Happy Friday!
Today, iReady winter benchmark scores and reports are available in ParentVUE. Please see the information below as to how to access and interpret the data.
We look forward to connecting with many parents at next week's Parent/Teacher Conferences. Just a reminder that students are not in attendance next Thursday or Friday.
-Mrs. Kempski
A Look at the Week Ahead
Week of February 24th-28th
Monday, February 24th:
Tuesday, February 25th:
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8:00 AM - Chorus rehearsal for registered 4th and 5th graders
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3:35-4:30 - Beginner's Rubik's Cube Club for registered 4th and 5th graders
Wednesday, February 26th: Late Start Wednesday (9:15)
Thursday, February 27th: No Student Attendance
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No School -Parent/Teacher Conferences from 1:00-8:00 PM
Friday, February 28th: No Student Attendance
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No School - Teacher Institute Day
School News & Information
Winter iReady Benchmark Scores Available
Recently, all students completed our iReady winter benchmark assessments. Results from our most recent benchmark period are now available in ParentVUE for you to review. Please read the attached letter for more specific information regarding the assessments and how to access the parent reports.
2025 iReady Notification Letter.pdf
2025 iReady Notification Letter - Spanish.pdf
5 Essentials Parent Survey
This week, an important window of opportunity opened for every school across the state. It’s the opening of our annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey – the tool that provides a voice for all teachers, parents, and fourth- through 12th-grade students to tell administrators what’s working and what needs improvement. This year, the survey is open February 18th--March 28th.
Developed by experts at the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research and administered by UChicago Impact, the survey uses an evidence-based framework that measures indicators that lead to better attendance and test score gains. Those indicators are:
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Effective Leaders
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Collaborative Teachers
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Involved Families
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Supportive Environment
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Ambitious Instruction
Research has shown that schools strong on three or more of the 5Essentials are 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains than schools weak on three or more of the Essentials. The results also factor into each school’s Summative Designation and Equity Journey Continuum, both of which are displayed on the Illinois Report Card.
The parent piece of this survey is profoundly important. Please set aside a few minutes to complete the survey linked below as soon as possible.
-Mrs. Kempski
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences will take place on Thursday, February 27th from 1:00 - 8:00 PM. Please note this is a non-attendance day for students.
These conferences are scheduled on an as needed basis. Teachers sent home letters this week for conferences they are requesting. If you would like to request a conference with your child's teacher, please email your child's teacher directly to set up a conference time.
Order the 2024-2025 Yearbook Now!
Purchase your 2024-2025 Yearbook using the link below. The deadline for orders is Friday, March 28th 2025.
HR Imaging Order Link: https://book.hrimaging.com/book/
Attendance Matters!
Dear Families,
As we just passed the midpoint of the school year, I want to take a moment to talk about something that has a huge impact on your child’s education and our school community: attendance.
Every Absence Counts!
Did you know that even missing just two days of school a month—whether excused or unexcused—can negatively affect a child’s academic performance? Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of school success, as students who attend school consistently are more likely to stay on track academically and socially.
In Illinois, school attendance also plays a major role in determining our school’s official rating. Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—lowers our school’s overall score, which is a part of the Illinois Report Card. This rating reflects how well we are supporting student learning and success. By making attendance a priority, we strengthen our school’s standing and provide a better learning environment for all students.
How You Can Help
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Set routines: Help your child develop consistent morning and bedtime routines to ensure they are ready for school each day.
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Plan ahead: Schedule vacations and non-urgent appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
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Stay informed: If your child needs to miss school, communicate with the office promptly and ensure they make up missed work.
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Reach out: If your family is facing challenges that make it hard for your child to attend school, let us know. We’re here to help!
Together, we can build strong attendance habits that will benefit our students for a lifetime. Thank you for partnering with us to make every day of learning count!
Birthday Books
Celebrate your child’s birthday and promote a love of reading at the same time! The Birthday Book Club program invites students to donate a book of their special choosing to the LMC during the month of their birthday. This is a great way to give a lasting gift to the school and celebrate your child’s birthday at the same time.
Any time before your child’s birthday, visit the Push Coin webstore (link here) to sign your child up with a donation of $10 for the book. Children will be called down during the month of their birthday to select a book from our birthday book display (please do not send your child in with a book you purchased) and we will present them with their chosen book during the month of their birthday (not necessarily on their exact birthday).
Additional details:
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A nameplate will be placed in the book commemorating your child’s birthday.
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Your child will be the first person to check this new book out.
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The birthday book is an extra book checkout (if they normally checkout 2 books, their birthday book is a 3rd book)
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Summer birthdays will be celebrated on the child’s ½ birthday.
Please email Ms. Happy with any questions, Elizabeth_happy@ipsd.org.
Popcorn & Freeze Pop Opt OUT Form
At times throughout the school year, students can earn various PBIS school wide incentives and celebrations. One celebration may include students earning a freeze-pop. In addition, the PTA sponsors popcorn days for classrooms throughout the year. The form linked below has the ingredient list for both items. Please complete this form ONLY if you DO NOT want your child(ren) to participate in eating a freeze-pop or popcorn at school. In addition, we will review food allergies listed in the health office and previous year's permissions to confirm children's ability to consume these food items. If your child is able to consume both popcorn and freeze pops, you don't have to complete the form.
Popcorn & Freeze Pop Opt OUT Form
Absences
If your child will be absent from school on a given day, you are expected to notify the office. The most efficient way to report an absence is in ParentVue. Please use the notes section to indicate the reason for absence (illness, vacation, doctor appointment). Families may also call the office at (630)428-6700, and then press #3 by 9:10 a.m. The school office will contact families of a student which has not been reported.
Join the May Watts Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Sign up now to be a part of the May Watts Pack! Click this link to join: PTA Membership
For more information on these and upcoming PTA events, please check the May Watts Facebook Page or you can see previous newsletters on the May Watts Elementary website: https://www.ipsd.org/watts
District News and Information
Mental Health & Wellness Symposium
District 204, in collaboration with five neighboring school districts, will hold the 3rd Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Metea Valley High School. The keynote will be presented by Doug Bolton, author, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Director of School Consultation for Formative Psychological Services. The symposium will also include breakout sessions for students and adults, a community resource fair, a book fair, and childcare for ages 3 - 10. The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is the Title Sponsor for this event.
Watch for additional updates coming soon!
District Communication Survey
To improve our communication with district families, IPSD 204 is conducting a communications survey to better understand how district stakeholders currently receive information from their child’s school and the district, and to understand their preferences on receiving information going forward. Please take a moment to share your perspective on communications you receive from your child's school and the district by completing this survey. The survey will be open through Friday, February 28.
May Watts Parent/Guardian Guidebook
Much of the information contained above in this edition of The Wolverine News has been taken directly from the May Watts Parent/Guardian Guidebook. Please refer to this guide for information pertinent school information and procedures.
Information to provide District 204 families access and linkage to resources in
our school district and community.
Katie Kempski
