Student-led conferences will be held on February 14-15, 2019.  Classes will dismiss at 11:40 am on February 14 to accommodate conferences in the afternoon and evening.  Conferences will conclude the morning of February 15.  We hope to see all of you here.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be running during conferences in the main hallway.

Muir Community,
As we experience frigid temperatures, please make sure that your children are bundled up! Below, I have included our district cold weather response plan for school closings. When we are in school, if the temperature with the wind chill is above 0, we will have students line up outside in the morning and go outside for recess. A heavy coat, hat, gloves and scarf are important in keeping them toasty. Please read below for important information coming up in the Muir Community.

Twitter
We use Twitter to share and celebrate the wonderful things happening at Muir. Please follow me @carolyn_allar and our Muir page @WeAreMuir54.

Spirit Days
Below are the Spirit Days for the entire year. We encourage all students to participate to show our unity! We Are Muir!
Wednesday, January 30-Hat Day
Wednesday, February 27-Dress to Impress Day
Wednesday, March 20-Orange Day
Wednesday, April 24-Sports Day
Wednesday, May 29-Mix and Match Day

5Essentials Survey
District 54 will again be participating in the 5Essentials Survey. We value this information as a tool to help us continue to improve. We will only receive the results from the parent survey if at least 20 percent of our parents take the survey. The 5Essentials survey now includes fourth- through eighth-grade students. The parent survey will be available online through Feb. 15 2019, at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois.

Kindergarten Registration
Registration for incoming Kindergarten students will be held on Wednesday, February 6 for the 2019-20 school year. Registration for students will be from 9:00-11:00AM and 5:00-7:00PM at Muir. If you have neighbors with a child who will be five years old before September 1, please let them know about Kindergarten Registration. Visit https://sd54.org/resources/registration/ for more information.

District 54 Cold Weather Response Plan
In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, I wanted to share with you the District 54 Severe Cold Weather Response Plan. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open and operational, circumstances beyond our control oftentimes dictate school closings.

Schaumburg Parent University – February classes
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. There are two evening programs scheduled for February. Please note that child care is always available.
Don’t Try Harder, Try Different – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5
Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D., will talk through the seven themes of his stress management workbook. Learn how to recognize and challenge your thinking errors as well as learn about the Safety Seeking Behaviors that you often find yourself doing that keep you stuck in stress, even if you feel good doing those behaviors. Adults only.
Family Engineering Night (STEM Night) – 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Feb. 19
Using everyday materials, your family will become engineers who develop solutions to various challenges, build towers, and design an artistic robot. Team up to discover how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) makes all of these things possible. Limited to 50 families.
These events will take place at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Please register by visiting https://goo.gl/TB49x7. For more information, contact Meg Kwak at 847-357-6586 or spu@nullsd54.org

Important Dates
1/30-Half Day-Dismissal at 11:40 a.m.
2/6-Kindergarten Registration
2/12-PTA Meeting
2/14-Conferences-Dismissal at 11:40 a.m.
2/15-Conferences-No School
2/18-No School

All District 54 schools and offices are closed to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s. birthday on Monday, January 21, 2019.

It is hard to believe that winter break will begin at the end of the day on Friday, December 21^st.  We are sure the students and staff of John Muir Literacy Academy will be looking forward to time with family and friends.  In our last week of school in 2018, students and staff will be continuing to work hard academically, yet enjoying some classroom/grade level fun activities to complete the first half of the school year.

We would like to thanks our parents, guardians and community members for the support they have shared with the teachers and staff of John Muir.  Your support and encouragement helps to guide our students to the great success they are achieving daily at John Muir.  The strong connection between home and school make a great difference for each of our students.  Thank you again for being there for our students and your child.

Since we are always the educator, we ask you to remind your child to continue their daily practice of reading.  One great book, the newspaper and/or comic books keeps our student’s mind well primed for their return to school on Monday, January 7^th.

2019 Multicultural Event Performance and Interest Form

District 54 is once again excited to host our annual Multicultural Event in collaboration with the Schaumburg Park District. Our event will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) in Schaumburg. During the event, student groups have the opportunity to give performances that reflect various cultures.

If you are interested in performing, please complete and submit the online Performance Interest Form no later than Monday, December 17. More information can be found on thePerformance Information Flyer.

There will be an informational meeting on Thursday, December 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Professional Learning Center, 524 E. Schaumburg Road. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the performances, as well as how you might be able to help with the event.

If you have questions about the Performance Interest Form or the informational meeting, please contact Nancy Hellstrom at (847) 357-5068 or Nicole Lumpp at (847) 357-5072.

