Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 393-9413 Office
(630) 393-9403 FAX
November 20, 2009
Breakfast Program/Christmas Sharing/Conferences
Gift Wrap Pick up and Reflections
Gift Wrap & Buffalo Wild Wings
Dear Bower Families,
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you as we start the new school year. It will be wonderful to see all of the students back in their classrooms next week and I am looking forward to a fantastic school year. I would like to share some important information and dates with you about the start of school.
Tuesday, August 25 th – First day for 1 st – 5 th grade students with a 12:15 dismissal
Wednesday, August 26 th – First full day of school and first day of Kindergarten
- 9:15 – 3:30 (1 st – 5 th grade)
- 9:15 – 11:45 (Morning Kindergarten)
- 1:00 – 3:30 (Afternoon Kindergarten)
Thursday, September 3 rd – Curriculum Night at Bower
Monday, September 7 th – No School (Labor Day)
Arrival and Dismissal
- The welfare and safety of our students is a constant concern. Parents who drive their children to school are asked to drop their children along the sidewalk in the south parking lotonly. The parking lot on the north side of the building is for buses only. Please use extra caution when driving in the lot, as many children will be moving through the area.
- If you need to park your car and drop off or pick up your children, please keep the doorways and sidewalks clear to reduce congestion and use the crosswalk.
- Students who walk to school are asked to use sidewalks and crossing guards. A walking map is available upon request to help your family plan the safest route to school.
Important Information for All Bus Students
The bus routes have recently been updated and changed by the bus company. These changes should make the bus routes more efficient and hopefully they will reduce the time that students will need to be on the buses. The pick up and drop off times for some bus stops have changed and in some cases the bus stops are now on different routes than in the past. Please review the changes on the enclosed updated sheet. The actual pickup and drop off times during the first few weeks of school may need to be adjusted. Also, please keep in mind that the exact times may be subject to change due to construction, weather, etc.
Finally, I would like to thank the PTA and the Warrenville community for everything they do for the students and staff at Bower. See you next week.
Bus Update
Good evening Bower Parents, this is Principal Mark Kohlmann with some important information for bus students. All regular bus routes that bring students to Bower including the mid-day Kindergarten route will be starting 10 minutes earlier than originally scheduled. This change will start on Monday August 31 st. Please look for the updated route sheets that will be sent home with your child tomorrow. I would like to thank all of you for your patience and understanding as the bus company and school district work through some of these problems the first days of the new school year.
Gift Wrap & Buffalo Wild Wings
Good evening Bower families, this is Principal Mark Kohlmann. The Bower PTA would like to remind all families to please turn in your Gift Wrap orders. This Friday will be the last day that orders can be turned in. Also, remember to stop by Buffalo Wild Wings on Wednesday September 23 rd to help support Bower. Information about this will come home this Friday in backpack mail. 20% of all orders all day long will be donated to the Bower PTA. Please remember to bring your flyer with you when you stop by Buffalo Wild Wings on Wednesday the 23 rd.
New 200 Foundation Fun Run
Hello Bower Parents, this is Principal Mark Kohlmann. I wanted to make you aware of an upcoming event that will benefit all of the schools in District 200. The New 200 Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on providing funding for innovative educational programs throughout District 200. On Saturday, September 19, they will be hosting a Fun Run at the old Hubble Middle School location on Main and Roosevelt at 10:00 am. Runners can participate in either a 5K run or a 1 Mile Fun Run. All ages are welcome. After the run, there will be a festival with free rides and attractions on the school grounds. I would like to encourage all Bower families to participate in this event.
Online registration is available at the New 200 website, www.new200foundation.org. Brochures and other pieces of information are available at our school offices. Thanks, and I hope to see everyone on September 19.
Gift Wrap Pick Up & Reflections - 09/14/09
Good evening Bower families, this is Principal Mark Kohlmann. The Bower PTA would like to remind everyone that placed a Gift Wrap order that all of the items ordered, including food items, for this important PTA fundraiser will be delivered to Bower tomorrow afternoon. Please pick up your orders tomorrow, Thursday October 15 th, from the lunchroom anytime between 3 and 6pm. If you are unable to pick up your order during this time please make arrangements to have it picked up by a neighbor or friend. This is very important because we will be unable to store items overnight that need to be refrigerated or frozen.
