Week of March 18, 2019

Pack Assorted Colors for Kids (P.A.C.K.) Week

As part of our March Nourish to Flourish theme of Nutrition, Longfellow will be celebrating P.A.C.K.  (Pack Assorted Colors for Kids) Week on April 18th-April 22nd.  Kids are encouraged to both wear and eat the color of the day, via a fruit or vegetable.  Kids bringing snacks and lunches to school are encouraged to bring fruits/veggies that match the color of the day.  This celebration has also been coordinated with our hot lunch food service provider.  Please click here to see tips for making the most out of this week.  Below is a summary of the fruits and vegetables that will be served:

 

Date	Color	Vegetable	Fruit
Monday 3/18	Purple/Blue	Rainbow Carrots (with PURPLE carrots in mix)	Purple Grapes
Tuesday 3/19	Tan/Brown/White	Garbanzo Beans	Bosc Pear
Wednesday 3/20	Red	Beet Sticks	Blood Oranges
Thursday	Orange/Yellow	Yellow Grape Tomatoes	Nectarine
Friday 3/22	Green	Broccoli	Kiwi

State Testing Information- Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) 

Our district began state testing last week.  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).

Pennies for Patients

Students can collect change and bring it into school between March 4th and March 22nd to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please email Ms. Tatro with questions. Check out the 5th Grade Student Council Presentation about Pennies for Patients.

 

Dining for Dollars @ Potbelly 

Head over to the Potbelly on Lake Street on Tuesday, April 9th from 5-8 pm for dinner on Tuesday, April 9. Get one of your old favorites like a Wreck sandwich and a shake, or try something new like their salads or mac & cheese.  The best part is that 25% of your purchase goes back to Longfellow. Be sure to mention it when ordering!

 

Class Placement Information

Principal Dolezal sent a form for families to fill out to let our school know more about your child’s learning styles for class placement. Please click here to see a presentation about changes to class placement for next year. 

 

Science Fair

All Longfellow students are invited to participate in the 2019 Science Fair!  The event will take place on Tuesday, March 19th from 7-8 pm at Longfellow Center (at Longfellow Park).  If your child is interested in participating, please apply via this link by Thursday, February 28th.  Any questions, please email Mr. Pod at [email protected]  Note: Event space is limited. If the number of entries exceeds the space limits, participants will be chosen at random.  Parents/guardians will be notified via email on March 1st confirming whether or not their child has secured a spot as a participant.

 

Open Gym Canceled Friday, March 22nd and April 11th- April 24th

There will be no morning open gym on Friday, March 22nd and from Thursday, April 11th- Wednesday, April 24th because the gym will be set up with gynmastics equipment for Physical Education classes.  During this time students are welcome to attend the breakfast program or Sunrise Study Hall. 

 

Reading Olympics

This last Monday afternoon, several fifth grade teams competed in the Longfellow Reading Olympics Challenge.  We are pleased to report that the Book Queens (Jamie C, Mikayla M and Hannah M) were the winning team.  The Book Queens will go on to compete at the area competition in River Forest next week.  We wish them luck!!

 

Always Learning at Longfellow (ALL) News 

The Spring session of ALL is coming soon! Registration opened on Friday March 8 @8:30am and will close Friday, March 22nd @ 5pm. The session will run from April 28th- May 23rd.  You can find times, cost, class descriptions, and all you need to know in the brochure listed below.  Hard copies of the brochure will be sent home on Thursday, February 28th. As always, any info related to ALL (brochure, registration link, scholarship link, general info) is on the  ALL tab  of the PTO website.  Need based scholarships are available.

D97 Music Camp

District 97 is excited to offer it's annual Music Camp again this summer. Students from Oak Park and the surrounding areas are invited to attend this week-long camp and explore creating music through many avenues. Sign up for one session or many. Some sessions require previous experience, but there are plenty that don't! Register here to save your spot!

Islamophobia Lecture on April 10th 

The Longfellow Diversity Committee and DivCo is glad to welcome Longfellow parent Nadine Naber along with Dima Khalidi and Zeina Zaatari for a lecture and discussion about Islamophobia. Learn how to identify and combat sources of anti-Arab racism in our schools and community. Childcare is available, please click here to RSVP for childcare.

Spring Pictures- Tuesday March 19th

Strike a Pose!! Spring pictures will be taken on Tuesday 3/19. Proofs will be sent to Longfellow during the month of April. You can then choose your package and order online or send cash or check in order and drop off at school. This year students will have the opportunity to do two full body poses for spring pictures. Questions? Email Tracy Brunette 

Can Do Challenge

During the month of April Longfellow will be participating in the "Can Do Challenge".  Local area schools will be competing for the most points through dollar donations, a food drive of non-perishable items, and volunteer hours in the month of April. Help Longfellow be the next school to take home the Can Do trophy! Please see Ms. Tatro and the Longfellow student council will be sponsoring this drive.  Click here to see our school website. April 1st the competition will begin! 

Let's Talk Middle School!

All 5th grade families are cordially invited to attend "Let's Talk Middle School" at Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland, to learn a little about what makes middle schools tick. General topics include climate / culture, the transition from elementary to middle, and how the middle schools are handling matters of diversity, restorative justice, mental health, and student leadership. Attendees include PTO leaders from all ten schools; presenters include Principals Capuder and Fitzgerald, as well as Dr. Kamm, Senior Director of Equity, and Ms. Olson, Climate & Culture Coach at both Brooks and Julian middle schools.

Multicultural Festival on May 4th

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will host its 39th annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday, May 4.The festival will kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade, beginning at Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. Following the parade, school and community members are invited back to Julian to enjoy musical performances, dancing, food, crafts and an international marketplace. To participate in the Multicultural Festival parade or activities, please complete the appropriate form and return it to Juanta Griffin and Lou Anne Johannesson no later than April 12, 2019. Forms can be sent via email to [email protected] or faxed to 708-524-3014.

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.

Upcoming Events  

Mon, March 18- Fri, March 22-  PACK Week (Pack Assorted Colors for Kids (see above for more information)

Tuesday, March 19th-                 Spring Picture Day

                                                       Science Fair

Friday, March 22nd-                    Opera for the Young

Mon, 3/25- Fri, 3/29-                   Spring Break

Tuesday, April 2nd-                     No School, Teacher Institute Day

Monday, April 8th-                       D97 Choral Festival @ OPRF High School from 7- 8:30 pm

 

Tuesday, April 9th-                     Talent Show Auditions

                                                      Dining for Dollars at Potbelly

Tuesday, April 10th-                  Dismantlig Islamophobia Lecture