Families,

Over the weekend we are due for a significant snowfall, followed by a blast of arctic air. Due to those factors, next week we will begin our winter indoor arrival for the foreseeable future. Please make sure to drop your students off right at the front door, where they can come straight into the building. Remember, morning supervision begins at 8:45, so please do not drop your students off before then.

​In addition, if the weather permits, students WILL still go outside for recess. Please make sure they have all the appropriate snow gear they will need.

There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, so we will see you Tuesday! Have a great weekend!

NAEP: ​(for fourth grade families only)...

• I have sent a letter home regarding the NAEP assessment. On January 30, all Terrace 4th grade students will take the NAEP. You can read more about it in the letter that was sent home. If you have any questions, please click here or contact me.

Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Djurdjevic's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Families,

Welcome back, and happy new year! We are off to a great start to 2019! Students and staff came back to school ready to get right back into the swing of things. As I walked into classrooms this week, it was business as usual. It was so nice to see everyone back after the break.

We have been very fortunate so far to have such mild weather this winter. For the time being, arrival in the morning will remain outdoors unless, based on daily weather forecasts, we need to bring them in. If we see a trend where the temperatures will be consistently frigid in the mornings when students arrive, I will communicate that we will have indoor arrival for those longer stretches of time. Remember, students will likely still go out for recess as the temperature tends to warm a little during the day, so please ensure they are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Finally, I wanted to let you know that Arbor Food Services has introduced new ice cream options that are now peanut and tree nut free. The cost of those items is $1.30. They will no longer be selling the chocolate and strawberry scooters. So if you allow your child to buy ice cream, please send the correct amount of money.

NAEP: ​(for fourth grade families only)...

• I have sent a letter home regarding the NAEP assessment. On January 30, all Terrace 4th grade students will take the NAEP. You can read more about it in the letter that was sent home. If you have any questions, please click here or contact me.

Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Lopatka's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

​Terrace Families,

I get such joy out of having the gift of being able to watch our students learn and grow each and every day. As most of you know or likely hear from your child, I am in the hallways and classrooms A LOT. It gives me great insight into all our of teachers' practices, but it also helps me to know what kind of learners your children are.

Children have various rates of learning for the many different content areas that make up an instructional day. Children also learn at different rates in social-emotional areas, as well. Sometimes when I see a student make a great choice, I try and acknowledge and celebrate that as much, if not more, than a perfect mark on an assessment. We have the very honorable yet difficult task in teaching your children how to read, write, spell, add, subtract, multiply, sing, paint, run, etc. Even more difficult yet just as worthwhile as that endeavor is teaching your children how to be safe, responsible, and respectful students and citizens. It is oftentimes an overlooked aspect of what educators do, but it is something we take very seriously. Our students' safety and well-being sets the tone of how available they are to learn.

The Terrace staff, as well as myself, work tirelessly to help our students and families feel safe, cared for, and welcome. There are countless acts of kindness from Terrace staff that go on behind the scenes for our students and families that would warm your hearts. There are too many to name, but I wanted to tell you how proud I am to be the leader of a school staff that cares as deeply as ours does about all of you and your children. I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to be here watching your children learn and grow and that I get to work with such a dedicated and caring staff.

I hope you take this time to rest and enjoy some time together with your loved ones. The holiday and new year is a time to reflect and remember all that we are thankful for. I am thankful that you share your children with us. Every single child at Terrace is special. You send us students who are smart, kind, funny, caring, empathetic, selfless, and giving, and I love that we as a staff get to help to nurture those characteristics into lifelong traits. Each student here is important to us, even when they don't make the best choices. However, our job is to help them learn from those choices so that they make different and better ones in the future. And when they do make different, more appropriate choices in the future, that is a cause for celebration!

​I wish you all the very best holiday and new year!

Please read the following updates and information (and don't forget to read the new Dec. Terrace Times linked above):

Winter Concert: ​Thank you to those of you who attended our winter concert this week. Mrs. Prost worked so hard to ensure you had an enjoyable and festive experience. Thanks to her and all of our staff who made the concert a success for the students and for you, our families.

