Tioga Family Bulletin

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STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is a new class that all K-5 students will take as a specials rotation. Please click on the picture to the right for a letter from Mrs. Hodgetts.

Two way communication between home and school has been shown to increase student learning and connection to school. At Tioga, SeeSaw is used by all teachers (Pre-K through 5th grade) as the primary communication app. Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher if you are not connected to SeeSaw so that they can send you the classroom code.

In addition to SeeSaw, this school newsletter will be sent to Tioga families on the first Friday of each month. The goal of the monthly newsletter is to streamline communication so that it is more predictable and focused for families.

All students were eligible last year for free meals under a federal COVID response program.

This year, free or reduced-price meals will be available ONLY to qualifying students, the same as before COVID. Free or reduced lunch applications are due by September 30th and can be submitted to the Tioga main office.

This means the District will begin charging again for meals on the first day of the school year. Full-price student breakfasts will cost $1.75, and lunches will cost $3.30. (Reduced-price meals will cost 30 cents and 40 cents, respectively.)

Parents will receive letters explaining who is eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Families that qualified prior to COVID will have 30 days to submit applications for the program. Those who did not qualify prior to COVID will be asked to pay until their application is reviewed and approved.

However, no student will go without a meal due to an inability to pay.

Attendance is one of the most important indicators of student success. Students that are in a routine to come to school on time each day are more ready to learn. Interrupted learning often leads to gaps in basic skills that make it harder for students to catch up as they get older. Attached is a resource that families may find useful.

Thank you to all of the families that have helped to maintain a safe and orderly student arrival and pick-up.

As reminders, families can further assist in creating a safe arrival by ensuring that:

• Students exit their vehicle through the curbside door
• Parents and students respect the directions of Tioga Crossing Guards
• Families respect Village of Bensenville parking signs when parking on nearby streets and the property of Tioga's neighbors
• Dropping students off on Memorial Road is not permitted due to student safety issues

Please contact the Tioga office with any questions about student arrival or dismissal.

At BSD2, we understand that many students have and use personal cell phones on a regular basis. Once students enter the school building cell phones should be powered off and put away for the entirety of the school day until students leave the building.

To read more about phone usage, visit page 37 of the Student Handbook. In addition to reminding students of our policy at school, we ask that you please discuss and reinforce these expectations with your child(ren).

All K-5 students will begin bringing home Chromebooks on a daily basis beginning Tuesday, September 6. This will allow students to use their devices to continue learning at home and have them readily available if remote learning or an e-Learning day is needed.

Families should review the Chromebook took-home information linked below.

• Chromebook Take Home Policy (English)
• Chromebook Take Home Policy (Spanish)

BSD2 will continue to utilize SHIELD testing this school year. At Tioga, SHIELD testing will take place weekly on Mondays. If there is no school on a Monday, it will take place on the Tuesday. If you would like to opt in your child, please fill out the Consent Form for Minors. The first day for SHIELD testing this year will be Tuesday, September 6.

As a District, our vision is to be an exemplary school system that empowers individuals to engage, grow and succeed. Our Mission is to ignite a lifelong desire to learn and succeed in an ever-changing world.

The motto "Learning and Growing Together" has been created to bring our vision and mission to life. As we begin living this motto at Tioga, students will develop a growth mindset and engage in goal setting activities throughout the year. On September 9th, the Tioga school community will be celebrating the motto with classroom read alouds and art activities.

Picture day is fast approaching and order forms went home with students earlier this week. All classrooms will take their picture during the school day. Please reach out to your child's classroom teacher or the Tioga office with questions about picture day.

Tioga is a wonderful place to work with students and give back to the school community.

There are immediate vacancies available for lunch/recess supervisor, classroom paraprofessional and substitute teaching positions. Please use the link below to access these job postings and apply.

http://www.generalasp.com/bsd2/onlineapp/default.aspx

Please mark your calendars for these important events:

• Monday, September 5: No School - Labor Day
  
• Wednesday, September 14: Picture Day for grades K-5
• Wednesday, September 14: BSD2 Job Fair from 5:00-7:00 PM
• Friday, September 16: No School - Teacher Institute Day
  
• Monday, October 10: No School - Columbus Day
• Wednesday, October 12: International Night from 6:30-8:00 PM
• Thursday, October 20: No School - Professional Learning Day
• Friday, October 21: No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
  
• Monday, October 31: Trunk or Treat from 3:00-5:00 PM in Downtown Bensenville
  

Check out our September Spirit Day themes:

• Friday, September 2: Hat Day
• Friday, September 9: Sneaker Day
  
• Wednesday, September 14: Dress to Impress/Picture Day
  
• Thursday, September 15: Pajama Day
  
• Friday, September 23: Crazy Sock Day
• Friday, September 30: Tioga Spirit Day
  

Mr. Kersten - Principal

jkersten@bsd2.org

Ms. Soike - Assistant Principal

asoike@bsd2.org

Email: ckramer@bsd2.org
Website: https://www.bsd2.org/Tioga
Phone: (630) 766-2602