Dear Windsor Families,

We are so excited because the 2019-2020 school year is finally underway!

Summer work on the building and grounds is almost complete. Everything looks fresher and shinier. We have been registering and meeting new families. Teachers returned Monday feeling rested, rejuvenated, and full of new ideas and enthusiasm for the upcoming school year. It was wonderful to be reunited with our Windsor team. Now all we need is your children!

We have been meeting and planning together in anticipation of the students’ first day of school this Thursday, August 22nd. Today our staff was treated to a delicious luncheon thanks to the Windsor PTA and many parent volunteers. It was a nice break in the day. We are appreciative of all the PTA does to support our school.

All families should have received teacher placement emails, if they are compliant with registration fees and proof of residency paperwork. If you are still unsure of your child’s classroom placement, please contact Ms. Boston at pboston@sd25.org.

We are looking forward to tomorrow’s, August 21st Teacher Meet & Greet from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. This event is an opportunity for children to visit their new classrooms and for everyone to meet one another prior to the first day of school. It is meant to be a quick visit, as teachers will need to continue preparing for the first day! More information is below. This event will be followed by the Windsor PTA’s Back-to-School Social from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

This Back-to-School "packet" contains previously shared information and reminders like: Important Dates, New Staff Members, Food Service Links, etc.

With this update, you will find information on the following topics.

• Windsor Teacher Meet & Greet
• First Day of School
• Windsor Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
• Attendance Routines
• Windsor PTA and ABC/25 Foundation
• Windsor Way and Vision

There has been a lot of newness amongst our front office team. We appreciate everyone's understanding and patience as we returned in August and quickly transitioned into the new school year. Building relationships and fostering a supportive school environment are yearlong goals but especially important during our opening days and weeks.

We kicked off this school year with staff a message about our belief in the Power of Yet. "We are all on a learning journey, and that just because you haven't accomplished a task yet, does not mean that you cannot or should not try and certainly that you should not give up." We will be sharing more on our efforts to promote and cultivate a growth mindset learning community.

The Windsor staff is so very proud of our school. The Mission and Vision says it all, which is featured below. We are looking forward to partnering with you this school year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Piper Boston, Principal

Mrs. Lindsay Anastacio, Assistant Principal

We value our Windsor community that is strengthened by diversity, inclusion, and a growth mindset.

• We believe in a kind, safe and responsible community because our students are important.
• We believe in designing lessons that promote inquiry, academic risk taking, and flexible thinking.
• We believe in supporting cultural, emotional, social, and academic diversity.
• We believe in working collaboratively as a school community for continuous improvement in a trusting environment.

Windsor PTA

We hope that you will become a member of our very active PTA. We are extremely proud of the partnership that we have with the PTA and are so appreciative of all the work they do for Windsor School.

ABC/25 Foundation

The ABC/25 Foundation is another way to become involved. The Foundation supports the schools within the district with both large and small grants each school year. We hope that you will also become a member of the ABC/25 Foundation.

Similar to last year, we are hosting a Windsor Meet & Greet Your Teacher on August 21st. Students and parents/guardians are welcome to visit this year's classrooms and teachers from 2:30 PM-3:20 PM.

Families familiar with Windsor can enter from any entrance. If you are new to Windsor, please feel free to use the main entrance. All new students (including our Kindergarteners) can visit classrooms and then pick up an official Wildcat Way t-shirt in the commons! We will also have a station set up to ask questions, etc.

As a reminder, we have been asking families not to drop of school supplies. (**Kindergarten families are the only exception. They can bring their supplies to the Meet and Greet!) Other grades 1-5 students can bring their supplies on Thursday or Friday.

Supplies kits ordered through the PTA were distributed to classrooms-again, many thanks to our many volunteers!

The Meet & Greet is an opportunity for children to visit their new classrooms and for everyone to meet one another prior to the first day of school. It is meant to be a quick visit, as teachers will need to continue preparing for the first day!

This event will be followed by the Windsor PTA's Social at 3:30 PM. See more information below! Ms. Boston, Mrs. Anastacio, Mrs. Avvisati, and Mrs. Barber will also be there to meet and visit with families.

Curriculum Night (for parents/guardians) will be on Wednesday, September 4th.

Primary Grades (1st & 2nd grades) will be 6:30 PM-7:00 PM.

Information Session with Ms. Boston and Mrs. Anastacio will be from 7:10-7:30 PM.

Intermediate Grades (3,4,5) grades will be 7:40 PM-8:10 PM.

Morning Kindergarten will meet from 6:30-7:00PM. Afternoon Kindergarten will meet from 7:40 PM-8:10 PM.

All Kindergarten families should know their AM/PM assignment. Please email Ms. Boston at pboston@sd25.org if you are still unsure. Some families who requested changes received confirmations last week. If you are still awaiting a change, all families will receive confirmation by this Tuesday, August 13th.

