The Weekly

Today we celebrated the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. We honored their sacrifices, their courage, and their commitment to protecting our freedom through our words, actions, and voices. I am so proud of your children for a job well done, and thank our students, staff, and community for honoring our veterans!

As we talk about honor and gratitude, I wanted to take a moment to thank YOU! Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for your support of our school, our students, and our staff. Your involvement is essential to our success, and we are so grateful for all that you do. From volunteering to attending school events, you play a vital role in our community. Your support helps to create a positive and enriching learning environment for ALL our students. I am particularly grateful for the way that you support your children's learning at home. You read to them, help them with their homework, and encourage them to be curious and explore. Your involvement at home makes a big difference in their academic success.

Thank you for being a part of our elementary school family. We are so lucky to have you!

With Gratitude,

Katie Johnson

Principal

Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our recent parent-teacher conferences. Your presence and active participation in your child's education are greatly appreciated. Our staff enjoyed the opportunity to discuss your child's progress, strengths, and areas for growth. Your support and collaboration are invaluable in creating a positive and successful learning environment for your child. We look forward to continuing our partnership throughout the school year. Thank you again for your commitment to your child's education.

As a reminder, the End of the Trimester is TODAY (Friday, 11/10). You may access your child's grades through the Parent Portal in PowerSchool.

"Grading" Clarification:

• E = consistently EXCEEDS expectations at this time in the year

  M = consistently shows MASTERY of expectations at this time in the school year

  S = skills are DEVELOPING

  B = skills are BEGINNING to develop

If you have any questions/concerns about your child's progress, please reach out to your child's teacher.

We have several items still in our Lost & Found. Any items remaining at the end of the school day Friday, November 17th will be donated.

Mr. Pitassi and I would like to offer an intramural basketball opportunity for your child. This will be for two weeks Monday through Friday, starting on December 4th through the 15th . Intramurals will take place before school from 6:55 AM until 7:35. If your child is interested you can just drop your student off as we will open the doors at 6:55. Students will need to be here no later than 7:05. During these sessions, we will have open shoot around, focus on different basketball skills, and have a few smaller competitions based on the number of students that show up. No need to sign up or anything, just show up bright and early! Any questions feel free to reach out to either myself or Mr. Pitassi. (bkukulski@ccsd66.org, ppitassi@ccsd66.org)

Thank you,

Mr. Kukulski & Mr. Pitassi

Mr. Pitassi and I would like to offer an intramural basketball opportunity for your child. This will be for two weeks Monday through Friday, starting on November 6th through the 17th. Intramurals will take place before school from 6:55 AM until 7:35. If your child is interested you can just drop your student off as we will open the doors at 6:55. Students will need to be here no later than 7:05. During these sessions, we will have open shoot around, focus on different basketball skills, and have a few smaller competitions based on the number of students that show up. No need to sign up or anything, just show up bright and early! Any questions feel free to reach out to either myself or Mr. Pitassi. (bkukulski@ccsd66.org, ppitassi@ccsd66.org)

Thank you,

Mr. Kukulski & Mr. Pitassi

We have two positions open at Elizabeth Ide Elementary School! Please share this information with anyone you know who may be interested. Interested candidates must submit an application online at: https://www.ccsd66.org/page/employment.

Hours

Approximately 2 hours per day on student attendance days/5 days a week during the school year approximately 10:40 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.

Description

Supervising students in a lunch setting
Assisting with opening and closing of lunchroom set-up
Sanitizing/Cleaning tables

Interested? Please email Katie Johnson, Principal

This is a full time equivalent position at Elizabeth Ide, starting January 8, 2024.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Education

A valid Illinois Professional Educator License; Early Childhood Education (Birth-3)

EL Endorsement preferred

Candidates should apply by 4pm on Friday, November 17th!

Interested? Please email Kim Liles, Director of Learning

Nominations for Gifted Identification will be open on Friday, November 10th and will close nominations on Friday December 1st

Nominations can be completed for students that are currently in 2nd through 7th grades. The link for the nomination form can be found at the bottom of this document.

All 2nd and 5th graders will be universally screened for our gifted identification process by taking the CogAT later this school year. Once those scores are complete and analyzed, there will be additional students who will be flagged for our nomination process.

According to the Institute for Education Advancement, “Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counseling in order for them to develop optimally.”

In Center Cass District 66, the term “giftedness” is defined as those students who perform, or show potential for performing, at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment. They will exhibit high performance capacity in core academic areas and demonstrate extraordinary leadership skills. Gifted students will score in the top 5% in core academic areas of their peer group or demonstrate potential to perform at higher levels.

Thinking your student might qualify for gifted programming at Center Cass, you can use this Characteristics of Giftedness Scale from the Gifted Development Center out of Colorado to help with your first steps.

If you believe your student is performing well above grade level, showing potential for performing at remarkably high levels when compared to others of their age, or demonstrating exceptional strengths or talents and you would like your child’s performance and achievement to be reviewed to determine eligibility for gifted education services, please complete the nomination form below. Parents, guardians, teachers, administrators or community members who believes your student’s information should be reviewed, please complete the nomination form below.

No action is needed if your student is already receiving gifted services.

For additional information on determining the difference between a bright/ high achieving child vs a child who is gifted, please feel free to navigate through this link: Bright Child or Gifted Learner? The list does not describe all the traits and attitudes of children who are gifted, as all children are diverse in their characteristics; however, it is a great reference of distinguishing characteristics. Also please feel free to visit our district website - Gifted Services.

Please click on the link below to access the Nomination Form.

Parent/Guardian and Teacher Nomination Form

If you have any questions regarding programming or the identification process, please contact your building principal or the Director of Learning.

Katie Johnson, Elizabeth Ide School, Principal

Jake Little , Prairieview School, Principal

Mark Orszula, Lakeview Jr. High, Principal

Kim Liles, Director of Learning

Are you famous for your cookies?

We are looking for donations of cookies/desserts, appetizers & beverages.

• If you are interested in signing up please sign up here: https://ide-2023-cookie-exchange-for-teachers-staff.cheddarup.com

• Please remember to check out even though you are NOT purchasing anything. Keep clicking until you reach a THANK YOU confirmation page. You should also receive a confirmation email.

If you are interested in signing up please use the link below. We have included the Teachers Shopping Times in the sign up. Please remember to check out- even though you are NOT purchasing anything. Keep clicking until you reach a THANK YOU confirmation page. You should also receive a confirmation email.

CCSD66 has replaced our old helpdesk system, SchoolDude, and want to make sure you're aware of how to get tech support! Please use the updated link below if you need support from our CCSD66 Technology Department.

If you submitted a ticket in SchoolDude and have not received a response, please submit it again using the new system. We want to make sure nothing is dropped. Have a great day!