Dear Parents,

Your child will begin taking the state required achievement tests beginning on Wednesday, March 6th. (There is no school on Monday, March 4th and a Snow day on Tuesday, March 5th.) Students in grades 3, 5, 6, and 8 will be tested in reading and mathematics. Students in grades 4 and 7 will be tested in reading, mathematics, and science. The tests are a part of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) program. The results of state tests will be reported in the fall on the School Report Card. In addition, you will receive information about your child’s performance on the state tests he/she took.

The Staff has planned an assembly on March 1st to help get students “pumped up” for ISATS. Our theme is, “Why Be Good When You Can Be Great.” Please see the backside of the letter sent home for the prizes that were purchased to increase motivation on the ISAT.

You can help your child do his/her best on the test by:

1) Making sure that your child attends school on the days of testing.
2) Making sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before testing.
3) Encouraging your child to eat a healthy breakfast on the mornings of testing.
4) Reminding your child to ask the teacher questions if he/she does not understand the
test directions.
5) Letting your child know that you have confidence in his/her ability to do his/her best.
6) Advising your child not to worry about the test-just do the best he/she can.

Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have further questions about these tests.

We look forward to sharing the ISAT results with you in the fall. With your help and support, we will continue to make progress.

Sincerely,

Grant Park Administration & Staff

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):

The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority at Grant Park Elementary School. Today at our school, we conducted a brief lockdown drill under the direction of Dr. Palan, school administrators and local law enforcement. The goal of the drill was to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. These practice drills allow us to evaluate our emergency safety plans and improve our response skills. There was no threat to students, staff or visitors at any time. Our children always do a great job because everyone works as a team to practice safety.
I hope this letter helps you better understand our desire to keep our children safe in all circumstances. While we do not like the idea of having to be prepared for these kinds of unfortunate situations, times are changing, and we want to be ready to do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe.
If you have any questions about this matter, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you for your support and partnership.

Sincerely,

Tracy Planeta, Principal

Due to an unforeseen emergency, Grant Park School District #6 will be required to run a “double route” on Thursday, January 24th (on the a.m. route only). Therefore, your son/daughter who rides Blaine’s bus-#5 will be picked up at a later time tomorrow morning. You can anticipate the bus to pick your child up between 7:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. If you have any questions please call the high school at 815-465-2181.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Discovery Education testing took place the week prior to the Holiday break. This test cycle will present us with valuable data. Testing before the Holiday will allow for data to be disaggregated during the break. The staff will then be able to form new RtI groups upon our return. During these RtI groups we are able to focus on interventions that will help improve on skills students are lacking. We continue to identify students through data we have collected on each and every one. In prior years we tested after break so this will be a change for our students. Kindergarten, first and second grade administered the second round of the DIBELS assessment.

The Holiday concert in the E.S. took place on December 7, 2012 and the 5th grade band concert took place on December 20, 2012. Mrs. Lehman and Mr. Imig worked diligently to make this holiday season a memorable one. If you have never had an opportunity to listen to our student sing or the band play you are truly missing out. Both performances where spectacular and put all in attendance in the holiday spirit.

Thank you to the PTO who provides this service to the children so that they have an opportunity to purchase inexpensive wrapped items for their parents and siblings. It is well received and the elementary children enjoy the secrecy of the gifts they purchase. Once again thank you the PTO with whom without Santa’ Secret Shop would not be possible.

Ms. Souligne and Mrs. Claussen did a wonderful job getting the pre-school students ready for their annual holiday concert. The concert took place on Friday, December 14, 2012. The students were the stars. Look for their holiday picture on the home page of the website scrolling by.

The Salvation Army Can Food Drive in the Elementary School ended on December 14, 2012. In all the Elementary School students brought in over 800 non-perishable food items to be donated to the local food pantries.

Mrs. Shronts and Mrs. Sluis held their annual gingerbread house activity on Tuesday, December 18th from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. After saving many milk cartons the students glued graham crackers to them, added their own special candy decorations to create their one of a kind holiday house.

There are no words to express the tragic events that unfolded Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We as a staff hurt and grieve for all those who lost children, family members, friends, and colleagues. Our deepest prayers and thoughts are with the Newton Community as they begin the difficult process of healing.

Safety is our #1 priority at Grant Park Elementary School. All people involved with the school are working in support of ensuring a safe school. We have plans in place and run drills to stay prepared for crisis situations. There are procedures in place to receive visitors into our buildings. Safe school planning is an ongoing, comprehensive process. I have no doubt that your child is in a safe environment while here at school. I say this because a safe environment calls for a compassionate presence and our faculty and staff are dedicated to making sure our school is a safe and caring place. We as a district can set limits. We can be the adults in the culture who will do everything possible to make the authority of goodness stronger than the forces of destruction.