Mead Weekly Update 11/16
As we head toward the Thanksgiving holiday, we would like to take this time to express our gratitude to the Mead community. We are continuously grateful for all of the parent and community support we receive as a staff, school, and district. We understand that the success of our students is dependent upon all of us, and we are honored to work in such a supportive and collaborative community. Thank you.
On Wednesday, we were able to say thank you to our business and community partners at the annual District 54 Partnership Breakfast here at Mead. There are so many who contribute to our success as a school and a district. We want to again recognize our Elk Grove Police and Fire Departments for keeping our school community safe and express our thanks to the Elk Grove Park District for their growing partnership with us. We also want to thank the District 54 School Board members whose service to the district helps ensure the success of our students.
We know some of our 7th grade students will be using the weekend to recover from their visit to Lifetime Fitness. It was awesome to see them applying their learning and embracing healthy living.
Enjoy the weekend.
Mr. Szwed and Mrs. Carey
Please read below for the latest news, reminders and updates from Mead Jr. High and School District 54.
Mead at a Glance
11/19: Boys’ Basketball @ Addams 3PM
11/21: Report Cards Available Online
11/21-25: No School – Thanksgiving Break
11/26-30: Winter MAP Testing
12/12: Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
Report Cards Online Nov. 21
Parents/guardians will be able to view report cards online this semester on Nov. 21. I want to ensure that all of our parents have access to this early viewing of the report card, so I highly encourage you to sign up for the District 54 Infinite Campus Parent/Student Portal. The portal is a website and app where parents and guardians can view their children’s grades, assignments, immunizations, test scores, demographic information and report cards. If you have not previously logged on to the portal, contact our front office for instructions on how to obtain a secure Campus Portal Activation Key.
WANTED: Pizza Tuesday Volunteers
The Mead PTA and the school need a lot more volunteer help with Pizza Tuesdays. Volunteers are responsible for collecting the money and serving pizza at the school on Tuesdays. There are two different shifts to choose from, if you can’t stay the entire time. To volunteer, please visit our online signup form at http://bit.ly/MeadPizza18.
MAP Testing
The next round of MAP testing begins Tuesday, November 27, 2018. We are excited to see the growth that our students have made since the fall administration of the assessment. We will assess reading through language arts classes on that Tuesday and Wednesday, November 27-28. Math will be assessed the following week, December 3-5. Please be sure to remind your child to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and put forth his/her best effort.
Erin’s Law
Again this year, we will be implementing a child sexual abuse prevention program in our schools as the result of the passage of Public Act 097-1147, also known as Erin’s Law. Lessons and resources have been carefully created and selected and give the students the knowledge and skills necessary to keep themselves safe. The delivery of these lessons will be occurring during health classes in late November. More information about the legislation and the lessons is available in the attached letters below. Please do not hesitate to be in contact with me if you have any questions or concerns.
Erins Law Letter – English.pdf
Erins Law Letter – Spanish.pdf
Mead PTA Gift Card Fundraiser
Need gift cards for the holiday season? Is there someone that you would like to thank or show appreciation for? Not sure what to get someone as the holidays draw nearer? If so, then this is an excellent opportunity to help ease your shopping anxiety AND help out the Mead PTA. Gift cards to more than 175 vendors are available and a percentage of all sales go to help support student programs, resources, and activities here at Mead. Please click here for order forms and more detailed information. Order forms are due back to the school by December 7. Gift cards will be delivered on December 20, 2018.
5Essentials Survey Update
In last week’s email I included a letter asking you to take the Illinois State Board of Education’s 5Essentials Survey for parents and sharing with you our plans to administer the student survey at school. Please note that since that time, Illinois has changed the date for the student survey, which won’t be available until Dec. 11. It is still our plan to complete the survey at school prior to winter break. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact me by Nov. 19. The parent survey will be available online through Feb. 15 2019, at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois.
Mead Giving Tree
It is that time of year for Mead Junior High School to begin the Mead Family Giving Tree Project. Because our community has so much to be thankful for this holiday season, we believe there are Mead families who would like to share with those in the community who are less fortunate. A Mead Family Giving Tree will be placed in our main office beginning Monday, November 19, 2018. The tree will have paper ornaments for families in our school area who need a helping hand at this time. Each ornament will list “a need” and “a want” gift request. The ornaments will have the age of the child and gift suggestions for the child. We ask that all gift requests taken be wrapped with the ornament securely taped on the gift. Thank you for your support.
211 High School Information
Enrollment Forms:
The first mailing from District 211 in September included the enrollment form and other documents needed for enrollment (original birth certificate to be copied and proof of residency form). All documents were due to your child’s high school on Friday, October 9, 2018. If you have not turned the forms, please do so at your student’s respective high school.
