Monday, December 4, 2023
PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
Greetings All,
There are three more weeks left of school before the winter break, and thanks to the partnership of PTO volunteers and District 29 staff, we have plenty of opportunities to spread goodwill not only within our district community, but to our neighbors as well. We’ll start with the Middlefork Book Fair this week! Then continue on with the Holiday Gifts Programwhich benefits families supported by the Northwestern Settlement House. And of course the room parents and teachers will provide classroom festivities and fun to further boost the holiday spirit. There is an additional volunteer opportunity for parents as well!
The PTO Gifts program, which is our largest funded program, has come to a close for this year. I’d like to thank the staff, parents and students who submitted applications, as well as those of you who provided feedback on the requests. Find out what has been granted during the next PTO meeting on Monday EVENING December 11th at 7:00PMon Zoom - Zoom Link and Schedule. I hope to see you there!
Wishing you all an enjoyable holiday season,
Sandy Norbot
president@district29pto.org
STAY INFORMED Volunteers needed at Sunset Ridge School - afternoon of December 22nd The staff at SRS is planning an afternoon Read-A-Palooza for grades 4th – 8th on Friday, December 22nd, and it would be great if some parent volunteers could help out! Duties include setting up and serving a hot chocolate bar for students in the gym for 1 hour time slots. See this Friday’s District 29 FRIDAY NEWS for the SignUpGenius and more details. It’s Book Fair Week at Middlefork! Middlefork students will have a chance to shop the Literati “Crack the Case” mystery-themed book fair during the school day on Tuesday, 12/5 and Wednesday, 12/6. The Family Book Fair hours are on Wednesday, 12/6 from 3:15-5:15PM (Teacher Readers’ Theater at 3:30PM) and Thursday, 12/7 from 5:15-7PM (Mystery Storytime with Mrs. Kiedaisch at 6PM). You can purchase a virtual gift card for your child to use while shopping during their classroom visit. Cash is accepted as well. The Sunset Ridge School Book Fair will be later this school year in May. SRS families are welcome to stop by the Middlefork Family Book Fair and do some holiday shopping for any younger book lovers in your life. For more information, visit efairs.literati.com and search for “Middlefork Primary School”. See you at the fair! Annual Holiday Gifts Program – Sponsoring Families from the Northwestern Settlement House By now you have all received the details for the Holiday Gifts Program. Here are some key dates and information: • Grades K – 5th - students should bring their wrapped gifts and/or gift cards to their school between Thursday, November 30th and Monday, December 11th. See ParentSquare communication from November 28th for details. • Grades 6th, 7th, & 8th – Monetary donations and shopping trip permission slips due today, December 4th! Donations can be made via MySchoolBucks, and here is the permission slip. Shopping trips will take place on December 8th. See ParentSquare communication from November 14th for details. About the program - Each year, District 29 collaborates with Northwestern Settlement House to sponsor 40+ families in need to provide each member of that family with a holiday gift. Northwestern Settlement House has worked with countless individuals living in Chicago to disrupt generational poverty and open doors to better futures since 1891. Our school district provides $15,000+ worth of food, clothing, and holiday gifts for these families annually through this PTO program. This program is made possible by the PTO chairs, District 29 staff, Student Ambassadors, and the generosity of our district families. Please contact Sandy Norbot president@district29pto.org with any questions. THANK YOU for your participation!! Parent Connections At the upcoming Parent Connections meeting on December 20th at 7PM, Dr. Stange will be discussing Student Services. The Zoom meeting login information is available on the D29 Parent/Student Calendar page. Civics In Action (CIA) November’s RULER FAMILY NIGHT was as advertised, fun, participatory and informative. Many thanks to our student SEL leadership group and our District 29 SEL team for putting together such events for families.
COMMUNITY NEWS
A Message from the Northfield Park District
Write to Santa by December 17th
Let Santa know what’s on your wish list. Drop off letters in Santa’s special mailbox at the Community Center or send them to: Northfield Park District, c/o Santa, 401 Wagner Road, Northfield. Don’t forget to include your address.
Sign up for Winter Classes
Classes start on January 16th. See the schedule for enrichment and athletic classes. Register online now!
Club Dolphin Before/After Care Programs Session 2 Starts January 8th
Learn more and register online.
Save the Dates for Special Parent-Child Events:
Daddy/Daughter Dance on February 9th, 6:15-8:30PM at Sunset Ridge Country Club
Mom-Son Basketball Bonanza on March 8th, 6:30-8:30PM at the Community Center
Early bird online registration is open. Registrations received after the early bird deadlines will be assessed a 20% price increase.
Recycle Holiday Lights
Recycle old, broken, and unwanted holiday lights and extension cords instead of throwing them away. Please take lights out of plastic bags. Collection boxes are in front of the Community Center and Village Hall until the end of January. Sponsored by Go Green Northfield, the Northfield Park District, and the Village of Northfield in partnership with Elgin Recycling.
Community Center Holiday Hours
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Open 9AM to 2PM on Dec. 26th, 30th, 31st. Check the open gym schedule online.
A Message from the Northfield Library
Gingerbread House Decorating: Sunday, December 10th 1:30-2:30PM & 3-4PM
Join us for this fun holiday program! Decorate your own gingerbread house with candy and frosting.
Winter Break Take and Make: Tuesday, December 26th & Tuesday, January 2nd
Pick up a kit for a self-directed art project to make at home. Available while supplies last.
PTO SHOUTOUTS & THANK YOUS President Elect Ranjini Shankar for her management of the PTO Gifts program this year. She was very thoughtful when communicating with and gathering information from applicants, and was impressively organized throughout the process. There will be some beneficial additions to our schools thanks to her efforts and the great ideas from the applicants. Communications chair Sara Thompson for helping us stay informed by planning, gathering and organizing the wealth of information for this newsletter!
COMING SOON & NOTES
Important Dates
December 11: PTO Meeting 7PM
December 12: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
December 20: Parent Connections Meeting 7PM
December 25-January 5: No School – Winter Break
January 8: PTO Meeting 9AM
January 15: No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16: Board of Education Meeting 7PM
January 24: Parent Connections Meeting 9AM
All Zoom links can be found on the District 29 Calendar
HOW TO HELP Community involvement is instrumental in making the PTO a success. Please consider volunteering your time! Contact Sandy Norbot at president@district29pto.org to get involved or with any questions.
