The Principal's Pawprint
News You Can Use, Straight From the Fox Den!
Dear Isaac Fox Families,
Last week was World Kindness Day, and our schoolwide celebration couldn’t have been timed more perfectly. It was wonderful to see so many smiles from students, parents, and staff as we highlighted one of our core expectations here at Isaac Fox—Being Kind. Thank you for being part of a community that lifts one another up.
A heartfelt thank you as well to all who attended the first day of Parent-Teacher Conferences. This time with your child’s teacher is invaluable. These partnerships not only strengthen our school community but also support our teachers in personalizing learning for every student. It truly takes a village—and we are grateful to be yours.
As we move into the next few weeks, please note that there will be several schedule changes due to conferences and the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Be sure to review the important dates listed below so your family can plan accordingly.
Finally, a reminder that the weather is changing quickly! Students should come to school dressed for outdoor recess, which continues as long as the wind chill is above 13 degrees. Coats, gloves, and hats are essential, and when snow arrives, boots and snowpants will be required for students who wish to play in it.
Thank you for your partnership and for helping make Isaac Fox such a warm and welcoming place for our students to learn and grow.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kelly Olivero
Principal, Isaac Fox Elementary
Evelyn Shoemaker Serves Principal for a Day!
Last Friday, 5th grader Evelyn Shoemaker stepped into the role of Principal for a Day! Evelyn earned this exciting opportunity through our One and Done Fundraiser lottery at the start of the year—and she embraced every moment.
Her day began in “her” office, where we reviewed the agenda together (after a warm cup of hot chocolate to kick things off!). From handing out Positive Paws, reading a story to her former kindergarten class, assisting with arrival and lunch duties, and even co-leading our Kindness Rock assembly, Evelyn proved to be a natural leader.
It was a full and fantastic day, and we are so proud of the confidence and joy she brought to her role as Principal!
Kindergartener Renat Omorbek Leads His Class in Math Warm-Up!
Each day in Ms. Lyon’s class, kindergarten students help lead their math brain warm-ups—and their enthusiasm is impressive! Their routine includes reciting the months of the year and days of the week, counting on by 1s, then by 5s and 10s, making groups of ten as they track the number of school days together, writing the date on the calendar, and so much more. Here, Renat Omorbek guides his class through the routine and finishes it off by writing the number day on the class calendar. Thank you for your wonderful work, Renat!
The students were fully engaged and growing as mathematicians. It was hard to believe it’s only November with the skills they’re already showing! First grade, watch out—these learners will be more than ready!
Ms. Buttitta's 3rd Graders Hard at Work!
Ms. Buttitta’s third graders have been putting tremendous effort into strengthening their text-based responses using the RACE strategy—Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite text evidence, and Explain their thinking. While students are learning and practicing all parts of the strategy, the current focus is on the explain step: helping students clearly articulate their thinking and describe why the evidence they selected best supports their answer.
This week, students worked diligently to type and publish their final drafts, showcasing both their growth as writers and their ability to use evidence with purpose. Their hard work and perseverance are admirable!
- Monday, November 17th: Sticky Fingers & Chess Scholars after school
- Monday, November 17th: MSS Preview of Charlie Brown Musical
- Tuesday,November 18th: 4th grade Orchestra (@IF) & Band Rehearsals (@ MW) before school
- Tuesday, November 18th: Sticky Fingers after school
- Wednesday, November 19th: Young Rembrants, Amigos Club, & Announcments Club after school
- Thursday, November 20th: 5th grade Orchestra before school
- Thursday, November 20th: Day 2 - Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30 (in-person)
- Friday, November 21st: Chorus before school
- Friday, November 21st: Early Release - Dismissal @ 12:50
- Friday, November 21st: Day 3 - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:15-3:10 (virtual only)
- Monday, November 24th: Chess Scholars after school
- Tuesday, November 25th: 4th grade Orchestra (@IF) & Band Rehearsals (@ MW) before school
- Wednesday, November 26th: NO SCHOOL
- Thursday, November 27th: Happy Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL
- Friday, November 28th: NO SCHOOL
Please stop by the lost and found area and claim your student's items! Our bin starts to overflow this time of year. Items that are not claimed by winter break will be donated. Don't forget to stop by!
