Hornet Happenings
MILNE-KELVIN GROVE DISTRICT 91 - December 23/January 24
HIGHLIGHTED DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, December 6 - Friday, December 8
Hour of Code Event (in school)
Wednesday, December 6
PAA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 p.m. @ KG LRC
Monday, December 11
Ryan's Story Presentation, 8:30 a.m. @ KG Feneli Gym
Tuesday, December 12
Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m. @ KG
Panera Bread Friends and Family Drama Club Fundraiser
Wednesday, December 13
LATE START, 9:30 a.m.
Early Learners Star Net Workshop, 5:30 - 7 p.m. via Zoom
Winter Choir Concert, 7 p.m. @ KG Feneli Gym
Friday, December 15
Winter Dance, 7 - 9 p.m. @ KG New Gym
Tuesday, December 19
Mobile Dental Unit @ MG
Wednesday, December 20
Mobile Dental Unit @ KG
Thursday, December 20
Early Learners Holiday Program, 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. @ MG Gym
MG Class Holiday Parties, 2 p.m.
Friday, December 22
EARLY DISMISSAL, 11:30 a.m.
Monday, December 25 - Friday, January 5
NO SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK
Monday, January 8
TEACHER'S INSTITUTE - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 9
SCHOOL RESUMES, 8:30 a.m.
Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m. @ KG
Wednesday, January 10
PAA Monthly Meeting, 7 p.m. @ KG LRC
Friday, January 12
8th Grade Graduation Pictures @ KG
Monday, January 15
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, January 24
LATE START, 9:30 a.m.
Principals Page
Dear Families,
Thank you to everyone who took time to attend our recent parent teacher conferences and the virtual family reading events. The holiday season is upon us....already! Every family may celebrate this season in a different way, but we hope each D91 family is able to enjoy peace, joy and love throughout this special time of the year.
As we head into the winter season, cold temperatures may be made frigid by wind chills and snow/ice storms may be a fact of life. If a school closure is deemed necessary, the district will send a mass notification through ParentSquare. In addition, the school closure will be announced on our website, on WJOL, and through the Emergency Closing Center. Please see our closing guidelines webpage for more information.
The colder weather also affects students throughout the day. Each day that the temperature is 20 degrees or above, students line up outside at arrival and K - 5th grade students at Milne and Kelvin Grove school head outdoors for 30 minutes of recess. It is imperative that students have a coat, gloves, and hat in order to remain comfortable when outdoors. If your family needs assistance with cold weather clothing, please contact Mrs. Koziol at extension 2104 for resources and support.
Mr. John Jennings, KG Principal
815-838-0737 x1105
Mrs. Jaime Koziol, MG Principal
815-838-0542 x2104
Kelvin Grove December Celebrations!
Milne Grove Holiday Celebrations!
Notes from the Health Offices
It's hard to believe winter is around the corner! The temperature outside is getting colder and we have seen some flurries, so it’s time to start preparing. There are a lot of fun things to do outside this winter. However, it is important to consider safety.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided us with some helpful winter health and safety tips:
Outdoor Winter Activities
Ice Skating
Sledding
Skiing
Nature walk
Run Wild My Child has a list of 100+ activities to do during the winter months. Snow paint, frozen ice globes, and freezing bubbles are a few that my children enjoy most!
Safety Tips
It is safer to sled feet first or sitting up rather than laying down head first
Seld on slopes that are not too steep and that are free of obstructions, such has fences and trees
Never skate along and skate only on approved surfaces
Skate in one direction with the crowd
Wear a helmet when skiing and avoid crowded areas
Other winter concerns
Nosebleeds
Often due to the warm air inside drying out your nasal passages
Use a cool-mist humidifier at night, use saline spray or nose drops, cover nose and mouth with a scarf when outside
Hypothermia/Frostbite
Dress appropriately - usually dressing in layers is best
Limit time on outdoor activities - have children come inside periodically to warm up, then head back outside a little while later.
Remove wet or damp clothing and replace with dry clothing as soon as possible
Warm drinks will help to increase body temperature
The CDC nicely explains what hypothermia and frostbite is and provides tips like above to prevent either from occurring
D. Lacasse, RN, D91 District Nurse
(815) 838-0737 ~ x1102
C. Olson, RN, MG Nurse
(815) 838-0542 ~ x2106
Happy Holidays!
Website Facebook Instagram Twitter (X)
WEBSITE: www.d91.net
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082861375803
TWITTER (X): https://twitter.com/Lockport91
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mgkg91/
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LRCs
Be sure to curl up with a good book during Winter Break!
Mrs. Bruemmer (KG) at sbruemmer@d91.net (815) 838-0737 x1109
Website: www.kgcyberlibrary.weebly.com
Mrs. Tumino (MG) at ltumino@d91.net (815) 838-0542 x2122
Website: http://tumino.weebly.com/
Counseling/Social Work News
The relationships you build with your children are vastly important to your ability to be an effective parent. All of the effort you put into your relationship with your child will be worth it!
To build close, nurturing relationships, please consider this request: have family dinners. Eating together as a family and using some of that time for children to feel listened to, is great for your relationship, your child’s brain, your family’s mental health, and your family’s physical health. It’s one practical thing that has many benefits!
There are 20 years of research that confirm this: sitting down for a meal together is great for the brain, the body, and the spirit. Here are some scientifically proven benefits:
Higher self-esteem
Better academic performance
Higher grades
Bigger vocabulary
Greater sense of resilience
Better nutrition
Lower risk of substance abuse
Lower risk of teen pregnancy
Lower risk of depression
Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders
Lower rates of obesity
When we ask you to have a family dinner, we’re not asking for you to eat specific types of food, or have dinner at a specific time. The important part is that people are together at the table. Most of the benefits come from how everyone interacts during dinner. Children should be encouraged to share about their day, what’s on their minds, and then feel that what they had to say was actually heard and understood. The essential ingredient is the time spent talking to each other. People should participate in the conversation and enjoy each other.
It might be best to turn off all of the screens, so everyone feels important. The academic and mental health benefits come from your family members connecting. Silent dinners are not what we have in mind. Neither are dinners where people are arguing or scolding. Take time to find out about each other’s days and enjoy one another.
Feel free to play games to get the talking flowing. “Two truths and a Lie” is fun for family members of all ages. Each person shares three things about their day, only two of which are true. Everyone has to guess which story is the lie.
To read more about fun games, how to start conversations, or the research behind these stated benefits, go to thefamilydinnerproject.org
Mrs. Carrescia, KG School Counselor, acarrescia@d91.net, 815-838-0737 ext. 1170
Ms. Kubik, KG Social Worker, nkubik@d91.net, 815-838-0737 ext. 1132
Mrs. Reynolds, MG Social Worker, mreynolds@d91.net, 815-838-0542 ext. 2103