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Happy 2025 Kipling Families!

I hope everyone had time to relax, recharge, and reconnect with friends and loved ones over the break. It was so nice to take a break from the usual routine, but after 18 days at home, I am happy we are all back to school and work. I understand how challenging it can be to try to be the best parent possible during these extended breaks from our schedule when sleep patterns are off, diets are all over the place, the weather is bleak, and siblings begin to turn into arch rivals right before our very eyes.

I read this “Parents Under Pressure” article from the Surgeon General and I related to many of the themes presented. I hope you find it as interesting and informative a read as I did. Please know we are in this together and that the pressure of parenting has never been more intense.

As we transition into this new year, let’s lean on each other and give each other grace as we work through the collective pressures we face. The work and perseverance we put into it, no matter how hard, and no matter how many mistakes we make along the way, will only benefit our children in the long run. I am so excited to see what we accomplish together in 2025!

All my best to you and your families over the weekend.

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary School

Yearbooks

We would like to send a reminder to purchase a Kipling 2024/25 yearbook before the deadline of January 31st. Please place your order on our PTO website Kipling PTO Yearbook before it is too late!

If you are not sure if you have ordered a book, please check your order history before ordering a duplicate book. Please email lauren.h.stein@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Be on the lookout for details on how the PTO will help you say Happy Valentine's Day to all of your admirers next month.

Please feel free to email ptokipling@gmail.com for any questions!

We have seen a couple of cases of Head Lice here at school as students returned from winter break. Now is a great time to check your children and ensure they are not affected.

We understand that head lice can be a nuisance, but it is not considered a true health concern. Parents of students in an affected student’s classroom will only be notified if there are multiple confirmed cases in the same class that have been reported to the school. In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, Illinois public schools do not perform mass head checks or exclude students who are symptomatic.

Please see this linked important information for what you can do at home.

Please notify our school nurse, Edina Szabo, when a case of head lice is suspected. The information below can help answer some frequently asked questions about head lice.

How common are head lice?

Head lice are most common in preschool- and elementary school–aged children. Each year millions of school-aged children in the United States get head lice. However, anyone can get head lice. Head lice are found worldwide.

How do head lice spread?

Head lice are crawling insects. They cannot jump, hop, or fly. The main way that head lice spread is from close, prolonged head-to-head contact. There is a very small chance that head lice will spread by sharing items such as combs, brushes, hats and sports helmets.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

Itching on the areas where head lice are present is the most common symptom. However, it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks after lice get on the scalp before the scalp becomes sensitive to the lice saliva and begins to itch. Most of the itching happens behind the ears or at the back of the neck. Also, itching caused by head lice can last for weeks, even after the lice are gone.

How do you treat head lice?

Check with your child's doctor before beginning any head lice treatment. The most effective way to treat head lice is with head lice medicine. After each treatment, using the comb-out method every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks may help remove the nits and eggs.

Tech Tips

While we encourage everyone to limit time spent on devices, we understand that these tools can foster meaningful connections when used wisely. However, in today’s digital age, it can be difficult to stay informed about the latest apps and trends to ensure your child's online safety. We want to do our part in supporting students and families in the various ways they can implement security settings on their children’s devices and monitor time spent online. What better time to introduce these tech tips than October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Throughout the school year, we will feature practical technology tips in our newsletters, offering fresh ideas for families to use at home developed by our own Student Resource Officer, Lauren Maldonado, and our Innovations Specialist, Maria Galanis.

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