Dear Addams Community,

We are thrilled to provide you an update from another outstanding week of learning at Jane Addams. In particular, want to highlight what was a jam packed Wednesday half day. First, students and staff took part in three safety drills (fire, tornado and lockdown). Additionally, teachers facilitated a goal-setting lesson during Inspire. Next, we celebrated accomplishments as a building during our second Pep Assembly of the year. During this assembly, the Physical Education department honored sixteen students with Join the Movement Awards. These awards are reserved for those students who exemplify the three tenets of Joining the Movement: maintaining a growth mindset, living above the line and being happy.  At the pep assembly, we also had some fun! A group of teachers volunteered to be “pied in the face” at the finish line of an all-school game of zoom. To learn more about zoom, we would suggest asking your child or check us out on social media. Finally, students sang and danced their way out to dismissal as our DJ played some sing-along tunes.

Additionally, on Thursday, students attended their first FLEX session of the year. FLEX is a thirty-minute period of time during the school day on most Thursdays, where teachers can pull students to their classroom to work on homework completion, give additional support and offer enrichment activities. During the first FLEX, staff provided expectations for these learning sessions. Also, teachers used this time to show students a presentation on every club and activity we offer at Addams. This was time well spent because research shows that students who get involved and form relationships outside of the traditional school day are more successful academically, socially and emotionally.

In classes, students are getting into the meat of the curriculum through opportunities designed to engage and empower them. We look forward to sharing some of this progress with parents in a couple weeks at conferences.

Have a great weekend!

Regards,

Chris Bingen       Kim Phelan
Principal            Assistant Principal

Please read on for important news from Addams and District 54.

Important Dates
9/24 – D211 8^th grade Transitional Meeting for students attending Hoffman, Schaumburg or Conant High Schools
10/4-5 – Student-led Conferences
10/8 – No School, Columbus Day
10/13 – D211 Placement Exam

Student-led Conferences
You can now reserve your preferred time slot for our October 4^th and 5^th parent teacher conferences using an electronic reservation system.  Please know that if you are having any issues with this site you can just call our office at 847-357-5900, and we will help you reserve your timeslot.  Our hope is that the online system will help you to quickly reserve time slots that fit your schedule. The window for online access will close at midnight on Wednesday, October 3^rd. However, if you would like your preferred time slot, we would suggest that you act quickly.  

Follow these easy steps to get signed up:

• Step 1 – Click the following link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4553637/Addams-Junior-High-2018-2019-Fall-Student-Led-Conferences
• Step 2 – Click the link on your child’s mathematics and Language Arts teacher.
• Step 3 – Fill out student and parent information.
• Step 4 – Select your preferred time slot.  Please note that once 6 families have reserved the same time slot, that time slot will not be shown as a preference for other families. 

Once the process is complete, you will receive an email confirmation of the date and time of your conference. 

Stand for the Silent Assembly
On October 11, Kirk Smalley will speak to Addams students about the negative effects of bullying. He will talk about how his own son committed suicide after being bullied, and he often shares stories about other children as well. However, the main point of his presentation is to have the students promise to respect themselves and those around them, and to stand up to bullying and report what they see. After the assembly, our students will continue this discussion with their Advocacy teacher.

While the subject may be difficult, this is an important message for all youth. I believe that our students should hear this message. However, because we work cooperatively with our parents, I am sending a permission form home with all students today and attaching it to this email as well. Please select whether or not your child can participate in the assembly and return the permission form to your students first period teacher by October 4.  Stand for Silent.doc

In addition, District 54 will host an evening assembly with Mr. Smalley at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at our Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Click here to access the flyer for the event.

This assembly is just one of many we have scheduled for this year based on themes that complement our social-emotional learning curriculum. For more information about these themes and this work, click here to read an article from District 54 Superintendent Andrew DuRoss. Thank you for working with us to care for the children in our community.

District 54 Dual/Immersion Parent Night
Join us on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 at the District 54 Professional Learning Center to learn more about the dual and immersion programs at all levels and how you can support your child’s success in two languages. Whether your child is just starting in kindergarten or will head to junior high or high school, sessions are targeted to your specific needs. Click here for the Dual Language/Immersion Parent Night Flyer in English, Spanish and Japanese for more information and to register.

Adult ESL Classes Available
The Department of Language and Culture is excited to host Free Adult English as a Second Language classes at Nerge, Armstrong and Hanover Highlands this fall. These classes are designed for parents of District 54 students who are interested in learning or practicing their English. During these classes, participants will engage in communicative activities centered around a broad range of topics.  The class will meet 8 times.

