BULLDOG BULLETIN

Dear Sarah Adams Families,

We are four weeks into our school year, and I am proud to say it has been such a wonderful start! Did you know that each morning students take turns joining me in the morning announcements? Together, we say the pledge, share birthdays and reminders, reveal clues to Mystery Staff Members, and more.

Next week we are adding a new addition to our announcements... we will be recognizing students who have been nominated as Bulldog of the Week! Each week a student from every classroom will be nominated and celebrated for showing one of our commitments: being respectful, responsible, safe and/or kind. We know all of our students work hard daily to show their Bulldog Best, and this is another way to honor them! A new student will be selected per classroom every week; specials teachers and specialists can nominate students as well. Once selected, the Bulldog of the Week's name will be called over the intercom, they will be recognized in their classroom, and they receive a certificate. We are looking forward to celebrated each and every one of our students!

Please read below for upcoming events sponsored by our PTO, as well as additional information and reminders related to the school environment. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Fondly,

Dr. Colleen Conway

📌September 24-26: PTO Book Fair during the school day

📌 September 26: PTO Ice Cream Social 5-6:30

📌 October 1: Culver's Night!

📌 October 2: Evacuation Drill

Please keep in mind that elementary students should not be utilizing the texting or calling features of a smart watch during the school day. This has included parents texting their children during school hours. These devices fall under LZ School Board policy.

7:190 Student Behavior

Using or possessing an electronic paging device. Using a cellular telephone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment or violates the rights of others, including using the device to take photographs in locker rooms or bathrooms, cheat, or otherwise violate student conduct rules. Prohibited conduct specifically includes, without limitation, creating, sending, sharing, viewing, receiving, or possessing an indecent visual depiction of oneself or another person through the use of a computer, electronic communication device, or cellular phone. Unless otherwise banned under this policy or by the Building Principal, all electronic devices must be kept powered-off or silenced during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student's individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is used during the student's lunch period, or (d) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.

In case you missed it…We shared important attendance information at our curriculum night. In case you weren’t able to attend, the slide deck with this information is linked here. We appreciate your continued partnership as we work to maximize student attendance this school year!

As we prepare to start the school year, it is important that students and families establish regular routines to maximize student attendance to school. For younger learners, sometimes this means helping students feel more comfortable about a transition away from home and caregivers. Parents can find additional resources for students struggling with thinking about the transition back to school HERE.

Please note that for students who struggle to maintain regular attendance, parents/families will receive additional communication, conference requests, and other interventions to support regular school attendance - in accordance with state law. Parents/guardians can find more information regarding attendance in the Parent-Student Handbook.

Additionally, there will be more information shared at our Curriculum Night. There will also be a parent workshop offered in early September around supporting student attendance - stay tuned for more information!

In order to ensure a safe environment and that everyone knows what to do, should there ever be an emergency, we are asking all potential Sarah Adams volunteers to please preview the video below, before volunteering at the building. Thank you!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/156XU60dUMU4hwnfsgnV9szsrKMqUO_Hi/view?usp=sharing

We are excited to continue using the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) this school year to assess our efficacy with social-emotional instruction, as well as to identify any group or individual needs for students. Just as it is important to assess student skills in core academic areas, it is also important to regularly collect information regarding social-emotional competencies for our students.

During the week of 9/23/24 all classroom teachers will complete a brief screening tool for students in their classes - where they will report on the frequency they observe specific behaviors associated with key social-emotional skills. This will not disrupt your student’s schedule in any way, and your student will not be asked to complete anything as part of this process. For some students, based on the initial screening, teachers may be asked to complete an expanded measure with additional questions to determine unique individual needs.

Families will be notified once the screening and/or expanded profile is complete, and will receive results information. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have regarding the screening process or expanded measure. We look forward to gathering this information to further improve our practices in this area!

Attention LZ95 families! Do you know a Lake Zurich High School graduate who has made a significant mark in their career or through community service? We invite you to nominate them for the LZHS Distinguished Alumni Recognition award. This award celebrates alumni who graduated at least 10 years ago and have demonstrated excellence, integrity, and a commitment to service that reflects the values of our district. The selected honorees will be recognized at the Homecoming football game, and their photos will be added to the Distinguished Alumni Wall at LZHS. Let’s honor those who continue to make us proud by nominating deserving alumni today! https://forms.gle/xwtHLg41ru9ggZfM6

District families with children ages birth through five (5) are invited to join us for reading + craft sessions this school year; parents will learn about early literacy and fine motor development strategies, and children will get to engage in reading and craft activities during the sessions. Registration is required and space is limited, so sign up today!

For information in Spanish, please click the link HERE.

During this session, Jacqueline Rhew, LCPC, CADC, will lead an interactive discussion on interventions and strategies to promote active engagement in school and sports. Parents will learn methods to build their child’s confidence, enhance problem-solving skills, and foster a growth mindset. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting students who have struggled with anxiety, behavioral issues, or pain management concerns. These challenges can often impact engagement, academic and athletic potential, work completion, and the development of healthy relationships in school and sports environments.

Participants will receive a zoom link following registration, in advance of the session.