Bulldog Bulletin

Hello Sarah Adams Families,

We love engaging our students throughout the school environment and ensuring they have a voice in the work we do! I am excited to share that we are hosting a T-Shirt Design contest for this year's Field Day! Every student will have the opportunity to create their vision for our 2024 Field Day, and then vote on a winning design. More information will be coming home soon with how to participate.

Another way we are keeping our students engaged through our community service projects. As mentioned earlier this year, our 5th & 2nd, 4th & 1st, and 3rd & Kindergarten Buddy classes are working collaboratively to give back to our community. In fall 5th and 2nd grade students collected and donated over 82 bags of food for our local food pantry! I'm proud to share that last week our 4th and 1st grade students concluded their community service project of collecting items for the residents of Avantara Rehabilitation Center! They collected items such as chapstick, socks, games, puzzles and more and then curated special bags for the residents. Over 100 filled bags were donated! Thank you to our families for supporting our cause, and to our students for bringing cheer to our community! We look forward to our final community service project of the year, which will be hosted by our 3rd graders and kindergarten students.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Ms. Colleen Conway

As of Tuesday, January 30, 2024, parents/guardians, students, and teachers across Illinois are invited to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. This survey is a key tool in ongoing efforts to improve student learning and school conditions. District 95 highly values the insights and perspectives of parents/guardians; please complete the survey to assist in shaping the educational environment and experience for students.

Survey Participation Details:

• Survey Period: January 30, 2024 - March 29, 2024

• Who Will Participate: All teachers and fourth through 12th-grade students

• Parent/Guardian Participation: All parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the survey. A 20% or higher response rate will generate a specific parent/guardian report.

• Survey Link: https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

More Information: Visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois

PTO has opened a new Spirit Wear Sale! If you are interested in purchasing more Sarah Adams flair, you can click the link here: https://sarahadamsgear24.itemorder.com/shop/home/

In 2011 and 2013, State law provisions known as “Erin’s Law” were passed that require school districts to participate in State and local efforts to raise awareness about and prevent child sexual abuse. These efforts include school districts providing age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness education for all students in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. Each District 95 classroom will be participating in multiple lessons that will be specifically designed for your child’s individual grade level. Additionally, staff members receive training on the dynamics of child sexual abuse, how to respond to a disclosure of child sexual abuse, and related topics.

To help make our school even more safe and supportive, we are going to use the Second Step Child Protection Unit. In this unit, your child will learn the following specific skills to help him or her stay safe from dangerous or abusive situations:

• How to use the Ways to Stay Safe to recognize when something is unsafe, report anything unsafe to an adult, and refuse to participate
• How to always ask a parent or the person in charge first before going somewhere, doing something, or accepting something from someone
• How to recognize safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and how to use the Private Body Parts Rule to identify possible sexual abuse
• How to refuse and report unsafe or unwanted touches and how to report possible sexual abuse to an adult

If you have any questions about the Child Protection Unit or the Second Step program, please contact us below. If you object to your child participating in this child sexual abuse prevention education lesson, please send a written statement of objection to Stacy Krebill, School Social Worker (847) 540-2865, by no later than March 1, 2024.

To get more information about what your child is learning in the Child Protection Unit, go to SecondStep.org and you can sample the curriculum for your child’s grade.

Thank you for helping us make our school a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.

Sincerely,

Colleen Conway, Principal
David Herlocker, Assistant Principal
Jackie Peterson, Social Worker/Stacy Krebill, Social Worker
Elisabeth Smith, School Psychologist

Ms. Colleen Conway

Principal, Sarah Adams Elementary School