Week of February 11, 2019
Last Chance for the 5 Essentials Survey
Thank you to the parents/ guardians who took the 5 Essentials survey. 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-
K-2nd Grade Author Visit: Lori Degman
We have a special guest coming to visit Longfellow on March 6th. Author Lori Degman will be here to share her experience as an author of children's books. Kindergarten, First and Second Grade classrooms are invited to the presentation. If you'd like to purchase a signed copy of any of her books, please complete and this form with payment as soon as possible. Late orders will be accepted through 2/28.
Erin's Law and the Child Protection Units
In accordance with Illinois State law all public schools must implement Erin's Law. Erin's Law is aimed at preventing child sexual abuse. The Child Protection Units is the curriculum we use to teach this and also a component of the Second Step program. For the next 5 weeks students will learn important skills about personal safety, touching safety, and assertiveness. In December all parents received a letter regarding this instruction that can be found by clicking here. If you have any questions about this instruction do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or Ms. Canika Gulley at [email protected].
Home links for our first lesson can be found by clicking on your child's grade level below:
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]
State Testing Information- Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR)
Our district will begin state testing during the month of March. The state is no longer administering the PARCC assessment for 3rd-5th graders, but will give a very similar test called the "Illinois Assessment for Readiness". It is important that every student have a working pair of headphones for the assessment. Our schedule is still being finalized for this test and your child's classroom teacher will communicate exactly when and at what times your child will test during the testing window between March 11th and March 22nd. As is required by law, every student who is eligible to take the IAR assessment will receive a test ticket or test booklet. However, in accordance with our practice, anyone who elects not to take the assessment will be permitted to read a book after the teacher has read the directions to the class and students have begun the testing process. Since students will not be allowed to go to the school library during the administration of the test, we ask that you please make sure your child brings his/her book to class during the IAR testing window (March 11, 2019 to March 22, 2019).
Early Admission to Kindergarten & First Grade
On Wednesday, February 13th from 6:30-7:30 pm District 97 is holding an information session for families of children who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade at the District Administration Building at 260 Madison. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements, as well as on-site support for parents who wish to begin proving residency and filling out forms. More information about this process can be found here and online at www.op97.org/hr/student-registration.
Cheers for Peers
If you would like to recognize an individual who make a difference at Longfellow School please fill out this form. The person you nominate will receive a printed form with a description of their contribution to making Longfellow a great place to be.
Construction Update 
Over winter break a construction camera was installed at Longfellow to capture the progress of the expansion project. To view the video, please visit https://bit.ly/2C9crm8. Ongoing updates can be accessed by clicking on the "Longfellow Expansion Project" button on our home page.
Mathathon
Every year our school partakes in the Mathathon where students practice their math skills and raise money for children at St. Jude Children's Hospital. Depending on how much money student's raise, they can also earn prizes. Consent forms/donation submission form with more information regarding prizes are being sent home this week. Students are able to participate online or by doing their math in funbooks. (These do not need to be returned.) Students get sponsors to donate a flat amount or pledge a certain amount per math problem they complete. All checks are made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Money is due to Ms. Bennett by February 28th (in an envelope that was connected to the consent form along with the donation submission form). If you'd like to donate by credit card, please visit our event page. The class that raises the most amount of money TOTAL by Feb. 28th will earn 10 bear necessities each. You can register your child online using the following link.
Upcoming General Music Concerts
Get ready for the grade level music concerts! You’ve probably heard your kids signing some of the songs around the house, now you can hear them with their classmates. The concerts will feature all classrooms from each grade level during the same show. Expect each show to run between 45 minutes to an hour. Any questions email Mrs. Ablan at [email protected].
Monday, February 25, 2019 Tuesday, February 26, 2019
8:30am-5th grade 8:30am-3rd grade
10:15am-4th grade 1:00pm-2nd grade
Kindergarten and 1st grade students will be hosting “informances” later in the school year and Mrs. Friesen and Mrs. Ablan will contact families directly about those days and times.
Upcoming Events
Friday, February 15th- No School
Monday, February 18th- No School, President's Day
Friday, February 22nd- Harambee
Monday, February 25th- Fourth & Fifth Grade General Music Concerts
Tuesday, February 26th- Second & Third Grade General Music Concerts
Wednesday, February 27th- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Birthday
Thursday, March 7th- Longfellow Community Meeting with Amanda Lewis
Tuesday, March 12th- Spellling Bee
Thursday, March 14th- Red Carpet Recital in the Auditoirum
Stacey Gibson Lecture at Irving School
Saturday, March 16th- Dunking for Diversity
Monday, March 18th- Art Night
Friday, March 22nd- Opera for the Young
Mon, 3/25- Fri, 3/29- Spring Break