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Tuesday, October 21, 2008 — 11:03:00 AM
Parent/Student Science Learning Now On-Line
School District 129 now has powerful on-line science learning tools for parents to use with their children at home, both on elementary and middle school levels.
To connect to on-line text, interactive games and other material that coincide with what your child is learning in school:
“Curriculum Pre-K – 5th” Learning sequence in Science (i.e. what they will be learning at each grade each quarter of the school year) it is also linked to the district Priority Learning Standards that are aligned with the State Standards for learning.
-OR-
“Curriculum 6th – 8th” Learning sequence in Science (i.e. what they will be learning at each grade each quarter of the school year) it is also linked to the district Priority Learning Standards that are aligned with the State Standards for learning.
“Plan of Work” – D129 goals for the school year as it relates to Science.
“Science Tri-Chairs” – Science Committee Members at each building and how you can communicate with them.
“Science Book Online” – (The user name and password are located on the page for easy access):
Elementary (Pearson)only: Your child can listen to the text by clicking the on-line grade level book. At the top of the left navigation is the “Taking it To the Net” option that opens up:
·Lab Zone Activities – these are alternate activities and labs that are in addition to the labs in the textbook for each chapter
·eTools (must download Adobe Shockwave to access) has interactive activities for skill learning
·SciLinks (1st – 5th only) has media / video links to extensions of learning for the specific chapters
·Games – for each chapter – and includes songs for the primary student to help them learn and understand
Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Ann Butcher at abutcher@sd129.org
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Friday, October 10, 2008 — 8:44:00 AM
Early Voting Begins Oct. 13
Aurora residents on Oct. 14, and other Kane County residents on Oct. 13, can begin voting in the presidential election. In order to make voting easier for everyone, the state allows early voting through Oct. 30.
Aurora residents can vote early at the Aurora Election Commission, 77 S. Stolp Ave., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday-Sunday.
In addition, city residents can vote early at the David & Karen Stover Visitor Center in Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Residents in the rest of Kane County have multiple locations and times to vote early. The complete list is on the county site, kanecountyelections.org.
In the School Dist. 129 attendance area, the Messenger Library, 113 Oak St., North Aurora, will be open for early voting during the following dates and times:
Oct. 14, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 15, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 16, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 19, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 20, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 21, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 22, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 23, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 26, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Oct. 27, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 28, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 29, noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 30, noon-8 p.m.
Other early voting locations in the area are:
Monday, Oct. 13, Jewel Osco, 465 N. Route 47, Sugar Grove, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, Jewel Osco, 465 N. Route 47, Sugar Grove, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18, Sugar Grove Community Center, 141 Main St., 8:30 a.m.-noon
Sunday, Oct. 19, Sugar Grove Community Center, 141 Main St., 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Friday, September 26, 2008 — 12:01:00 PM
Parents shown how to help children learn science (Revised)
Hundreds of parents on Sept. 23 learned what role they can serve within the new science curriculum for Dist. 129 elementary schools. The “Science Night for Parents” demonstration at West High was designed to empower parents to be active participants in their children’s education.
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Friday, September 26, 2008 — 8:36:00 AM
West High’s Sept. 30 Car-Less Drive-In Movie a Family Event (Revised)
West Aurora High School is having a car show and showing the movie “Grease” at 7p.m., Sept. 30, in the outdoor courtyard at the front of the school, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.
A Homecoming family event, the “Car-less Drive-In” is open to the public with a $2-per-person admission. Moviegoers should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
Arrive hungry because there will be a “Build Your Own Sundae Bar” featuring Oberweis Ice Cream beginning at 6 p.m. for $2, as well as hot dogs, soft drinks and popcorn for $1 each.
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Thursday, September 18, 2008 — 2:38:00 PM
Oct. 12-13 Clinic for West Aurora Girls Traveling Basketball Program
The West Aurora girls’ traveling basketball program is hosting a clinic from 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 12 and 13, in the West High gym for girls grades 5 through 8 who are interested in joining a team.
The purpose of the traveling program is to prepare middle school girls for playing high school basketball, says Connie Siljendahl, head coach of the West Aurora High School girls basketball team.
“Playing on a West Aurora traveling team builds your basketball skills, develops long-time friendships with players from your future high school and will lead to an easier transition from the middle school to the Blackhawk high school basketball program.”
The West High gym is at 1201 W. New York St., Aurora. For more information, call 630-301-6637.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008 — 1:31:00 PM
Parents invited to learn about new science curriculum Sept. 23
Parents of students at all West Aurora District 129 elementary schools are invited to learn more about the district’s new science curriculum.
The event will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the West High School cafeteria, and it is for parents of pre-K to fifth-graders in all 12 elementary schools. There will be bilingual support for Spanish-speaking parents.
The curriculum, known as the Pearson Science Program, relies heavily on computer-based text, pictures and videos. At the event, there will be hands-on stations so parents can get a feel for the scope and sequence of what kids are learning each year.
“This is important to pull the parents together, let them do some hands-on activities and share what the program is all about,” said Ann Butcher, the district’s K-12 science curriculum specialist.
The district is partnering with SciTech, and the Aurora museum will offer a grand prize for free family membership as well as coupons for families.
This curriculum is “much more in depth” than the previous science program, said Ann Butcher, the district’s K-12 science curriculum specialist. “You can see videos of events taking place, all the assessment is on line and books are on line. There are a lot more resources and support for parents, teachers and students.”
