for children 3, 4, and 5 years old

(Children should be screened once a year prior to starting Kindergarten)

FREE

Screening for Vision, Hearing, Developmental Speech and Language

Sponsored by Rockridge Unit #300

Black Hawk Area Special Education District

and Rock Island County Public Health Department

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

Andalusia Grade School

10:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Please call Andalusia Elementary at 309-793-8080 to make an appointment.

Parents are urged to bring all children ages 3, 4, and 5 years of age for screening.  It is recommended that your child be screened at each of these ages.  To qualify for any Rockridge district preschool programs, your child must go through this pre-school screening.

If your child is currently attending a preschool in the area and has had this screening, they do not need to come to this screening.

Dear Parents,

It is that time of year when we are starting to see children coming to school not feeling the best.  Please be sure to check your child’s temperature if they are not feeling well.  We have had many students arrive at school with an elevated temperature.  We do believe that it is important for students to be at school but not if they are exposing others.  If your child does have an elevated temperature they should remain at home for 24 hours after being fever free.  Often time’s students return to school too soon and then have to be sent home again because they have an elevated temperature again.

Please stress the importance of hand washing in your home.  Soap and warm water are the cheapest and easiest way to get rid of most germs.  Most germs are spread by our hands.  Each of your child’s classrooms has the waterless hand sanitizers for the students use.  The students are to use these after sneezing, using tissues, and before using the computers.  The teachers stress the importance of hand washing though out the school day.

With the cold and flu season on the way, we have also had a number of children bringing medicine to school.  If it is absolutely necessary that your child take oral medication during school hours and you cannot be at school to administer it, we will do so if you send the signed medication form on the back of this letter.  Usually medication that is prescribed 3 times per day does not need to be given at school.  Communication with your Dr. regarding the medication administration time during school hours is important.  Medication must be brought to the school in the original container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician.  The medication must remain in the office.  It is the child’s responsibility to go to the office at the proper time for it to be administered.  If the medication needs to go home after school, the student must be responsible for picking it up in the office and taking it home.

It is also being suggested by some doctors that all children receive the flu vaccine as a preventative this year.  You may want to contact your child’s physician to ask about them receiving the flu vaccine.

Please be aware that the school retains the discretion to reject requests for administration of medication.

Sincerely,

Kay Amy, R.N., B.S.N.

Rockridge School Nurse

14110 134^TH AVENUE WEST

TAYLOR RIDGE, IL 61284

Dr. Chester Lien, Superintendent

I wish to express my sympathy for the victims and their families of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday. As a parent and an educator I also empathize with the citizens and my fellow school counterpartsof the community.

Safety and welfare of all students in the Rockridge School District is our top priority. While we are aware that there is no plan that can totally prevent a random act of senseless violence like this I wish to assure you that the district has a school safety plan in place that is reviewed annually by law enforcement authorities and practiced by faculty and staff.

There are always lessons to be learned from each incident and as these emerge our plan will be reviewed to implement those lessons learned as appropriate.

If any students have questions or appear to be having problems in light of this tragic event, please contact your building principal and we will make a counselor available to them.

I want to share something written by Dr. Jack Barshinger, Superintendent of Batavia #101.

“The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Friday has evoked sadness, grief, anxiety, and anger.  Children who are struggling with their thoughts and feelings of the shooting may turn to trusted adults for help and guidance.  We offer these suggestions as you talk to your child:

• Limit media exposure. Limit your child’s exposure to media images and sounds of the shooting, and do not allow your very young children to see or hear any TV/radio shooting-related messages. Even if they appear to be engrossed in play, children often are aware of what you are watching on TV or listening to on the radio. What may not be upsetting to an adult may be very upsetting and confusing for a child. Limit your own exposure as well.  Adults may become more distressed with nonstop exposure to media coverage of this shooting.
• What does your child already know? Start by asking what your child/teen already has heard about the event from the media and from friends. Listen carefully; try to figure out what he or she knows or believes. As your child explains, listen for misinformation, misconceptions, and underlying fears or concerns. Understand that this information will change as more facts about the event are known.
• Gently correct inaccurate information. If your child/teen has inaccurate information or misconceptions, take time to provide the correct information in simple, clear, age-appropriate language.
• Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer those questions directly. Your child/teen may have some difficult questions about the incident. For example, he/she may ask if it is possible that it could happen at their school; he/she is probably really asking whether it is “likely.” The concern about re-occurrence will be an issue for caregivers and children/teens alike. While it is important to discuss the likelihood of this risk, he/she is also asking if he/she is safe.
• Be patient. In times of stress, children/teens may have trouble with their behavior, concentration, and attention. While they may not openly ask for your guidance or support, they will want it. Adolescents who are seeking increased independence may have difficulty expressing their needs. Both children and teens will need a little extra patience, care, and love. (Be patient with yourself, too!)”

I would also like to share a link to an excellent article shared with me by Tina Sims, Principal of Taylor Ridge and Reynolds Elementary. It can be accessed at:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/family/2012/12/elementary_school_shooting_how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_the_connecticut.html

If you have any concerns or suggestions please feel free to contact me or any of the building principals.

