please feel free to print more or call the office if you need additional copies sent home!
We will also be hosting a Veterans' Day hygiene drive. Please see the poster below for more details!
📝 3rd Graders to Take Naglieri Assessment 📝
As we seek to appropriately support all students’ curriculum and instruction, CCSD93 assesses all 3rd graders each year to determine the need for specialized advanced academic services.
To this end, our 3rd graders will complete the Naglieri General Ability Tests this fall. Specifically:
Students in 3rd grade at Carol Stream, Cloverdale, Elsie Johnson, Heritage Lakes and Western Trails will complete testing the week of November 18.
The tests will be administered throughout the course of three days and will take approximately 35 minutes each day. Unlike other assessments, which evaluate what a student has learned or the progress of their knowledge, the Naglieri test measures general problem-solving skills and critical thinking without relying on prior background knowledge. It includes questions designed to evaluate verbal, nonverbal and quantitative thinking by measuring a student's ability to recognize relationships in images, diagrams and numbers.
Although students cannot prepare in advance for this test, we ask that you help them perform their best by:
Ensuring they attend school and arrive on time on testing days.
Making sure they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day of testing.
If you have any questions about the assessment at your child’s school, please contact us at (630) 588-5400.
📱 Did You Know...? 📱
As digital screens become more integral to daily life, it's important to be mindful of the impact excessive screen time can have on children's behavior. Research shows that too much screen time can lead to difficulties with focus, increased irritability, disrupted sleep, and even social challenges. 🤯
Encouraging balanced screen time, with plenty of time for physical activity, face-to-face interactions, and creative play, can help support your child's emotional and cognitive development.
By setting thoughtful limits and modeling healthy screen habits, we can help our children grow into well-adjusted, balanced individuals. Some ways to do this include:
- Set Clear Boundaries: Define specific times for screen use, like limiting it to after homework or before dinner, and enforce device-free times like during meals and just before bed.
- Create Device-Free Zones: Designate certain areas, like the dining room and bedrooms, as screen-free zones to encourage face-to-face interaction and better sleep.
- Use Apps and Timers: Utilize screen-time tracking apps or set alarms to help manage usage. Some devices have built-in features to monitor and limit screen time.
- Model Healthy Habits: Show healthy screen habits by limiting your own use, especially during family time, to set a positive example.
- Encourage Alternative Activities: Promote engaging, screen-free activities like reading, crafts, outdoor play, or family game time to balance digital and offline time.
- Set Goals Together: Involve family members in creating screen-time goals, making it easier to stick to limits and providing a sense of shared responsibility.
🪪 IDs Required 🪪
As a reminder, if you plan on volunteering or entering the school building during school hours, you will be asked for a state ID or drivers license. In addition, if you are picking your student up early, we are required to ask for ID (even if we know you) for verification purposes. Please be patient and bear in mind that we do this for the safety and security of all of our students. Please do not be offended when we ask for your ID as it is part of our security policy.
🪴 Families Help Our Cheetahs Grow 🪴
Our goal is to help your child grow to be their best self in school each day. You can help your child’s growth at home too. This section of the Carol Stream Chronicles will give you suggestions, ideas, and tips on how you can support their growth outside of school.
We Are Respectful
Did you know that there are over 19 languages spoken at Carol Stream Elementary? We are lucky to have such a diverse community! Parents should be teaching their children to be respectful of different cultures and religions all year, and the holidays are a great example. Talk to your children about different holiday traditions. Let them know that all of our differences make us unique and special. Now is a great time to have a conversation about how many students have different beliefs at our school and that is ok. We can talk about and share our traditions while respecting others at the same time.
🚨 We Need You! 🚨
Please Consider joining our Watch DOGS Program at CS for the 2024-2025 School Year!
We are excited to continue our Watch DOGS program for the 2024-2025 school year! This is a nationwide program that many schools utilize to help provide positive male role models for students while also providing an extra set of eyes and ears, teaming with us to keep all children safe and feeling important.
We are seeking male role models (dads, uncles, grandpas, big brothers, etc.) to sign up and commit to a day of the week/time to come into our building to interact with our students. If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Romano at (630) 588-5400.
Our School Improvement Plan Focus for 2024-2025
Our School Improvement Plan for 2024-2025 has three goals:
In Math, at least 84% of students will meet or exceed projected growth by Spring 2025, according to the ECRISS Spring Growth Report.
In ELA, at least 84% of students will meet or exceed projected growth by Spring 2025, according to the ECRISS Spring Growth Report.
At least 75% of students will agree or strongly agree their social and emotional needs are being addressed.
We plan to reach these goals by continuing to focus our efforts on the 3 Ps:
~ Perseverance ~ Problem-solving ~ Productive Struggle
Need Before- or After-School Childcare?
CSD93's partners at the Carol Stream Park District host ActivKids Before- and After-Care programs for kindergarten through 5th grade students at CCSD93's elementary schools throughout the school year. Participants enjoy games, crafts, sports, free play and time outside, as weather allows, along with optional homework time. Flexible options are available! For details and to register, visit www.csparks.org/activkids.
