MTSS Commitment Team Update

 This week the first Kaneland Connects Commitment Team met to review the progress of the roll out of the Strategic Plan.  The MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) team met.  The following were topics discussed:

-The team reviewed the philosophies within the plan under MTSS

-The team reviewed the goals for 2021- 22 Kaneland Connects MTSS Goals

-The team took time to identify possible communication for each stakeholder group and the best time of the school year to share that communication.  

-The team will be creating a grid of communication to monitor the progress of the commitment

-The team is looking for the following voices to be added to the commitment team (we meet 3 more meetings for the school year):  KHS staff, Classroom staff from any grade span

Thank you to all the members of the MTSS Commitment Team Members for a great night!

K-5 Word Frenzy Escape Rooms Are Open!

 We are excited to begin to take reservations for the Word Frenzy Escape Rooms.  The rooms feature the different ways we use and explore words, grammar, and some math.  It is a great opportunity for students to work as a team, practice communication and critically apply their learning.  The room theme does link to our Four Schools One Book program that will kick off in January.  Please contact Sarah Mumm to sign your grade or class up for the escape event.   

All About Our Knights

  Thank you to all staff that took time to share a little about yourself in the All About Me google form.  We are excited to learn more about our Knights!  Here are just a few fun facts about a few of our staff members.  Can you guess who?

1.  What Knight has been here for 15 years and also loves to karaoke?

2.  What Knight taught English in Paris for a month?

3.   What Knight used to work helping people clean their ear wax out and repair hearing aides?

4. What Knight loves the history of the Wild West?

Here is a bit of help, match the above clues to the following staff members:

Ally Van Bogaert- Blackberry Creek

Alicia Hardy- Blackberry Creek

Nichole Kenyon- John Shields 

Julie Bradbury- John Shields 

LAST WEEK's ANSWERS:

1.  Which KSS staff member is a swimming coach and initially was in Accounting prior to switching to education?

Melanie Chambers- KSS

2. Which KSS staff members was an extra in a movie?  

Julieanna Dale- KSS

3. Which KBK staff member loves to listen to 70's music and has been working in Kaneland since they were in high school?

Courtney Hoffman- KBK

4. Which HMS staff member was the first ever person to go to state in Bowling for Batavia High School and loves to binge watch Netflix shows?

Cindy Campisi- Special Education Teacher HMS

New Kaneland Connects Escape Room Leaders!

 We have a new team with the leading time on the Kaneland Connects Escape Room....Cabinet and Coordinators!  The team collaborated and communicated to escape in just under 38 mins.  We encourage all staff to try your teamwork at the new escape room by signing up with Sarah Mumm or Patrick Raleigh.  The leading team will win a prize each semester.  Who wants to try it out?

Hapara Usage

 As many of you know, our budgets in both Curriculum and Instruction, as well as Technology, were reduced this year. As part of that reduction, both departments have analyzed the use of all of our digital tools. In doing so, we saw that the vast majority of our Hapara usage was happening at the 6-12 level. Therefore, we want to inform everyone that Hapara was only able to be purchased for 6-12. If you had planned on using it at the EC-5 level, please know this tool is no longer available. 

Week Two Trivia Winner

 Congrats to Vikki Moeller for the correct answer to last week's trivia:

What is the projected full implementation date for our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) commitment?

Correct Answer: 2024-2025

Social Identities

 Each person has a distinct social identity.  Reflecting and recognizing social identities is part of a process of social justice and awareness.  As the author Chris Hass shares "Membership within a particular social gorup doesn't mean our individual experiences and understandings are universal to all others within the same group.  Our identities create our background and lens."  It is a worthy activity for each individual to self-reflect on your own social identities.  Take a moment to check out the Take Stock Activity below and reflect. 

IgKnight Star Search

This year we are bringing back the Nominate a Knight program, with a  twist. We know we are surrounded by stars and it's time to let them shine brightly! We have star teachers, star support staff, star maintenance crew, star custodians, star bus drivers, and star administrators, all "Connected and Committed" to keeping Kaneland in the spotlight!! Please take a moment to nominate yourself, or a colleague, for always shooting for the stars! This month, we're focusing on building relationships. If you know someone who shines in this area, be sure to nominate them HERE. One winner will be selected at random each month to receive a customized IgKnighter Box o' Fun!

 

Educator Advisory Council EC-5 Seats Available

 On September 20th the EAC will begin our first meeting for shared decsion making for the school year. At this time we are preparing the agenda and confirming seats for the committee.  Please see the meeting structure and open seats for the committee work. 

Current Open Seats and Members

Alex Hay- Teacher Leader (train others for 2021-22) Nichole Kenyon-Teacher Leader (train others for 21-22) Rob Gardner-Teacher Leader Shadow for 21-22 Sarah Mumm- Admin Leader Christin Baldridge - Early Childhood OPEN SEAT- Kindergarten to First Grade KSS OPEN SEAT- Kindergarten to First Grade KME OPEN SEAT- Kindergarten to First Grade KST Jill Hardekopf- Kindergarten to First Grade KBK Mary Knepp- Second Grade to Third Grade KSS OPEN SEAT- Second Grade to Third Grade KME Hedi Gilkey- Second Grade to Third Grade KST Maggie Zurko- Second Grade to Third Grade KBK OPEN SEAT- Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade KSS Anissa Becker- Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade KME Kellee Conquest- Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade KST Cindy Babich-Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade KBK Jimmy Boyle- RTI/Special Education KSS or KME Cyndi Chomicz- RTI/Special Education KBK OPEN SEAT- Exploratory KSS or KME OPEN SEAT- Exploratory KBK or KST Rachael Walker-Instructional Coach Heather Ziemer -Flex Seat for year Taylor Knoepke- Flex seats for year Martne McCoy/Brian Zerfas- Admin Samantha Aversa/Emily Waller- Admin Jake Countryman/Brian Zerfas- Admin Courtney Ward/ Emily Waller- Admin Fran Eggleston- Admin Laura Garland- Admin

Meeting Structure for 2021-2022

September 20: After school 4:00-6:00 Meredith LRC

  October 18: After school 4:00-6:00 Meredith LRC

November 22:  2:00-4:00:

December 13th to 16th:  electronic

January 10:  Half day sub time 8:05- 10:05

February 28:  After school time 4:00-6:00 Meredith LRC

March 14th to 18th:  Electronic 

April 11: After school time 4:00-6:00