Dear Wildcat Community!

We are SO excited that the start of school is just around the corner! This newsletter is dedicated to sharing important information to help you and your middle schooler feel prepared for the first week of school! We are here to help, so if there is something you still have questions about after reading this newsletter, do not hesitate to reach out!

Our Success and Belonging Committee has planned amazing Welcome Week activities! We have a theme for each day!

Thursday, September 5th- Feeling Safe at School

Friday, September 6th- Understanding what Middle School is and How you fit in

Monday, September 9th- How to be academically successful at school

To help prepare your student for a successful first week of school, here are some things you can do.

1. Read this newsletter closely WITH your student. There is a lot of information here and we want students to feel confident and informed.

2. I encourage you to read the Sandburg Frequently Asked Questions document that is linked below! We have collected many of the important questions that parents and students have asked over the years and created this document.

3. Remain calm and confident! Your student will feed off of your energy. We are prepared to support your child at school and work collaboratively with you as they enter middle school. They will be successful with your support and enthusiasm for them taking this next step!

Have a good week,

Erika Johansen

Sandburg Principal

• September 3rd-Walk Your Schedule 12:45-1:30 pm
• September 5th-First Day Of School
• September 12th- Parent Orientation 6:00 pm
• September 26th-Half Day Of Student Attendance
• October 2nd- School Picture Day

As we prepare to welcome students to the new school year, I want to emphasize the importance of creating a focused learning environment for all students. To ensure that our classrooms are conducive to learning, the expectation is that cell phones must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day. Please review the student-parent handbook for additional details. By following these guidelines, we can create a positive and productive classroom community where students can fully engage in their education.

The Transportation Department will be releasing route information in Infinite Campus later this week.

**NEW THIS YEAR** We will be using an app called "MyRIDE K12". It is the same app that District 211 and 214 are using, so if you have a high schooler, you may already be familiar with it. Details on the new app are available on the transportation page of the D15 website linked HERE. Parents will be able to get LIVE transportation information for their student(s), in English or in Spanish. They will also be able to track their student(s) bus, and the app will give them a real-time ETA to their stop.

*A Quiet Walk of your Class Schedule

We would like to cordially invite all students and their families who have an IEP or

504 to walk your schedule during a quiet time with less people in the building. This opportunity is also extended to students who are having some anxiety about starting middle school. We will give students and families time to become familiar with the building, classrooms and overall layout. Our school administrators will be available to answer questions. In addition, there will be lockers available to practice the combination locks. Please email Mrs. Johansen johansee@ccsd15.net if you would like to know more about this opportunity.

*Tuesday, September 3rd, 12:45-1:30 PM Walk Your Schedule & Welcome to CSMS (All Students)

This is an opportunity for the administration and staff to welcome our students to Sandburg, and for students to use their daily schedules to walk the school building, and meet their teachers! All you need is your schedule! Please do not bring school supplies because students will not receive their locker information until the first day of school. The CSMS PTSA will be hosting the Kona Ice Truck Fundraiser for our families! Make sure you stop by for a sweet treat! All proceeds will support the Sandburg PTSA.

*Thursday, September 5, 7:30 AM-2:10 PM First Day of School for Students

School doors open at 7:15 AM for a 7:30 AM start.

The first day of school is a kickoff day in which we begin to orient/re-orient students to the processes, procedures, and expectations at Sandburg. Students will have the opportunity to meet teachers, administrators and staff, ask questions, and activities offered during the school year; and meet their classmates. Students do not need to bring ALL of their school supplies on the 1st day of school since lockers will be assigned and significant time allowed for new students to practice locking/unlocking. Students will also review lessons on our school expectations, and Digital Citizenship throughout the week to support appropriate and safe use of the Chromebook both on and off school grounds.

All Visitors to the building must come in Door 1 to request entrance into the main office.

Building Entry

All students will enter the building at 7:15 each day. Those who wish to eat breakfast will go to the cafeteria. Everyone else goes directly to their first period classes. Staff will be available to supervise all students who are in the hallways and in the cafeteria.

Bus Riders

Students who ride the bus to school will enter and exit at Door 7 at the back of the school. Students who have special transportation routes will enter and exit at Door 1. Transportation information will be available shortly in Infinite Campus.

Car Riders

Students who are dropped off or picked up at school will enter/exit the building at Door 1 at the front of the school off Martin Avenue. Please review the drawing below to see the drop off/pick up routines.

Walkers

Students who walk to and from school can enter and exit at Door 1 or Door 7.

Bike Riders

Students who ride their bikes to and from school can enter and exit at Door 1 or Door 7. We have bike racks at the front and the back of the school.

Sandburg staff will supervise the student entry/exit procedures to ensure the students are safe, the flow of traffic is continuous, and our building remains secure.

Carl Sandburg is eligible to participate in the National School Breakfast and School Lunch Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

What does this mean?
All enrolled students will receive a free breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household. Your child(ren) will be able to participate without having to pay a fee, but we ask that you still complete the Fee Waiver form here to determine if your family qualifies for other financial assistance such as school fees, athletic, and activity fee waivers. Again, completing the application is still necessary for other programs and assists with funding for educational programs in District 15.

If you have any questions about this communication or anything as it relates to Nutrition Services, please visit our website or contact Nutrition Services at (847) 963-3929. We are here to help ensure our students get the nutrition they need so they are able to focus on learning.

