Weekly News- Week of January 7, 2019

Longfellow Weekly News: Week of January 7, 2019

Happy New Year Longfellow Families! 

As we launch into the next part of this school year we ask that you join us in making a resolution to improve timeliness and attendance at Longfellow.  Please be sure to get your student to school and on time each and every day. There is so much that our teachers have to share with your child and our goal is to maximize every instructional minute!  Students can arrive to school as early as 7:15 for breakfast, 7:30 for Open Gym or Sunrise Study Hall, or 7:45 to line up on the playground. All students must be in the building with their class by 8 am. Thanks for your partnership and we’ll see you back in session on Monday, January 7th!

Maggie Cahill, Asst. Principal

Science Night

Longfellow's annual science night will be on Wednesday, January 16th from 6-7:30 pm in the Gym and Mini Gym.  This year's theme is engineering and we're looking forward to a fun night for all!  Please click here to see the flyer with more information!

 

Afterschool programs graphic

Harambee 2019!

Join us for Harambee on Friday, February 22nd. Harambee is Kiswahili for “Let's Pull Together” and is a tradition in its 13th year at Longfellow School.  This performance features the Kuumba Kids led by artistic director Donna Callender, Julian F.L.O.W., Nunufatima Dance Co. Children, and more special guests. Shop the African Market for oils, shea butter, jewelry, purses, dashikis, lotions, sage and B’s Bites and Wings for Jerk chicken dinners and Jerk Black Bean Burger meals. Show starts at 7pm, but the African Market will be open from 6-7 pm.  If you’d like to sell items at the African Market please click here to register for a space. Vendor space is limited so please register early!  Questions? Contact Ms. Ablan [email protected] or Mrs. Cahill [email protected]

Longfellow drop-off stationLongfellow Drop Off Station Front view of 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.  

Second Step This Week  Students in a circle participating in an activity

This week our students will be circling up with their class and setting goals to help kick off the new year!

 

5 Essentials SurveySurvey results graphic

Thank you to the 18 additional individuals who took this survey since our last email blast!  Our 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-essentials.org/illinois/.  Check out our parent response rates across the district on this chart as of December 20th.  Let's work together to get as many Longfellow voices heard as possible!

 

 

 
 

Student with "Cheers for Peers" certificateSubmit 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.

 

 

Gum and Testing  

 

As our 2nd-5th grade students begin MAP testing next week and our 3rd-5th grade students engage in state testing in March, please know that some of our teachers offer students the opportunity to chew sugarless gum during the test.  If you have strong opinions about this please check with your child's classroom teacher prior to testing.  

 

  

Clip art image of a blue sneakerOpen Gym Reminder- Wear Gym Shoes!

It's great to see so many students arriving early for Open Gym before school.  We've seen attendance rise and wanted to remind parents that our capacity for Open Gym is 40 students.  If students arrive and capacity has already been met they will have the choice to attend Sunrise Study Hall or line up with their class outside.  Also, please note that students attending Open Gym should wear gym shoes.  Open Gym runs from 7:30-8:00 daily and is supervised by Ms. Bennett and Ms. Patterson. 
 

Upcoming Events

Monday, January 7th-                School Resumes

Wednesday, January 16th-        Science Night from 6:00-7:30 pm

Monday, January 21st-               No School, MLK Day

Wednesday, January 23rd-        Longfellow Community Meeting at 7pm

Mon, Jan 28- Fri, Feb 1st-          Parent/ Teacher Conference Week

Thursday, January 31st-             Dismissal at 11 am

Friday, February 1st-                  Dismissal at 11 am 

Saturday, February 9th-              Winter Carnival 

Friday, February 15th-                 No School

Monday, February 18th-              No School, President's Day

Friday, February 22nd-                Harambee