5Essentials Survey: This year, all 4th and 5th grade students will be completing a student survey. District 62 sent a communication this week regarding the student survey. When we get back from break, our 5th graders will take the survey on January 07, and our 4th graders will take it on January 09. Remember, each parent in a household can still take the survey. To begin, please click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent.

NAEP: ​(for fourth grade families only)...

• I have sent a letter home regarding the NAEP assessment. On January 30, all Terrace 4th grade students will take the NAEP. You can read more about it in the letter that was sent home. If you have any questions, please contact me when we return in January.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much colder, so please dress your children appropriately. Please make sure children have an extra pair of gym shoes to change into after they take their boots off. They cannot participate in PE class if they do not have gym shoes.

If your child does not have snow pants, a winter coat, or any other winter-wear that they need, please email me and/or our social worker, Mrs. Greenwood. Between the two of us, we will help try and secure what your child may need.

​Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mr. Becker's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great break!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information (there is not too much that is new this week):

Winter Concert:

• On Tuesday, December 18, please join us for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade winter concert. Showings will be at both 2:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (students should arrive at 6:15 p.m. for the evening performance; students should go directly to classrooms). Doors will open at 6:15.
• Students are expected to attend both performances. If your student cannot attend a performance, please contact Mrs. Prost at prostm@d62.org as soon as possible (as speaking parts and solos are being decided). Thank you, and we all hope you enjoy the concert!

​
5Essentials Survey: The staff and student surveys will be live beginning on December 11. This year, all 4th and 5th grade students will be completing a student survey. This will be done at school and we will make sure that it will not take any time away from instruction. We will likely wait until after winter break to do this, and I will communicate to you when we do. Remember, each parent in a household can take the survey. It will take no more than five minutes. To begin, click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. Please make sure children have an extra pair of gym shoes to change into after they take their boots off. They cannot participate in PE class if they do not have gym shoes.

If your child does not have snow pants, a winter coat, or any other winter-wear that they need, please email me and/or our social worker, Mrs. Greenwood. Between the two of us, we will help try and secure what your child may need.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.
​​

Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. O'Brien's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information (and please read the November Terrace Times linked above):

5Essentials Survey: The staff and student surveys will be live beginning on December 11. This year, all 4th and 5th grade students will be completing a student survey. This will be done at school and we will make sure that it will not take any time away from instruction. We will likely wait until after winter break to do this, and I will communicate to you when we do. Remember, each parent in a household can take the survey. It will take no more than five minutes. To begin, click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent.

Early Learning Center Toy Drive:
Please don't forget, if you have any new, unwrapped toys that you wish to donate to district families in need, we are collecting in our lobby through December 14. Toys to be donated should be appropriate for 3 & 4 year-old children. Thank you!

Winter Concert:

• On Tuesday, December 18, please join us for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade winter concert. Showings will be at both 2:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (students should arrive at 6:15 p.m. for the evening performance; students should go directly to classrooms). Doors will open at 6:15.
• Students are expected to attend both performances. If your student cannot attend a performance, please contact Mrs. Prost at prostm@d62.org as soon as possible (as speaking parts and solos are being decided). Thank you, and we all hope you enjoy the concert!

​
Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. Please make sure children have an extra pair of gym shoes to change into after they take their boots off. They cannot participate in PE class if they do not have gym shoes.

If your child does not have snow pants, a winter coat, or any other winter-wear that they need, please email me and/or our social worker, Mrs. Greenwood. Between the two of us, we will help try and secure what your child may need.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.
​

​Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Ales's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information:

5Essentials Survey: Families, thank you to all those who stopped at our tables at conferences to do the survey. We are over our goal of 110 surveys completed! However, if you have not taken the brief survey yet, there is still time, and we'd still like to hear from you. There are also about 25 surveys that have been started and not completed. Please check to ensure you take the survey all the way through. If you are not sure whether you completed it, please click the following link and run through it once more to make sure you are all done. Remember, each parent in a household can take the survey. It will take no more than five minutes. To begin, click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent. You DO NOT need an email address to complete the survey. Make sure you choose "Cook" for the county. THANK YOU!!!

