

Mill Street Parent Newsletter
November Edition
A Message from Mrs. Salness
Dear Mill Street Families,
As we turn the page to November, we find ourselves at the close of the first trimester of this academic year. It's with great pleasure that I share the success and achievements of our incredible students with you all. Your children have shown dedication, growth, and a passion for learning that fills our school with pride.
In this month's newsletter, we have several important updates and exciting announcements to share with you. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:
1. Panorama Survey: Your students' input into our school climate and culture is invaluable to us, and we will be conducting our annual Panorama Survey to gather information from our 3rd-5th graders on this topic. Look out for more details about the survey below.
2. Mill Street Cares Program: Our commitment to fostering a compassionate and supportive environment continues with the Mill Street Cares Program. We will be sharing information about upcoming initiatives designed to support families in need.
3. Report Cards: As the first trimester concludes, we will provide you with instructions on how to access your child's report cards, so you can gain insights into their progress and achievements.
4. Upcoming Events: Don't miss our upcoming events, including the eagerly anticipated 5th-grade program and the Fall Band/Orchestra concerts. These events are a testament to the talent and dedication of our students.
5. New Additions: We are thrilled to announce the opening of our School Store, and Publishing Center. These additions are sure to enhance your child's experience at Mill Street Elementary. More details on these exciting developments will be shared below. We also anticipate the completion of our new and improved Gaga Pit on our playground sometime in the next week!
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support and partnership in ensuring the success of our students. Your involvement, whether through volunteering, attending events, communicating with teachers and staff, or simply being there for your child to hear about his/her school day, makes a world of difference.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I'd like to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families. May this holiday season bring you moments of joy, reflection, and togetherness. We are thankful for you and your children, who make Mill Street Elementary a remarkable place to learn and grow.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education. Let's make this trimester's end and the upcoming holiday season a time of celebration and gratitude.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Salness
Panorama Survey- November 13th
Students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Panorama Survey on Monday, November 13th. The Panorama Survey is utilized to identify areas of celebration and opportunities to improve the learning environment. For students in grades 3-5, the survey covers school safety, climate, teacher-student relationships, and sense of belonging.The Panorama Survey is an efficient way to measure culture and climate and helps us assess how students feel about their actual learning environment.
A parent letter giving more specific information about the annual survey was shared with families on October 31st and included the option to decline participation in the survey. The deadline to opt out of the survey was November 2nd. Parents can view a demo survey by accessing the link below.
Mill Street Cares Program
Each year, as part of our School Family and Community Partnership and our Home & School, we partner with providers in the Mill Street community to provide food and grocery gift cards to families in need during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. This year is no exception! We are so appreciative of the support of Grace Point Church for their work and generosity in providing food bags and gift cards for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Families may contact our social workers, Angelica Gonzalez and/or Kristin Hill, to participate in this sharing event.
Trimester 1 Report Cards
Your child's report card for first trimester will be available for viewing on November 20th. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of reviewing your child's report card and how it can benefit your child's education and growth.
- The report card is a valuable tool that provides a comprehensive overview of your child's academic performance. It allows you to see their progress in each subject, including strengths and areas that may need improvement.
- By reviewing the report card, you can gain a deeper understanding of your child's educational journey. This insight will enable you to communicate more effectively with teachers, counselors, and your child about their school experiences and any potential challenges they may be facing.
- Viewing the report card provides the opportunity to celebrate your child's achievements, no matter how big or small. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to excel in school. It's essential to acknowledge their efforts and dedication.
- If the report card reveals areas where your child is struggling, it provides an opportunity for timely intervention and support. Together, we can work towards helping them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
Please mark your calendar for November 20th to access your child's report card. Instructions for how to access your child's report card online are linked below. Paper copies are not provided.
We encourage you to take the time to sit down with your child, discuss the report card together, and celebrate their accomplishments. In case you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or our administrative team. We are here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.
School Store/Publishing Center
Volunteer opportunities will be posted in next week's Mustang Minute via Sign Up Genius to support our School Store and Publishing Center. Our school store is open each Tuesday morning from 8:00-8:20 and provides students with the opportunity to purchase needed school supplies.
Our Publishing Center supports our writers in taking their pieces from 1st draft through the process of publishing a book! Volunteer support is critical to this process! Specific volunteer responsibilities will be included within the Sign Up Genius. Thank you in advance for sharing your time and talents with our students at Mill Street!
Resource For Parents
Today, Snap is announcing several new measures for students using the Snapchat platform focused on protecting teens from unwanted contact, providing a more age-appropriate content experience, and cracking down on accounts that try to market in-appropriate content.
As part of this effort, the Naperville Police Dept. in collaboration with our building Student Resource Officers are launching:
- A website to help parents and caregivers understand how Snapchat works, the key protections we offer for teens, how to use our parental controls, and to answer common questions.
- A YouTube series to help parents understand the basics of Snapchat and the protections we have in place to help make Snapchat safe for teens. Any question, please reach out to our NPD Crime Prevention/Educational Specialists below.
Mary Browning
Crime Prevention/Community Education Specialist
Naperville Police Department
1350 Aurora Avenue | Naperville, IL 60540
630-420-6731 | browningm@naperville.il.us
First Lego League Club is Wrapping Up!
Cheer on our Teams!!!
It has been incredible to watch our 4th/5th grade First Lego Leagers prepare for the yearly competition! Their dedication has been unwavering. Thanks to Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Berg and Ms. Carrico for fostering excitement and guiding students to take on new challenges. The district competition will be held on Saturday, November 18th at Kennedy Junior High. Our team compete during the morning session from 7:30am-11:15am.
● Parking is available in the front of Kennedy Junior High, on the street, and in the church parking directly to the west of Kennedy Junior High.
● Each team will participate in three robot games in the gym and one presentation.
● Parents are encouraged to stay to cheer on our team! Watch the robot games in the Main Gym and the presentation in the classrooms.
● The closing ceremony will include awards for core values, innovation project (presentation), robot games, and an overall champion.
Lost and Found Reminder
Please label student's winter gear and belongings!!
It is critical that students' outerwear, lunchboxes, water bottles etc... are LABELED with their name. We remind students to check the Lost and Found tables daily, however we currently have over 200 "lost" items in our lost and found. Please review your expectation for managing their clothing with your child(ren) and begin the practice of labeling all clothing items so that they can be returned to their owners. Please note that unclaimed items are donated at the end of every month. Parents are welcome to come check the Lost and Found tables before or after school hours.
Help us by labeling
clothing so we can
return items to students!
Upcoming Events
- November 7th: Gifted Placement Appeals decisions sent home
- November 9th: Permission forms for Honors Math placement due
- November 10th: End of 1st Trimester
- November 11th: Veterans Day
- November 13th: 3rd Grade HM begins
- November 13th: Panorama Survey completed by 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders
- November 16th: Educational Support Staff Day- Show your appreciation for our many Assistants!
- November 16th: 5th Grade Musical 6:00 pm.
- November 20th: Trimester 1 Progress Reports available on Infinite Campus
- November 22nd-24th: Thanksgiving Holiday- No School
- November 29th: 4th and 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Concerts