Cougar Clips

Happy Friday Kipling Families,

We had another great week here at Kipling. Our students are engaged in fun, challenging activities in their classes and the commitment we have made to the social and emotional needs of each student is evident throughout our school. Our staff’s commitment to your children and their SEL development is second to none and your partnership is invaluable in this process. We are all very lucky to be a part of this incredible community and I am proud to be a part of it.

Thank you to our PTO and all our families who attended Sweets and Treats last night. I know everyone was so grateful that our PTO was able to quickly reschedule this fun event so everyone could have a great time.

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

Respectfully,

Mr. Matthew O. Lombardo, NBCT

Principal

Kipling Elementary School

Car Drop-off and Pick-up procedures are listed below - please make sure to follow these traffic expectations to keep all students and families safe. The entire drop-off/pick-up process usually only takes approximately 10 minutes or less for about 450 total students.

-Please stay in your car and continue to pull as far forward as possible. We want to keep the line moving as efficiently as possible. Please do not get out of your car and gather by one of our doors or walk up or down the sidewalk to meet your children. Our teachers and staff will get them to your car.

-If your child needs to be unbuckled/buckled in please let our staff know and someone can help them get in or out of the car. If your child cannot get in or out of the car themselves, we highly recommend you park in the lot and walk them to the front door.

-If you want to walk your child to or from the door, please find a parking spot in the lot or on the street and then walk to the building.

-No blocking of any driveways

-Mandatory reduction in speed

-Staying off cell phones when you are near or on school property

-Awareness for surroundings (kids/parents/staff crossing, etc.)

-Having patience

-For school-wide or PTO events, DO NOT park on Longfellow. Briarwood Country Club will allow our families to park in their lot when our lot is full.

Parents, we have been reviewing bus expectations with our students who ride the bus. Can you please talk with your students at home to reinforce these directions?

-They should be seated with their seatbelt fastened at all times.

-They should not be yelling to ensure all students can hear the driver.

-All Kindergarten and 1st grade students must sit at the very front of the bus.

-And most importantly, they need to follow these expectations so the driver can focus on driving and not get distracted.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child has a safe and positive experience on the bus.

Over the summer, I read the book, The Anxious Generation, which explores the significant increase in anxiety among today's youth, examining the underlying causes and societal factors contributing to this trend. The book provides practical strategies and insights for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to help young people manage anxiety and build resilience.

I would like to invite parents and guardians to join me in person on Thursday, September 26th from 6:00-7:30 in the Kipling gym to discuss some of the topics introduced in the book. DPS109 School Resource Officer, Officer Maldonado, will also join us to present her information about keeping our children safe online.

You do not have to read the full book to join the conversation! Since many of you are short on time, the links below will provide you with enough information to participate in this event.

Video Interview with the author (21 minutes)

Video Summary (9 minutes)

Written Summary (4 minutes)

Please RSVP below by Friday, 9/20.

All kindergarten and first grade students receive an iPad at school, which we store overnight for charging. The district continues to discuss the future of devices going home with our students. At this time, 2nd-5th graders will receive a chromebook, charger and case that is to be brought to and from school each day. Charging the device takes place at home.

If a parent chooses to provide their child with a cell phone, this personal device is expected to be silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day. (Exceptions are made for students who use a device as part of their IEP, 504 Plan, or Health Plan). While smart watches are still permitted in school, they should also be silenced at all times and not be used for texting while students are in school. Any personal devices that become a distraction to the learning environment will be brought to the office by an administrator and families will be notified to pick the device up from the school.

If a parent needs to send a message to their child, we respectfully ask that you refrain from texting your child directly. Please call our front office and a member of our team will get the message to your child. We appreciate your cooperation!

Each week I will be sharing a resource from Common Sense Media. The PTO will also be including resources in many of their weekly PTO newsletters. The resources provide a wide variety of information including the impact of social media and technology on mental health, relationships, and student well being. We are hoping that these resources will spark conversations with your children, help you to set healthy boundaries in your home, allow you and your children to make more informed decisions about technology use at home, and contribute to developing children’s ability to safely and responsibly navigate the digital world.

This week: My Media Balance

Park District Before and After Care

The Deerfield Park District runs all of our before and after school care programs. Please contact the Park District, 847-945-0650, if you have questions.

Park District After School Enrichment Information

To see a brochure of programs and get more information, visit https://www.deerfieldparks.org/programs/youths-teens/.

If you have any questions, please contact the park district directly as they run the programs.