I also wanted to let any students that have not turned in their Reflections entries know that the deadline has been extended. Reflection entries can be turned in tomorrow until noon in the lobby.
Thank you and have a good night.
PTA Fall Fling
Good evening Bower parents, this is Principal Mark Kohlmann.
On Friday, November 6th, Bower PTA will host a "Fall Fling" fundraising event at The Courtyard. All proceeds from this event will allow the PTA to continue providing important programs for our children throughout the school year.
We are asking for your assistance by donating a good or service to be used as an item for auction or raffle on the night of the event. This can be something you purchase or obtain yourself or together with other Bower families. Tickets to a movie or sporting event, a gift basket, a new toy or game, a gift card are just a few suggestions. Donations can be sent in your child's backpack or delivered to the school office before October 9th.
Also, don't forget to purchase your Fall Fling tickets as soon as possible. You can send in your ticket request form and money through backpack mail or purchase them when you pick up your gift wrap orders on October 15th. All proceeds from our Fall Fling will benefit Bower PTA. If you have any questions regarding the Fall Fling, please contact Rosanna Grutzmacher at 630-836-9818.
Thank you for supporting our children. We hope to see you on November 6th.
End of First Quarter and other information
The school year is off to a fantastic start and first quarter has come to an end. Report cards will be sent home on Monday, November 2 nd. Parent / Teacher conferences are also starting this week (please contact your child’s teacher if you haven’t received an invitation). These conferences are extremely important and are the single best opportunity to share information about your child. Your attendance is appreciated.
As the weather begins to get colder, please remember that students will generally be outside for recess and need to dress appropriately. With the colder weather, more students are being driven to school. To insure safety and to facilitate smooth traffic flow, it is essential that parents adhere to the following drop-off and pickup procedures.
- A single line is formed in our parking lot for both dropping off and picking up students before and after school. Please no passing cars in this line because this creates more of a safety hazard for everyone during these busy times of the school day.
- Cars should move forward as far as possible along the sidewalk (up to the orange cone on the sidewalk) before stopping so that the maximum number of students will be able to be dropped off/picked up at the same time. This needs to be an efficient process and cars that stop short add considerably to the congestion problem.
- If it is necessary to park your car, please escort your children across the parking lot by using the crosswalk. Students should NEVER be allowed to walk in the parking lot without an adult.
Important Dates and Reminders
- Monday November 2 nd – Report Cards
- Week of November 2 nd – Parent / Teacher Conferences
- Week of November 16 th – Start Collection for Christmas Sharing
- Week of November 23 rd – No School (Thanksgiving Break)
- Please remember to support the Bower PTA and attend the PTA Fall Fling at the Courtyard on Friday November 6 th.
November is a traditional month of giving thanks and I would like to thank all of our Bower families and our staff members for being so generous with their time and talents. Everyone is so invested in the growth and success of all our children. The mission statement for District 200 is to inspire, educate, challenge, and support all students to reach their highest level of learning and personal development. Within the Bower community, we all work together “inspiring within everyone a passion to excel”.
Thank you for your commitment to all our children.
Mark Kohlmann
November 20, 2009 - Breakfast Program/Christmas Sharing/Conferences
Happy Holidays! Thanksgiving Break is upon us and I can’t believe how fast the school year is going. I hope everyone comes back on Monday, November 30 th rested and I’m sure I don’t have to remind most of you that Winter Break is only a few weeks away.
Please remember that on Monday, November 30 th we will be starting a Breakfast Program at Bower (information about this program was sent home last Friday). The Breakfast Program is open to all students. Please feel free to contact me at school if you have any questions.
I wanted to thank all of you that were able to donate this week for Christmas Sharing. I also wanted to remind everyone that we will continue to collect donations the week after Thanksgiving until Friday December 4 th. All Warrenville schools will be collecting money for gift certificates instead of non-perishable food items and this year Bower is holding a coin drive to raise money for gift cards. In addition to monetary and gift card donations, the following items are in great need:
- New clothing in infant to adult sizes, new socks and underwear
- Winter coats, hats, mittens & gloves
- New toys for infants to teens
- Games, Books, and other nice gifts
- Household items
Please contact our School Social Worker, Kate Schleyer if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer to help sort donations for the program.
