Words for the Wise!

March 8th, 2018

Owen Elementary School Academic Excellence Award

Kim Earlenbaugh, Principal Kim_Earlenbaugh@ipsd.org

630-428-7300 #owenelementary or #futureready204

Your Only

Limit IS You!

Persevere!

End of 3rd Quarter

Friday, March 23rd

Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,

Our fabulous third, fourth and fifth grade students have had a great start taking the Illinois PARCC assessments this week. Thank you for joining us in encouraging them to do their best to show what they know without causing unnecessary anxiety or stress.

During these two weeks each of the intermediate grade levels will take four math and three English/language arts assessments. For more information on the PARCC and to take practice tests visit http://www.isbe.net.

To show our support for our Owl-Standing Owls, the CC! Kids Cabinet has created spirit days on Friday and continues through next week. We also have a few special surprises for the test-takers too! Thank you for helping us inspire our students to do their best!

Fri., March 9th High Five Friday! Our future’s so bright we have to wear shades. Wear sunglasses.

Mon., March 12th Be cozy and comfortable while you work! Wear your PJs

Tues., March 13th Put on your thinking cap! Wear a hat.

Wed., March 14th Put your best foot forward. Wear silly socks.

Thurs., March 15th Hit a grand slam today! Cubs vs. Sox or other baseball wear.

Fri., March 16th Bring a lucky charm for the best of luck! Wear Green.

Please join me in welcoming

Tracey Herrick to Owen.

Her position as the Principal’s

Secretary started

March 7th.

Incoming 2018 Kindergarten

Parent Preview

Please join us in the LMC on

Mon., March 12th

6:30-7:30 p.m.

National School Walkout Day, March 14th Yesterday, Dr. Sullivan sent to 204 families a communication regarding

the District plans for this day. Please read through the letter for specifics. Elementary schools will not participate in the walkout, but teachers will

answer questions and have appropriate conversations as needed.

Upcoming Events

Mon., Mar. 12th 2018 Incoming Kindergarten Parents Preview Night—LMC 6:30-7:30 Thurs., Mar. 15th Severe Weather Drill Sat., Mar. 17th Happy St. Patrick’s Day Sun., Mar. 18th Spring Ahead One Hour! Tues., Mar. 20th Election Day Wed., Mar. 21st 2nd Grade Musical 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 22nd 3rd Grade In-House Field Trip Traveling World of Reptiles Fri., Mar. 23rd 3rd Grade Curriculum Party 2:00-3:00 p.m. Fri., Mar. 23rd End of Third Quarter Mon., Mar. 26th- SPRING BREAK - Enjoy your time together! See you soon. Fri., Mar. 30th. Mon., Apr. 2nd School Resumes. Welcome back! Tues., Apr. 3rd Erin’s Law Parent Information Night for K, 1, and 2. Personal Body Safety Education instruction provided by Mutual Ground. Held at Clow Elementary 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., Apr.4th 2nd Grade Parent Information Night for John C. Dunham STEM School Aurora University Banquet Hall 6:00-8:00 p.m. Fri., Apr. 6th Parents view report cards on Home Access Center

CHARACTER COUNTS! Words for the Wise

March 5th: Kindness March 12th: Courage March 19th CITIZENSHIP The sixth pillar of CHARACTER COUNTS! March 26th Spring Break April 2nd Leadership

CC! Monthly Bus Incentive Each month the students on one of our bus routes is recognized for demonstrating the six pillars of CC! The students have shown respect and responsibility while at bus stops, riding the bus, in the hallway during dismissal, lining up in the gym, while loading the bus, and for following the CHAMPS safety expectations. Congratulations to the students who earned to sit where they want at lunch for the week of March 12th.

February Bus #5 Who will it be in March?

OWLS SUPPORT THE

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

HOOPS FOR HEART !

$8,480

Mrs. Pardo’s class raised the most to support the cause with $945.

Congratulations!

