Mustang Memo

December 2: 4th Gr. Orchestra Concert

December 4: Band Concert

December 6: Made By Me Market

December 8: Choir Concert

December 9: PTO Meeting

December 12: 5th Grade to HS for Nutcracker Ballet

December 12: All District Orchestra Concert

December 14: Hanukkah Begins at Sunset

December 18: Board Meeting

December 19: Early Release

December 19: B/O/C Assembly @ 9:00am

December 20-January 4: Winter Break

With the weather changing, I want to take this opportunity to share outdoor recess procedures. As was started last year, building leaders will use 13°F, with windchill factored in, as the cutoff temperature for outdoor recess. If it is below thirteen degrees with the windchill, students will participate in recess indoors.

Please note that other factors unique to individual buildings (such as ice on the path to the playground)

may also impact the decision for outdoor recess. We look forward to a safe and healthy winter!

Now that we are into the coldest months of the school year, our school drop off has increased in popularity. If you drive to school and drop off your student(s):

• Morning Car Arrival: 8:05 - 8:15am
• Pull as far forward as possible to allow multiple cars in the circular drive (all the way to Mrs. Rothermel).
• Parents, please do not exit your vehicle as this slows down the arrival process. If you want to assist your child in exiting the vehicle, please pull into one of the marked parking spaces.
• Please make sure students are ready to exit the vehicle quickly upon arrival.
• Make sure your child exits the vehicle on the school side as opposed to the driveway side of the car. It is much safer to exit onto the sidewalk!
• Once your child exits the vehicle, you are free to go. Please do so quickly as we will keep the line moving. **We have many car drop-offs, and will do our best to get through cars quickly!**
• Consider having your child take the bus in the morning - the students all enter the building at the same time and are guaranteed to be on time to class!

Please be sure to have your student check the Lost and Found prior to winter break. After winter break, any items left in the Lost and Found will be donated to Joanie's Closet.

Please keep in mind that elementary students should not be utilizing the texting or calling features of a smart watch during the school day. During the past few weeks, we have had an uptick of students utilizing their smart watch features during the 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.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

In an effort to always be prepared to deliver timely/emergency communications, the district contracts with two mass communication vendors - our primary vendor, Blackboard, and a secondary vendor, School Messenger (to be used in the event of an outage with our primary system). These tools enable us to contact you via email, voice mail, and SMS (text message), including during a crisis.

School Messenger requires that all recipients opt-in to receive text messages. Please take a moment to opt-in from your device for text messages so that we are able to reach you when important or emergency information arises if we need to use the School Messenger system.

Opting in is quick and easy - just text “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587.

Extended through December 3-19, 2025

• New or gently used, CLEAN boots/snowpants only

• We cannot accept any other items at this time. PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT ACCEPT USED COATS

• Drop off location: D95 Administration Building, 832 S. Rand Rd (next to Walmart)

• Donation box will be just INSIDE the building - Please do NOT drop off anything outside.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides FREE books to Lake County residents (ages birth to 5).

All Lake County families can now enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, thanks to the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF). This cherished program delivers free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, regardless of income.

Click here for a printable flyer.

Each month, District 95 asks every building to select a student who represents our District Values of collaboration, continuous improvement, equity, high expectations, integrity, perseverance, and respect. For the month of November, Spencer Loomis chose Third Grader, Diana M.

Diana exemplifies what it means to be growth-oriented, as described in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate. Since moving to Spencer Loomis from an all-bilingual classroom to a fully English-speaking environment, she has shown remarkable perseverance and determination. Diana’s language and literacy skills have grown tremendously because of her consistent effort, curiosity, and dedication to improving. She approaches challenges with a positive mindset and is never afraid to ask questions or advocate for herself when she needs clarification. This openness to learning and willingness to seek support highlight her resilience and commitment to growth. Beyond her academic progress, Diana’s caring nature shines through in her interactions with peers and teachers. She demonstrates empathy and kindness, creating a supportive and inclusive classroom community. Her bright personality and sense of humor make her a joy to teach, and her smile has a way of bringing warmth to those around her. Diana’s hard work, positivity, and compassion make her a true example of a student who embodies the spirit of continuous growth and learning.

This student-run marketplace features over 100 student vendors selling handmade gifts, crafts, and creative products. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support student entrepreneurship while finding meaningful holiday gifts.

Come support our talented student creators at the Made By Me Market!

See you there this Saturday, December 6 from 12–2 PM at the Middle School North/Spencer Loomis Cafetorium!

Cash is preferred!!

Get ready to sleigh the week, Spencer Loomis!

We’re spreading cheer from head to toe with five days of spirited fun. Whether you’re rocking your favorite team gear, dressing like a frosty friend, showing off your SL pride, jingling in holiday socks, or going full festive on Friday—there’s something for everyone!

Let’s make this the merriest Spirit Week yet!

SL K–5 students can still submit their monster artwork for a chance to be featured in the yearbook and win a $15 Learning Express gift card. Create a monster, name it, and submit it online or at the front desk by January 9.

Questions? Email spencerloomisyearbook@gmail.com.

We’re collecting snacks to support Joanie’s Closet, which provides snacks to ALL 8 schools in District 95 — that’s about 3,200 snacks every month! No child should ever have to go hungry during the school day.

Donations are accepted December 1st through December 19th.

You can help by donating individually wrapped snacks such as:
Goldfish
Beef sticks
Pretzels
Graham crackers
Nutri-Grain bars

Drop off your donations in the Spencer Loomis vestibule, or order directly from our Amazon Wishlist - Check out my list on Amazon.

Every snack makes a difference — thank you for helping keep our students nourished and ready to learn!

💙🍟 Eat at Wendy’s = Support Our PTO!
On Wednesday, December 10th, Wendy’s will donate 30% of all proceeds to our PTO- all day long!

Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a treat and help us give back to our school community. 🙌✨

As always, thanks for all of your support!

Don’t have time to chair an event, but still want to volunteer when needed? Sign-up for our volunteer pool! Sign-up is on PTBoard.

Help the PTO with Box Tops for Education!

During the ups and downs of the past couple of school years, one thing is certain: teachers and students need more help than ever before. Box Tops is a fast and easy way for you to support Spencer Loomis Elementary School.

Our goal is to earn $1,000 through Box Tops this year. I know we can reach that goal together!

Box Tops are all digital, no more cutting out! Simply scan and you’re all set!

Learn more at https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/ or find the app in the app store.

Let’s give our teachers the support they need and give more kids the opportunity to dream. Little by little, we can help make a big difference.

-The Spencer Loomis PTO