Classes at Nerge will be on Tuesdays, Oct. 9-Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Classes at Armstrong will be on Wednesdays, Oct. 10-Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m.

Classes at Hanover Highlands will be on Mondays, Sept. 24-Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m.

The Adult ESL flyers and registration forms in English, Spanish and Polish can be found on the Language and Culture Website. Please return completed registration forms to your child’s school. We look forward to having you join us!

Schaumburg Parent University – Happiness Advantage Class Sept. 27
Happiness is not something that happens to you but rather a choice you can make to lead a more fulfilling and enriching life.  Research shows that choosing happiness has an advantage beyond simply feeling good. Come learn about the benefits of positive psychology and experience it firsthand through fun and interactive activities. Parents, guardians and students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to attend at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2018, at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. To register or for more information, contact Meg Kwak at (847) 357-6586 or spu@nullsd54.org. Leave your name, contact information, the number of children requiring free childcare and the name of your child’s school.

Schaumburg Parent University (SPU) is designed to involve more parents in the life of the school, to strengthen family relationships, and to improve parenting skills that will ultimately result in improved student success academically, socially and emotionally.

Universidad de padres de Schaumburg – Ventaja de felicidad
La felicidad no es algo que te sucede, sino más bien una elección que puedes hacer para llevar una vida más satisfactoria y enriquecedora.  Las investigaciones muestran que elegir la felicidad tiene una ventaja más allá de simplemente sentirse bien. Venga a conocer los beneficios de la psicología positiva y experimente de primera mano a través de actividades divertidas e interactivas. Los padres, tutores y estudiantes de kinder a octavo grado son bienvenidos. Este evento tendrá lugar a las 6:30 p.m. el 27 de septiembre en el Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional del Distrito 54, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Regístrese con Barb Velez al 847-357-5074 o spu@nullsd54.org.

La Universidad de padres de Schaumburg (SPU) está diseñada para involucrar a más padres en la vida de la escuela, para fortalecer las relaciones familiares y mejorar las habilidades de crianza que en última instancia se traduce en mejor éxito de los estudiantes académicamente, socialmente y emocionalmente

Dear Addams Community,

At Addams, we strive to provide “peak” moments for our students and this week was no exception. First, on Monday, guest speaker John Donahue-Grossman, brought his powerful message of acceptance to our students during an all-school assembly. John begins the assembly dressed up like a homeless person and discussed the importance of not judging a person by their appearance. His personal stories highlighted bullying, prejudice, character, and self-esteem. 

Additionally, in classrooms teachers engaged and empowered learners. For example in 7^th grade Social Studies, some classes were able to experience what it was like to be chased by the Red Coats during the Revolutionary War utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technology. While 8^th grade classes had to decide who was at fault for the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of March 1911 through a powerful simulation experience.

Additionally, thank you to all the parents that came out for Curriculum Night. We had fun watching you try to find your child’s locker to leave them a note of gratitude. It was equally thrilling to watch the looks on the students’ faces the next morning when they read the notes. Addams is a special place because of the partnership we have with our families.

We continue to write the story of our year, one learning moment at a time and look forward to having all of you be a part of each chapter. Speaking of chapters, please consider setting aside a few minutes this weekend to crack open The Orange Frog Family Resource guide that we sent home on Tuesday. It is a wonderful book about the journey of happiness.

Have a great weekend!

Regards,
Chris Bingen         Kim Phelan
Principal               Assistant Principal

Please read on for upcoming events at Addams and District 54​​​​​​​

Important Dates

• 9/18 – PTA meeting in the Addams teacher’s lounge at 5 pm
• 9/19 – Half day of student attendance (10:40 am dismissal)
• 10/4 and 10/5 – Parent teacher conferences

Student-led Conferences
You can now reserve your preferred time slot for our October 4^th and 5^th parent teacher conferences using an electronic reservation system.  Please know that if you are having any issues with this site you can just call our office at 847-357-5900, and we will help you reserve your timeslot.  Our hope is that the online system will help you to quickly reserve time slots that fit your schedule. The window for online access will close at midnight on Wednesday, October 3^rd. However, if you would like your preferred time slot, we would suggest that you act quickly.  

