Hello Kenyon Woods families and welcome to 2020!  As we begin the second semester of this new year, we are looking forward to another great semester with you and our students!

On that note, we really need your help!  We have only a few short weeks until the window for the 5 Essential Survey closes and we have not reached our benchmark.  We need approximately 250 families to respond and as of today, only 103 have completed the survey.  There are 26 surveys that have been started but have not yet been completed or submitted.  Please, please, please take a few moments to complete the survey and give us your feedback.  We really do value your input!  It helps give us direction as we continually strive to improve.

2020 Illinois Parent Survey

Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois

I also wanted to let you know about an important data point we are working on with our students.  Over the next week, all first period teachers will be going through what is called a BAG Report with their students.  BAG stands for Behavior, Attendance, and Grades.  These reports were developed to help students take more ownership of their education and set goals for improvement.  I am attaching a copy to this newsletter so you can see what the students are filling out.  During their first hour class, all students will get a goal setting sheet and an informational sheet that lets them know how many referrals they have had this last semester, the number of days they were absent, and their grades.  Students will reflect on those pieces and set goals for this next semester.  Many teachers are then asking students to take a copy home to share with their parents/guardians.

President Obama may have said it best at a back-to-school speech in Arlington in 2009, “No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.” He then exhorted his audience of high school students to “set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them.”  Students who are setting their own goals for education have taken ownership of it.  This is what we want to instill in our students as well.  Please take a moment to ask your child about their BAG Reports and review the goals they have set.  It would be helpful for parents to have a discussion with their child on how they are going to achieve those goals and check in with them periodically over the semester.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM; not only plan, but also BELIEVE!

~ Anatole France

DREAM BIG KENYON WOODS!

Lisa Olsem ~ Principal

SHOUT OUT ~ Congratulations to all of our January Students of the Month!

Sam Dankel                                        Reilly Malesh                                     Ryan Nguyen

Sophia Tyschenko                            Anna Christopherson                      Alec Brown

Omari Johnson-Bey                         Natalie Maldonado                         Andrea Ramirez

Kinsey Doolin                                     Billy Sias                                               Maya Jovanovic

PARENT SUPPORT NEEDED ~ Parents – while it is wonderful that so many students received either a new phone or wireless airpods over break, it is causing issues here at school.  Students should be reminded that phones need to be “Away for the Day”.  If having their phones with them is too much of a temptation, phones should be kept in their lockers.  PLEASE do not call or text your child during the school day.  If you need to get ahold of them, please call the main office and we will call them down.  This is a distraction to the learning environment and students will receive consequences for having their phones out.

In addition, we have several students wearing their wireless airpods or headphones in the hallway and class.  In the hallway, this causes a safety issue as students can not hear directions as they walk in the halls.  In the classroom, this takes away their focus on the lesson. 

Please have a discussion with your students about these two issues.  It is important to teach our students appropriate use of their electronic devices. 

NEW CLUB OPPORTUNITY – PANTHER PALS ~ Attention all students: Come join a new club at Kenyon Woods, Panther Pals. Panther Pals will run similarly to the Best Buddies club at the high school. You will get to interact in a variety of fun activities, games, and crafts with other students from Kenyon. Applications are available in the lunch room on the stage. The club will be meeting twice a month after school on Tuesdays. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Oroni and Mrs. Axelsen in room C142.

NO COOK NIGHT ~ Join Jersey Mike’s for a Fundraiser to benefit Kenyon Woods Middle School.  Come into either the Bartlett or South Elgin Jersey Mike’s anytime between Jan 22 and Jan 26 & Jersey Mike’s will donate 15% of your purchase during those days to Kenyon Woods Middle School.  Attached is a flyer with some great coupons on it.  Help support our school by enjoying a great Jersey Mike’s SUB!

IMPORTANT DATES:

1/17/20                Friday                    AVID Fieldtrip

1/20/20                Monday               NO SCHOOL – MLK Day

1/22/20                Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Abbott

1/24/20                Friday                    AVID Fieldtrip

1/27/20                Monday               Girls Basketball @ Ellis

1/29/20                Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Home vs. Kimball

1/31/20                Friday                    NO SCHOOL – Institute Day

2/3/20                   Monday               Girls Basketball @ Home vs Larson

2/5/20                   Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Canton

2/7/20                   Friday                    7^th and 8^th Grade Winter Dance  6-8 pm

2/10/20                Monday               Girls Basketball @ Home vs Eastview

2/12/20                Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Tefft

2/17/20                Monday               NO SCHOOL – President’s Day

2/19/20                Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Home vs. Canton

2/24/20                Monday               Girls Basketball @ Eastview

2/26/20                Wednesday        Girls Basketball @ Home vs Tefft

2/28/20                Friday                    NO SCHOOL – Institute Day

2/29/20                Saturday              MS Band Festival @ Larkin HS

3/5 & 3/6             Thurs & Fri          Spring Play Performance  5pm

3/12/20                Thursday             7^th & 8^th Orchestra Concert @ SEHS  7pm

3/14/20                Saturday              Solo/Ensemble Band & Orchestra Festival @ SHS

3/16/20                Monday               U-46 MS Choral Festival @ Canton

3/17/20                Tuesday               Band Concert @ SEHS

3/23 – 3/27         SPRING BREAK

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