Sandidge News

PLANNING FOR THE

2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

     Our faculty is beginning the process of organizing classes for next year.  The elementary students in our school district are assigned to classes heterogeneously (mixed abilities) with some limited grouping, commonly called “clustering”, to accommodate for extraordinary needs.  Many factors are considered in this process, including input from your child’s teacher, gender balance, academic achievement and aptitude, individual learning styles, and personalities.  This important work contributes significantly to the creation of optimal learning situations for students.  Parents may choose to participate in the process by sharing insights and information about their child’s educational needs.  This should be done in writing and sent to the principal by Friday, May 8, 2009.  Students and parents will be informed of class assignments in August after registration is completed.

SANDIDGE YEARBOOKS

            Students who previously paid for a yearbook will receive their copy on or before Friday, May 15^th to bring home. 

            We would all like to thank Mrs. Boyer and Mrs. Zinkan for their hours of work putting this terrific yearbook together.  Their volunteer time has made a wonderful difference for the Sandidge students.

  SCIENCE FAIR

By: Mrs. Eskra, Mrs. Gall, and Miss Dohl

Sandidge Science Fair Rocks!

            What a blast!  Our annual Science Fair was held on Wednesday, April 8^th and the excitement of students and their families and friends absolutely filled the gym.  This was our first year of combining the Fulton and Sandidge Science Fairs, and the result was nothing short of amazing.  Everywhere you turned you saw something fascinating…volcanoes erupting…jewel-like crystals forming into rock candy… mold growing on different kinds of bread.  There were experiments galore, observations, and models demonstrating anything from electro-magnets to paper airplanes.  Even the animal kingdom was represented---with awesome reports on sea horses, deer, coyotes, horses, turtles, and hermit crabs (to name just a few!).  As faculty sponsors, Ms. Dohl, Mrs. Eskra, and Mrs. Gall would like to thank all student scientists and their faithful helpers (parents, of course!) for countless hours of research on the internet, frequent trips to the library, and patient perseverance.  We can’t wait to see the creative ideas that we’re sure you will come up with next year!

Health Education
Mrs. Angie Chobot, School Nurse

Notes from the nurse………………….

The children love to have outside recess and look forward to it.  We often find them without the proper coats hats and shoes to enjoy playing outdoors.  Please make sure your child is properly dressed so they can enjoy recess time with their friends.  Winds pick up and the temperature often drops so please make sure even though it might be warm in the morning, they always have a coat or light jacket with them.  Once the weather is warmer outdoors, the air conditioning is turned on so a light sweater or jacket may be needed for indoors. 

                                   Gina Sipich, Social Worker                                    

Compassion is the character standard for the month of May.

You can show others compassion by:

• Being kind to everyone at all times
• Showing others you care through your words and actions
• Being aware of others feelings

 Safety Patrol News

Mrs. Eskra and Mrs. Drew

         Now that our school year is winding down, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our dedicated Sandidge Safety Patrol fifth grade students. These responsible students came to school early, stayed late, and helped to keep the school safe for all our students and staff. We appreciate their dedication to this important school job.

Creative Expressions Art Showcase

CCSD #146 2007-08 Illinois School Report Card

     There is an Illinois School Report Card for each of the district’s schools and one for the district as a whole, now on line.  The report cards provide information regarding the individual school and/or the district.  Information in the report card will consist of:

• Demographics

• Instructional Setting

• Finances

• Student Academic Performances

The 2007-08 Illinois School Report cards are available to the public. 

Web sites to go to are:

Go to the district 146 web site at: www.district146.org
Go to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) web site at: www.isbe.net
Or go to your school’s office for a hard copy.

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS

If you have previously moved out of School District 146 boundaries or plan to move over the summer, please stop in the school office to complete the necessary paperwork. You will need the “Official Pupil Transfer Form” to give to the new school and the child’s Medical File.  Many school districts are closed for a month or so during the summer, so please do not wait for the last minute.

EMERGENCY PLANNING

Preparing for a chemical threat

            A chemical attack is the deliberate release of a toxic gas, liquid or solid that can poison people and the environment.  Watch for signs of a chemical attack such as many people suffering from watery eyes, twitching, choking, having trouble breathing or losing coordination.  Many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals are also cause for suspicion.  If you see signs of a chemical attack, quickly try to define the impacted area or where the chemical is coming from, if possible.  Take immediate action to get away from the affected area.

If the chemical is inside a building where you are, try to get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area.  Otherwise, it may be better to move as far away from where you suspect the chemical release is and seal the room.  If you are outside when you see the signs of a chemical attack, you must quickly decide what is the fastest way to get away from the chemical threat.  Consider if you can get out of the area or if it would be better to go inside a building and follow your plan to shelter-in-place.

If your eyes are watering, your skin is stinging, you are having trouble breathing or you simply think you may have been exposed to a chemical, immediately strip and wash.  Look for a hose, fountain, or any source of water.  Wash with soap, if possible, but do not scrub the chemical into your skin.  Seek emergency medical attention.  Next month – dealing with a nuclear blast.

WEATHER/DISASTER PROCEDURES

It is the goal of District 146 and Sandidge School to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families in all situations.  In case of severe weather, and a “Take Cover” situation is announced by the national or local weather service or by the building principal, the following would occur:

Students will go immediately to “Take Cover” positions with their teachers.

Exterior Weather/Disaster warning lights will be activated indicating to those outside of the building that students WILL NOT be dismissed until the emergency situation has passed.  At this point we encourage parents to take necessary safety precautions for themselves.  If parents or other adults (who have come to pick children up) enter the school building at this time they will be required to “Take Cover” in a designated location.  Students will not be released from their “Take Cover” position until the ALL CLEAR has been determined.  Parents with other children at home are encouraged to remain/return home until the storm or threatening conditions has passed and normal dismissal can be accomplished.

Parents will know when normal dismissal can begin because the outside emergency warning lights will be terminated and the all clear condition will be announced.

Parents and interested persons can receive emergency weather information such as school closings and delayed dismissals by dialing the school at 708-614-4540 and when prompted press 5.

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