Principal's Corner
by Donna Laughlin
Every year our teaching staff reviews a portion of our curriculum on a rotating cycle. As part of the process, a committee reviews research, standards, and best practices. Then we compare Immanuel’s curriculum and teaching practices to the committee’s findings. This can be a very affirming process because we often find that our curriculum and teaching methods already align with research, standards, and best practices. At the same time, this is a process for ongoing school improvement that helps us implement changes where needed. Two years ago we reviewed our science curriculum, and last year we implemented new teaching methods and curriculum materials as a result. We have also been implementing new language arts teaching methods in our primary grades as a result of our curriculum review from several years ago. This year we are reviewing our math curriculum. If you have expertise in the area of math and would like to be a part of this process, email me your interest at dlaughlin@immanuelbatavia.org.
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Registration for 2021-2022 School Year
This is the time of year when we normally mail paper copies of our registration materials for the upcoming school year. We are pleased to announce that this year our enrollment process will be done online through FACTS, a company that specializes in school management systems. FACTS estimates that our online registration system will be ready by mid-February. As we get closer to finalizing our official launch date, we will inform parents of the next steps. Essentially, you will be able to log into the system, review the pre-populated information for accuracy, update anything that needs updating, easily register your children for school next year, upload additional forms, and pay the registration fee online--all from the comfort of your home. Immanuel’s current school families will have a two-week window for priority registration to ensure that their child has a seat prior to admitting new students to the class. So, be on the lookout for more information coming in the next few weeks!
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PM Extended Care Bell
A separate door bell has been installed for Extended Care parents. It is mounted on the post between the school doors, Door 3. Please ring this bell between 4 and 5:30 PM to obtain access to the building. Your temperature will be checked upon arrival. Thank you!
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Office Notes
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Our next Open Forum is on Feb. 8, 6:30-7 PM. If you have thoughts or ideas to share that would help the future of our school ministry, please email schoolcommittee@ilcsbatavia.org.
- If you wish to contact one of our Extended Care workers, Aliyah and Rachel, after 4 PM, please call the school at 630 406 0157 and then press # 29.
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Reminder about Remote Learning
Students may learn remotely if they are going to be out several days while waiting for COVID test results, quarantining as a positive case or a close contact, or if they are a sibling or child of a positive case or close contact. They may also learn remotely if their parents have made arrangements in advance to learn remotely for an extended period of time due to concerns about the risk of infection, if there are household members with health issues, or similar circumstances. Students will not be allowed to learn remotely for mental health days, half-day absences due to appointments, or if they are staying home because they are too ill to learn, or taking a trip. Teachers need at least a day’s notice prior to a student learning remotely.
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Traffic Safety Reminders
Please read carefully below and follow these policies to help keep our students and their families safe during drop-off and pick-up times.
Traffic Control
- Our posted speed limit is 10 miles per hour.
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We have several staff and volunteers assigned to traffic control to maintain safety and ensure the smooth traffic flow. Please pay attention to directions from team members who wear reflective vests.
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Car line spacing is now about six feet between vehicles due to winter weather. Please pay attention to the traffic controller with the orange parking batons for alignment and spacing guidance.
- When moving into the pickup line, follow the directions of the crossing guard as well as the controller with the parking batons at the end of the line.
- Please move up in the line, as directed by the controller, if your child/children is/are delayed in coming out the door.
Drivers
- Several areas of our parking lot are one-way. Drivers must observe the direction of the traffic flow.
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Drivers are not to use cell phones without hands-free operation while on campus. If you must conduct business from your vehicle while waiting in line, please do so with a hands-free Bluetooth device. If you are on a hands-free call, please ensure you can give your full attention to our traffic control team.
- For dismissal, please determine how you will pick up your child before entering the car line.
- Students must walk (not run) to their vehicle and should not walk between vehicles that are in the car line.
- Children should exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- If you have a young child who has difficulty opening car doors, please allow a traffic control team member to assist rather than getting out of your vehicle to do so.
