Rondout School

847-362-2021

The Falcon Flyer - Website Edition

September 23, 2022

Greetings Rondout Families, Faculty and Friends,

Today our students enjoyed a beautiful learning experience in the Rondout Woods where the Nature Preserve project is now finally completed. Our K-8 students enjoyed getting a sneak peek at the Nature Preserve including the most recently completed wetland boardwalk. They participated in a day filled with outdoor learning. Rondout teachers along with environmental educators from the Lake County Forest Preserve District led our students through a variety of hands on activities focused on the green spaces on our grounds including the Nature Preserve.

Our official ribbon cutting ceremony opening the Nature Preserve including the wetlands will be held at 9 a.m. on October 12^th. Parents are welcome to attend this brief ceremony recognizing some of our key partners who brought this labor of love of nature to fruition. The project began more than a decade ago on a Saturday morning in October when a small group of “nature explorers” ventured into the woody area near the railroad tracks which mark the southern border of our property. The current athletic field had been home to an old bus barn and a trailer which had been removed so the 2009-2010 addition could be built. The unexplored woods called to us to see what treasures lay within.

We found evidence of previous residents including a woodland area and a wetland area with no path to travel. That Saturday morning marked the beginning of the long journey to carve the Preserve out of the existing space. Removing buckthorn, delineating paths, gathering seeds and planting native shrubs began the creation of an outdoor learning space that would provide our students with a living laboratory to explore the wonders of nature. The Preserve would deepen the understanding of habitats and make hands-on minds-on learning come alive.

There were many steps along the way and strong partners who helped bring ideas to life. At last the Rondout Woods Nature Preserve is open and ready for our students. It was an amazing day and we cannot wait to incorporate the valuable learning activities that the Nature Preserve areas have to offer.

We hope to see you at the “Grand Opening” on October 12^th. In addition, we will be providing tours during our Open House on October 20^th starting at 6 p.m. which will be prior to the indoor open house activities which begin at 6:30 p.m. Tours will take place between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. weather permitting and the fire pit will be open serving up S’mores and refreshments at the Founder’s Circle for our attendees.

Engaging with Nature can have a powerful impact on our well-being physically and mentally. Scientific studies have shown the positive effects spending time in Nature has on our overall wellness not to mention the wonderful authentic learning that our Preserve supports.

We look forward to the joyful changes each season will bring to our Nature Preserve and to the relevant and meaningful learning that it will bring along with the added benefits to everyone’s physical and mental well-being. It is an educational dream come true. Thanks to all who have been supporters of this amazing project.

Sending warmest new year wishes to all our families who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah this weekend. L'Shana Tovah...

Have a wonderful weekend...Take care…Be safe...Until next time…

Dr. Jenny Wojcik

Superintendent

An Important Note

From Ms. Davis

Dear Parents,

We are excited to usher the season of fall, and beautiful temperatures and sunny skies that come with the season. This week, our Rondout Falcons continued to learn, explore and create. Friday, all grade levels spent time outdoors celebrating the opening of our newly restored wetlands. Experts from the Lake County Forest Preserve gave presentations on the plants and animals unique to this habitat. Students were able to observe crayfish, water bugs, cattail plants and began to explore the ever changing nature of the Rondout grounds. Students also had the opportunity to create art in nature, using inspiration from artist Andy Goldsworthy to make nature sculptures. Be sure to take a look at the amazing results in the pictures below.

This week our Rondout Wind Ensemble also had the opportunity to participate in marching with the Libertyville High School Marching Wildcats. Students from all the feeder schools came together to make music and enjoy the crisp fall evening.

Looking ahead to next week, students will be traveling to Cook Library to learn about the wonderful resources offered at our public library.

Thank you all for your continued partnership and support,

Elizabeth Davis

Principal

Rondout Athletics

for

Grades 5-8

This year, Rondout Athletics will focus on providing new opportunities to build student leaders and promote the tenets of sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork. Rondout will be offering a variety of sports related events, exhibitions, meets, and two full athletic seasons, united with a theme of building student athletes and leaders.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in events for soccer, cross country, basketball, volleyball, golf and track and field. These sports offer opportunities for team play, setting individual goals and broadening the athletic experiences of our Rondout athletes. Basketball (boys and girls) and track and field(co-ed) will each be run for full seasons.

In this packet you will find additional information about the experiences available this year along with dates, and important health forms to allow for students participation. In addition, Rondout will seek to provide experiences that will help our students grow on and off the field. These may include motivational presentations and speakers. This new and exciting program supports the whole child. It allows students to explore a variety of sports while addressing the development of athletic skills and building students' capacity to be part of a team as well as preparing for the challenges of navigating through competitive environments.

We are excited to offer this new athletics format to students which will allow us to maximize student experiences and work through the challenges that small schools athletic programs face. We look forward to a wonderful year of growth, development and enjoyment.

Click here to view/print Rondout Athletics Patcket

Click here to complete the permission forms online

News From Libertyville High School

Important Updates & Reminders for Home Football Games @ LHS

We’ve had a wonderful start to our football season and our Friday night home games have been setting regular season attendance records with approximately 4,000 LHS students, parents, family members, community members, and younger elementary school students all gathering in the LHS stadium to cheer on our Wildcats football, cheer & poms teams, and marching band.

LHS is excited to host such large numbers of fans and we take seriously our need to ensure that our home football games continue to be a positive, safe, and enjoyable experience for all members of our school community.

In that spirit, our LHS Athletic Department and school administration would like to remind our guests of these important guidelines and rules for all home football games.

Kickoff is at 7 pm and the stadium opens at 6:00pm
Tickets are available for purchase online at gofan.com as well as at the gate. When tickets are sold out, admittance to the game will not be allowed for anyone without a ticket.

Students and adults who leave the stadium during the game are not allowed re-entry.
Students are not allowed to bring bags or backpacks into the stadium.
For safety reasons, all bags (including purses) being brought into the stadium will be checked by members of the LHS campus safety team.
To prevent alcohol consumption during football games, no outside food or beverages will be allowed into the stadium.
All middle and elementary school students wishing to attend the games must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children attempting to enter the stadium without a parent or guardian will not be allowed admittance.
To allow for buses and emergency vehicles to access our campus, guests must park only in designated parking spots and areas. Cars parked illegally on campus will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Updated Calendar Highlights 2022-2023

Updated Commitment to Excellence 22-23

Student Handbook Receipt 22-23

Shield Testing Program

The Shield voluntary COVID testing program is returning this year for all students and staff. Please feel free to reach out with any specific questions you may have at this time. The school-wide Shield saliva testing will take place once a week and tentatively will be done on Tuesday mornings. The permission form (available by clicking the link below) outlines the various ways your child may access COVID testing here at Rondout. Testing Start Date will be announced.

Click here to complete the Shield testing permission form - 1 per student

Attention 8th Graders:

PSAT prep sessions will be offered during recess in

Mrs. Van Donselaar’s room.

Thursday-September 29

Tuesday-October 4

Thursday-October 6

Tuesday-October 11

Notes from Mrs. Jacob

Next week is our field trip to Cook Memorial Public Library. During the last 20 minutes of our visit, parents are welcome to join us as students check out materials. Parents can then stay and learn from Ms. VanGoethem about resources and opportunities at the library.

Interested in volunteering in the library? Volunteer your time reshelving, checking in books, assisting with book processing, etc. Contact Mrs. Jacob at robin.jacob@rondoutsd72.org to attend a library volunteer orientation meeting.

Orientation meetings are currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th from 10:15 – 11:00am and Friday, October 7th from 1:45-2:4-30 pm. You only need to attend once.