The Weekly: August 23

A well-structured schedule is essential for maximizing instructional time and enhancing the overall student experience, and I'm excited to share the results of our efforts to improve our school's master schedule.

Last year, we identified our master schedule as an area that needed attention. Through careful analysis and staff feedback, we uncovered challenges such as inconsistent planning times, fragmented core subject blocks, and heavy lunchroom supervision demands.

To address some of these issues, we implemented a new approach called Encore Blocks. This innovative schedule involves a 5-day cycle instead of the traditional Monday-to-Friday format. During Encore Blocks, students enjoy a variety of activities, including physical education, art/music, library resource center (LRC), and recess.

You can access the detailed Encore Block Schedule HERE. The first tab outlines the 5-day cycle, with each day represented by a color (Day 1: Red, Day 2: Yellow, Day 3: Green, Day 4: Blue, Day 5: Purple). The subsequent tabs provide specific homeroom schedules for each Encore Block day.

In addition to the Encore Blocks, each grade level has a dedicated grade level recess where all students can enjoy the three zones on our playground: Zone 1: Playground, Zone 2: Soccer Fields, and Zone 3: Blacktop. These zones allow us to ensure the safety and well-being of all students during recess, by dedicating one staff member to each zone for supervision.

We are excited about some of the adjustments we have made to maximize instructional time and enhancing the overall student experience. If you have specific questions about your child's individual schedule, please don't hesitate to contact their teacher.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible learning environment for our students.

Respectfully,

Katie Johnson

Principal

All students photographed will receive a COMPLIMENTARY class composite picture. Additional composites are offered for purchase in packages marked with an “A”.

Page 30 of the Center Cass 66 Student Handbook

SIP days are dedicated days throughout the school year that are specifically designed to enhance our school's overall effectiveness. During these days, teachers, staff, and administrators engage in professional development activities, collaborate on curriculum improvements, and work together to address identified areas for growth.

The goal of SIP days is to:

• Improve teaching and learning: By providing teachers with opportunities to learn new strategies and refine their skills.
• Enhance curriculum: By ensuring that our curriculum is aligned with current standards and meets the needs of all students.
• Strengthen school culture: By fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for both students and staff.

While SIP days result in shortened school days for our students, we believe that the long-term benefits to your child's education far outweigh any temporary inconvenience.

We're creating a special display at IDE to showcase the love of reading in our community. Can you help us capture this magic? If you see your child reading, snap a picture and email it to Meghan Aleo. Include the child's first and last name in the email.

Together, let's show the importance of getting lost in a good book!

Send in pictures ASAP!

Arrival and dismissal are a busy time at Elizabeth Ide Elementary School. Please partner with us to ensure our students, staff and community are safe.

Arrival

We begin our day with a soft start. Students may arrive at school starting at 7:30AM. Please do not arrive prior to this time. ALL students enter the building through our main entrance, Door #1.

Drop Off and Pick Up Lane

All cars will enter the drop off/pick up lane as indicated on the map below and create a single file lane. Please follow the directions of staff and signage.

• Students must enter and exit the right side of the car.
• Other people in the car MUST remain in the car at all times.
  
• Please load and unload in the "LOADING ZONE" as indicated by the yellow on the map below.
• Please pull all the way forward.

Dismissal: Our school day ends at 2:20PM.

• Students registered for our Before and After Child Care (BACC) program will be dismissed to the LRC where they will be dismissed and transported to Prairieview Elementary School.
• Car riders and Day Care Riders will be dismissed to the gym and will be called to the car rider lane in the order cars arrive. Please be sure to have your pick-up sign visibly displayed in your front window and remain in your car. The pick-up signs will be available at Meet the Teacher - be sure to take one.
• Walkers and bike riders will be dismissed to the gym and families can meet them outside of Door #2.
• Bus riders will be dismissed to the bus loading zone.

K-2 students will be given 20 minutes to eat lunch with their class in our multipurpose room. Students have the option to either bring a lunch and drink from home or purchase a hot lunch. Lunch is not served on School Improvement (SIP) days. Students have the option to either bring a lunch and drink from home or purchase a hot lunch. Lunch (including milk) costs $4.25, milk only costs $0.75. To fund your child’s lunch account & set up auto pay, visit your MySchoolBucks account or send cash/check payable to CCSD66 in an envelope. The lunch menu for August can be found HERE; please check back for updates as it is not finalized, YET.

In accordance with the state goal of promoting good nutrition, parents are discouraged from bringing “fast food” in for their child’s lunch. Parents who choose to bring in “fast food” for their children’s lunch may do so only for their own child. Please note, school staff will not accept delivery of food items for students from outside vendors or establishments.

Center Cass District 66 prioritizes the health and safety of all students. Sharing of food is not allowed. This policy is implemented to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, especially those with food allergies. Parents must inform the school if their child is subject to a serious allergic reaction from certain foods.

We will spend our first few weeks of school teaching our lunchroom expectations. In the upcoming weeks, we will send more information about volunteering in the lunchroom.

Individuals seeking to volunteer must complete and submit the Volunteer Information Form - Agreement and Release, at the time he/she first seeks to serve as a volunteer and at least annually thereafter.

By completing this form the individual agrees to:

• Comply with the provisions of District policy and all volunteer guidelines

• Authorize background checks, including fingerprinting - if necessary

All information regarding serving as a Volunteer can be found by clicking on the following link:

• Parent Volunteer Handbook & Guidelines - Volunteer Policy 6.250

Get ready to join BAMtheatre at Elizabeth Ide this fall, where we're bringing the magic of theatre to your after-school routine! This term, unleash your inner star in "We're All in This Together: Hits of High School Musical," featuring all your favorite songs from the iconic movie series. Save the date - classes kick off on Tuesdays starting September 17. BAM's comprehensive structure features a blend of captivating activities, games, and rehearsals, all culminating in a showcase on the final day for friends and family to enjoy.

Secure your spot pronto—availability is limited, and this class is known to fill up fast! #AfterSchoolTheatreMagic #highschoolmusical #afterschoolenrichment

August 12, 2024

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