Holiday Shop

On Wednesday, December 19^th the Muir PTA will be sponsoring a Holiday Shop for students to purchase holiday gifts for family members.  Students bringing money to school on this day will be able to go to the gym to buy items for their family and/or friends.  The items that are on sale are priced from $0.25 to $10.00 with most items priced under $5.00.  The purchased items will be bagged for students to place into their back pack to take home at the end of the school day.  Please remember that PTA is sponsoring this event as a support for students to buy “student priced items.”

PBIS/SEL

Our PBIS/SEL goal for the month of December is Be sensitive to Other People’s Feelings. Staff members will be stressing this skill set daily and working with your John Muir students to be positive role models for each other.

District 54 Cold Weather Response Plan
In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, I wanted to share with you the District 54 Severe Cold Weather Response Plan. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open and operational, circumstances beyond our control oftentimes dictate school closings.

El Plan del Distrito 54 para Responder a las Inclemencias del Tiempo Frio
Con el fin de ayudarles a prepararse para las inclemencias del tiempo frío y la nieve que a menudo recibimos durante el invierno en nuestra comunidad, quisiera compartir con ustedes el Plan del Distrito 54 para responder a las inclemencias del tiempo frio. Aunque el Distrito 54 hace todos los esfuerzos para mantener las escuelas abiertas y funcionando, a veces circunstancias fuera de nuestro control dictan la cancelación de clases.

Winter Break

On Friday, December 21 at 3:00 p.m. students and staff will begin their winter recess from school at the end of the school day.    School will resume on January 7, 2019 with all students and staff returning to John Muir School for the start of the New Year.

Happy Friday to all John Muir Families! Our students worked diligently this week to complete their MAP testing. Students used their testing time wisely and worked extremely hard to answer all of their grade level questions. It was exciting to see how proud our students were reflecting on their own individual success. A special thank you our parents and to the staff of John Muir School for the daily hard work and effort you share with each and every John Muir student. Success is contagious and our students really displayed this successful attitude with each other, their parents and teachers. Kudos to the John Muir Literacy Academy!
Please take a few minutes to explore all of the important information shared in this week’s Falcons Messenger:

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night

This informational night is a great opportunity to find out some useful tips for a smooth transition into Eisenhower Junior High. This event will take place on Wednesday, December 12th from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Our partnership with Eisenhower is important for the success of your child. Eisenhower looks forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have about Eisenhower and about the transition to junior high. Student selection sheets will be distributed to Muir sixth graders on December 10th. Their selection sheets will be due back to their sixth grade teacher on Friday, December 14th.

John Muir PTA Holiday Shop
The PTA Holiday Shop will held Wednesday, December 19th in the Muir gym. Students may bring money to school on that day to purchase holidays gifts for the siblings, parents, guardians and/or friends. Detailed information will be coming home shortly with your students. Please note that students are not obligated to make purchases here at Muir, but to use this opportunity to find gifts that are priced reasonably for student purchases.

District 54 Education Foundation
The Windy City Bulls will host a District 54 takeover night on Friday, December 14 at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, and a portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchased will be donated back to the District 54 Education Foundation. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets! https://groupmatics.events/event/D54Night. The District 54 take-over night will feature District 54 students participating in performances and other on-court experiences before and throughout the game, and a District 54 Special Olympics basketball match at halftime. The Windy City Bulls will host an assembly at the school that sells the most tickets.

Schaumburg Parent University – December
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. There is one evening program scheduled for December. Please note that child care is always available.

Get Your Game On – December 4: Monopoly your game choice? Maybe Pictionary? They got nothing on this night! Come to our Family Game Night and not only will you learn new games, you are will make them from scratch! In this session families will create and play their own games; an hour of uninterrupted, no electronic, family together time. The best part is you get to take your game home with you so that the fun can continue! Parents and students in kindergarten and older are welcome. This event will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on December 4, 2018, at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Get You Game On Flyer
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 needing childcare (free) and your child’s school.

District 54 Cold Weather Response Plan
In order to help you better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, I wanted to share with you the District 54 Severe Cold Weather Response Plan. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open and operational, circumstances beyond our control oftentimes dictate school close.