Early Learning Center Toy Drive:
If you have any new, unwrapped toys that you wish to donate to district families in need, we are collecting in our lobby through December 14. Toys to be donated should be appropriate for 3 & 4 year-old children. Thank you!

Winter Concert:

• On Tuesday, December 18, please join us for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade winter concert. Showings will be at both 2:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (students should arrive at 6:15 p.m. for the evening performance; students should go directly to classrooms). Doors will open at 6:15.
• Students are expected to attend both performances. If your student cannot attend a performance, please contact Mrs. Prost at prostm@d62.org as soon as possible (as speaking parts and solos are being decided). Thank you, and we all hope you enjoy the concert!

​
Snow Day Update:
On Monday, November 26th, 2018, District 62 schools were closed due to the heavy snowfall. Due to this closing, and in accordance with Illinois school code, Monday, April 22nd, 2019 will now be a student attendance day for all kindergarten through 8th grade District 62 students.

Chronic Absenteeism:
You may have received a letter from me if your child has reached 6 absences or more already this school year. This is due to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (formerly known as No Child Left Behind), and it calls for schools and school districts to pay closer attention to student attendance data as one of many indicators that create and impact designations of a school’s success. I will be sending letters at the 6, 12, and 18 days absent marks to all families if their student reaches those marks.

If you recall, students who are absent 10% or more of school days during the current academic year, including absences with and without valid cause as well as out of school suspensions, will be considered “chronic absentees”. Terrace and all District 62 schools will collect and review absence data regularly and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage daily attendance and promote success.

If you take your child out of school on a vacation and they start to amass absences at a rate that will put them on pace of missing 10% of the school year (18 days), you will get a letter from me regardless of the reason. These absences can actually impact our school designation negatively, so I ask that you please try not to schedule your vacations when school is in session. Thank you. 

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. Please make sure children have an extra pair of gym shoes to change into after they take their boots off. They cannot participate in PE class if they do not have gym shoes.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Butera's class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information:

5Essentials Survey: Families, you are rocking it with your completion of the 5Essentials survey! We currently have 64 surveys completed, and we need to get to at least 110 to get credit on next year's school report card. At conferences next week, we will have a couple tables set up and will be asking each parent to take the survey before they leave (if you haven't already). Remember, each parent in a household can take the survey. It will take no more than five minutes. To begin, click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent. You DO NOT need an email address to complete the survey. Make sure you choose "Cook" for the county. THANK YOU!!!
​
Family-Teacher Conferences:

• Conferences begin Monday from 2:00 - 8:00 and will continue on Tuesday from 8:00 - 2:00.
• If you have not already signed up for a conference time, please go to https://terrace62.youcanbook.me/ to register for one 20-minute conference time with your child's teacher on either Nov. 19 or Nov. 20. The conference sing-up will close this Sunday at 12:00 p.m.

​
Report Cards:
Report cards are coming home today. Please remember that they are standards-based report cards. Your child's teacher will go over these with you next week at conferences. Parents of students in grades 3-5, there will also be a letter explaining a change in how the grading system looks. Please read that letter, and if you have any questions, the teachers can explain that to you next week, as well.

Cultural Arts Assembly:
Thank you to the D62 Foundation and the Terrace PTC for bring in a science assembly for he students. It was a wonderful way to our your children how important, interesting, and fun science can be!

Railroad Safety:
This week I brought in Joel Kirchner from Union Pacific to do an Operation Lifesaver presentation for all Terrace students. He discussed railroad safety and what to look for when they are ever near railroad crossings. It was was an important presentation, and the students all walked away with some great information and some cool gifts.

Early Learning Center Toy Drive:
If you have any new, unwrapped toys that you wish to donate to district families in need, we are collecting in our lobby through December 14. Toys to be donated should be appropriate for 3 & 4 year-old children. Thank you!