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Preschool families that need to park for pickup should park in the middle section of the parking lot in front of the main school doors. Elementary and middle school families that need to park for pickup should park in the smaller lot at the top of the retention pond. Those who park are to follow the pedestrian guidelines below.
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Students are only allowed to enter cars that are aligned with one of the five numbered safety cones in the pick-up line in front of the school. For both student and driver safety, students may not walk beyond the corner of the building to enter a vehicle.
- There is no passing in the car line.
Pedestrians
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The crosswalk nearest the school entrance is the only access point from the parking lot. Please do not attempt to use any other crosswalk since the car line will block all other crosswalks.
- Please do not walk between vehicles.
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Please do not walk behind our crossing guard at the crosswalk until directed to do so. The guards monitor both vehicular and pedestrian traffic but don’t always have the ability to see in all directions, so please don’t assume they see you approaching from the parking lot. Please wait for their signal to proceed across the crosswalk.
Early Arrivals and Waiting Times Longer Than Five Minutes
- When weather and temperatures allow, please turn off your vehicle to reduce vehicle emissions and help the environment.
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Please abide by the NO CELL PHONE policy if serving as the driver. Other occupants of the vehicle may use their cell phones if not a distraction to the driver.
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Worship This Weekend
9:15 AM - Sunday Forum, Fellowship Hall and via Zoom at bit.ly/3bUhKaK
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Panera Restaurant Night
Mon., Jan. 18, 6 AM-9 PMPanera,1690 S. Randall Rd., Geneva
Immanuel's PTL will receive 20 percent of sales with this flyer! Ordering options include: Panera Curbside, Panera Delivery, Rapid Pick-Up, or Drive-Thru and take-out/dine-in when and where available.* Use code PRFund at check-out when ordering online. Restaurant hours and products selection subject to change and availability with local market conditions and government restrictions. *Available in select locations. Third party delivery orders excluded.
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Community Blood Drive
Mon., Jan. 25, 3:30-6:30 PM, Gym
Due to COVID-19, cancellations of blood drives have caused a critical shortage. Please consider donating at our next Community Blood Drive. Complete information and registration are available at immanuelbatavia.org/blood_drive.
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Summer 2021 Registration Open!
Walcamp is a year-round Christian ministry in Kingston, Illinois offering camp programs for youth, families, and groups. There is something for everyone: youth camps, day camps, weekend family camping, and programs for persons with special needs. Walcamp is a great place to experience fun camp activities, build new friendships, grow stronger in your faith, and enjoy God's glorious creation! For complete information visit walcamp.org.
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Piano and Voice Lessons With Ms. Politowicz
In addition to her duties as ILS music teacher and choir director, Grace Politowicz offers virtual voice and piano lessons. As an educator with a degree in Vocal Performance, Early Childhood Music Education certifications, and 14 years of piano study, she loves to help students to discover the joy of music. Please contact her at gpolitowicz@immanuelbatavia.org.
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Feed My Starving Children
Fri., Feb. , 9-11 AM, Fri., Nov. 20, 9-11 AM
We know how COVID is effecting us in the US; the impact for developing countries is tragic and the need for food is great! To sign up or learn more, email Linda Fass at fasslinda@yahoo.com.
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Northern Illinois Food Bank
Tue., Feb. 9, 6-8 PM
In January, 16 Immanuel members rolled up their sleeves and packed 4,557 pounds of food; which will provide for 3,790 meals for our hungry neighbors in Northern Illinois. Sign up to help by contacting Bill Pietsch at bdpeach@me.com.
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Worship Anew
Donations of $25 ensure this program runs on BATV for one week. Sign up calling the church office to support this community service.
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Amazon Smile
Make a difference when you shop! Shop for items at smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2683484 to generate donations for Immanuel Lutheran Church and double your gift giving! Thank you for supporting our ministries using AmazonSmile. Track your personal impact throughout the year at your My Impact page.