El Plan del Distrito 54 para Responder a las Inclemencias del Tiempo Frio
Con el fin de ayudarles a prepararse para las inclemencias del tiempo frío y la nieve que a menudo recibimos durante el invierno en nuestra comunidad, quisiera compartir con ustedes el Plan del Distrito 54 para responder a las inclemencias del tiempo frio. Aunque el Distrito 54 hace todos los esfuerzos para mantener las escuelas abiertas y funcionando, a veces circunstancias fuera de nuestro control dictan la cancelación de clases.Wind Chill Advisory
A wind chill advisory is issued when conditions do not meet the wind chill warning criteria but still cause significant inconvenience. The weather during a wind chill advisory is not life-threatening but presents conditions that may result in inconveniences or pose moderate risk to safety. A wind chill advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

• Schools will be open. However, students will not be penalized should parents choose to keep their children home.
• Extracurricular activities may be suspended if conditions persist. Updates will be posted on school websites and parents will receive an email if after-school activities are cancelled.
• All field trips will be cancelled.
• All outside activities will be suspended, including recess and outdoor physical education.

NOTE: The National Weather Service (NWS) will be the source we use to declare a wind chill warning or wind chill advisory. http://www.weather.gov.

Dear Muir community,

It is my pleasure to be back in District 54, serving as the Muir interim principal while Mrs. Allar is on maternity leave.

Illinois Report Card
The Illinois State Board of Education annually releases school report cards that show how each school, each district and the state is performing on a wide range of educational goals. The 2018 report card information is posted on the state’s website at www.illinoisreportcard.com. District 54 will also make it available on our website at http://sd54.org/schoolreportcards.

The illinoisreportcard.com website contains results from the PARCC assessment, as well as information about student and teacher demographics, enrollment, district-level financial information. The report card also includes results from the 5Essentials survey, which was given to students in grades 4 through 8, certified staff and parents last year.

If you do not have access to the Internet or prefer to receive a hard copy, you may call the school at (847) 357-6444. If you want copies of the report cards from more than one of District 54’s schools, please call the District 54 Community Relations Department at (847) 357-5027.

Schaumburg Parent University – November classes
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. There are two evening programs scheduled for November. Please note that child care is always available.

• Secret Service Internet Safety Class – November 5 The U.S. Secret Service will educate parents on how they can keep their children safe online. Topics will include inappropriate content, privacy, sexting, cyberbullying and digital citizenship. This event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 5 2018, at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Secret Service Internet Safety Class Flyer
• Mindful Meditation – November 14 As part of our ongoing focus on student wellness, we invite parents and their children to join us in learning how to use the power of something super simple – your breath – to improve concentration, reduce stress, improve quality of sleep and help you handle your response (both emotional and physical) to outside circumstances and situations. Please bring your own yoga mat or a towel to sit on during meditation. This event will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 14, 2018, at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Mindful Meditation Flyer

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 needing childcare (free) and your child’s school.

Boleta de Calificaciones de Illinois
La Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois publica anualmente los informes escolares que muestran cómo cada escuela, cada distrito y el estado se están desempeñando en una amplia gama de objetivos educativos. Se espera que la información de la boleta de calificaciones de 2018 se publique el miércoles 31 de octubre en el sitio web del estado en www.illinoisreportcard.com. El Distrito 54 también lo pondrá a disposición en nuestro sitio web en http://sd54.org/schoolreportcards.

El sitio web  illinoisreportcard.com  contiene los resultados de la evaluación PARCC, así como información sobredatos demográficos de estudiantes y maestros, inscripciones e información financiera a nivel de distrito. La boleta de calificaciones también incluye los resultados de la encuesta 5Essentials, que se entregó a los estudiantes de los grados 4to a 8vo, el personal certificado y a los padres el año pasado.

Si usted no tiene acceso a Internet o prefiere recibir una copia impresa, puede llamar a la escuela al (847) 357-6444. Si desea copias de las boletas de calificaciones de más de una de las escuelas del Distrito 54, llame al Departamento de Relaciones Comunitarias del Distrito 54 al (847) 357-5027.

La Universidad Schaumburg para Padres – Clases de noviembre
La idea de la Universidad para Padres es envolver más a los padres in la vida escolar, para fortalecer las relaciones familiares, y mejorar los conocimientos de crianza que finalmente resultarán en un mejor éxito académico, social y emocional del estudiante. Hay dos programas nocturnos para noviembre. El cuidado de niños está siempre disponible.

• Clase de seguridad de internet del Servicio Secreto de los Estados Unidos – 5 de noviembre El Servicio Secreto de EE. UU. educará a los padres sobre cómo pueden mantener seguros a sus hijos en línea. Los temas incluirán contenido inapropiado, privacidad, sexting, cyberbullying y ciudadanía digital. Sólo para adultos. Este evento tendrá lugar a las 6 p.m. el 5 de noviembre en el Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional del Distrito 54, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194. Clase de seguridad de internet del Servicio Secreto de los Estados Unidos
• Meditación de Plenitud Mental – 14 de noviembre Como parte de nuestro enfoque continuo en el bienestar de los estudiantes, invitamos a los padres y sus hijos a unirse a nosotros para aprender a usar el poder de algo súper simple: su respiración – para mejorar la concentración, reducir el estrés, mejorar la calidad del sueño y ayudarlo a manejar su respuesta (tanto emocional como física) a circunstancias y situaciones externas. Por favor traiga su propia estera de yoga o una toalla para sentarse durante la meditación.  Este evento tendrá lugar de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m. el 14 de noviembre de 2018, en el Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional del Distrito 54, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Meditación de Plenitud Mental 

