Haskin Happenings
Reach For The Stars
Dear Haskin Families,
Welcome back! We hope your spring break was filled with rest, fun, and time together. It will be wonderful to see our students return with energy and excitement, ready to dive into the many engaging projects we have planned this season.
One of the highlights this spring is the incredible work happening with our outdoor learning spaces. We have been working with some brilliant community members to help brainstorm and design the future of our green spaces. These hands-on experiences allow students to connect with nature, explore science in action, and develop important life skills. We invite you to check out our short video below to see the magic happening outside the classroom!
As we continue to grow these opportunities, we’d love your support. Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating materials, or sharing your gardening know-how, every bit helps. Outdoor learning supports student focus, wellbeing, and deeper learning—and with your help, we can make these experiences even more impactful.
To donate supplies, here is the link to our Amazon Wish List.
Looking to volunteer to help put it all together? Click HERE.
Stop by on Saturday, April 26th to see our vision come to life!
Warmly,
Mrs. Nenni
APRIL
April 1st - Spring Picture Day
April 2nd - Kindergarten Hoover
April 7th - Spring Concert at 6:00pm @ Sandwich H.S. (students need to be there at 5:45)
April 10th - 2nd Grade Opera House
April 18th - NO SCHOOL
April 21st - SCHOOL IN SESSION
April 22nd - 25th - Spring Book Fair
April 24th - Grandparent's Night 5:30 - 7:00
Early Learning Essentials for Parents of our Littlest Learners
Attention Preschool Families! This series is designed to empower families with practical strategies to support young children's development and set them on a path for lifelong learning. Join us to connect with other parents, gain insights into early childhood milestones, and explore ways to create a nurturing learning environment at home.
Our Parent Pathways sessions are designed to provide a supportive and interactive hour for families. Each session begins with 25-minutes led by our parent educator, where parents can learn valuable insights and strategies, while preschool students are supervised and engaged in play in classrooms. Following the parent session, families will enjoy a 25-minute activity to practice new ideas together.
These are the dates of our Parent Pathways events from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
April 15th
May 20th
We kindly ask that non-preschool children have pre-arranged supervision at home, though infants may stay with parents if necessary. Please note that no diapering services will be available during play supervision.
Each month we will send a Google Form to inform you of the upcoming event's topic and ask for your RSVP.
April 15th Topic: Establishing Routines at Home
Activity: Fun as a Family
The importance of routines and ideas on how to easily implement them at home.
Student absences need to be called in by 8:15 am (815-786-8812) on the day of the absence for the safety of your student. There is an answering machine here at school, so you can call at any time to let us know if your student will not be present. An automated system will take calls before 7:00 a.m. If your child is not at school and we have not been contacted we will send out reminder messages. If contact cannot be made, please note that the absence will be considered UNEXCUSED.
Please know that if you receive an attendance letter it is part of our policy.
**If attendance is a concern you will receive a phone call from Mrs. Nenni or the office staff.**
Students shall be permitted no more than seven (7) excused absences, including vacations, per school year, based upon parental/legal guardian confirmation for the reasons of the absence. After the student has been excused seven times in one school year, additional excused absences for illnesses may only be verified through a written medical statement from a physician. For our full attendance policy, please refer to our student handbook.
What is it?
A program created in to bring male role models into schools to have a positive impact on students. You join your student for a school day to support learning.
Who can sign up?
Male role models of our students such as Dads, Grandfathers, Uncles, Brothers, and/or other Father Figures.
How do I sign up?
Click this link: https://forms.gle/AXMAfTDGdDFNcEy69
April is Autism Acceptance Month - Click here to learn more about autism, how you can help raise awareness, and find autism resources.
END OF THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR INFORMATION
DENTAL EXAM REMINDER FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR:
All K, 2nd and 6th grade students are required to have a completed dental exam form on file with the school by May 15, 2025.
If you are unable to fulfill the dental exam, please complete the Dental Exam Waiver Form.