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 — 3:12:00 PM
Car Seat Safety Check at Todd Early Childhood Center Sept. 20
Experts will be on hand to check child safety seats from 9:45am-2:15pm, Sept. 20 at Todd Early Childhood Center, 100 Oak Ave., Aurora.
This event will be taking place at about 100 locations in Illinois, and Todd is the site for Aurora. AAA Chicago will have eight technicians on hand to check:
* Location and angle of seat.
* Installation of seat, harness and other components.
* Security/safety of child in seat.
* Recall status by make and model year.
In addition, technicians will provide parents with free information on:
* How to properly install the seat.
* How to properly secure your child in the seat.
* The different types of child safety seats and when to use them.
* The overall safety belt system.
* Common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number-one killer of young children in America, too often from the improper use or non-use of child safety seats and booster seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 20 years.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008 — 3:31:00 PM
New Procedure for Denying Release of Student Images for District Publicity
The image or likeness of a student in pictures, videotape, film, or other media is not confidential and may be released by the school district without consent of parents or guardians. The school district uses such images routinely in district publications and on its Web site and also distributes them to the media.
Beginning this month, if you do not want your child’s image released, you must tell the principal in writing. A form to disallow release of student images is available at the schools and online at http://www.sd129.org/forms/pdf/permissionsdenial.pdf. This written notice to the principal must be received no later than October 13.
If you have questions about this process, please contact Mike Chapin, Community Relations director, at 630-301-5044 or mchapin@sd129.org.
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Friday, May 09, 2008 — 11:09:00 AM
All Schools Open - Ignore Phone Message Error! (Revised)
Please ignore any phone message you might have received Friday morning May 9 that stated that schools are closed. This was a training error.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. If you have any questions, please call your child’s school.
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Thursday, March 20, 2008 — 6:20:00 PM
State Physical Examination Change Affects 2008-09 Sixth-Graders
A new Illinois law has been passed that changes the requirements for school physical examinations.
Beginning in the fall of 2008, school physical examinations are required to enter kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Previously a school physical examination was required to enter fifth grade.
Students who had a physical in preparation for school entry into fifth grade in the fall of 2007 may use that physical for entry into sixth grade for the fall of 2008.
There is no longer a requirement for a fifth-grade physical. However, all students entering fifth-grade must have proof of the series of Hepatitis B vaccines. If a student does not have proof of this series, the parents will be notified individually by the health office.
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Thursday, March 20, 2008 — 5:59:00 PM
Dist. 129 Preschool Screenings Begin in April
District 129 is offering free preschool screenings for all children who are age three by April 1, 2008 and all three- and four-year-old children whose fifth birthday is after September 1, 2008.
Space is limited to the first 50 children at each school screening site.
McCleery, 3-6 p.m., April 3
Nicholson, 12-3 p.m., April 4
Smith, 3-6 p.m., April 8
Hill, 3-6 p.m., April 10
Goodwin, 3-6 p.m.,April 15
Schneider, 12-3 p.m., April 16
Greenman, 3-6 p.m., April 17
Freeman, 3-6 p.m., April 22
Hall, 3-6 p.m., April 24
Fearn, 3-6 p.m., April 29
Lincoln, 12-3 p.m., April 30
Tests are given for vision, hearing, social skills, language, movement and thinking skills. For information, call 630-301-5016.
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008 — 9:44:00 AM
A Los Padres De Estudiantes Ee 4to y 5to Curso
A los padres de estudiantes de 4to y 5to curso,
Se ha acaba de pasar una nueva ley en Illinois que cambia los requerimientos para los exámenes físicos escolares.
Empezando en otoño del 2008 se requerirá exámenes físicos escolares para poder entrar en Kindergarten, 6tocurso, y 9no curso. (Previamente se requería un examen físico escolar para entrar 5to curso.)
Los estudiantes que han tenido un examen físico en preparación para la entrada escolar de 5to curso para el otoño del 2007, pueden usar ese examen físico para la entrada de 6to curso para el otoño del 2008.
Ya no se requiere un examen físico para 5to curso. Sin embargo, todos los estudiantes que entren a 5to curso tienen que tener una prueba de las series de vacunas de Hepatitis B. Si su estudiante no tiene prueba de esas series se le notificara individualmente por la oficina de salud de su escuela.
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008 — 9:42:00 AM
4th & 5th Grade Parents - New Physical Information from the State of IL
To the Parents of current 4th and 5th grade students,
A new Illinois law has been passed that changes the requirements for school physical examinations.
Beginning in the Fall of 2008 school physical examinations are required to enter kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades. (Previously a school physical examination was required to enter 5th grade.)
Students who had a physical in preparation for school entry into 5th grade in the fall of 2007 may use that physical for entry into 6th grade for the fall of 2008.
There is no longer a requirement for a 5th grade physical. However, all students entering 5th grade must have proof of the series of Hepatitis B vaccines. If your student does not have proof of this series you will be notified individually by the health office of your school.
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Friday, February 29, 2008 — 10:55:00 AM
Reminder to Vote: Special Congressional Election March 8
On Saturday, March 8, there is a special election to select the candidate who will fill the vacancy for 14th Congressional District Representative.
The two candidates appear on the ballot in this order: Jim Oberweis, Republican, and Bill Foster, Democratic.
You can vote early through Monday, March 3. To find out where to vote early,
“A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a Republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law. “
