Kaneland Connects...Who's Excited?

 Later this fall we will be sharing the Kaneland Connects Strategic Plan.  The plan includes 5 commitment areas: 

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Proficiency Based Progress

Standards Based Grading

1:1 Learning

Social Emotional Learning

Over the next few weeks we will be showcasing videos of Staff, Students,and Community members that are sharing what they are most excited about in the plan.  We hope these videos will serve as a bit of a preview of the plan to get everyone excited about Kaneland Connects!  Enjoy the first video from Dr. Todd Leden, Superintendent of Kaneland Schools. 

Practice Makes Perfect

 Now that students have settle into hybrid a bit, it is time to consider practicing the use of Canvas and Zoom.  For younger students who are not using tools much in their learning currently but might in the future if we do full remote learning, it is a good time to practice and problem solve.  Please feel free to contact an Instructional Coach at the K-5 level to help you practice a zoom meeting with your students.  It is easier to practice when we are in face to face instead of problem solving from a far in full remote.  Kudos to staff who have already set up these learning experiences, great idea! 

K-5 ELA Curriculum Reminder

We are so excited for the amazing new ELA materials that arrived this summer for all K-5 staff.  As a reminder, the K-5 ELA Review Committee did approve (as well as the Board of Education approval in April) the following for required use in all classrooms:

1.  Fountas and Pinnell Shared Reading for K-2nd grade

2.  Fountas and Pinnell Interactive Read Alouds for K-5th grade

3.  The Fountas and Pinnell mini lesson book

4.  The Patterns of Power grammar book

Please know these curriculum tools are required to be used until you show proficiency in teaching the reading content area.  We are excited to visit rooms and see these amazing tools in action.  The ELA Review Team will continue to review word study this year.   

Also remember that the approved tool for writing is Calkins unless you have shown proficiency in teaching that content area.  We will be collecting writing samples by September 16th but no across district grade level writing norming meetings will be held so please make sure your subs are cancelled.  We will be holding in school grade level mini-norming meetings this year in order to value time and subs efforts.