We hope your scholars return to school has been a smooth one! This issue is jammed packed with information regarding extracurricular activities available to your students, as well as volunteer opportunities for caregivers.
Chess Club for K-8 Students
Chess Club will be back again this year! Tuesdays in the library - right after school lets out till 4:00pm. Fill out the interest form to sign up. Or reach out to Richa Cordero at rikima@gmail.com to get more info! Basic knowledge of chess and enthusiasm to learn more is all you need! Sign-Up here: https://forms.gle/GKj24VLvN3436R5bA. The fee to join this club is $125 per student. PTA scholarships are available, contact kingartspta@gmail.com.
Math Club for 3rd – 5th Graders
Are you looking for math enrichment for your motivated 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader? Look no
further! We are proud to announce the new King Arts Math Club for intermediate students!
Once a week after school, students will be taught new problem-solving strategies and will work with their team to take their learning to new heights! Our goal is to give students an extra challenge and help foster a love for mathematics.
What: Math Club for anyone in grades 3-5 who love math!
Where: Ms. Rizio’s Classroom, Room 113, King Arts
When: Mondays after school until 4:00 pm, starting October 2, running through May 20
Content led by Ms. Louise Rizio (teacher), Club Organized by Ms. Jen Risen (parent)
Contact Jen Risen @ jenrisen@gmail.com if you are interested in registering your student(s). The registration fee for this club is $100. Scholarships are available, contact kingartspta@gmail.com.
Lego Robotics for K - 3rd Graders is BACK!
During Lego Robotics, scientists will:
● Explore challenges facing today's scientists
● Discover real-world math and science
● Design and build a challenge-related model using LEGO® elements
● Develop teamwork and presentation skills
FIRST LEGO League Explore/Grades K-3 focuses on building early interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a real-world challenge using research, critical thinking, and imagination.
The session will take place on Sundays from 9 - 10 am in the King Arts art room from September 10 through December 3. The registration fee is $100. Scholarships are available.
Register by Saturday, September 9. Email kingartsrobotics@gmail.com for information.
Step-by-Step D65 School Volunteer Background Check Process
There are so many opportunities for caregivers to volunteer at King Arts this year. In order to volunteer to tutor, chaperone field trips, coach an elementary team, lead a club or activity or host an in-class party, caregivers must complete the D65 background check process. To make the process as seamless as possible, we encourage caregivers to follow this step-by-step process (in chronological order) at your earliest convenience: D65 Volunteer Background Screening_Sept 2023.pdf. Please note, the entire process can take up to several weeks to complete so don’t delay, start the process today!
Volunteer Opportunities
Room Parent & Community Connectors Needed
Being a Room Parent (K-5) or Community Connector (6 – 8) for your scholar’s classroom/homeroom is a great way to connect with your child’s teacher and get to know the other parents in your child’s class/homeroom. This is not a time-consuming volunteer position. You will be asked to attend one meeting in the fall and then help communicate school and classroom news (and needs) to parents, primarily through email. Opportunities to co-host grade level celebrations, activities, dances, etc. also exist. We encourage volunteers to attend PTA meetings. Since we are not a neighborhood school, we need to work a little harder to build our community, a sense of belonging for every student, and this is a great way to help! If you are interested, please sign-up here: https://forms.gle/Ek9sBkKukGG1d8J86.
Join the Cultural Celebrations Committee (C3)
The goal of C3 is to build a more inclusive school and deepen our shared sense of belonging by hosting events and educational opportunities that celebrate the cultural diversity of or our community.
The cultures we celebrate each year are reflective of our diverse community and guided by those caretakers who step forward to help plan them. If you are interested or have any questions you can find more information here.
More immediately, we would love to host a stand-up event or activity for Hispanic Heritage Month in September. IF you want to get involved, we would love to have you join us in celebrating and learning more about our Hispanic / Latinx community! You can find the sign-up form here .
King Arts ESCCA SERVE Days
ESCCA is an organization that makes clothing available to all K-8th grade children of Evanston/Skokie District 65 Schools. Each year it provides clothing and shoes/boots to 650-700 children. During a SERVE, volunteers help students choose clothing from ESCCA's "store" at 1500 McDaniel, almost like a personal shopper.
There are also opportunities to sort, organize, and fold clothing donations so they are ready for student shoppers. The King Arts PTA is looking for a minimum of four (4) SERVE volunteers on September 19 - 6:30-9pm, November 15 - 6:30-9pm, January 25 - 6:30-9pm.
ESCCA asks that volunteers do not bring their elementary or middle school-aged children with them to a SERVE. If interested, please sign-up here: https://signup.com/go/wyjvfFU.
Seeking King Arts PEP Representatives
The PTA Equity Project is seeking school community members engaged and interested in working towards a more equitable school experience for D65 students.
Each D65 PTA is asked to recruit 1-2 equity-minded ambassadors to partner with its PTA to share tools and education on equitable practices within the D65. PEP representatives will also help to educate its school community on One Fund distribution process and submit King Arts’ upcoming majority vote on continuing the future of the One Fund distribution.
Time commitment is two hours monthly from September through May 2024. Additional volunteering hours are possible for PEP Fest (tentatively scheduled for early June) and One Fund Town Halls, averaging a total of 10- 15 hours throughout the school year.
Questions? Email kingartspta@gmail.com for more information.
About PTA Equity Project
PEP Links/Resources
Save the Date
Book Nook Clean-Up
Monday, September 5, 3 - 4pm
King Arts West Wing
Enter thru Greenwood Entrance
School Yard Clean-Up
Sunday, September 24, 11 - 1pm
King Arts Playground
The Green Team will host a school yard clean-up. In addition to trash pick-up, volunteers will have an opportunity to discuss work that needs to be done in our edible garden and school courtyard, as well as brainstorm ideas of interest for the school year.
General PTA Meeting
Tuesday, September 26, 7 - 8 pm
In-person at King Arts
Enter thru Greenwood Entrance
Principal Calloway will share SY2024 goals and the team's strategic focus for the school year. The PTA will share additional information regarding extracurricular activities and clubs available to K - 8 scholars. We also will share volunteer opportunities and event plans for the school year. There will be time for community members to share their suggestions and ideas. We hope to see you there!