Follow these easy steps to get signed up:

• Step 1 – Click the following link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4553637/Addams-Junior-High-2018-2019-Fall-Student-Led-Conferences
• Step 2 – Click the link on your child’s mathematics and Language Arts teacher.
• Step 3 – Fill out student and parent information.
• Step 4 – Select your preferred time slot.  Please note that once 6 families have reserved the same time slot, that time slot will not be shown as a preference for other families.

Once the process is complete, you will receive an email confirmation of the date and time of your conference. 

Student Universal Screener
As a school, we strive to meet the needs of the whole child, including the social-emotional needs of every student.  Our teachers know your child by name and by need and we work hard to build relationships and understand all of our learners.  To better ensure we support every student, this year we will be using a universal screener to help us ensure we have identified every student who may need additional social-emotional support. 

The universal screener is a series of questions that staff members complete for the students they support. Students do not participate in the screener or receive direct feedback about the results. If your child has elevated risk factors identified through this screener, we would contact you directly to discuss how we can work together to intervene and support your student.  This is simply one additional way for our staff make sure we are helping every student be successful.  If you have any questions about the screener, please feel free to contact me directly.

District 211 Information
Addams invites our eighth grade students and their parents to attend our upcoming District 211 Parent/Student Information Night on Monday, September 24, 2018, at Jane Addams Junior High School. The presentation in Spanish will begin at 6:45 pm and the presentation in English will begin at 7:30 pm.  The presentations will be facilitated by District 211 student services directors from our feeder high schools.  The purpose of this evening program will be to explain the high school enrollment and preliminary registration process. This orientation will include placement test topics and high school placement as well as program planning for student elective courses. 

District 211 has updated its comprehensive transition guidebook for the high school graduating class of 2023.  The guidebook highlights important information the families of current 8th grade students will want to know, including details about placement testing which will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at each of our high schools.  Each D211 high school has a unique version of the Class of 2023 Transition Guidebook.  You can locate electronic copies of each high school’s guidebook on the D211 webpage devoted to incoming freshmen information.

District 54 Dual/Immersion Parent Night
Join us on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 at the District 54 Professional Learning Center to learn more about the dual and immersion programs at all levels and how you can support your child’s success in two languages. Whether your child is just starting in kindergarten or will head to junior high or high school, sessions are targeted to your specific needs. Click here for the Dual Language/Immersion Parent Night Flyer in English, Spanish and Japanese for more information and to register.

Adult ESL Classes Available
The Department of Language and Culture is excited to host Free Adult English as a Second Language classes at Nerge, Armstrong and Hanover Highlands this fall. These classes are designed for parents of District 54 students who are interested in learning or practicing their English. During these classes, participants will engage in communicative activities centered around a broad range of topics.  The class will meet 8 times.

Classes at Nerge will be on Tuesdays, Oct. 9-Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Classes at Armstrong will be on Wednesdays, Oct. 10-Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m.

Classes at Hanover Highlands will be on Mondays, Sept. 24-Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m.

The Adult ESL flyers and registration forms in English, Spanish and Polish can be found on the Language and Culture Website. Please return completed registration forms to your child’s school. We look forward to having you join us!

District 54 Education Foundation – Upcoming support opportunity at Lou Malnati’s September 19
The Foundation is partnering with Lou Malnati’s in Schaumburg to raise funds for students. Eat at or order from Lou Malnati’s Schaumburg or Lou Malnati’s Barrington Road on September 19, and 20 percent of total sales will be donated to the District 54 Education Foundation. You must bring in or mention the flyer at the time of your order; click here for the flyer.

Thank you to everyone who supported the District 54 Education Foundation at Septemberfest over Labor Day weekend by parking at Collins Elementary or purchasing food from our not-for-profit day partner, Riccardo’s!

Fundación de Educación del Distrito 54 – Próximas oportunidad de apoyo – Lou Malnati’s – 19 de septiembre
La Fundación se ha asociado con Lou Malnati en Schaumburg para recaudar fondos para estudiantes. Coma en u ordene de Lou Malnati en Schaumburg o Lou Malnati Barrington Road el 19 de septiembre, y el 20 por ciento de las ventas totales serán donados a la Fundación de Educación del Distrito 54. Usted debe traer o mencionar la hoja volante de promoción en el momento de su orden; haga clic aquí para el folleto.

Gracias a todos los que apoyaron a la Fundación de Educación del Distrito 54 el pasado fin de semana, Día del Trabajo, durante el Septemberfest al estacionarse en la Escuela Collins o al comprar comida de nuestro socio sin fines de lucro Riccardo’s.