Kennedy School News

Dear Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year we have had! It is hard to believe we are wrapping up week three. Our routines are beginning to settle, as well as morning and afternoon traffic! We appreciate your patience as the car line and bus routes begin to run on a more routine schedule.

You will see these electronic newsletters each week. Some information will remain all year, while other information will be included as necessary! We love to communicate and celebrate with our families and the community, and this is a great way to stay informed.

Stay up to date and plugged in to all the learning going on by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thank you for trusting us with your most precious treasure.

Have an awesome 3-day weekend!

Melissa Kartsimas

Principal

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The goal is to promote awareness on the types of cancer that directly impact children. This year, the American Childhood Cancer Organization aims to raise awareness in schools by "GOING GOLD" as a way to support children with cancer.

At Kennedy School (and across the district), we encourage all students and faculty to join our school community and partake in "GO GOLD" by showing your support for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Please have your child wear gold or yellow every Friday in the month of September to show support on this special day!

Picture Day is around the corner (Friday, September 14th)! Flyers will be coming home with students next Tuesday. Please send in your photo package order form & payment to your child's teacher. Individual photos will be taken in the school gymnasium, and a class photo will be taken as well. Order forms will go home Tuesday! If you need another copy, please call or stop by the office!

September 3rd: No School (Labor Day)

September 6th: Curriculum Night (6:30pm-8:00pm)

September 14th: Fall Picture Day

In the best interest of children, we will be implementing a new procedure. Any request to make a transportation change must be called in to the main office by 12:00pm (except in the situation of an extreme emergency). This is in the best interest of the safety of all students. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this new procedure, as we work together in the best interest of the safety of all children.

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

• The driveway located on the south side of the building is for student drop-off and pick-up only. You may park along Scott Street (behind the school) and walk your child to the courtyard staging area, if you choose.

• Please note, the south parking lot is coned off during arrival/dismissal. We encourage you to use the drop-off lane. School personnel will ensure the safety of your children when they are exiting your vehicle.

• Children who walk or are driven to school may not arrive before 7:40am, as there will be no supervision before this time. Please do not let your children exit vehicles prior to 7:40am.

• Remember, there is no cell phone use permitted in a school zone. All passengers should be wearing a seatbelt. Our Schiller Park Police Department will be enforcing these laws.

• If your child rides the bus to/from school, please be sure their school-issued bus tag is attached to their backpack daily. They must have their tag to scan onto and off of the school busses.

Some families may have already received a letter via mail stating that their child/children has been automatically approved for free school meals through the direct certification process. If you received this free direct certification letter in the mail, there is NO NEED to fill out a lunch application.

Last week, all district families should have received free/reduced lunch applications for the 2018-2019 school year. Processing your applications will be a top priority. The applications can be returned directly to your child's school and will then be processed swiftly.

The book fair is next week! Students will browse the books Tuesday, September 4th. Books will be available for purchase on Wednesday, September 5th and Thursday, September 6th. Families will also have the opportunity to buy books during the evening of Curriculum Night on September 6th (located in the cafeteria).