Earlier in the school year most of the parents who pick up their children after school were given a note card and a number to help expedite the pick up procedure.

Thank you very much to those who have used and continue to use their assigned car numbers!  It really helps!  We will do indoor dismissal when the weather is exceptionally cold, and it is especially helpful during these times.

If you don’t have a number for your car, please call the office (847/724-6800) and we will tell you your number or assign a new one.  Please write the number on a large piece of paper or cardboard and display it in the window so the teachers on dismissal duty can easily see the number.  Feel free to make as many of these cards as there are cars or people who pick up your children.
With everyone’s cooperation, we will make this a safe and efficient process!

Report Cards

Report Cards should hit the mail today and be arriving home shortly.  If you do not receive your child’s report card within the next few days, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Over the last week, I read every student’s report card and jotted an encouraging note to each child.  The K~ J~ is my signature, not to be confused for the teacher’s.  I am very impressed by the quality of learning and the effort your children put in!

Winter Weather

It looks as if the winter weather decided not to actually wait for winter!  Please click on the attached link for our guidelines regarding recess expectations and guidelines.
Winter Weather Letter

Thank you!

Just a few quick items before the long weekend!

BOOK FAIR

Don’t forget that the Avoca West Book Fair is coming the week after Thanksgiving!  The preview day for all classes will be on Tuesday, December 1st with sales beginning on December 2nd!

The book fair will be hosting children’s author Jenny Meyerhoff on the evening of Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30.  Come on out and hear her tell stories about writing children’s stories and perhaps even hear excerpts from her works.  She will gladly sign copies of her book 3rd Grade Baby for you.  Author visit flyer 2009

H1N1

If you have not yet turned in your consent or non-participation form, please do so on Monday, November 30 at the very latest!  We would like to receive a form for every Avoca student!

Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!

halloween 2009

Thank you to all of the parents who came to the Math Orientation Night last week!  The turnout was excellent!  I lost count of how many parents told me that they wish they had had this math program when they were in school!

I know that many of you were unable to attend, so the math committee put together a brief overview of what was covered.  Click on the link for highlights from Math Orientation Night.

The Halloween Tradition Continues at Avoca West!
The annual Halloween Costume Parade will take place at 1:15 p.m. Friday, October 30th.
All parents are invited to watch our parade.  It will be held outdoors, weather permitting – otherwise it will be indoors.

Parties start at 1:45 p.m. for grades 1st-5th.
Kindergarten parties start a bit earlier due to their schedule.  Please check with your child’s teacher for specifics!

A reminder should be given to all students for a safe and enjoyable Halloween celebration at school.  Please go over the following with your child for the day of Halloween:
•    Students should not bring toy weapons or dangerous props of any kind with their costumes.
•    Masks should not be worn on the bus in the morning or afternoon.
•    We ask that all make-up & hairspray be applied at home, as the washrooms simply cannot accommodate large numbers of students at one time attempting to apply them.
•    Students will have regular recess & physical education classes throughout the day, so we encourage that costumes not be worn to school.
•    All students will change into their costumes after lunchtime.
•    If you need to assist your child in getting his/her costume on, please let your child’s teacher know beforehand.
•    All students should remember to stay together and in line during the parade.

Please send a bag to school for your child’s treats.

Remember, as always, no judging of costumes is done; all are great!

Thank you!

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

We will have a half day of attendance for students on those two days, with kindergarten starting at their regular time and leaving at 11:15 a.m. and 1st-5th grade starting at their regular time and getting out at 11:45.

Parent/Teacher Conferences really set the tone for the entire school year and are filled with much information.  It is very important to make sure that you clear your calendar for these important meetings.

Unless your child has been specifically invited to the conference, this is a parent and teacher only event.  We ask that you do not bring your child(ren) to school during these activities.  Students should not be left unattended or unsupervised in the hallways during Parent/Teacher conferences.

Half day child care is available through Kid’s Hope United Day Care from 11:45-8:00 on both of those days.  Please contact them at 847/998-7477, if you are interested by Tuesday, October 20th. (Rate…$6.00 per hour)

Please note that Friday, October 23rd is a Teacher Institute Day.
There will be no student attendance on that day.  The staff will be receiving CPR and defibrillator training in the morning and working on grade level strategic planning in the afternoon.

Thank you!

AVOCA WEST BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT/ORIENTATION
Just a quick reminder that the Avoca West Back to School Night/Orientation will take place this Thursday, September 3, according to the following schedule:
K-1: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
2-3: 7:00-7:45 p.m.
4-5: 8:00-8:45 p.m.

This is an evening for the parents only. I strongly encourage you to arrange for babysitting, so you do not need to bring your child(ren).

If you must bring your child(ren), please download the forms below from Lutheran General Children’s Day Care-Kids Hope United, and plan to drop your children off in the Avoca West multi-purpose room upon your arrival. The cost for child care is $6 per hour per child.

orientation-night-child-care-09-101

orientation-night-child-care-profile1

Children should not be brought to the school and left unattended in the hallways or elsewhere during the presentations. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

SCHOOL HOURS
If you are dropping off your 1st-5th grade student(s), please drop him/her/them off between 8:00 and 8:15 a.m.

There is no supervision for children before 8:00 a.m. If you must drop your child off at school before 8:00 a.m., I strongly encourage you to take advantage of Lutheran General Children’s Day Care-Kids Hope United. They can be reached through the school office at (847) 724-6800.

Please note that the back door is supervised and open for student drop off between 8:00 and 8:25 a.m. At 8:25 a.m. the back door will be locked, so the supervisors can get to their next assignments. If you are dropping off your child after 8:25 a.m., you must use the main entrance.

The first bell for 1st-5th grade students rings at 8:15 a.m. Students are expected to be in class and ready to learn by 8:20 a.m.

1st-5th grade classes dismiss at 3:00 p.m. Students who do not take the bus must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. If you cannot get to Avoca West consistently to pick up your child by 3:15, again I strongly encourage you to take advantage of Lutheran General Children’s Day Care-Kids Hope United.

Kindergarten students may be dropped off in the morning according to the same procedures listed above, and they will be supervised until 8:50 a.m. when they will go to class.

The kindergarten parents who drive their children to school should drop them off along the north side of the building at 8:50 a.m. Kindergarten students are expected to be in class and ready to learn by 9:00 a.m.

Kindergarten dismissal occurs at 2:00 p.m. Again, parents who pick up their children at school may take advantage of parking along the north driveway; however, cars must be moved from the driveway by 2:30 p.m. at the latest to allow for a smooth traffic flow for the 3:00 p.m. dismissal.

Thank you!