Are you searching for an innovative way to empower your children over the summer? Are you looking for a comprehensive approach to summer learning that combats boredom and keeps everyone engaged? Look no further! Visit the School District 54 Virtual Learning University to tackle challenges for literacy, math, science, social science, language and culture too! Each content area has multiple challenges to keep your children’s minds focused and active throughout the summer weeks! Within each category you will find family activities, individual activities and places to visit in our community and surrounding areas. We hope you’ll encourage your children to visit our Virtual Learning University often throughout the summer to challenge themselves and to keep your family learning together. Click here to access the Virtual Learning University or find the link under Popular Links on the District 54 website.

To help support our goal of spreading school spirit and positivity, please see the attached calendar that begins May 13!  We have a lot of fun things planned for the next 4 weeks.

A few months ago, a small group of eager students reached out to me inquiring about raising awareness for animals displaced during natural disasters. As a part of our growing attention to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. I thought this was an amazing opportunity to guide the group and address the goal of “Life on Land”. We created the “Earth and Animal Team”. These students would like to help the Chicagoland Dog Rescue.  The team has worked hard during their lunch and recess for 4 weeks collaborating with each other, communicating with the director of Chicagoland Dog Rescue, creating bracelets to sell, and critically thinking about how to logistically manage this project school-wide. The price of the bracelets will range from $.25 – $1.00 and students can purchase them during their lunch period. Thank you for supporting our students in their authentic effort to give back. It has been a wonderful experience working so closely with these students and I am proud of them for initiating this project.

Registration for District 54’s Summer Band and Orchestra program has begun!  Students who have completed fifth, sixth, or seventh grade and have had lessons on their instrument in the District 54 instrumental music program for at least one school year are eligible to enroll.  Summer Band and Orchestra will take place July 8-25 (Mondays-Thursdays) at Addams Junior High School.  Registration forms are available from any instrumental music teacher or at sd54.org/resources/instrumental-music.  If you have questions, please contact the band/orchestra teacher at your school or call 847-357-5138.

We are so excited to report that two of our students have advanced to the National Level of the Illinois State PTA Reflections.  Congratulations to Jacy and Karina!

We are proud of our Rube Goldberg participants this year. Way to go! You are awesome and did a beautiful job representing Campanelli:

• Angela – 6^th grade
• Harshil – 6^th grade
• Borys – 6^th grade
• David – 5^th grade
• Tyler – 4^th grade

Thank you Mrs. Bennes, Mrs. Taucher and Ms. Conway for supporting our students on Saturday as well. Your time and dedication for our students is appreciated.

We know that focusing on the whole child is one of our most important goals. Throughout the year, we balance the school day with rigorous instruction and caring for our students’ social/emotional growth. Please continue to ask your child how they’re applying problem solving skills and strategies throughout their day.

If you missed registering your soon to be Kindergartener on Wednesday, February 6^th, you can come to the school office between 9:30-11:00am M-F.  Please go online to http://sd54.org/registration to begin your registration.  Bring your printed confirmation along with the original birth certificate and your proofs of residency as soon as possible.  If you have any question please contact us at 847-357-5333.

PTA Hot Lunch from February 1^st

We can’t wait to spread our “orange” and really delve into the Happiness Advantage principles throughout the upcoming months. To kick start January, our students and staff will be participating in “Camp Happy” on Monday, 1/14/19. On page 77 in your Orange Frog Family Reading Guide, there are the 5 Happiness Tactics and Habits outlined. They include “3 Gratitudes”, “The Doubler”, “The Fun 15”, “Meditation” and “Conscious Acts of Kindness”. We have been learning about these in our classrooms and during our SEL lessons throughout the year. On Monday, we will have the opportunity to participate in station rotations, where students and staff with participate in these important tactics and habits. We know that practicing and reflecting about what these mean in our lives can be powerful. Please take some time to discuss these with your children. We look forward to continuing our positive energy in January. We love to tweet @ #happycampi or check out our Facebook page highlighting our work.

Prior to the beginning of this school year, the Campanelli staff shared a shorter version of the Orange Frog parable based on the foundations of the Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. At the beginning of this school year, Campanelli families received a copy of The Orange Frog Family Reading Guide. This year we are bringing The Happiness Advantage to life at Campanelli School by focusing on the different happiness habits. You can refer to page 77 in your Orange Frog Family Reading Guide to learn more about all of the Happiness Tactics & Habits.  Our staff is working closely with students in each grade level to connect our Social Emotional Learning standards and the principles of positive psychology as outlined in the Happiness Advantage.

In November we will be focusing on practicing gratitude and mindfulness with meditation. Our Happiness Committee is dedicated to ensuring a home-school connection with this work. For example, look for a calendar coming home to discuss with your child these important learning opportunities.

Did you know that our PAWSativity Club is in full swing? Ask your child if the students have spread some happiness to their classrooms yet. The power of positive psychology, mindfulness and gratitude couldn’t be more relevant and interconnected in our daily lives. We thank you for your support.