Thank you to all the parents that attended Parent/Teacher Conferences this month and to the PTA for all the wonderful things they do for the students and staff of Bower. As I stated in the last Bower Buzz, I would like to thank all of our Bower families and our staff members for being so generous with their time and talents. Everyone is invested in the growth and success of all our children. Within the Bower community, we all work together “inspiring within everyone a passion to excel”. Thank you for your commitment to all our children.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful week.
Mark Kohlmann
January Update
It is hard to believe but the first half of the school year is behind us and the month of January is coming to a close. As the cold weather continues , please remember that students will generally be outside for recess and need to dress appropriately. With the colder weather, more students are also being driven to school. To insure safety and to facilitate smooth traffic flow, it is essential that parents adhere to the following drop-off and pickup procedures.
- A single line is formed in our parking lot for both dropping off and picking up students before and after school. Please no passing cars in this line because this creates more of a safety hazard for everyone during these busy times of the school day.
- Cars should move forward as far as possible along the sidewalk before stopping so that the maximum number of students will be able to be dropped off/picked up at the same time. This needs to be an efficient process and cars that stop short add considerably to the congestion problem.
- If it is necessary to park your car, please escort your children across the parking lot by using the crosswalk. Students should NEVER be allowed to walk in the parking lot without an adult. An unattended child crossing the parking lot is an unsafe situation and is not acceptable.
- Finally, the handicap parking spaces need to be used appropriately. Please do not use the spaces to drop off students unless you are entitled to use them.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that Illinois State Achievement Tests will be given to all 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade students starting on Monday March 1 st and will continue until Thursday March 11 th. It is extremely important for students to be in attendance for these assessments so please try to schedule avoidable absences around these dates.
I look forward to warmer weather and the second half of the school year. I would once again like to thank all of our Bower families and our staff members for being so generous with their time and talents. Everyone is invested in the growth and success of all our children. Within the Bower community, we all work together “inspiring within everyone a passion to excel”. Thank you for your commitment to all our children.
Mark Kohlmann
February Update
It’s hard to believe if you look out the window but with March coming, warmer weather is just around the corner.
Illinois State Achievement Tests will be given to all 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade students starting on Monday March 1 st and will continue until Thursday March 11 th. It is extremely important for students to be in attendance for these assessments so please try to schedule avoidable absences around these dates. While we recognize this is only a small measure of what is taught in schools each year, it is important for students to do their best on these exams. Teachers have been preparing students and parents can help by encouraging their children to do well and sending them to school well rested and ready to do their best.
Parents, if you have not yet done so, please remember to return the Data Collection forms by the March 1 st deadline (these forms were mailed to you several weeks ago). Fill out one form per child and please make sure to answer both parts of the two part question. Please contact the school office at (630) 393-9413 if you have any questions.
As many of you may be aware District 200 is facing an 8.6 million dollar deficit for the 2010 - 2011 school. In order to be fiscally responsible the Board of Education is considering ways to reduce expenditures across the district. While the final decision will not be made until April, the discussions about what can be cut have already begun. The cuts that are being considered will touch every level of the district and will have an impact on the educational programs in the district. Current considerations at the elementary level include increasing class size and restructuring programs that support classroom instruction in order to reduce the number of teaching positions needed at the elementary level, as well as cutting school supply budgets. Similar cuts are being suggested at both middle school and high school. There are also several administrative positions that may be eliminated to help reduce expenditures.
If you are interested in learning more about the proposed budget reductions, I urge you to attend the Board of Education meetings to listen to the discussions about this topic. Information about all Board Meetings can be found on the CUSD 200 web page, http://www.cusd200.org under the Board of Education tab at the top of the page. The 2010 Budget Reduction Process Time Line can also be accessed using the link in the center of the page.
I hope all of you are able to enjoy the extended weekend this week and students come to school next Monday well rested and ready for a full week of school (a week that includes taking the ISAT for all 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade students). I would also like to thank all of our Bower families and our staff members for being so generous with their time and talents. Everyone is invested in the growth and success of all our children. Within the Bower community, we all work together “inspiring within everyone a passion to excel”. Thank you for your commitment to all our children.
Mark Kohlmann
© 2009
CUSD200
Updated: March 4, 2010