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Box Tops for Education
Our school recently received $79.80 in Box Tops funds for the period Mar.-Nov. 2020.
Here's how it works: buy Box Tops products, scan your receipt, and earn cash for our school! Visit BTFE.com/emailgroceryreceipts to learn how to earn box tops on your online grocery purchases. Thanks you!
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Immanuel Church and School Spirit Wear
Whether an Immanuel Eagles fan or a church member who would like to proudly wear our colors, there is something for everyone! Items are either screen printed or embroidered. The link to shop and order is stores.inksoft.com/ilbspirit/shop/home.
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Matching Gifts
Immanuel recently received a $923 check from the United Way of Metro Chicago. This unexpected gift was a pleasant surprise. I reminds us that many corporations participate in matching donations to churches and private/parochial schools. To learn more, please contact your company's financial office or Karen in Immanuel's financial office at finance@immanuelbatavia.org.
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Scholastic Books
Order reasonably priced books through Scholastic books online to earn free library and classroom books for Immanuel! Visit clubs.scholastic.com/home and be sure to use Immanuel's code: 2KI7W. Book orders are due online on the second Thursday of each month. Questions? Contact the school office at school@immanuelbatavia.org.
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ShopWithScrip
ShopWithScrip® allows families to support Immanuel while purchasing items such as gas, groceries, and clothing. Retailers offer a rebate percentage and 55 percent of it goes to ILCS and 45 percent is refunded to purchasers at the end of the school year. Details and sign-up instructions are available at shopwithscrip.com. Use Enrollment Code 96A591B555773.
ShopWithScrip Due Dates are Jan. 25; Feb. 8, 22; Mar. 8, 22; Apr. 12, 26; May 10, 17
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Supporting Safety
Safety protocols are also being put into place in church settings, including clear acrylic barriers on the pipe organ and piano in the balcony. If you are able and feel led to do so, please help offset these additional costs by clicking here.
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Immanuel School Committee |
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School Committee Provides Open Forum for Parents
These Forums are held on the second Monday of each month, 6:30-7 PM, prior to the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting. Reservations are required. Obtain a hard copy of the reservation form from the school office. An online version is available at https://bit.ly/3lkZiLW. Please send completed forms to schoolcommittee@ilcsbatavia.org.
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Immanuel School Committee Members
Chairperson Erin Riddell, or other members Sheryl Dauksha, Nicole Erickson, Larry Fass, Kendall Heetland, and Vickey Rachow.
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Sun., Jan. 17
8 AM - Worship, Gym
9:15 AM - Discovering Immanuel, Multi Purpose Room
10:30 AM - Worship, Gym
11:30 AM - Private Holy Communion
6:30 PM - High School Night at Immanuel, Youth Room
Mon., Jan. 18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School
6 AM-9 PM - Panera Restaurant Day
6:30 PM - GriefShare Online
6:30 PM - Belonging Study, Multi Purpose Room
Tue., Jan. 19
1 PM - Ministry Director Meeting, 254
7 PM - Student Ministry Leader Study, 254
7 PM - Youth Praise Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Wed., Jan. 20
8 AM - School Chapel
9 AM - Women’s Bible Study, Fellowship Hall
7 PM - Experiencing God, Multi Purpose Room
Thu., Jan. 21
6:30 PM - Thu. PM Bible Study [Acts], Fellowship Hall
7 PM - Forming, Multi Purpose Room
Fri., Jan. 22
6:30 PM - Fri. PM Bible Study [Big Questions], Fellowship Hall
Sat., Jan. 23
8 AM - Men’s Bible Study, Fellowship Hall
Sun., Jan. 24
8 AM - Worship, Gym
9:15 AM - Discovering Immanuel, Multi Purpose Room
10:30 AM - Worship, Gym
6:30 PM - High School Night at Immanuel, Youth Room
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Junior Golf Lessons at St. Andrew's, West Chicago - details here.
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Church 630 879 7163, 8-4 PM
School 630 406 0157, 8-4 PM
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