Curriculum Review - Joint Statement 6 - 8 Exploratory

The middle school exploratory team met. The team agreed to add a 6th grade health course to the schedule. This course allows the 7th and 8th grade health curriculum to be covered at a more in-depth level. The new schedule will have 6th grade health offered during the exploratory periods and will not be replacing a PE class. This move allows for the two existing computer classes to be shifted to 7th and 8th grade. Instructional and curriculum gaps were identified in the current course offerings. The need for updated and replacement curricular materials were discussed and for the next meeting, further research is needed by each sub-department. In addition to this, the names of existing course offerings were vetted to align to the PaCE framework. The team ended with a review of action items that included engaging in follow-up conversations with teachers and/or departments, pricing materials, and continued vetting of materials. 

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Kane County Institute Day Registration Information (EC-12)

The 2025 Kane County Institute Day sessions offerings will be available for viewing through the ROE on Monday, December 9, 2024. Registration will open at 6:00am on January 6, 2025. 

K-5 Curriculum Chats (K-5)

This week the Curriculum Chats focused on Music!  The running agenda captured some of the notes of the discussion.  

Running Curriculum Chat Agenda  

This week we met with Music staff.  Here is the link to the video.

The next Curriculum Chat will be held on December 11th with Critical Thinking staff.  Please remember these are optional events for staff.  Here is the recurring link.  

Educator Advisory Council (K-5)

 Today the Educator Advisory met…

• The meeting notetaker today was Heidi Gilkey 

• Kipla: No other remaining questions for Laura

• Supply Lists: Due by Dec. 2nd at noon.  Take the survey as well to help with the bulk ordering.  Email reminder will be sent Nov 26th with the link.

Exploratory teachers will still have access to the same items from teachers and the office.  

• YouTube:  Discussed the pros and cons of blockage and looked into options for limiting access. 

• KPASS survey: Continue surveying the same stakeholders, including all Middle School students, K-5 teachers, Parents, possible interest survey for 3rd grade. Members created questions for the surveys.

• Student Friendly PBP tables: Pros and Cons were discussed, as well as sharing student friendly tables.  If you have any samples please share here.

• Strategic Plan ideas documented

• KDAB will be put on hold for the rest of the year.  Huddle meetings will be once every 6 weeks

K-5 Grade Level and School Supply Lists Due (K-5)

 Based on the EAC work and decision, please send your final grade level school supply list edits to Sarah Mumm by the end of today so we can edit and prepare the school based supply lists for next year.  Thank you to all of the EAC reps for the reminders and working with teams through this process.  

First Semester Feedback Drawing (EC-12)

 WOW!  Kaneland is making connections.  Our first semester feedback connections competition has come to an end this week.   We have been so impressed with all staff that have been connecting with their random puzzle job category and getting to know others in differnt ways. Here is a summary of the first semester connections made:

25 staff members reached out and made connections with others based on the random puzzle drawing the first day!

257 connection points were created through all the various ways to get to know each other!

1 puzzle was fully connected!  Go TEAM!

Thank you to all who have reached out and connected with others.  This is the best part of Kaneland, becoming a Knight Family!  

The winners of the first semester connection competition is.... Stephanie Unger, congrats on the random draw raffle basket and Jenelle Mance congrats on the holiday baking treats random draw!  We will get your prizes out to you to enjoy next week!  

The second semester puzzle connections competition begins January 6th!  Keep connecting and sending you all the great connections you are making!    

IAR Tools (K-8)

 As we begin to consider the upcoming IAR test this April, we will feature the core tools that students have access to on the assessment.  Please take a moment to review the tools and the support it can provide your students during the test.  Take a moment to reflect on this first set of IAR tools and consider ways to embed explicitly modeling and having students practice this tool in your content teaching over the next few months. For example during writer's workshop having students using the highlighter tool to reflect on their writing during feedback conference to identify parts they would like specific feedback on.  This gives them a chance to practice the features of the highlighter tool.  Please make a goal to model a few IAR tools in your content over the next few months.  

 

2024 IgKnight Conference Feedback (EC-12)

Thank you to everyone for another great IgKnight Professional Learning Conference! We ran a total of 156 sessions and hosted 430 attendees! Special shout outs to:

• the high school for opening their classrooms to all of Kaneland
• each of our presenters for your time in preparing and delivering fabulous sessions
• the Key Club student volunteers and their sponsor, Mrs. Kuntz, for helping with set up, tear down, signing in and out, and directions around the building
• the Food Service Department for the great coffee and treats
• our technology staff for their help with all things tech
• our diligent custodial staff for helping with the day's clean up
• anyone else who contributed to our collective learning

Here's a glimpse of some of the feedback we received on the event, as well as a link to all of the "Shout Outs" attendees shared. Thank you for taking the time to provide this information! 

    ATTENDEE "SHOUT OUTS" LINK