Reward Day:
This afternoon our students earned a reward for earning nearly 1500 cardinal cards to date. Students earn cardinal cards when they are safe, respectful, and responsible. Students in grades K-2 and students in grades 3-5 got together in their pjs and watched a movie. We are so proud of all of our students!
​
​Chronic Absenteeism:
You may have received a letter from me if your child has reached 6 absences or more already this school year. This is due to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (formerly known as No Child Left Behind), and it calls for schools and school districts to pay closer attention to student attendance data as one of many indicators that create and impact designations of a school’s success. I will be sending letters at the 6, 12, and 18 days absent marks to all families if their student reaches those marks.

If you recall, students who are absent 10% or more of school days during the current academic year, including absences with and without valid cause as well as out of school suspensions, will be considered “chronic absentees”. Terrace and all District 62 schools will collect and review absence data regularly and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage daily attendance and promote success.

If you take your child out of school on a vacation and they start to amass absences at a rate that will put them on pace of missing 10% of the school year (18 days), you will get a letter from me regardless of the reason. These absences can actually impact our school designation negatively, so I ask that you please try not to schedule your vacations when school is in session. Thank you. 

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. If your children attend early SPARK, they will sometimes play outside. Please make sure you are sending them with something warm to wear also.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.
​

​Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Nielsen’s class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend and holiday next week!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information:

5Essentials Survey: Families, the 5Essentials survey is a school climate survey that gives you a voice in how you feel our schools are doing and in what areas we can improve moving forward. In addition, parent completion of the survey will factor into the school report card beginning next year. So, I am asking that you please take a few minutes to complete the survey. If you have children at other schools like the middle schools, you will need to also complete a survey for that school separately, since your completed survey counts for those schools, also. Your voice truly matters! To begin, click here: bit.ly/625EssentialsParent. You DO NOT need an email address to complete the survey. Make sure you choose "Cook" for the county.
​
Online Family-Teacher Conference Sign-Up:

• If you have not already, please go to https://terrace62.youcanbook.me/ to register for one 20-minute conference time with your child's teacher on either Nov. 19 or Nov. 20. You will find the teacher's name, see the available time slots, and then you will be able to choose the time you want. Just fill out the information that is asked of you, and you should be good-to-go. An email will follow confirming your time. If you have any problems or do not have access to a device or the Internet, please contact the main office on Monday, and Mrs. Manna will be able to schedule you in for an available time slot.
• Kinder parents please note, Mrs. Nielsen did not schedule her conferences online. She has reached out to you separately to schedule her conferences.

​
Chronic Absenteeism:
You may have received a letter from me if your child has reached 6 absences or more already this school year. This is due to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (formerly known as No Child Left Behind), and it calls for schools and school districts to pay closer attention to student attendance data as one of many indicators that create and impact designations of a school’s success. I will be sending letters at the 6, 12, and 18 days absent marks to all families if their student reaches those marks.

If you recall, students who are absent 10% or more of school days during the current academic year, including absences with and without valid cause as well as out of school suspensions, will be considered “chronic absentees”. Terrace and all District 62 schools will collect and review absence data regularly and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage daily attendance and promote success.

If you take your child out of school on a vacation and they start to amass absences at a rate that will put them on pace of missing 10% of the school year (18 days), you will get a letter from me regardless of the reason. These absences can actually impact our school designation negatively, so I ask that you please try not to schedule your vacations when school is in session. Thank you. 

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. If your children attend early SPARK, they will sometimes play outside. Please make sure you are sending them with something warm to wear also.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

​Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Sharko’s class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information, and remember there is no school next Tuesday, November 06:

Online Family-Teacher Conference Sign-Up:

• If you have not already, please go to https://terrace62.youcanbook.me/ to register for one 20-minute conference time with your child's teacher on either Nov. 19 or Nov. 20. You will find the teacher's name, see the available time slots, and then you will be able to choose the time you want. Just fill out the information that is asked of you, and you should be good-to-go. An email will follow confirming your time. If you have any problems or do not have access to a device or the Internet, please contact the main office on Monday, and Mrs. Manna will be able to schedule you in for an available time slot.
• Kinder parents please note, Mrs. Nielsen did not schedule her conferences online. She has reached out to you separately to schedule her conferences.

