Dear Eisenhower Families,
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming Kindergarten and First Grade Math & Science Nights. Prior to our Kindergarten Math & Science Night on Wednesday, January 26th, I will be hosting a Community Coffee in the Eisenhower Gym at 4:30 PM to review upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities for our Families. Our Kindergarten Math & Science Night will immediately follow the Community Coffee. Our First Grade Math & Science Night will be on Thursday, January 27th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. There will be activity stations set up throughout the building. Copies of the flyers that were sent home are linked below.
Whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow tomorrow will have no bearing on the duration of winter. However, Groundhog Day serves a purpose. It reminds us that behavior can be formed and shaped in a variety of ways. A groundhog might be afraid of his shadow and retreat into his hole or he might just be responding to a series of instinctual and environmental factors that shape his behavior. The same is true for us.
An environment that encourages, promotes, and sustains a love of learning can alter how we see ourselves and approach life. Building consistency in our lifestyles, routines, and schedules is fundamental in nurturing or hampering our personal growth. A healthy growth mindset is premised upon our outlook and personal belief that we can improve ourselves.
What if Punxsutawney Phil was trained to stay outside when he saw his shadow?
What could we accomplish with our lives and the lives of our children?
What goals have we set?
What choices can we make on a daily basis that would be for their benefit?
What steps do we take to see those goals to their fruition?
If you have never seen the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, it is based upon the belief that a person can change their life through goal setting and consistent practice. By the end of the movie, Bill Murray’s character has relived the same day over and over again. However, he used that time to improve himself and change his perspective about life. He learned how to play the piano, speak French, ice sculpt, perform medical procedures, and, above all, love and help others obtain their goals.
We hope you have a wonderful Groundhog Day,
Also, there will be winter days where the weather will be conducive to going outside for recess. We just want to remind you to please send your child with winter boots, hat, gloves/mittens, scarf, and snow pants.
Your Eisenhower Family
We are asking parents to share their child's vaccination card directly with the school nurse so that we can begin to track vaccination status and continue to limit the number of exclusions.
Copies of vaccination cards can be emailed directly to the school nurse or sent to school with your student.
A photocopy or PDF of your child's vaccination card may be sent to:
Luke Lambatos, Ed.D., Ed.S.
Principal
Please remember, if you have any
questions or concerns, do not
hesitate to contact me at
(847) 870-5040 or
As we move into the colder months, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. Elementary students have outdoor recess whenever possible. Students perform better when they get outdoors, even if only for a few minutes. We follow the recess guidelines below:
- Outdoor Recess: 10 degrees F and higher (including wind chill)
- Inside Recess: below 10 degrees F (including wind chill)
When the weather turns snowy, students must have boots, gloves and snow pants to play in the snow. Those who don’t must stay on the blacktop area. Parents should assist children in preparing and wearing appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
Second Step SEL Program
In our bi-monthly newsletter, you'll see summaries and activities for the upcoming weeks' lessons in kindergarten and first grade. The activities below will allow you to reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. If you have any questions about Second Step Elementary, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community.
Kindergarten
Lesson 19: Taking Turns and Sharing
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will practice solving problems by offering to share and take turns.
Try This at Home
Encourage your child to offer to share and take turns with items at home.
Lesson 20: We Can Solve Problems
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they have learned about solving problems. They’ll suggest ways to solve problems in different scenarios and draw a picture of themselves using a problem-solving strategy.
Try This at Home
If problems or disagreements arise at home, for example, between siblings, ask your child to suggest a way to help solve the problem.
First Grade
Lesson 19: We Can Make It Better
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn and practice ways to make amends to start to solve a problem.
Try This at Home
If disagreements or hurt feelings occur at home between siblings or family members, help your child think of a way to make amends, help others feel good, and start to solve the problem.
Imagine Neighborhood
Lesson 20: Solving Problems
Summary
In this week’s lesson, your child will show what they’ve learned about solving problems and suggest ways characters in a comic can apologize, ask for what they need to solve the problem, and make amends.
Try This at Home
Help your child practice their problem-solving skills at home. Reinforce the importance of apologizing, asking for what they want or need, and finding a way to make amends when they encounter a problem.
Imagine Neighborhood
Listen with your child to the Imagine Neighborhood podcast, Season 1, Episode 14: Tantrumus Maximus!
Also, please like us on our Facebook page @PHSD23.
Also, if you haven't done so already, please sign up and follow us on Twitter @D23Eisenhower.
The link below will show you how to create your own Twitter account.
Inspiration + Dedication = Growth
