LWS | December 2024 Newsletter by Brookwood 167

Elementary

Carnisha Mayze, Principal

Longwood Elementary School

We understand that this can be a very busy and stressful time for families.

We hope that our Family Event, A Longwood Christmas, allows you to slow down and enjoy a little holiday cheer.

We are excited to bring this event to you again another year. Longwood’s Singing Stars and students who participate in our dance program will be able to showcase their exploratory

learning and talent for their families.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school number (708) 757-2100, or by email cmayze@brookwood167. org.

On behalf of all the staff at Longwood Elementary, I wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

What a great time of the year. It is exciting to see students light up for the

Brookwood School District 167 in...

partnership with parents and the community, will create a learning environment where all students excel at becoming lifelong learners and decisionmakers.

BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167 MISSION STATEMENT

We Believe...

• Families shape their children’s motivation, confidence, and academic success by being interested and involved in their overall development.

• All students are unique and should be challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.

• In the importance of staff development opportunities based on best practices and educational research.

• In educating our children in a safe and nurturing environment

with access to state-of-the-art technology.

• The school system should teach students to think critically, enabling them to become contributing citizens in our global society.

• In continuous improvement in all aspects of the school system to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and integrity.

• In responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.

“My

mission in life is

not merely

to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

-- Maya Angelou

BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167 VISION STATEMENT

Our overall vision is to improve the achievement of all students, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender, or ability levels (disabilities). We share the accountability of student achievement throughout the school. We believe in using research-based practices to achieve our goals. We promote school and community involvement because we believe that these partnerships help us meet all our students’ needs.

We Are Committed To...

• Providing students with highly qualified teachers

• Providing our staff with professional development

“Success is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to do when you’re on the journey. But you’ve got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end.” --Usher

VISITORS

If you need to come into the school for any reason, you will need to have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System. Raptor® provides a line of sight as to who is always in our school. The system provides school and district-wide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors that have signed in/out of our buildings. This is important for safety reasons.

Chanae Ross, MTSS Coordinator

My name is Chanae Ross, and I am honored to serve as the MTSS (MultiTiered System of Supports) Coordinator for Longwood Elementary School. This will be my third year in this position. I look forward to collaborating with the District staff and families to support our students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. I am confident that positive relationships will continue to flourish through these interactions.

Chanae Ross | cross@brookwood167.org

Student Safety Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:10 a.m. and be picked up after school no later than 3:15 p.m. If a student is being dropped off or picked up, the driver must adhere to the Longwood arrival and dismissal procedures that the Principal will communicate.

Drivers must NEVER go the wrong way, as this is unsafe for students and staff. Please do not enter the parking lot during dismissal.

Thank you for being so cooperative!

IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFOMATION

Daily attendance is required. If your child anticipates being absent, please make sure the reason is valid. A student that is chronically absent is defined as a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause for more than 5% of the last 180 school days. This is a matter of concern as the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/26-2a considers a truant rate of more than 5% of the last 180 days to be excessive.

Students who are frequently absent often miss important information being taught, fall behind, and lose interest in school. An improvement in attendance may help a student achieve better grades and feel better about himself/ herself. Counseling services and tutoring will be provided to chronically absent students, along with a “Check-In and Check-Out” program of support.

If a student continues to be absent or tardy without a valid excuse, the Regional

Superintendent/South Cook Intermediate Service Center will be notified, and measures will be taken to address this concern more seriously. If your child is struggling to attend school consistently, it is essential that we work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances for school success.

A student who misses ten (10) days is 25% less likely to enroll in college. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs.

I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily.

I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please reach out to our Social Worker.

Ms. Vis (708) 757-2100 jvis@brookwood167.org

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

I am excited to share with you that for the second year in a row, our Superintendent and the Board of Education has decided to provide our students with a set of school supplies to use at school and a set to use at home!

Your child should have brought home a school supply kit. Please let us know if your child has not returned with a home kit. If your child needs any additional resources or supplies for any of their classes, please get in touch with our school office at (708) 757-2100 so we can help provide them with all necessary and needed materials.

Keep them home...

If a child has any symptoms listed below, they should stay home in the morning or go home if these symptoms first occur at school.

when a chiLd can return to schooL is based on the specific symptom they have:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher

• New onset of moderate to severe headache

• Shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat

• Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain from unknown cause

• New congestion/runny nose

• New loss of sense of taste or smell

• Fatigue from unknown cause

• Muscle or body aches

If you answer “YES” to any of the above, your child “MUST” stay home. Please call the school before 8:30 a.m. to report your child’s absence (708) 756-2872.

pLease Leave the foLLowing information:

• Students full name with spelling of the last name

• Reason for absence

• Your name and relationship to the student

reporting a student’s absence...

Parents must call the school to report their child absent before 8:30 a.m. The number for reporting absences is (708) 756-2872. Official attendance will be reported every morning by 9:00 a.m.

reporting a student’s earLy dismissaL...