​
Chronic Absenteeism:
You may have received a letter from me if your child has reached 6 absences or more already this school year. This is due to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (formerly known as No Child Left Behind), and it calls for schools and school districts to pay closer attention to student attendance data as one of many indicators that create and impact designations of a school’s success. I will be sending letters at the 6, 12, and 18 days absent marks to all families if their student reaches those marks.

If you recall, students who are absent 10% or more of school days during the current academic year, including absences with and without valid cause as well as out of school suspensions, will be considered “chronic absentees”. Terrace and all District 62 schools will collect and review absence data regularly and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage daily attendance and promote success.

If you take your child out of school on a vacation and they start to amass absences at a rate that will put them on pace of missing 10% of the school year (18 days), you will get a letter from me regardless of the reason. These absences can actually impact our school designation negatively, so I ask that you please try not to schedule your vacations when school is in session. Thank you. 
​
PTC News:
The PTC meeting that was scheduled for November 05 has been canceled. The next scheduled meeting will be January 14, 2019.

Picture Retakes:
Retakes will be next Thursday, November 08. If you want your student to retake their school pictures, you need to please remember to send their pictures back to exchange for a new picture. Students who were absent that day can also have their photos taken.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. The temperature is now much cooler, so please dress your children appropriately. If your children attend early SPARK, they will sometimes play outside. Please make sure you are sending them with something warm to wear also.

​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

​Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. Turner’s class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!

Terrace Families,

Please read the following updates and information:

Online Family-Teacher Conference Sign-Up:

• Today your children brought home a letter outlining the conference sign-up process. Beginning tomorrow morning, Oct. 27, you will be able to go to https://terrace62.youcanbook.me/ to register for one 20-minute conference time with your child's teacher on either Nov. 19 or Nov. 20. You will find the teacher's name, see the available time slots, and then you will be able to choose the time you want. Just fill out the information that is asked of you, and you should be good-to-go. An email will follow confirming your time. If you have any problems or do not have access to a device or the Internet, please contact the main office on Monday, and Mrs. Manna will be able to schedule you in for an available time slot.
• Kinder parents please note, Mrs. Nielsen will not be scheduling conferences online. She will be reaching out to you separately to schedule your conferences.

Halloween:

• As Halloween is approaching, I wanted to remind you how the school day will proceed on Wednesday, October 31, 2018:
  • Please remember that it is a half-day institute day, and dismissal will be at 12:00. There will be NO SCHOOL for any kindergarten students on Oct. 31.
  • The school-wide parade for grades 1-5 will begin promptly at 10:15 in the gymnasium, and if weather permits, we will also parade outside after all of our students go on the stage. This year we will begin our festivities with a brief Halloween sing-along, led by Mrs. Prost! Parents, please do not arrive earlier than 10:10.
  • Kindergarteners (both a.m. and p.m.) will have their parades on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Morning kindergarteners will parade at 10:15, and afternoon students will parade at 1:15. Please look for information to come home from Mrs. Nielsen about your classroom celebrations.
  • Costumes may not contain: weapons of any sort, blood, cigars or cigarettes, and we should not be able to see any student’s bare stomach. In addition, please ensure that costumes are age-appropriate for school and are not overly scary. Masks may be worn only during the parade, but they may not be worn during the school day.
  • Classroom parties for grades 1-5 will begin roughly at 11:00. Parents and volunteers, it is important that you follow the guidelines communicated in the Terrace handbook (and D62 BOE policy) as it relates to food items. Candy, sweets, or any other food items ARE NOT permitted for Halloween or any other celebrations during the school day. Your child is welcome to bring in pencils, erasers, and any little non-food items to share with their classmates. However, should you send food to school, it will not be distributed and will be returned to you. Your child’s teacher will give you more information about this.

PTC News:
The PTC meeting that was scheduled for November 05 has been canceled. The next scheduled meeting will be January 14, 2019.

Be Prepared for Cold Weather:
Families, please take note of the changing weather. If the temperature seems to be cooler, please send a sweatshirt or light jacket with your children. If your children attend early SPARK, they will sometimes play outside. Please make sure you are sending them with something warm to wear also.