Top Three Students 1. Cayden Labedz 4SK $375 2. Riordan Klisiewicz 5SA $325 3. Ava Alberts 5SM $300

Thank you for your generosity and support. Mr. Crackel

An education that teaches you to understand something about the world has done only half of the assignment. The other half is to teach you to do something about making the world a better place. -Johnnetta B. Cole

In The

Congratulations to the following Owl-Standing Owen Owls for earning a Positive Referral since our last newsletter for demonstrating exceptional character. Any staff member may acknowledge a student who exemplifies great character on a regular basis. We encourage you to celebrate this with your child. We recognize each student during morning announcements. They sign our Kids for Character Book and place a personal Owl-Standing Owl of Character on our Kids for Character Tree in the main hallway. Please join me in recognizing the following students: Anais Levasseur Prachi Patel Nolan Alberson Hannah Li Naisha Prasad Vedika Kansal Annie Wohlfahrt Alex McDonald (2) Dean Albersom Mary Howard Bailey Hastings Hareem Fatima Hardik Taparia Advik Nidadavola Owen Fleck (2) Claire Flaherty Matt Sullivan Louis Toth Jacob Reyes (2) Kayden Eckman Elle West Leo Chen Christopher Meenam Natalie Curran Sophia Pope Danyella Mporokos

SUNDAY, MARCH 11th Move clocks ahead

one hour.

Monday, March 26th through Friday, March 30th, 2018

Erin’s Law K, 1, and 2 Parent Presentation .

Parent Informational Presentation will be held at Clow Elementary on April 3rd from 6:30-7:30 by Mutual Ground, Inc. The informational letter is posted on our website and will be sent home tomor-row with your child via backpack mail.

Parents/Guardians of 2nd Graders Parents/Guardians of 2nd graders that are interested in their child participating in the lottery to attend the John C. Dunham STEM School next year, there is an informational parent night coming on April 4th. Aurora University Banquet Hall 6:00-6:45 p.m. Welcome and Q&A 7:00 and 7:30 Tours See the District website for more info.

World Kaleidoscope Tues., April 17th

6:30-8:00 p.m.

The Owen Spring Resale was a great success

thanks to the leadership and tremendous

organization, and hours of work of Mrs. Seago

Mrs. McQuire, their com-mittee and volunteers!

Thank you PTA!

Thank you for attending our 2018 Open House! The smiles on the students’ faces were magical! They were so proud to be able to show you their work and escort you through school and meet their teachers. We love that they love to be at Owen!

How to be OWL Ready for PARCC or any Assessment The State decides from the results of these assessments how well our students are getting prepared for college and careers. These results are part of our school’s report card. Even though I am not an advocate for “high stakes testing”, it is important that our students take these assessments seriously and try their best. During this testing period, we ask your cooperation in encouraging student attendance and minimizing absences. While these tests are not tests for which a student can study, the following tips will help ensure your child performs to the best of his/her ability. Do some physical activity each evening to release some energy. Get a good night’s rest. Eat a nutritious breakfast each day. Be sure to get to school on time. Avoid scheduling doctor or dentist appointments during these two weeks. Encourage your child to do their best and think positively about their achievement. Remember that when we have done our best; we should just wait the results in peace. As students navigate their way through their educational journey, here are a few tips you can share with your child on how to master test anxiety. Avoid thinking of yourself in all-or-nothing terms. Reward yourself after the test. Visit a friend, go out and play, or read a favorite book. Work at a consistent and moderate pace when studying or taking a test. If waiting for the test to begin causes anxiety, distract yourself by closing your eyes and imagine yourself answering the questions confidently, or take a few slow deep breaths. Read the questions TWICE. Read all the words. For multiple choice questions, read ALL the options first, then eliminate the two most obvious. If you’re still unsure of the correct answer, rely on your first impression and move

on. Beware of tricky qualifying words such as only, always, none, all, or most. When you are asked to write, remember what your teachers’ expectations are when it come to

length, spelling, creativity, grammar, and types of writing. Don’t worry when students finish before you do. There is no reward for being done first. If there is still time remaining in the test session, go back and review your answers. Know in your heart that anything is possible! Perseverance pays off. Success is achieved by those who try and keep trying. We are very proud of you no matter what the results!