september 8, 2024
We had a wonderful first week. Here are a few things we did: created found art, worked on a maths challenge, mixed up who they ate lunch with each day, met new educators including Ms. Courter (art) and Mrs. Benedict (dean), went outside for two different team building challenges, handed out and used assignment notebooks (you should be asked to sign it this weekend!), shared one academic and personal "Hope and Dream" in their initial writing project, kicked off our new ELA module about Greek Mythology, students read/started the first chapter of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, and we read two picture books: The Reflection in Me and Trying. Students were kind, engaged, eager to get started on things, and flexible!
As of Friday we have 46 students in our classroom, 24 5th graders (also called "youngers) and 22 6th graders (also called "olders"). We have welcomed 2 6th graders who are new to Lake Bluff.
We look forward to welcoming you into the MAC 3 classroom on Thursday evening for Parent/Caregiver Orientation beginning at 7:15 pm. At 7:40 pm we will share our Parent/Caregiver presentation. We'll introduce ourselves, provide you with an overview of what your student will learn about this year, some classroom routines you can expect to hear about, when conferences will happen and how signing up for them works, and some suggested ways to support your student. If you cannot attend we will post the slides we will share in next week's email update.
As of Friday we have 46 students in our classroom, 24 5th graders (also called "youngers) and 22 6th graders (also called "olders"). We have welcomed 2 6th graders who are new to Lake Bluff.
We look forward to welcoming you into the MAC 3 classroom on Thursday evening for Parent/Caregiver Orientation beginning at 7:15 pm. At 7:40 pm we will share our Parent/Caregiver presentation. We'll introduce ourselves, provide you with an overview of what your student will learn about this year, some classroom routines you can expect to hear about, when conferences will happen and how signing up for them works, and some suggested ways to support your student. If you cannot attend we will post the slides we will share in next week's email update.
UPCOMING eventsTuesday, September 10 || FastBridge Testing (maths)
Thursday, September 12 || FastBridge Testing (reading); Parent/Caregiver Orientation @ 7:40 pm Saturday, September 21 || 100th Anniversary Lake Bluff Picnic Thursday, September 26 || Picture Day chromebooks |
Lake Bluff ExpectationsThis slide deck was created by Ms. French (principal) and Mrs. Benedict (dean). We shared it with our students so they know what's expected and can hold themselves and others responsible for their actions.
Students with Smart Watches were keenly interested in slide 6. We will thank you in advance for helping your student shift their watch to "school mode" and not contacting them during the school day. |
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Students received their district-issued Chromebook on Friday. Most of their logins and passwords to access their device worked (though not all did, yet). If theirs was working they also joined our Google Classroom site.
We talked about ways to protect and care for their device. Some expressed an interest in getting a cover for it. If you'd like to purchase a cover know that our fifth graders received a Lenovo Chromebook, and our sixth graders have/received an Acer Chromebook. While students may take their device home, we told them it shouldn't travel between home and school if there isn't an academic reason. More often than not, they will not need their device. Safety weekEach year the Shorewood School District designates one week in September, Safety Week. Students and staff will practice a fire drill on the 24th, a tornado drill on the 25th, a soft lockdown (classroom doors are locked and teaching/learning continues) on the 26th, and an evacuation drill on the 27th. We are well aware that one or more of these can and do cause students stress. Know that we are open and honest when we talk with our students about the events that would lead to us having to actually do any of these. We clearly communicate that we practice to be sure we know what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency. We do not practice any drill that would have students take cover or barricade the classroom doors.
If it makes sense for your student, please talk and support them leading up to these drills. Our first priority is always the safety of your student. Always. |
Conference Sign-upParent/caregiver conferences are held twice a year, once in the fall on October 17 & 18 and again in March on the 13 &14. We look forward to the opportunity to meet with the adults of each of our students. Next month's conference is a check-in to see how the first six weeks of school have gone from your perspective and ours.
