P R I N C I PA L S

N E WS L E T T E R

S E P T E M B E R

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Its been a great start to the 2015-2016 school year. Im very excited about the positive
energy that Ive seen from our students, staff, and families. All of our routines have fallen
into place rather quickly and classrooms are buzzing with energy. I walked around the
building during the First week and was amazed at the focus our students and teachers were
displaying. Weve gotten back on the bike and we are making forward progress!
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTA leadership for organizing and
hosting the BBQ and Ice Cream Social during the First week of school. It was great to
see so many of our returning families and lots of new faces come together to
celebrate the start of a new school year. Im so lucky to be a part of it all and I
appreciate every members contribution to our school community.
Open House- I hope you are able to join us this Thursday night for our Open House.
At 6:30, I will be introducing our staff and highlighting some of our school
improvement efforts for the upcoming year. From 6:45-7:45 you are welcome to visit
classrooms, meet our staff members and collect valuable information about the
upcoming school year. Our Fine Arts and Academic Support Team will also be present
and hope to meet with you as well. Our goal for the evening is for you to meet the key
members of your childs educational team this school year. We are looking forward to
partnering with you.
Enrichment Programs- As enrichment programming begins, please reach out to
your childs teacher to notify them of any changes to before or after school routines.
Your communication is helpful for us and will ensure that we are sending students off
to the correct destinations at the end of the day. Thank you.
Volunteers Needed- Parents often ask me how they can help out at Walker. One of
our most valued volunteer opportunities is participation in the Everybody Reads
Fluency Program. If you are able, please consider supporting our students academic
growth by participating in this program. More information can be found at the end of
this newsletter

Feel free to reach out to me at anytime, Im happy to hear any of your concerns and our staff
loves to receive compliments. I can be reached at (847) 859-8331 or
friedmane@district65.net.

P R I N C I PA L S

N E WS L E T T E R

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A Teachers PerspectiveLaura Rouse, 4th Grade

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. My daughter saw this on a bracelet recently, and I
had an a-ha moment. Like most teachers, I am in a rush to get my room ready, and it
seems like every day is a race to teach our students so many concepts and skills. As a parent,
I am in a rush to get lunches made, check homework, and get dinner on the table.
I am training for my second (and final) marathon, and this training started in July with
my longest run being 8 miles. In two weeks, my longest run will be 20 miles. I didnt get
there in three days or two weeks or even one month. It has been a process, and I am
learning to take it one step (or run!) at a time. That is the philosophy I am trying to embrace
in my classroom...look to the future for the big picture but embrace the small triumphs that
happen every day.
So, this year, my class will celebrate earning one more percentage point on Class
Dojo. We will recognize one more math problem correct, and cheer when one more
chapter is read. I will remember that the school year may be a race, but it is a marathon and
not the 100 yard dash.

D ATE S TO R E M E M B E R
September 8th, 7 PM- PTA Meeting
September 9th- Picture Day
September 10th, 6:00- Pizza (Pre ordered by Families)
6:30- Auditorium
6:45-7:45- Classroom Visits
September 14th- Non Attendance Day
September 23rd- Non Attendance Day
Month of September-
Please note that we will be practicing all of our safety drills
with students during the month of September
(Fire, Lock Down, Severe Weather, and Bus Evacuation)

Fluency Tutors Needed!

Are you interested in helping students with their reading? If so, please consider
attending a fluency tutor training for the:

D65 Everybody Reads Fluency Program

What is Everybody Reads? This District 65 program trains volunteers in a
specific tutoring technique that provides support to classroom teachers in their
reading fluency curriculum. Children who read fluently are better able to
understand and retain the information they read.
Tutors are also trained on Carol Dwecks growth mindset research as a way to
foster academic success.
How and When Can I Help? -- As a trained volunteer, you support one
elementary school teacher (2nd-5th grade) and 2-4 students (one-on-one) throughout
the school year. Tutors volunteer at all 12 elementary and magnet schools.
Tutoring occurs during school hours (9-3:30) based upon the teachers and the tutors
schedules. Tutors volunteer once or twice a week for about an hour each visit from
October through May. Spanish fluency tutors are also needed.

Required Training:
Tuesday, September 29th 7-9 PM

OR
Thursday, October 1st 1-3 PM

Training Session Held At:

D65 Hill Administration Building
1500 McDaniel Ave Evanston
Board Room

RSVP/Questions:
Michelle Mehlis
Program Manager
847-971-3856
fluencytutors@district65.net

Every Child, Every Day, Whatever It Takes!