Ludwig Ledger
March 2024
Dear Ludwig Parents & Families,
It's hard to believe that we're now into the month of March and 3rd trimester! As we reflect upon students' 2nd-trimester grades and progress, there was certainly lots to celebrate! Thank you for your continued support at home in helping students reach their goals and make consistent, steady progress. As we look ahead to spring, teachers and students will continue to work through rigorous grade-level content, focusing closely on each grade's priority standards. We will also be entering ISA/IAR testing season, and we'll be providing students with tips and strategies to do their very best in their testing sessions. We know that all of our students are up for the challenge!
All March long, Ludwig School is celebrating "Music in our Schools" month. We've had numerous brave student volunteers showcase the skills that they've developed on their band instruments by playing a song on our morning announcements. From "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, to "Baby Shark", and even "My Country Tis of Thee", students have been super proud to show off their talents and start our school day with the celebration of music.
A special shout-out to Ludwig's 4th and 5th-grade scholars for finishing on the national leaderboard for this year's Arcademics Cup Challenge. This challenge allowed our students to showcase their knowledge of their math facts, against other schools from across the nation. Way to go students on positively representing Ludwig School!
I'm also proud to report that the Ludwig School Community helped raise nearly $4,000.00 for the American Heart Association, during our Kids Heart Challenge! Please take a moment to review Ludwig's AHA Dashboard, which highlights our top individual, class, and grade-level fundraisers. Thank you to everyone for supporting such a great cause!
Lastly, our Ludwig Ledger Newsletters will always continue to highlight month-to-month events at Ludwig School, and across D92. Please consider following our Ludwig School Facebook Page, if you haven't done so already, for highlights of our day-to-day and week-to-week events.
As always, our Ludwig teachers and staff are here to work alongside you, to ensure your child has a great experience at school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Respectfully,
Mr. Kulik
For Your Calendars...
Mar. 12th - 14th - 5th Grade Illinois Science Assessment
Mar. 14th - D92 Art Show / Dr. Frankovich Meet & Greet at OP from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Mar. 18th - PFA Meeting at OP at 6:30pm
Mar. 19th - Board of Education Meeting at Ludwig at 7:00pm
Mar. 20th - St. Baldrick's Live Podcastathon 8:30am - 1:30pm
Mar. 20th - Variety Show Auditions 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Mar. 20th - St. Baldrick's Social/Open Gym 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Mar. 21st - Variety Show Auditions 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Mar. 21st - World Down Syndrome Day (Crazy Sock Day @ Ludwig School)
Mar. 22nd - 1/2 SIP Day - 10:55am Dismissal for Students
Mar. 25th - 29th - Spring Break
Mar. 29th - 2023/2024 Yearbook Sales End
Apr. 1 - No School - Board Holiday
Apr. 2 - Classes resume for all students
5-Essentials Parent & Student Survey Update
We would very much appreciate it if our Ludwig families completed this year's 5Essentials Survey for Ludwig School. This survey generates valuable data that our district can use to guide our ongoing efforts to improve our schools and to offer students an excellent education. The survey is another improvement tool that will allow our district and state to share data as a means to inform parents and community members about our school’s learning environment. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by Chicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. Data and indicators are a result of the anonymous administration of the survey instrument.
In order for us to get results, we need at least 20% of our Ludwig families to complete the survey. Currently, 10% of our families have completed this year's survey. Here is the link to access the survey. This survey link will close on March 29, 2024. Thank you for your help and feedback!
All 4th and 5th grade students will complete the student version of the 5-Essentials survey, at school, during the week of March 11th. Students will be introduced to the survey at our Monday Morning Meeting on 3/11/24, and they'll be given time in class, during the week, to complete their survey.
ISA Testing - 5th Grade
Each year, students in 5th grade take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). The ISA aligns with our Illinois Learning Standards in the area of science. This assessment helps families understand how well students are performing academically and see whether they are on track to succeed in college. The ISA represents Illinois’ commitment to preparing all students for college and careers, including in the high-demand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The assessment also satisfies federal accountability requirements.
We encourage you to talk with your child(ren) about the importance of doing their best on the ISA while communicating that the assessment yields only one piece of information about them and their school’s progress. Students’ attendance, classroom work, homework, projects, performance on local tests, participation in sports and extracurricular activities, and contributions to the school’s climate and culture all help them grow and learn!
Another way parents can help their child(ren) do their best on the test is to remind them to eat a healthy breakfast and get a good night of sleep before each testing day. Students will also need their fully-charged iPads and their headphones at school for testing. Ludwig will provide a small snack for students, before each testing session. Good luck to all of our 5th-grade scholars on the test!
Ludwig March Math Madness
Starting in mid-March, Ludwig's student mathematicians will have a friendly competition between homerooms to see which class can complete the most DreamBox lessons. Ludwig's "March Math Madness" will run from March 11th through April 19th. Classroom progress towards completing DreamBox lessons will be tallied and updated weekly, in the display case across from Ludwig's Learning Lab. At the end of the competition, two classrooms will be crowned champions! Best of luck to all classrooms!
Ludwig's St. Baldrick's Podcast-a-thon & Open Gym Social
During the month of March, Ludwig School partners with the St. Baldrick's Foundation to host fun events and fundraise to help conquer childhood cancers. This year's Podcast-a-thon and Social/Open Gym will be held on March 20th. Please see the flyers below for more information.
If your child will be attending the Open Gym Social, the permission slip and entry fee are due back to school by March 15th. This deadline helps us prepare and plan for the event, including ensuring we have adequate supervision. Thank you for your timely response!
4th Grade "Kindness Matters" Assignment Notebook Cover Contest
On Friday, March 8th, all 4th-grade students brought home a "Kindness Matters" Assignment Notebook Cover Contest form. If your 4th grader has an interest in designing the cover of Ludwig's 2024/2025 assignment notebook, please encourage them to submit their design to Mrs. Jarosz by Monday, March 18th.
All designs must include the words "Kindness Matters", and they may be as bright and colorful as possible. The goal is to inspire others to be kind! Have fun, be creative, and ensure that your design fits inside the box on the contest page.
5th graders play a very important role in this contest, too. They will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite design, to help determine our winner. Best of luck to all who choose to enter, and we look forward to seeing your creative designs!
Caring, Compassionate, Community Form
As part of Ludwig's Culture Goal this school year, we continue to strive to provide a positive feedback loop to both our students and staff. When students go above and beyond at school, they have the opportunity to earn a "Golden Ticket" and enter the Principal's 200 Club. Students are then recognized in Ludwig's main office, on the bulletin board outside the main office, and during our afternoon all-school announcements. Parents also receive a positive phone call home!
If you have a Ludwig staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child or your family, please take a brief moment to recognize them on our "Caring, Compassionate, Community Recognition Form." This form will be active all school year long, and feedback will be provided to the staff members who were recognized. Thank you to everyone who has already submitted someone for recognition!
Yearbook Ordering Information
Yearbooks are currently ON SALE! If you are interested in purchasing a book for your child so they can remember their year, please use the link and yearbook code below!
Yearbook ID Code: 12828524
PLEASE NOTE: The order form you received may have said Ludwig School, but this book is for ALL students at Walsh, Reed, and Ludwig. If you are interested in purchasing a book for a child at Oak Prairie, you will need to use a different yearbook ID code.
Sales will continue until Friday, March 29th. You will not be able to order a yearbook after that date.