WEEKLY UPDATE #37

Following community feedback, the Board of Education has approved a revised budget proposal for a revote on Tuesday, June 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the High School Gym. This updated plan reduces the tax levy increase to 1.50% by making $500,000 in cuts to unexpected expenses—completely preserving all classroom programs. To learn more, a Revised Budget Hearing will be held on Monday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the High School, and residents can use the new interactive calculator on the district website to view their exact school taxes.

Please note that if this revised proposal does not pass, state law mandates an automatic move to a contingent budget, forcing over $1.1 million in cuts. Because the district would be legally restricted to funding only "ordinary contingent expenses," these unavoidable reductions would unfortunately impact student-facing, non-classroom programs like field trips, modified sports, and student clubs. We encourage all families to stay informed, review the budget details on our website, and make your voice heard on June 16th!

Kaegebein was full of extra excitement this week as we welcomed our incoming second graders from Sidway for a special sneak peek tour! The visiting first graders rotated through our second-grade classrooms, getting a firsthand look at what makes Kaegebein such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Our soon-to-be second graders also got the chance to meet Mr. Howe and discover all the neat ways that Kaegebein and Sidway are similar. It was a fantastic, fun-filled experience for everyone involved, and we cannot wait to officially welcome these new smiling faces to our building in the fall!

Students in Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Chadwick’s classes completely wowed the audience this week with their spectacular performance of the special play, "Vikings Have Character"! Performing for their peers and families, the talented students belted out incredible songs and shared powerful lessons about the importance of good character, wrapping up the show with a high-energy "Go Vikings!" chant. It was a truly unforgettable performance by all.

This year's show was extra meaningful, as it marked the culminating play for Mrs. Chadwick, who will be retiring at the end of the school year. We have been incredibly lucky to witness her boundless creativity and dedication to our students throughout the years. Thank you for the memories, Mrs. Chadwick, and bravo to all of our amazing performers!

Students from the classes of Mrs. Pellittieri/Mrs. Parillo/Mrs. Kropczynski, Mrs. DeGiulio/Mrs. Surace, and Mrs. Kwiatkowski had an amazing hands-on science adventure at Eco Island this week! Our young botanists dove right into a fascinating flower dissection lesson, learning all about the different parts of a plant up close.

After their lesson, the students got to soak up the beautiful weather while exploring the lovely grounds and observing the natural flora all around them. It was a wonderful day of outdoor discovery and scientific exploration!

Students in Mrs. Kwiatkowski’s class wrapped up a very special project this week as they finished up their annual memory books! It was a heartwarming sight as the children looked back on all the laughter, growth, and incredible milestones they shared over the course of the school year.

The students absolutely loved reflecting on their favorite moments and are thrilled to have this beautiful keepsake to hold onto and look back on for years to come. It's the perfect way to celebrate a truly unforgettable year together!

The PTA is proud to support GIHS's very own Charlotte Hinrichs as she works toward reaching both her Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award status. Enjoy a night off while supporting an amazing cause! A Parent's Night Out is being hosted at Kaegebein Elementary on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. With the funds raised, Charlotte plans to build a brand-new Gaga Pit near our school playground! Click the image to complete the Google Form to participate.

Can't make it but still want to help? If you would love to contribute to Charlotte's playground project but cannot attend the event, you can scan or visit the Venmo link to make a direct donation here: Venmo.com/matt-hinrichs-3. Thank you for supporting our community and Charlotte's incredible leadership goals!

As we head into the final weeks of school, we want to let our families know that we will be conducting our final fire drill of the year next week. We always strive to maintain a safe, calm, and orderly drill environment to maximize student care and ensure everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency.

Our students have done a wonderful job practicing these safety routines all year long! If you have any questions about our safety protocols or general school safety, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Howe. Thank you for your continued support in keeping Kaegebein safe and secure!

Monday, June 8th - Revised Budget Hearing & BOE Meeting @ 7:00pm (GIHS)

Friday, June 12th - Parent's Night Out @ 5:30pm

Thursday, June 18th - Field Day

Friday, June 19th - NO SCHOOL - Juneteenth

Monday, June 22nd - 5th Grade Moving Up Day

Wednesday, June 24th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Dismissal @ 11:15am