• Friday, August 16th-New Windsor Family Tours starting at 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 21st-Teacher Meet and Greet 2:30 PM to 3:20 PM followed by the PTA Social at 3:30 PM
• Thursday, August 22nd-First Student Attendance Day (Full Day 9:05 AM to 3:35 PM for Grades 1-5; Half Days 9:05 AM- 11:50 AM or 12:50 PM-3:35 PM for Kindergarten)
• Tuesday, August 27th-Fifth Grade Field Trip to Camp Duncan
• Monday, September 2nd-Labor Day NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, September 4th-Windsor Parent Curriculum Night

• Tuesday, September 10th-First Windsor PTA Meeting at 7:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 24th-Windsor Picture Day
• Tuesday, October 22nd-Windsor PTA Kindergarten Activity Night 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Thursday-Friday, October 24-25th-Parent-Teacher Conferences-No Student Attendance
• Thursday, October 31st-Halloween Classroom Parties and All School Afternoon Parade
• Thursday, November 7th-Windsor PTA First Grade Fun Night 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, February 12th-Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties

Mrs. Darlene Carpenter, our school registered nurse, has been working intermittently during the month of August to review submitted health forms and send reminders to families as needed. (Here are previously shared links to school physical health requirements and other medication information and forms for your reference.) Many thanks to those families who have been submitting forms and/or communicating in response to her updates. Mrs. Carpenter has been with the Windsor family for many years now and we appreciate all she does. You can reach her at dcarpenter@sd25.org as needed.

Mrs. Kathleen “Kathie” Avvisati (New Front Office Administrative Assistant)-

Mrs. Fran Rozanski retired after 30 years to end last year. Knowing hers were such “big” and beloved shoes to fill, we were thrilled to find and welcome Mrs. Avvisati this spring. Following a career in interior design, she has been working as a manager for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library the past several years. She is a District 25 parent and very excited to join the Windsor community. Mrs. Avvisati will be joining Mrs. Sharon Barber, who just completed her eighth year here. They are both eager to serve the Windsor students, teachers, and parents this coming school year.

Ms. Anna Bauer (New EL Teacher)-

Ms. Bauer may be familiar to some, as she student taught here at Windsor a couple of years ago. Ms. Bauer has experience teaching primary and intermediate grades. She is so happy to be returning to Windsor after teaching in Palatine this past year, as she feels like she is returning home. Ms. Bauer is replacing Mrs. Jasmine Myalil, who after many years, is leaving Windsor for a new opportunity in administration. We wish her well.

Mrs. Karen Galazka (New 1st Grade Teacher)-

Mrs. Joanne Scott decided to retire last year. Though she will be missed at Windsor, we know she will enjoy this next chapter of her life. We were pleased that Mrs. Galazka expressed a desire to move to Windsor after teaching at Ivy Hill Elementary School for the past 18 years. She loved her time at Ivy and has taught at both primary and intermediate grades. However, she is grateful for the opportunity to teach 1st grade this coming school year and to serve the Windsor community in this new capacity.

Mrs. Alexandra “Alex” Leberecht (New 5th Grade Teacher)-

Mr. Larry Joynt accepted a new leadership opportunity to end last year and we wish him well. We were happy to find Mrs. Lebrecht, who is coming to us from a neighboring district after teaching 4th grade for the past few years. She recently moved to Arlington Heights after falling in love with the community and is so pleased to be joining the Windsor team.

Mrs. Jennifer “Jenn” Licato (New PM Kindergarten Teacher)-

We added a fourth PM Kindergarten section late in June. We are so pleased to welcome Mrs. Licato, who is an experienced primary teacher and part-time literacy teacher at Olive Mary-Stitt Elementary School. She is also a District 25 parent and is thrilled at the opportunity to join Windsor in this new capacity.

Mrs. Courtney Fleaka (New Math Interventionist)-

Mrs. Dina Albrecht has moved into a central office coordinator role. We are happy she is still in the district family but will miss her here at Windsor. We welcome Mrs. Fleaka, who has varied K-5 teaching experiences. She is happy to be sharing her love of math with students!

All teachers will introduce themselves more through their classroom communications and on our Curriculum Night.

We have a number of new support personnel, who will be helping out the school in different ways. They are invaluable members of the team!

Mrs. Sue Klarner-Teacher-on-Assignment

Ms. Olivia Weismann-Part-Time Music Teacher

Ms. Catherine Schoenborn-Paraprofessional

Mr. Alex Van den Avont-Paraprofessional

Mrs. Joanna Rokosz,Paraprofessional

Welcome, Wildcats!

I am thrilled to serve as the next Windsor Elementary School Principal.

During my teaching and administrative career, I have worked with both elementary and middle school students. My path in education began as a 4th and 5th grade elementary teacher. When I joined District 25, I moved to middle school and taught 6th and 7th grades for several years. I truly enjoy both age groups and feel that having a K-8 perspective has benefitted me immensely as an educator and administrator.

While teaching, I was asked to move into a district teacher leader role in curriculum and instruction. My time in district office was very rewarding; however, I missed the daily hustle and bustle and work of being in a school full-time with children, teachers, and parents. That is when I began my journey as a school administrator-Olive Mary-Stitt Elementary School Assistant Principal, South Middle School Associate Principal, Ivy Hill Elementary School Principal, and South Middle School Principal. Last year marked my 20th year in Arlington Heights School District 25. It has been a privilege to be part of a community where education is so highly valued and supported.

I am looking forward to embarking on a new journey with the Windsor community!

Email: pboston@sd25.org
Location: Windsor Elementary School, East Miner Street, Arlington Heights, IL,
Phone: 847-398-4297
Twitter: @PrincipalBoston