If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact the school office. This includes times such as lunch and recess. Our office staff will make sure your message is delivered or will connect you with your child if it’s necessary in the moment.
We also remind students that if they need to reach you, they should always ask an adult in the building for assistance. Please take a moment to talk with your child about what to do if they need to contact you during the school day and model appropriate communication practices.
By following this process, students can stay focused on learning, and our staff can best support them if a need arises. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership!
Parent Student Handbook: 6.80 Student Use of Electronic Devices
Parent Communication Guidelines
School staff work diligently to create environments that foster learning with minimal distractions. A personal electronic device (i.e., cell phone, smart watch) can be a distraction for a student during the school day. District 95 seeks to partner with parents/guardians so that we can minimize distractions during class time. To this end, parents are discouraged from communicating to their student's personal electronic device during school hours – apart from exceptional/emergency situations.
No Left Turn During Drop Off TIme
There have been an increase in the number of cars that have been avoiding the car drop off line and turning left to drop off directly in front of the main entrance. It is vital that our bus line remains open during this time. As you enter through the front entrance off Cuba Rd., please turn right and follow the drop off line. Our supervisors ensure that the line moves with efficiecy and also remains safe. Your cooperation is appreciated!
Safety Reminders
When dropping off or picking up your student in the car lane near MSS, it is important that you remain in your car at all times. Students need to be exiting the vehicle on the side nearest the sidewalk and schools. If students need help unbuckling, buckling, gathering and carrying items, then it is best to park in a spot in front of MSS or alternatively use the back lot near the soccer field and walk your child into school. Following this procedure helps maintain safety and efficiency as we get our students from home to school and back again each day. Thank you for your cooperation!
Thank you for your cooperation!
Our new Raptor system is now installed and available in our vesituble for visitor check in and check out. You will need to bring your license or ID in with you each time you enter the school for use with the new system. Please have patience while all visitors learn how to use this new system! The office staff is available to help if needed. Thank you for doing your part to help keep our school and safe and inviting environment for all!
Pick up Time and Change in Transportation Method
We strongly discourage students from being dismissed between 2:30-2:50 pm due to the dismissal lines and buses at that time. If you need to pick your child up early, please arrange for a time prior to 2:30pm.
Understand that no changes in student transportation will be made without a written or verbal request from a parent or guardian.
Once we have established your designated travel, you must notify your child’s teacher and the office in writing or via phone call each time a change is made from that routine. If a change in transportation is necessary please adhere to the following guidelines: Notify the office of the dismissal change via note or phone call prior to 2pm.
If you'd like to volunteer this year at any time as Isaac Fox you must do the following:
- Complete a volunteer form and return a paper copy with signature to the front office.
- Watch the volunteer video.
- Complete this form that serves as your verification that you've complete steps 1 & 2.
- Look for opportunities throughout the year to volunteer at Isaac Fox and sign up!
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides FREE books to Lake County residents (ages birth to 5).
All Lake County families can now enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF). This cherished program delivers free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, regardless of income.
We’re updating our school phone system to make it easier to reach the right office or person quickly. When you call, an attendant will guide you to the right location, and the voicemail will include important safety information.
This includes Safe2Help, a confidential way for students, staff, and families to report safety concerns or someone in crisis. It’s important not to leave this information on voicemail because immediate attention may be needed. Safe2Help ensures your concern is received and acted on promptly.
Together, we can keep our school community safe and supported.
🌐 Safe2HelpIL.com | 📞 844-472-3345 | 📱 Text SAFE2 | ✉️ help@safe2helpil.com
In an effort to always be prepared to deliver timely/emergency communications, the district contracts with two mass communication vendors - our primary vendor, Blackboard, and a secondary vendor, School Messenger (to be used in the event of an outage with our primary system). These tools enable us to contact you via email, voice mail, and SMS (text message), including during a crisis.
School Messenger requires that all recipients opt-in to receive text messages. Please take a moment to opt-in from your device for text messages so that we are able to reach you when important or emergency information arises if we need to use the School Messenger system.
Opting in is quick and easy - just text “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.