Breakfast Procedures

If students would like to each breakfast at school, they come in the building when they get to school and go directly to the cafeteria. We will have supervisors there to make sure students are safely eating their breakfast in the cafeteria.

Lunch Procedures

For the first quarter, all students will sit with their first period classes for lunch. We will have tables reserved for each class. After first quarter, students will be able to choose their seating arrangements in the cafeteria.

We've opened up a "Pop-Up" Wildcat Spirit Wear Store for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes. Check out the options available for each of our incoming grade levels! https://waistupstores.com/carl_sundburg_class_of/shop/home

8th grade- Class of 2025

7th grade- Class of 2026

6th grade- Class of 2027

This store will only be open for a few more days. There will be another store with more options that opens in the fall, as well.

Happy Shopping!

Hello, Wildcats! Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!

As the Student Services Clinician Team at Carl Sandburg, our mission is to ensure every student feels valued and equipped with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in middle school and beyond. We provide resources to students and families informally, such as via our website, and formally to students, whether that be seeing students individually, in groups, or in classrooms.

To help with the transition back to school, take a look at our website and list of community resources. Please feel free to contact us at the following information below. Students can also request to see a clinician here at any point throughout the school year. We will schedule a meeting within 2 school days per request.

Our contact information is included below.

Anastasia Spiropoulos - School Counselor, spiropoa@ccsd15.net

Joanna Rzepka - School Psychologist, rzepkaj@ccsd15.net

David Pierpont - School Counselor / Social Worker, pierpond@ccsd15.net

Erynn McCray - Social Worker mccraye@ccsd15.net

We are very excited to start the new school year with you!

Our school supply list can be located on our website. Each middle school student will be provided a planner and an accordion folder on their first day of school.

Please be on the lookout for District 15 emails regarding fall sports registration in the coming days!

Parent Information & Registration Links

Cross Country

Boys Soccer

Girls Basketball

BOYS SOCCER (cut-sport):

Registration Deadline- September 6th

Boys Soccer Tryouts Monday, September 9th - Thursday, September 12th (2:10-3:50)

FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE: Monday, September 16th (2:10-3:50)

GIRLS BASKETBALL (cut-sport):

Registration Deadline- September 6th

Girls Basketball Tryouts Monday, September 9th - Thursday, September 12th (2:10-3:50)

FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE: Monday, September 16th (2:10-3:50)

CROSS COUNTRY (no cut-sport):

Registration Deadline- Monday, September 16th (can join if cut from another fall sport)

1st Practice: Tuesday, September 10th (2:10-3:50)

* Please note that times/dates are subject to change. Students should look for more information on announcements, flyers and email communications.

*Your child MUST have a current physical on file in our office in order to tryout/participate in a sport.

If you are having trouble scheduling a sports physical, please contact Mrs. Johansen. We have a generous physician in the area who can help!

* If a student is cut from a fall sport they can still participate in Cross Country following tryouts.

* Activity buses will be available for students at 3:50 PM if they ride a regular school bus route to and from school.

Please read the following important information from the School Nurse regarding Health requirements Mandated by the State of Illinois. The links to the necessary health forms to be completed are provided.

Please note that if your child wishes to tryout for one of our competitive sport teams they will need to have a current physicals on file with the school nurse. Physicals are valid for 13 months.

6th grade Health Requirements

1. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - must have taken place within one year prior to the first day of school. The form is due NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15, 2024.

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS - PROOF of previously required immunizations and two new mandatory 6th grades immunizations:

• ∙Tdap

• ∙Meningococcal conjugate vaccination

Certificate of Child Health Examination-English

Certificado de Examen de Salud Infantil-Español

2. DENTAL EXAMINATION

Due by May 15, 2025. A dental exam dated from 11/15/23-5/15/25 is acceptable.

-IDPH_DentalExamForm-Eng.pdf

7th grade AND 8th grade - (NOT Mandatory)

1. SPORTS PHYSICAL - Required ONLY for those interested in interscholastic sports participation. Physical exam MUST be turned in before try-outs.

IHSA-Sports-Physical-Form.pdf

Students that are NEW to CCSD15 -

1. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION And All required IMMUNIZATIONS

2. DENTAL EXAMINATION

3. EYE EXAMINATION

StateofIL_EyeExamForm.pdf

Students with severe allergies, asthma, diabetes or seizure disorders MUST have the Action Plans and Medications turned in by the first day of school. Forms can be found on the District 15 website:

Health Services / Documents/Forms

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Trina Annerino BSN, RN - School Nurse

847-963-7802 Fax 847-963-7806

annerink@ccsd15.net

Erika Johansen- Principal (johansee@ccsd15.net)

Miguel Hernandez- Assistant Principal (hernanm2@ccsd15.net)

Anthony DeFeo- Special Education Coordinator (defeoa@ccsd15.net)

Anne Carter- Secretary (cartera@ccsd15.net)

Dianne Barajas- Clerical Secretary (barajasd@ccsd15.net)

Trina Annerino- Nurse (annerink@ccsd15.net)

Email: johansee@ccsd15.net
Website: https://www.ccsd15.net/CS
Location: 2600 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows, IL, USA
Phone: 847-963-7800
Facebook: facebook.com/csmswildcats

Instagram: @sandburgwildcats

Twitter: @csmswildcats