This week a paper order form went home with all students. If you already ordered and paid for your yearbook on your PTA account, you do not need to send in this form. This would duplicate your order. But if you haven’t ordered one yet, the order can be done with the paper form or you can go on line to your PTA account to order and pay for it. The deadline for all yearbook orders and payment is March 29, 2019.

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.

Congratulations to all of the Campanelli artists who participated in the 2018-2019 National PTA Reflections program this year. Campanelli had a variety of amazing artistic entries ranging from Literature, Photography and Visual Arts. The entries depicted this year’s theme, “Heroes Around Us.”  We had 13 participants submit 18 entries all of which advanced to the Schaumburg Township Council level and were displayed in a viewing along with all 246 projects submitted through School District 54.

Of the 18 entries advancing to the Township level, six were  chosen to advance to the Northwest Cook County Region/District 37. In January, these projects will be judged for possible advancement to the state level. We are so proud to be part of a community which encourages the arts and creativity in our students; and are fortunate to have an abundance of students who make the time to carry out their artistic passions.

Once projects are returned to Campanelli, we will display them for some time in the LRC. You may also view photographs of the projects on the Reflections bulletin board outside the LRC.

Illinois has changed the date for the student survey, which won’t be available until Dec. 11. It is our plan to complete the survey at school after winter break. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact me by December 7th. Please note that the parent survey will be available online through Feb. 15, 2019, at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois.

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 the Performance 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.  

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.

We are entering the winter season! Please encourage your child to wear the proper outerwear for the change in weather.  We want them to enjoy recess with their friends, stay comfortable in the chilly/wet weather and remain safe outside.

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.

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 expected to be posted on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 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 847.357.5333. 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

Our fall clubs for the 2018-19 school year have begun or will be starting soon. If you would like to see the clubs that are available throughout the school year, they are located on the Clubs page of our website or at his link.  Invitations are sent home with the students throughout the year.