Yours in education,

Chester Lien

Superintendent

Rockridge CUSD #300

Illinois City Elementary Monthly Newsletter

    May & JUNE

********UPCOMING EVENTS********

Sunday, April 28 – Jr. Football Sign – Ups 5:00 to 7:00PM at the High School Shed

Wednesday, May 1 – Grandparent / Special Pearson Morning 7:40 – 8:45

Friday, May 3 – 6^th Grade Chicago Trip

Friday, May 3 – Kindergarten Round-Up 9:00 (No school for Kindergarten only)

Tuesday, May 7 – Teacher Appreciation Day

Thursday, May 9 – 1:30 Dismissal Teacher Development Day

Thursday, May 9 – 1^st Grade Field Trip

Saturday, May 11 – Rockridge Ball Association Trivia Night

Monday, May 13 – Board Meeting 6:30 at Rockridge High School

Tuesday, May 14 – 5^th Grade Field Trip

Friday, May 17 – Mail-In Registration Packets will be sent home. Please fill out and return to school ASAP. Any question call 309-793-8090. Thank you. Mrs. Terrill

Monday, May 27 – NO SCHOOL Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 28 – 3^rd Grade Field Trip

Wednesday, May 29 – 5^th & 6^th Grade Track Meet – 12:30 at Rockridge High School

Thursday, May 30 – Rain Date for the Track Meet

Thursday, May 30 – 4^th Grade Field Trip

Friday, May 31- PTC – All School Field Day

Monday, June 3 – Rain Date for the PTC All School Field Day

Tuesday, June 4 – Awards Ceremony at 9:00 AM

Tuesday, June 4- KIDS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (WILL BE A FULL DAY)

****ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!****

Dates for 2013 -2014 School Year:

Tuesday, August 20 – Book Bag Night 5:30 to 6:30

Wednesday, August 21 – Classes begin – 1:30 Dismissal Time

Thursday, August 22 – First Full Day of School

Monday, September 2 – NO SCHOOL – Labor Day

.

The Rockridge School District has been notified by the Rock Island Public Health Department about multiple confirmed cases of pertussis in Rock Island County.  To our knowledge none of those cases are connected to the Rockridge Schools at this time.

However, since a school environment presents repeated opportunities for close contact, we are asking for heightened awareness by staff and you the parent of individuals who show signs of pertussis.  Pertussis starts with cold symptoms and a cough that gets progressively worse over 1 – 2 weeks and may last for months.  Symptoms usually include a long series of coughing fits that may be followed by whooping noises, vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching one’s breath.  Older children, adults, and very young infants may not exhibit the characteristic whoop sound.  The coughing often intensifies at night, and cough medicines usually will not alleviate the cough.

Serious complications such as pneumonia and other problems can result among all age groups due to pertussis infection.  However, pertussis poses the greatest risk to infants who have not started or completed vaccinations.

While the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine is routinely given to all infants and young children up to age 7, the protection from the vaccine wears off over time and has resulted in more previously vaccinated pre-adolescent and adolescent children acquiring pertussis.  A Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster vaccine is available to provide added protection against pertussis for adolescents and adults.

****New rules have been released which will require students entering 6^th through 12^th grades to receive a booster for pertussis (Tdap).  These rules will go into effect at the beginning of next school year (2012-2013).  All students that have not already received a Tdap booster will be required to do so before this time.  If you do take your child to receive the Tdap booster please be sure to notify the school with a written note from your doctor office with the date of the received vaccine for school health records.****

Sincerely,

Kay Amy RN, BSN, ILCSN

Rockridge School Nurse

Illinois City Elementary is a place where students are able to reach their maximum potential.  Staff, parents and community all work together to help students achieve to the highest level possible.  We serve approximately 140 students with one section of each grade K-6.  Our strong core academic program is complimented by an equally strong Response-To-Intervention (RTI) process.  Through RTI, we provide research-based instruction and interventions to struggling learners as an early intervention to prevent long-term academic failure.  This process also allows time to provide enriching/extension activities for the non-struggling learners.

Here at Illinois City Elementary, we promote positive behaviors and attitudes that are modeled consistently through the implementation of our Character Counts Program.  The six pillars of Character Counts are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

A highly supportive Parent Teacher Club (PTC) assists the school in meeting its educational goals and providing enriching activities for our students.  Volunteers are also encouraged to assist in all facets of the school.

Patrick Helling, Principal

One of the goals of the Rockridge School District is to equalize class sizes among the elementary classes. One way this is accomplished is by looking at incoming kindergarten students after Kindergarten Round-up. If one attendance center is quite low in enrollment, we first ask for volunteers who would like to send their child to that school. If equalization is still a problem, some students may be required to attend an elementary school other than the one where they attended Kindergarten Round-up. Bussing range will be part of this determination. Equalization of class sizes will be a consideration for students of any elementary grade when moving into the Rockridge School District.

If you have a child or know of a child that will be attending Kindergarten at Illinois City Elementary this year, call the office at 309-793-8090 with the child’s name, birth date, parent’s name, address and phone number. The child must be five years of age by September 1, 2011. Kindergarten Round-up is May 3, 2011.