IAR State Testing Prep

 It is that time of year again, when we begin to think about the IAR State Testing for grades 3-8th.  This year the window for testing has been extended utnil May (the window is currently March to May) The Department of Educational Service is still working on the exact window and dates that Kaneland will be taking the test.  At this time we need your help to make sure you have the log on needed to administer and for some, coordinate, the tests.  Please take a minute to log in to Pearson Access Next, the system for administering the IAR tests, to ensure that your account is still active.  If it is not or you don't have an account, please email Laura McPhee or the tech office. 

Website: https://il.pearsonaccessnext.com/

Surveys to Parents

 Over the course of the next week we will be sending two surveys out to our community.  The first survey was sent this past Tuesday asking parents of EC-5th grade full remote students if they have an interest opting out of full remote and to return to hybrid learning for third trimester.  Here is the link to the survey if any parent inquires.   The second survey coming out January 26th is regarding ideas for future learning options for students.  We are gathering information on ideas and perceptions from our community on options they would love to see in the future at Kaneland.  Here is the link to the survey.  We hope both surveys will help us gather information to guide future learning decisions.  

K-5th Grade Writing Post Assessment

This year we will be having a bit of a different plan for scoring our post writing pieces.  We are not able to host norming meetings yet based on COVID numbers in the county.  So here is the plan for collecting and scoring.  The final guidelines will be coming out from the Instructional Coaches very soon. 

Step 1) Coaches will be holding thin slicing and organizational meetings with grade level teams by March 26 for 3-5 and April 14th for K-2 if not earlier. A team can request an earlier thin slicing session once the assessments are complete, Step 2) Teachers will score 75% of their papers at minimum this spring, Step 3) Coaches and Ed Service will score up to 50% 3-5th grade and 25% K-2, Step 4) a one hour norming sessions will be held either during asynchronous time on 4-7 (3-5 only optional) and/or 4-28 (3-5 and K-2 optional) or a team can request two 8:05 team meetings for norming.  The use of asynchronous time is optional, Step 5) all scoring will be done by May 7th. for use at data days.  

Please see this link for Writing information 

Please keep communicating with your Instructional Coach to set up meetings once your informational writing unit is complete. 

Summer School Planning

 It is the time of year where we begin to plan our summer programming options for students.  I will once again be serving as the summer school administrator. Given the learning structures our students are experiencing this school year, we anticipate that their summer needs will be different than in years past.  Therefore, we are seeking input from teachers prior to determining the exact options that will be made available to students. An input survey will be sent to EC-8 educators this Friday. Input will be gathered from high school educators through the building leadership team structure. Additional information regarding summer school, including teaching opportunities, will be shared as available.

~Laura Garland

 

Career Materials Funding Available K-8

Usually this time of year we are planning career days and volunteers to come into our schools to share their careers and inspire our students.  With our current practices of social distancing and limiting the number of visitors to our schools, career days and exploration will need to look very different.  This means that there is current grant funding available for grades K-8 for supplies and materials for career exploration.  Please contact Sarah Mumm by the end of this month if you have a proposal for the use of career exploration funding.  Funds are limited to first come first serve by the end of this month.

Full Remote Opt Out Survey EC-5

 The final opt out of full remote and return to hybrid survey will be coming out January 20th for all Early Childhood to 5th Grade families.  This survey will allow any family to return to hybrid learning for the third and final trimester of the school year.  The survey is open from January 20th to the 29th.  Please encourage full remote families to review the survey if they are interested. Families may not opt out of hybrid to full remote at this time unless there is a medical need that is proven.   Based on the number of opt out of full remote responses, there may be a need to shift staffing for the final trimester.  We will be making those shifts and communicating any shifts mid-February.  The third trimester begins February 22nd.  Thank you for your flexibility in this unique learning year!   

Early Childhood to 3rd Grade Snow Day Blizzard Bags

 With winter here in full force, be sure to plan ahead for any emergency snow day e-learning.  The district has provided possible blizzard bag activities for any grades that do not have a student computer assigned to each child.  Please use as you choose and be sure to print and send prior to any possible snow day e-learning.  Feel free to send home now with students just in case they need to access them.  If you choose to now use activities from the provided blizzard bags, please see the K-12 guidelines for posting materials on a snow day.  Remember for any grade level families and students will NOT be able to pick items up at school on a snow day in order to keep all families off the road and safe at home.  Below are the links to Blizzard Bags and Emergency snow day e-learning.

 EC Bag

K Bag

1st Bag

2nd Bag

3rd Bag

Snow day guidelines for all