Longfellow Weekly News: Week of Dec 17, 2018
Dear Longfellow Families,
This is our last week of school in 2018! We look forward to seeing everyone again on January 7th and hope you and your family have a safe and peaceful winter break.
Thank you,
Maggie Cahill
Construction News: Playground Input Meeting
Longfellow Drop Off Station 
Have you ever had to drop off your child’s forgotten lunch, gym shoes, ipad, etc? We're implementing a new solution to lessen disruption to the classroom and create an efficient process for getting items to students. There is now a shelving unit with individual bins in the front vestibule that we've named, "The Longfellow Drop Off Station". Simply fill out a post-it note with your child’s name and classroom teacher, put it on the item, and place it in an empty bin. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Kaye will make morning deliveries by 9 am and then throughout the day. There is no need to send an email to your classroom teacher if you drop an item off.
Open Gym Reminder- Wear Gym Shoes!
Student Council Food Drive
The Longfellow Sudent Council is sponsoring a food drive from December 17th-21st. They are collecting non-perishable foods that have not passed their expiration date. Also in need are items for babies, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. You can always donate cash, as the food pantry can purchase through wholesalers and get about $9 of food for every $1 donated. Checks can be written to the Oak Park Food Pantry. We appreciate your support!
Dr. David Stovall: Implicit Bias Lecture 
The Longfellow Diversity Committee is proud to host Professor Dr. David Stovall for a lecture and Q & A session about implicit bias in our schools and how this applies to Oak Park. He will be visiting on Thursday, December 20th at 6:30 pm at Irving School (1125 S. Cuyler). When we talk about the Achievement gap, equity, quality of schools located in and racial disparity in our schools, there is much communities that are discussion about Implicit Bias. We want to know if, or how much Implicit Bias is a causal factor. In a community like Oak Park, are we asking the right question? Register HERE for childcare and/or pizza (at 6pm).
Second Step This Week 
This week our students will be celebrating their accomplishments during the first part of the school year and watching our latest, "Bears Caught Being Good" video. When we return in the new year students will be setting goals with their classmates to help kick off the new year!
5 Essentials Survey
The 5Essential survey window is open to all parents/guardians through February 15, 2019. Parents/guardians can take the survey, which is available in both English and Spanish, by visiting https://survey.5-
Submit a "Cheers for Peers!"
We would like to recognize children and adults who make a difference at Longfellow School. If you would like to nominate an individual who makes a difference at our school, please fill out this form. The individual you nominate will receive a printed form with a description of their contribution to making Longfellow a great place to be.
Fee Reminder 
Please remember that all outstanding fees must be paid through Rev Track!
ALL Registration
The last day for Fall ALL classes was Thursday, December 13. The Winter Session will run from January 14th- March 14th. The winter brochure can be found HERE and a paper copy came home in backpacks December 6. Information related to ALL (including the brochure) is on the ALL tab of the PTO website. Winter Registration opened @ 8:30am on Friday, December 14 and closes Monday, January 7 @5pm. They will not be accepting late registrations.
Upcoming Events
Monday, December 17th- New Playground Input Meeting at 6:30 pm
Monday 12/17- Friday 12/21- Student Council Food Drive
Tuesday, Decmber 18th- Larks Concerts at 7 pm
Thursday, December 20th- Dr. Stovall Lecture on Implicit Bias at Irving School at 6:30 pm
Mon, Dec 24th- Fri, Jan 4th- Winter Break