Conferences held in March are student-led. Each student reflects on where they have been, what they are doing now, and where they want to go next for each content area. Sign-ups for the October conferences will be electronic and posted on this website starting on September 15th. Homework and the content pagePlease see our Content Page for specific updates related to students' learning.
District Resources |
You can access the Beagle Bulletin here - through the Shorewood School District/Lake Bluff School home page.
We have three room parents: Sarah A (Zach's mom), Ellie B (Edin's mom), and Kathleen D. (Becca's mom).
If you'd like to chaperone a field trip or plan to be in our school during the school day, you MUST fill out the school district's volunteer/background check form. You can access that here.
School lunch is available or families can choose to send their child to school with a lunch from home. Here is the February menu. Additionally, here is information about accessing Free or Reduced meals for your student/s.
Your student has the benefit of coming into contact with many different, deeply committed and caring adults throughout their week. These adults include: Lauren Courter (Art), Dominic Newman (PE), Elizabeth Russell (Library Media Specialist), Liisa Church (General Music), Kim Hildebrand (Spanish), Kate Zachar (Special Education), Katie Dreyer (Aide), Lisa Menon (Aide), Catherine Harrison (Student Support Specialist), Rebecca Benedict (Dean of Students) and if your student plays a string instrument Julie Nolan (Orchestra) or if your student plays a band instrument Katherine Myszewski.
We have three room parents: Sarah A (Zach's mom), Ellie B (Edin's mom), and Kathleen D. (Becca's mom).
If you'd like to chaperone a field trip or plan to be in our school during the school day, you MUST fill out the school district's volunteer/background check form. You can access that here.
School lunch is available or families can choose to send their child to school with a lunch from home. Here is the February menu. Additionally, here is information about accessing Free or Reduced meals for your student/s.
Your student has the benefit of coming into contact with many different, deeply committed and caring adults throughout their week. These adults include: Lauren Courter (Art), Dominic Newman (PE), Elizabeth Russell (Library Media Specialist), Liisa Church (General Music), Kim Hildebrand (Spanish), Kate Zachar (Special Education), Katie Dreyer (Aide), Lisa Menon (Aide), Catherine Harrison (Student Support Specialist), Rebecca Benedict (Dean of Students) and if your student plays a string instrument Julie Nolan (Orchestra) or if your student plays a band instrument Katherine Myszewski.
This week's ScheduleIt's an "B" week.
MONDAY: TUESDAY: FastBridge testing (maths) WEDNESDAY: 2:25 Dismissal THURSDAY: FastBridge testing (reading); Parent/Caregiver Orientation FRIDAY: |
SPECIALS Miller || NORTH GROUP• Monday - Library (B week), Community Crew
• Tuesday - Spanish, Music • Wednesday - Art • Thursday - PE, Music • Friday - PE, Spanish |
SPECIALS O'Malley || SOUTH GROUP• Monday - Library (A week), Community Crew
• Tuesday - Art • Wednesday - PE, Spanish • Thursday - Music, PE • Friday - Spanish, Music |
Above is an image of art created by our MAC 3 students last year. It started as a photograph of the front of Lake Bluff.
Each student received a 2x3 cm tile they then expanded to 8x9 in for their first draft. On their second draft they included all of the details and color.
Look carefully, notice how the railings, windows, trees, and roof line all align.
Each student worked without knowing who had the tiles around them.
The nation's motto: E pluribus unum: Out of many, one is a great fit for this project!
Each student received a 2x3 cm tile they then expanded to 8x9 in for their first draft. On their second draft they included all of the details and color.
Look carefully, notice how the railings, windows, trees, and roof line all align.
Each student worked without knowing who had the tiles around them.
The nation's motto: E pluribus unum: Out of many, one is a great fit for this project!
The Shorewood School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, creed, ancestry, pregnancy, marital or parental status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities, or employment with the District. The District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following designee handles inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator and Compliance Officer, 1701 E. Capitol Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211, 414-961-2854, [email protected].