MEDICATION:
Medication, other than emergency type medication, must be picked up by a parent or guardian, as students will NOT be allowed to take it home. The last day of school is May 23. Please be reminded that medication not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded. The required school medication forms for the 2025-2026 school year will be sent home with your child. Keep in mind medication, prescriptions or over the counter, cannot be given without a completed school medication permission form on file at the school. Also, health care plans (asthma, food allergy, etc) should also be updated for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have questions, you may contact Mrs. Swanson, school nurse. Most medical forms can be found on the district website as well. The main office will be open 2 weeks prior to the start of school. We encourage families to drop off any health medical forms prior to the first day of school.
2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR INFORMATION
PHYSICAL/IMMUNIZATION/DENTAL/VISION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2025-2026:
All students entering Kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades are required to provide proof of a physical exam and up-to-date immunizations by the first day of school, August 13, 2025. Students will not be allowed to start school without a completed physical exam and up-to-date immunizations. Appointment cards will not be accepted.
All students enrolled in kindergarten, second and sixth grade are required to provide proof of a dental exam to the school by May 15 of the current school year. Students entering kindergarten are required to provide proof of a vision exam by October 15, 2025.
It’s not too early to schedule your child’s physical, dental or vision exam to beat the summer rush. Health forms have been sent to all current fifth and eighth grade students. Anyone needing a copy of the physical, dental or vision form can find them on the district website.
If you have already completed these requirements you can turn them into your student’s school. It will help the school nurses prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. The main office will be open 2 weeks prior to the start of school. We encourage families to drop off any health medical forms prior to the first day of school.
Happy April! It’s spring!!! I know that everyone around here has been really enjoying our time outside now that the weather has turned. I hope that you all had a nice spring break and that you got the chance to enjoy some sunshine and nice weather after being cooped up all winter.
Something that I have been doing this winter has been participating in a book study for the book The Anxious Generation. This book looks at the environmental and cultural shifts that have happened since the 2010s and how that is impacting children’s mental health. It is a well-researched topic and really explores the impact of cell phones and social media on today’s youth. It also has really useful and impactful suggestions of things that we can do as adults to better help our children in our technology based society. It was truly eye opening and has really made me look at my own social media and cell phone use. The book encourages us to allow for our children to be more independent and explore the world around them. I recognize that this is difficult to do at times, but I have some help. There is a project called Let Grow that gives different suggestions and frameworks to help all of us to further encourage independence in our children. If this is a topic that interests you, I would encourage you to get a copy of the book for yourself.
April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness month. This time allows us to shed light on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to celebrate the unique talents and contributions of individuals on the spectrum. Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. It's essential to recognize and embrace this diversity within our school community. I do encourage you to engage in conversations with your child about autism, emphasizing the importance of kindness, inclusion, and understanding. By fostering a culture of acceptance, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. The Autism Society has wonderful resources and information if you would like to find out more information. If you or a family member has Autism and would like some more resources for help, the Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) is a clearinghouse of information and Illinois centered resources.
Our core value of the month is Citizenship. Citizenship goes beyond merely understanding the rights and responsibilities of being a member of a community; it encompasses empathy, compassion, and actively contributing to the well-being of others. This month, we'll be focusing on what it means to be a good citizen within our school, local, and global communities. I encourage you to work with your child to reinforce this at home by engaging in acts of kindness as a family, discussing events that highlight the importance of citizenship, and involving your child in community service activities as appropriate. Earth Day is a great day to do this!
As we embrace the spirit of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and delve into the core value of citizenship, let us remember the power of empathy, understanding, and acceptance in shaping a more inclusive and compassionate world.
I am available to chat with you if you have any questions or concerns or need any help. Please feel free to reach out. I am available at 815-786-8812 x (24007) or at rhaskins@sandwich430.org.
Ms. Randi Haskins
We Need Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals!
Do you want to make your own schedule?
Do you have at least 60 credit hours or an Associate's Degree?
You can be a Substitute Teacher and would be making a significant impact on our school with your support!
As a Substitute Teacher, you would make $120 daily or $140 after a total of 10 days in the district.
Here is the link to the DeKalb ROE for a Substitute Teacher packet.
You can easily become a substitute Paraprofessional as well with just a High School diploma and earn $15 an hour. Here is the link for the DeKalb Paraprofessional licensure.