McClure Messages
January 27 - 31 and February 3-7
Candor Health Presentations
My apologies, in the last update I had incorrect dates for this year's Candor Health presentations. The correct dates are now both above in the upcoming dates and below in this section.
Each year a portion of the required Illinois Health curriculum in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade is taught through a program from Candor Health (formerly Robert Crown). Each program is delivered by a live instructor from Candor Health to a small group of students. For 6th and 8th grade, girls and boys are assigned into groups separate from each other.
The links below give all parents access to detailed information and video overviews from Candor Health about the content of these programs and how they address Illinois learning standards.
Should you wish for your child to opt out of these programs, please email both our Health instructor, Mark Yena at myena@d101.org and myself at lbroadnax@d101.org
6th Grade
Human Reproduction and Embryology - 2/18/25 Human Reproduction and Embryology - 12:45-2:15PM
Overview Video - Password: Premier25
7th Grade
Substance Abuse Prevention: Influencers -2/19/25. SBD: Influencers - 8:30-10 AM
8th Grade
Teen Sexual Health I - 2/18/25 Teen Sexual Health I - 8:30-10 AM
Teen Sexual Heath II - 2/19/25 Teen Sexual Health II - 12:45 - 2:15 PM
Overview Video - Password: Premier25
100-day letters coming soon
It is hard to believe, but our 100th day of school is fast approaching. We want to make you aware that 100-day letters will soon be sent out to help inform parents about their child’s school attendance for this 2024-25 school year. These letters are part of our effort to ensure students are attending school consistently and to keep families informed. You can expect to receive this letter if your child has missed 10 or more days (10%) this school year. (A reminder that attendance at McClure is calculated by minutes, not days. It is possible to accrue a day of absence by when minutes missed from several days add up to a full day missed.)
As a reminder, Illinois Public Act 100-0156 requires school districts to monitor chronic or excessive absences. Excessive absence is generally defined as missing more than 10% of the total school attendance days. While we understand that some absences are unavoidable, our goal is to work together to promote regular attendance for all students.
Consistent attendance helps students stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally. To support this goal, here are a few strategies you can use to help your child attend school regularly:
- Establish a Routine: Set regular bedtimes and morning routines to make school mornings smoother. For many kids this age, this may include keeping electronic devices out of the bedroom at night.
- Communicate with the School: Let us know if your child is struggling with any challenges that impact attendance, so we can support you.
- Prioritize Health and Wellness: Ensure your child has the tools they need to feel well and ready to learn, such as a balanced diet, good sleep, and regular checkups.
- Schedule Appointments Carefully: Try to schedule non-urgent appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
- Talk About the Importance of School: Encourage your child by discussing how attending school helps them succeed and reach their goals.
We appreciate your partnership in ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed through consistent attendance.
Spelling Bee
In ELA class this week, all of our students will take a quick spelling bee qualifying test. I'll then contact those who have qualified to compete in our schoolwide Bee. Students who qualify have the option to compete.
On Feb 7th, we'll gather in the gym for an afternoon assembly and watch our word wizards work! The winner of the McClure Bee goes on to compete in the West 40 Bee, and could advance to the Regional bee and then to DC. We have had two contestants in the last 25 years represent McClure at the Scripps National Spelling Bee!
6th grade parent volunteers needed - Outdoor Ed Trip
We need overnight chaperones for our Outdoor Ed trip in May! Please consider joining us for this fun night. Sign up HERE or click the PDF below for more information.
If you have already signed up, THANK YOU! You should have gotten an email from me this week!
Executive functioning class
An additional summer activity class has been added!
Click the link below to learn about the executive functioning class being offered to incoming 6th - 8th graders at McClure.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E49AEAF23ABFB6-54472539-executive#/
WSPD Walk Throughs
In an effort to continue to cultivate positive relationships between the Western Springs Police Department (WSPD) and the District 101 community, police officers from the WSPD will be regularly visiting schools on Wednesdays. They'll be talking with students and staff and overall, just being a regular presence in our schools. Hopefully, this will normalize the experience of having officers at school and foster some positive connections for all! We have the names of all officers and will have them check-in as we do all school visitors.
I wanted to share this information in case your child comes home and shares they've been seeing police officers at school--nothing is wrong or dangerous, but rather this is a good thing. How amazing that we are in a community where this is even possible!
Counselor's Corner
We always want parents to have all the tools they need to keep kids healthy and safe, and keeping up with the digital world can be tough. Here's a site/app that you might not be familiar with:
Omegle is a free online platform that allows users to engage in anonymous one-on-one chats with strangers. When you enter the site, you can immediately start chatting with a random stranger via text or video. The conversation can be about anything, and users don’t know who they’re speaking to. This platform has been extremely controversial, and under scrutiny due to its high risk to safety, privacy and well-being of children. Despite moderation tools, users can often encounter explicit or harmful content, particularly in the video chat mode. This can include nudity, sexual conversations, or offensive behavior. The random pairing mechanism means that users, especially minors, can easily encounter harmful individuals. Check out this Guide on what parents need to know about Omegle
Finally, a few tools to help monitor your child’s social media are Apple Screen Time, Bark and Life 360. However, as these tools are helpful, communication is key. A healthy balance of monitoring, with trust and respect can help keep your child safe online without making them feel like their privacy is being completely invaded.
A Word from WSFEE
COMING SOON! Get excited, D101 families: it's time for the 2025 D101 FAMILY STEAM NIGHT. Back by popular demand, this interactive and hands on family-friendly experience is presented compliments of WSFEE and in partnership with our D101 administration and staff. Please save the date on your family calendars (Thursday, February 6 from 5:30-8:00PM at McClure) and stop by. STEAM Night is an open house format, so stay as long as you like! Calling for volunteers! We need parent volunteers to make STEAM night a success. *NEW* this year: For every parent who volunteers an hour of their time at STEAM night, they will receive two tickets at a time of their choosing for the highly anticipated mobile escape rooms for their D101 student(s) to use. Click HERE to volunteer.
Send a Note of Thanks
There is nothing that feeds a teacher's soul more than a thank you. If at any point you'd like to send a teacher or staff member a note of appreciation, this is one way to acknowledge the way they have positively impacted you or your child's experience at McClure. Click the button below to go to a quick form and the staff member will receive your note on a lovely digital stationary in their inbox.
Project Heart Ready 2025 - Community Hands-Only CPR and AED Preparedness Event - January 27, 2025
Sudden cardiac death in the community and with student-athletes is a complex issue that demands attention from both the school and medical communities. Community-based initiatives are essential for promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all individuals have the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.
Hands-only CPR: CPR that doesn’t require mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
AED (Automatic External Defibrillator): portable medical device that can save lives during cardiac arrest
Immediate CPR and defibrillation can double or triple the chance of survival. Please join us in launching Project Heart. You could be a hero and help save a loved one’s life.
Here are the details:
LOCATION: Corral at Lyons Township HS South Campus
DATE: January 27, 2025
TIME: 3 sessions at 6pm, 7:15pm, 8:30pm
This Event is FREE to the public AGE 13 and up
First Half: Baseline knowledge teaching with interactive hands-only CPR
Second Half: Baseline knowledge teaching with interactive AED use
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/heartready2025
Click here for the flyer with all pertinent information.
