GRES News 2.4.22

February 4, 2022

Good evening GRES families,

This week provided us a wonderful opportunity with the snow day on Wednesday. I hope everyone made it outside either to help shovel, build a snowman, or at least frolic in the snow!

Grades went live in the Home Access Center this past Monday at 5:00pm. Hopefully all families have been able to view their child(ren)'s progress and do some goal setting for third quarter. Instructions for HAC are linked in previous newsletters which you can locate on the GRES website.

5Essentials Parent Survey Reminder:

Last Sunday, the district sent out information on how to complete the 5Essentials Survey. As a parent, you now have an opportunity to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school called the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The 10 minute survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.

The Parent Survey Supplement is now open and will close on March 11, 2022. We need at least 20% of our D115 parents to participate so please complete the survey today!

To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Brent Edwards at jbedwards@y115.org. Thank you so much for your participation and helping to provide key insights for improvement at your child’s school. Please find more information at Yorkville 5Essentials Parent Survey

5Essentials Student Survey Information:

We will be administering the 5Essentials Survey to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students during ILT from 2/10-2/15. Any parent wishing to opt out their child(ren) needs to communicate prior to the classes' scheduled ILT class.

Regarding Valentine's Day celebrations: Students may bring in valentines as long as they are non-food. They are required to be quarantined for 48 hours prior to handing them out (the same guidelines as any birthday items and from last year). Taking items that have been handled/touched in students' homes and directly placing them in other students homes...is not a covid mitigating strategy. Any student who wishes to 'hand/pass out' Valentine's must bring them to school in a bag no later than next Friday (2/11/21).

Please know our mitigating efforts are still in place and our custodial team is working hard. Teachers and staff are doing their best to keep students 3 feet or more apart and reminding children to wear their mask appropriately. See the Nurse's Notes below for a status on the update to exclusion guidance.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Michele Breyne

GRES Principal

PTO

February first is the start of the Kane County Cougars Reading Program. Eligible participants will get free game tickets to a Cougars game, a drawstring bag, a hot dog, and a drink at the game! These participants need to log 200 minutes every two weeks. Submit a signed verification form every two weeks until March 29th. If you have any questions, contact Sandy Ramirez sramirezcvt@gmail.com or call 630-962-7483. The forms have been sent home with the students.

It's hard to believe that it's time to start planning for the 6th grade Send-Off and Teacher Appreciation Week...where did the year go? Teacher appreciation week is celebrated May 2-May 6. The sixth grade Send-Off is closer to the last day of school. If you are interested in helping plan the 6th grade Send-Off, we are looking for volunteers! How awesome would it be that you can play a role in your child(ren)'s life , or their teacher, so that they always have this to remember!?!? If you are interested, please contact Sandy Ramirez at sramirezcvt@gmail.com or call/text 630-962-7483.

Arrival & Dismissal

If you are a car driver and pick your child(ren) up at the front of the building, you may pull out and around other waiting cars if your child(ren) have loaded.

SHOUT OUTS!!!

"Mrs. Gutzwiler is ALWAYS quick, kind, and thorough in answering my "first year in this new position" type questions! Though not actually assigned as a "first year teacher mentor," she is willing to meet weekly, if I need, and discuss any questions I may have. Even on weekends, she will read a school related text from me and answer minutes later! I think I will have to add Lifesaver candy rolls, to my grocery list, because she has been that lifesaver at times and deserves a TRUCKLOAD! ;-)"

"SHOUT OUT to the sixth grade team and Mrs. Mahendra for arranging the Zoom to India to learn about the culture and Diwali! My kid loved it and talked about it all night! Such an awesome experience!"

"KIND! That word pretty much sums up this teacher entirely. This is National Kind Day and I wanted to give a shout-out to someone I have felt so welcomed by. As a newer staff member, she has been nothing but warm, welcoming, and helpful! She has such a kind demeanor and is always willing to offer any information needed, without judgment. She never walks above, but always walks along side the GRES teams. Mrs. Munch is so very nice to talk to about anything at anytime. She cares a great deal about her students and staff members. I am thankful to be working along side such a pillar."

"Nurse Rachel, thank you so much for helping our daughter when she had to visit the nurse's office for feminine issues. She feels very comfortable to go there and it makes me feel at ease that she has a support person to go to. Your hard work does not go unnoticed!"

"Mr. Scott is awesome! He is always friendly and willing to help however he is needed. He has jumped in to help dismissal run smoothly and has been an essential caboose to the afternoon kindergarten dismissal train helping to ensure all students make it from point A to point B. His support is so very appreciated!"

Do you have someone you'd like to recognize or thank? Someone who has gone out of the way for you or your child(ren)? Submit a shout out by completing the Staff Shout Outs or you can email it to mbreyne@y115.org or scountryman@y115.org.

Thank you for helping spread joy! We are looking forward to sharing your responses!