• Please call the main number (708) 756-2872 at least (45) minutes “PRIOR” to the early dismissal.

• In order for your student to be excused, you must sign them in and out in the main office; otherwise, their absence will be marked as “UNEXCUSED”.

pLease Leave the foLLowing information...

• Students full name with spelling of the last name

• Reason for absence/tardy/early release

• Your name and relationship to the student

ClassDojo

Healthy communication between the school and home is essential; we are working to provide numerous ways for this vital communication. To help suppress paper usage, we will continue providing information as much as possible using digital communication.

we encourage you to do the foLLowing to heLp us communicate with you:

• Please ensure we have an accurate email address. If you are not receiving Dojo messages from us, it probably means we have incorrect information on our end.

• Please sign up for the digital tools that Brookwood School District and the school have provided. These include:

• Class Dojo

• Power School Parent Portal

• Please talk with your child’s teacher about Google Classroom and how it can be used as a communication tool.

• Please follow us on Facebook

• Please visit our website at www.brookwood167.org

• Please feel free to email us or call us at (708) 757-2100

We are almost at 100% and are asking that every parent sign up for the Principal ClassDojo. This is an excellent way for parents to stay informed about important events and information throughout the school year. Don’t hesitate to contact the school office if you need help signing up for this excellent FREE communication tool!

Breakfast/Lunch

We will send home a menu each month so you know what is being served and can plan accordingly.

Breakfast: Breakfast is served daily in the school cafeteria from 8:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Lunch: Hot lunch is free for all students. This includes entrée, fruit, milk, and dessert. If you pack lunch for your child, please keep a healthy choice of foods. Parents will not be allowed to bring their child fast food. Any questions, please contact Janice Machnikowski, Food Services Manager at (708) 758-5190.

Technology Help Desk

If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk

helpdesk@brookwood167.org

Please leave a detailed message with your name, child’s name, phone number, and the issue you are having with the device.

All Longwood teachers in Grades 2-4 use an online grading system called PowerSchool that they update regularly.

We encourage you to check your child’s progress regularly. This program is entirely confidential; therefore, you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress.

If you need your username and/or password, please get in touch with the school office at (708) 757-2100. A PowerSchool app for your cellular phone makes it easy for parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.

CHAMPIONS | BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Champions is a Before & AfterSchool Care Program available to our Brookwood families. Please get in touch with Champions as soon as you can to secure your spot.

Space is limited.

Champions Family Support

Phone: (800) 246-2154

ChampionsHelp@kc-education.com

Education Facts

Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports

As a part of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), teachers, administrators, and support staff have the responsibility to TEACH positive behavior expectations to our students.

This education results in students knowing precisely what is expected of them and a framework of evidence-based behavioral supports and interventions in an integrated curriculum to enhance the social behavior and academic atmosphere for our diverse body of students throughout the school.

Lessons take place in several ways, and the environment for the expectations. For example, teachers will do short lessons each week on a specific expectation, the staff on lunch duty will discuss lunchroom expectations, and on Fridays, students complete a Kahoot or Blooket quiz to review the expectations they have been learning about all week. Posters or anchor charts have been created for different building areas to remind the students and staff about the expected behaviors.

While these strategies may not eliminate all problem behaviors, they create consistency, predictability, and a more positive atmosphere. They teach new skills to help children get their needs met. The solid foundation will help even if challenging behaviors persist by creating a bedrock for additional support layers.

here are pLaces to seeK additionaL information:

• Parenting with Positive Behavior Support: A Practical Guide to Resolving Your Child’s Difficult Behavior

• Home and Community Based Positive Behavior Support Facebook Page

• Home and Community PBS Website

• Parent Center Hub Positive Behavior Supports Resource Collection

• Intensive Intervention: An Overview for Parents and Families

• The Association for Positive Behavior Support

• Getting Behavior in Shape at Home

• Family Resources for Challenging Behavior

• The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Resource Library

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

thanK you...

As the year ends, I would like to thank our Stakeholders.

parents...

Thank you to parents who support our initiatives to provide after-school programming for our students. We couldn’t host these programs without your willingness to alter your schedule.

I also thank parents for ensuring our students complete their iReady lessons and read RazKids books. These practice programs ensure that students get practice while also having the time to unwind for the next day and spend quality time with their families.

Thank You! for sending your child to school daily, ready to learn!

voLunteers...

Thank you to all the volunteers who have assisted us this school year. Our success greatly depends on the presence of parents. This demonstrates to students that everyone who loves them is vested in their success, as we all value the importance of education.

sd167 famiLy...

We also thank everyone in our District who committed to giving their best to your children daily, such as custodians, food service staff, bus drivers, school nurses, paraprofessionals, secretaries, teachers, and School Board Members.

MENÚ DESAYUNO/ ALMUERZO

nicor & operation warm coat donation

On November 13th, Nicor and the Operation Warm program gave every Longwood student in kindergarten through 4th grade a free coat. Students and staff are grateful for such a generous donation and look forward to our continued partnership with the organizations.