Chronic Absenteeism:
At the end of last school year, I included an attachment in a May 31 email to you with information about D62 BOE policy changes for the 2018-2019 school year. One of those changes was regarding chronic absenteeism. Last night at Curriculum Night, I discussed this in more detail.

Essentially, students who are absent 10% or more of school days during the current academic year, including absences with and without valid cause as well as out of school suspensions, will be considered “chronic absentees”. District 62 will collect and review its absence data regularly and determine what systems of support and resources are needed to engage chronically absent students and their families to encourage daily attendance and promote success.

As an example: District 62 has a total of 174 student attendance days in a school year. If a student is absent for 17.4 days (10% of 174 days) during the 2018-2019 school year, they would be considered “chronically absent”. Again, this is for excused and unexcused absences and would include a student who is sick, on vacation, out of the country, has  a doctor or dentist appointment, misses school due to a death in the family, parent has car troubles and cannot get to school, etc.

This will impact all schools in the state of Illinois, and it is important for you to know that all schools are all in the same situation. A new federal program called the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (and formerly known as No Child Left Behind) is calling for schools and school districts to pay closer attention to student attendance data as one of many indicators that create and impact designations of a school’s success.  

In summary, all D62 schools are encouraging and expecting families to do all that they can to see that our students attend school every day that they are well enough to attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
​
​School Volunteer Info:
Attention Volunteers! Please fill out the online volunteer application if you do not currently have one on file. In order to volunteer at school during the day or at any school function (field trips, popcorn day, etc), you must have an application on file. If you are not sure if you have completed one, please email Mrs. Lopatka at lopatkak@d62.org, and she can check for you. You may also apply online at the following website by clicking here.

Congratulations to these terrific Terrace students for setting a positive example of what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible! Also, congratulations to Mrs. O'Brien’s class for earning the Courageous Cardinal!

Please read the following reminders:
​​
Arrival Parking Lot Safety: Families should drive through the front circle to drop off students. The parking lot IS NOT a place to drop off students. If you feel you need to park and walk your child to his or her line, please park on Westgate to do so. The safety and well-being of our students is our number one priority above all else.

Dismissal Parking Lot Safety: Please remember that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our #1 priority. After school you are welcome park your car in a designated spot in our lot and walk to the front to pick up your child. Or, you may drive through the front circle and pick up your child in the pickup line. DO NOT double park your car in the lot and ask your child to run over to your car. I have personally seen students do this and nearly get hit by a car in the lot. Please listen to and work with our traffic supervisors. We need you working together with us to ensure students and staff are safe. Thank you so much.

WeatherBug:
Please download the WeatherBug app and set Terrace as your home page. Here are the directions to download:

1. Open the app, and tap the WeatherBug icon in the upper left corner to expose the main app menu.
2. Select “Sign in”
3. At the bottom of the login screen, tap “Sign up” and either login using your Facebook account or by creating a WeatherBug account.
4. Then go back into the main app menu and select “Communities”
5. Tap “Terrace Elementary School” – the plus sign should turn into a check mark – hit “Close”
6. You should see the Terrace Elementary School Community card.

Internet Safety:
Families, as your children are getting older and are having more exposure online, a host of questions can arise about Internet safety. If you would like to learn more about what your children may be doing or what you can do as a parent/caregiver to protect them, please click here to read more.

Additional Notes:​

• If you are on Facebook and would like to see what is going on at Terrace, be sure to check out the Terrace Facebook page. Pictures are regularly posted to better give you an insight into all the great things that go on at school each and every day. Remember to click the "like" button so our updates appear regularly on your feed. Or, under the school address near the top left of this page, you can click Facebook, and it will direct you straight to the page.
• It is important for us to have a current email address and phone number for you at all times. If you want to ensure that you receive emails and notifications from Terrace and D62, please make sure our office has your most current email and phone numbers on file. If you send us your contact information, I ask that you please write very neatly so we can make sure we are entering the correct information in our student information system.

​Have a great weekend!