Regístrese con Barb Velez al 847-357-5074 o spu@nullsd54.org. Por favor, dejar su nombre, información de contacto, número de participantes, número de niños necesitando cuidado de niños (gratis) y la escuela de su hijo/a. Los intérpretes están disponibles por solicitud.

Sincerely,

Interim Principal Pamela C. Samson

Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring such a fun event last evening. Our families enjoyed decorating pumpkins, playing bingo and dancing with Ms. Aguayo. Please read below for important information coming up in the Muir Community!

Leave

As many of you are probably aware, I am expecting baby #2. Today was my last day with students as we prepare for the arrival of our new son. While I am gone, Pam Samson, former District 54 Principal, will be coming in to support the building. In addition, Mrs. Garza will be coming back in to support on a part-time basis. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your child, please reach out to Ms. Burke or Mrs. Samson. I will miss everyone while I am gone and look forward to seeing you when I return.

Twitter

We use Twitter to share and celebrate the wonderful things happening at Muir. The following staff members have new Twitter pages. Please follow me @carolyn_allar and our Muir page @WeAreMuir54.

Mrs. Michelini-Paraprofessional (6^th grade)-@MicheliniTara

Halloween

Halloween is next week!. We will be celebrating with a parade for Kindergarten-3^rd grade beginning at 1:15 and classroom parties will follow. As a reminder, Halloween is on a Wednesday and we dismiss at 2:30. Our office will close at 3:00.

Spirit Days

Below are the Spirit Days for the entire year. We encourage all students to participate to show are unity! We Are Muir!

Wednesday, October 31-Halloween

Monday, November 12-Red, White and Blue Day

Wednesday, December 19-Favorite Day (wear your favorite outfit, color, sports team, etc)

Wednesday, January 30-Hat Day

Wednesday, February 27-Dress to Impress Day

Wednesday, March 20-Orange Day

Wednesday, April 24-Sports Day

Wednesday, May 29-Mix and Match Day

District 54 Education Foundation – Upcoming Support Opportunity

The Windy City Bulls will host a District 54 takeover night on Friday, December 14 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, and a portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchased will be donated back to the District 54 Education Foundation.

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets!

The District 54 take-over night will feature District 54 students participating in performances and other on-court experiences before and throughout the game, and a District 54 Special Olympics basketball match at halftime. The Windy City Bulls will host an assembly at the school that sells the most tickets.

Próxima oportunidad de apoyo  a la  Fundación educativa del Distrito 54

Los Windy City Bulls albergara una noche de compra de boletos dedicada al Distrito 54 el viernes 14 de diciembre en el Sears Center Arena de Hoffman Estates, y una parte de los ingresos de cada boleto comprado se donará a la Fundación Educativa del Distrito 54.

¡Haga clic aquí para obtener más información o para comprar boletos!

La noche de adquisición de boletos a beneficio del Distrito 54 contará con estudiantes del Distrito 54 que participaran en presentaciones y otras experiencias en la cancha antes y durante el juego, y un partido de baloncesto de entre los participantes del programa de Olimpiadas Especiales del Distrito 54 durante el medio tiempo.

Los Windy City Bulls participaran en una asamblea en la escuela que venda la mayor cantidad de boletos.

Important Dates

10/30-Picture re-takes

10/31-Halloween Parade-1:15-parties to follow

11/6-No School

11/12-Red, White and Blue Spirit Day

11/13-PTA Meeting-6:00 p.m.

Muir PTA’s annual Pumpkin Decorating Night will take place on Thursday, October 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  Every Muir student that brings in a pumpkin will be given a free bag of decorating supplies.

There will be some free games, activities, art stations and prizes.  Nachos, hot dogs and drinks will be available for sale.

We hope to see you there.

Parent Teacher Conferences-1/2 Day-Dismissal @11:40 a.m on Thursday, October 4.  Student-led conferences take place on Friday, October 5, but otherwise there is no school.

The Scholastic Book Fair will also be held during conferences in the main hallway by the gym.

Hopefully all Muir students brought home a reminder today that tomorrow is Picture Day.   Muir students and staff will be taking their pictures on Wednesday morning.

We hope to see the brightest smiles on Wednesday.