IgKnight Academy Talking Points for Parent-Teacher Conferences

With parent-teacher conferences just around the corner, we wanted to share some IgKnight Academy talking points should you receive questions during parent-teacher conferences, or if you have a student you feel would be a good fit for IgKnight. We are not asking that you promote globally, just want you to feel prepared should you receive or want to give information to specific families. Below is an FAQ doc for your own knowledge, an informational flyer that you are welcome to print and share with any interested families, a flyer to promote our upcoming Informational Night, and a link to the full IgKnight Information Guide. You are also welcome to direct any parent questions to me (Laura Garland, 10166@kaneland.org).

Please share with families that we are holding an Informational Night at IgKnight on November 8th, from 5:30-7:00pm. The flyer for the event is below.

Teacher Talking Points

Parent Informational Flyer

IgKnight Information Guide

November 8th Information Night Flyer

KIPLA Expansion to 9th Grade

Please see the slide show for tentative information regarding the transition to 9th grade. We are still looking for any teacher who would like to serve on the steering committee or has an interest in teaching at the Academy next year. 

Our next parent meeting will be on November 8th! 

9th Grade Expansion

Refresher on Tenet I from Academy 3.0

The purpose of Tenet I (the Graduate Profile) is to exhibit the keys to successful growth and progress in the Kaneland School District and to share our expectations for our learners. This is done through highlighting the work of the 5 commitments of the strategic plan.

Expectations for Tenet I are to show evidence of how you have embedded all five commitments of the Graduate Profile within your learning environment. Evidence must include student samples, reflection, and display of the commitments as a learner.

This is a tenet that is developed over time as we start to see the full scope of the graduate profile come into play. Remember, our Kaneland Connects strategic plan (the plan itself) breaks down the graduate profile into grade-span-specific information on what it means to be progressing as a Kaneland graduate. Please be sure to check the chart at the end of the plan for this info. 

We have seen some great examples of our 5 commitments in action over the last year and aa quarter- examples include:

-So many student conversations centered around showing evidence of proficiency (PBP)

-An increase in the number of students self-selecting MTSS support as they journey through standards and units of study (MTSS)

-An increase in the amount of conferencing and feedback cycles (PBP and SBG)

-All kinds of technology being used to redefine learning (1:1)

-Supports for both students and staff from a mental health perspective have also increased (SEL)

-The number of students advocating for their learning needs is being seen in more dedicated time spent in their learner profile tools (SEL)

Keep up the great work as we continue our journey through 3.0

Feedback on Building a Common Word Study Assessment

 Now that we have gone through the first initial use of the word study assessments for our new adoption tools, it is time to collect feedback on a possible common word study assessment to be used in future years.  Please email Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org your feedback on possible assessment for word study.  Please share any assessments or perceptions on assessments that you would like to see for a common assessment.   

Student Panel

 Thank you to the KSS Student Leadership student panel who came to share their perspectives no math proficiency with CHESS today.  Here were a few of their statements shared:

• I can share my math proficiency through showing other students my work in the school

• I check in with my Teacher to share proficiency

• I am able to share my math knowledge with others to help them if they have struggles

• I can help myself by trying different ways to solve problems

• I often help other students that are not as proficient as I am

• A math continuum is..

• Different skills to learn based on my needs

• I have been pulled into a different group based on what the Teacher sees I need

• Different skills that you can pace around your needs

• In 3rd grade I was able to learn at a higher difficulty level based on the continuum

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• We each have our own proficiency table that we first self assess and then we can conference with our Teacher

• How do you know are you proficiency:

• Through Teacher check ins and our work samples

• I can make a poster to show how I did my work and solved my problems

• I can do blooket and check my knowledge

• I check my work on my own and then check in later with my peers or teachers

• I check my grades and double check my work and try again

• I set myself a goal for my work and then take steps towards my goal

• I use my pre-test and retakes to check my progress and plan my next steps in work and learning

• I rather have my Teacher assign I-ready lessons that are harder, the ones I have are too easy

• I can advocate for my learning with my Teachers, I feel comfortable doing that

• Some students like paper homework and not be on the computer

• When you do the I-ready diagnostic test it gives you things it thinks you need, but sometimes you need more than that!

• We would like more choice and options not just I-Ready for math. Based on who we are as learners we should have more choices.

Aurora University Principal Endorsement

 Please see the link below for more information from Dr. Adkins regarding the Principal Endorsement program at AU.

https://aurora.edu/academics/graduate/principal-endorsement/index.html 

Personalized Learning Audit SAMPLE

 Over the course of the next few months various stakeholders will be coming to visit for Personalized Learning audits.  The Department of Educational Service previously shared the audit document with all staff, and there has been a request to show a completed audit.  Please see this link for one audit that has been collected to see how the documentation of student learning is collected and the audit is shared.  For those staff members that are collecting audit data, please use this sample to complete your required audits and send a copy to Sarah Mumm or Patrick Raleigh once you complete them.    

Lucky Duck

Over the past few weeks we have had more matches AND a few lucky weekly winners.  Our first HUGE raffle is coming up in December, so go duck hunting and find your match to be part of the raffle.  This week be sure to check your numbers and see if you have lucky duck number 4!!!  Email Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org if you are a lucky winner!  

K-5 Social Science Update

This week the K-5 Social Science committee met to continue work on the units of study and PBP tables.  The team will be taking the following PBP tables to the November EAC for feedback.  Please be sure to read and submit any questions or feedback you have to your EAC rep prior to November 17th.  

PBP Tables

K-2

3-5

Our next meeting will be January 29th.  The committee will continue to draft the unit templates based on the unit organizer, begin to review possible samples from vendors, and discuss units of study that are required by the State of Illinois.  If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact a Social Science Committee rep.  

K-5 EAC- Educator Advisory Council

 EAC met on October 16 for their monthly meeting.  The following were topics discussed and shared:

• KIPLA update and information was shared by Laura Garland.  An updated information guide, parent-teacher talking points, and 9th grade expansion information will be sent out for EAC members to share out with the teams they represent.  This information will also be added to the Curriculum Connection. Please contact Laura Garland with any KIPLA related questions. . 

• KIPLA is hosting an informational night on October 17 for high school expansion, and on November 8 for all interested families with students in grades 2-8. Teachers are welcome to attend information night as well. 

• Laura will be sharing a flier that can be used at conferences as needed for interested students and parents. 

• EAC monthly agenda items and timelines were reviewed and approved.

• Team reviewed the progress of the implementation of the 10 tenets of personalized learning and shared ideas for reminding and incentivizing staff toward completion of tenets. Time for tenet evidence collection will be available on November 20, March 1st and April 1st Institute Days.