As we near the end of the year, I understand that it can be a challenging time for students, teachers, and parents. The combination of exams, ceremonies, promotions, and other end-of-the-year tasks can be overwhelming. Please know that we are here to support you through this period of change and transition in the district.
Let's make the most of the summer by engaging in the various activities offered by the District for our elementary students. These activities will not only help our students stay connected with their friends but also provide a much-needed break from academic stress while also focusing on growing social-emotionally. Remember, there are several upcoming deadlines, so please register now: USD116 Summer Programming. The See U Around Town, Leal SPLASH, and Camp Invention are a few great ideas for the month of June and July.
We have also updated our summer transition programs for our Rising 6th graders and Rising 9th graders; those will be held August 5-9. We will share more information about the August transition programs throughout the summer, but you can also sign up now to reserve your spot! To our 5th graders moving on to Urbana Middle School and our 8th graders moving on to Urbana High School, we look forward to the intellectual, cultural, and social activities we will be able to experience with you when we return in August.
Before the year ends, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on all of the good things from the year and how much you have grown. A regular end-of-the-year reflection practice that I want to encourage everyone, students, and adults, to try is writing a letter of gratitude to someone you are thankful for at school, home, community, etc. What are you grateful for this school year? Is there someone that made a real difference to you this year? What would you like to thank someone for? Take a few minutes and write those things down in a letter. Sending it to the person who has impacted your life will not only make them feel appreciated but also help you feel happier and improve your mental health during a very stressful time of the year.
To help us continue to prepare for the new year, all families must register their students. Online Registration for returning students opened on May 1st. Please log on to Skyward Family Access to register your returning student(s) by July 26. If you will be a bus rider next year, you must register by July 26 to ensure bus transportation has been finalized for the first day of school. Early registration is crucial for us to plan and execute programming effectively. You can also call the school's main office for assistance or find more information on our website: https://usd116.org/registration/.
One of the additional summer resources we will offer again is the Free Summer Meal program. This program, available in June and July at certain USD116 schools, is open to all kids and teens. The attached flyer shows the times and locations where families can go for free meals: 2024 Summer Meals. The Summer Food Program is sponsored by the federal government and aims to provide children access to food during traditional summer vacation periods. There are no income requirements or registration needed.
I look forward to seeing you all again at our Back to School events in August.
Be safe and stay well this summer,
Dr. Ivory-Tatum