Curriculum Guides and Selection Sheets:
These were distributed to students on Tuesday, November 13th via Advocacy classes. In order for students to secure their elective course choices, parents must complete the online course selection process according to the instructions that were emailed to families by District 211 in late October. The online course selection process must be completed by December 19, 2018. For families with difficulty accessing the Internet, must return a paper course selection form to the student’s prospective high school by December 19, 2018. If you have any questions please contact the representative below from your high school.
- Conant High School Student Services: (847)-755-3627
- Schaumburg High School Student Services: (847) 755-4630
- Fremd High School Student Services: (847) 755-2630
- Hoffman states High School Student Services: (847)-755-5630
211 Incoming Freshman Parent Nights:
Schaumburg: Monday, December 10, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Conant: Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Hoffman Estates: Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Fremd: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
We are excited for our sixth grade students to become part of the Mustang family. This parent-only, informational night is a great opportunity to find out some useful tips for a smooth transition into Mead Jr. High. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 12 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. Our partnership is important for the success of your child. We look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have about Mead and about the transition to junior high.
From the Nurse
Please remember to send cold weather care items with your child to school. The school does not provide cough drops; according to the district policy, students may carry cough drops for one day without a doctor’s order. A water bottle is also helpful for students to remain hydrated during school. Also, if your child has chapped lips or dry skin, please send Chapstick or lotion with them. Lotions should not contain possible allergens to other students i.e. tree nut oils, coconut oils, etc). The student should keep supplies in their backpack or locker during school hours. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.
District 54 Cold Weather Response Plan
In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, I wanted to share with you the District 54 Severe Cold Weather Response Plan. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open and operational, circumstances beyond our control oftentimes dictate school closings.
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Boletas de calificaciones en-línea para 21 de noviembre
Los padres/guadianés podrán ver las boletas de calificaciones en línea este semestre el 21 de noviembre. Quiero asegurarme de que todos nuestros padres tengan acceso a la tarjeta de calificaciones en línea, por lo que le animo a que se inscriba en el Portal de Padres/Estudiantes del Distrito 54 de Infinite Campus. El portal es un sitio web y una aplicación donde Los padres y los guardianes pueden ver las calificaciones de sus hijos, las asignaciones, las vacunas, los resultados de las pruebas, la información demográfica y también las boletas de calificaciones. Si no ha recibido acceso previo al portal, póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo recibir una Clave de activación segura para el portal de padres.
El Plan del Distrito 54 para Responder a las Inclemencias del Tiempo Frio
Con el fin de ayudarles a prepararse para las inclemencias del tiempo frío y la nieve que a menudo recibimos durante el invierno en nuestra comunidad, quisiera compartir con ustedes el Plan del Distrito 54 para responder a las inclemencias del tiempo frio. Aunque el Distrito 54 hace todos los esfuerzos para mantener las escuelas abiertas y funcionando, a veces circunstancias fuera de nuestro control dictan la cancelación de clases.
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
We are excited for our sixth grade students to become part of the Mustang family. This parent-only, informational night is a great opportunity to find out some useful tips for a smooth transition into Mead Jr. High. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 12 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. Our partnership is important for the success of your child. We look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have about Mead and about the transition to junior high.
5Essentials Updates
In last week’s email I included a letter asking you to take the Illinois State Board of Education’s 5Essentials Survey for parents and sharing with you our plans to administer the student survey at school. Please note that since that time, Illinois has changed the date for the student survey, which won’t be available until Dec. 11. It is still our plan to complete the survey at school prior to winter break. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact me by Nov. 19. The parent survey will be available online through Feb. 15 2019, at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois.
Mead PTA Gift Card Fundraiser
Need gift cards for the holiday season? Is there someone that you would like to thank or show appreciation for? Not sure what to get someone as the holidays draw nearer? If so, then this is an excellent opportunity to help ease your shopping anxiety AND help out the Mead PTA. Gift cards to more than 175 vendors are available and a percentage of all sales go to help support student programs, resources, and activities here at Mead. Order forms can be found below and are due back to the school by December 7. Gift cards will be delivered on December 20, 2018.
Chipotle Fundraiser
Dear Mead Families,
On December 3rd Mead will be hosting a fundraiser at the Chipotle in Elk Grove Town Center. The funds raised at this event will go towards Mead’s Giving Tree, which is a program to help families in need receive holiday presents. Any support given will be greatly appreciated, as this is a great cause that benefits not only the students of Mead, but their siblings as well, to help their holidays be special. Bring in the attached flier, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you are supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to Margaret Mead Junior High. Thank you for your support!