Nerge Knightly News

Hello, Nerge Community,

Wow!  We had lots of exciting things happening here at Nerge this week.  There was a ton of pride and enthusiasm felt from the 6^th graders’ performance of “Pirates, the Musical” on Tuesday evening.  A special thank you to Mrs. Bele, the entire 6^th grade team, Mrs. Sedlak, Mrs. Chen, Ms. Macejik, and everyone’s flexibility for supporting the success of our students.  The PBIS Celebration today was PHENOMENAL again!  The fact that the entire school is together with their colored grade level shirts chanting and cheering and celebrating is a special part of our Nerge Knight culture and it is maintained year after year after year by the positive attitudes and creativity that teachers bring to the assembly and the parents support.

If you get a minute, the next time you are at Nerge, come by the office and look at the wall of student art work and our new table outside of the Nurse’s office.  Thanks to Mrs. Chen for the BEAUTIFUL student Artwork, thanks to Mr. Bob for his crafty workmanship to construct a rail where the picture frames hang that can be removed to change out the student Artwork on a regular basis, and thanks to Mrs. Nall for the purchase of the beautiful cabinetry that will eventually have pull-out baskets where handouts and other relevant school information can be quickly pulled out for parents and students. 

Please note on your calendar the following important dates:

Jan. 30 – Pizza Monday

Feb. 1 – Fun Foods

Feb. 3 – Hot Lunch

Feb. 6 – Pizza Monday

Feb. 7 – NO Early Childhood Attendance

Feb. 8 – ½ Day In-service; Dismissal at 11:40 AM – NO Early Childhood Attendance

Feb. 10 – Hot Lunch

Feb. 13 – Pizza Monday

Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Parties from 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Feb. 15 – Fun Foods

Feb. 17 – Hot Lunch

Feb. 20 – NO SCHOOL – President’s Day

Feb. 21 – PTA Meeting at 6:00 PM

Knightly News 1-27-2012

Have a wonderful weekend with your family!!!!

Amanda Clark, Principal

PTA sponsors blood drive Feb. 14

The Schaumburg Township Council of PTA’s is helping Heartland sponsor a blood drive on Tuesday, Feb. 14. It will be held from 1:30-7 p.m. in the boardroom at the School District 54 Administration Center, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.

Anyone between the ages of 17 and 75 who weighs at least 110 pounds can participate.

A minimum of 600 pints of blood is needed every day for patients in area hospitals, according to Heartland. The Council of PTA’s host blood drives each year to help meet these needs.

To make an appointment, you must visit www.heartlandbc.org and click on Schedule an Appointment.

For more information about this blood drive, please contact Heather Collier, Health and Safety Chairperson of the PTA Council, at (708) 951-4118.

Nerge Knightly News

Hello, Nerge Community,

Attached you will find the most recent Nerge Knightly News newsletter and many important announcements and flyers.  

•  Parent-Teacher conferences are January 12^th and 13^th. If you have not already scheduled a conference time, please contact your child’s teacher. Due to conferences, school will be dismissed at 11:40 on Thursday, January 12^th. There will be no school on Friday, January 13^th.
•  Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser at the Golf and Roselle Road Chipotle on Thursday, Jan. 12^th from 3:00pm – 8:00pm.  Bring in the attached flyer and 50% of the proceeds will benefit Frederick Nerge PTA.
•  There is no school on Monday, January 16^th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Enjoy the long weekend.

• Student Attendance 

If your child is going to be absent, it is very important that you notify the school before 8:30. Please call our attendance line, 847- 357- 5776, to report an absence. Thank you for your cooperation.

•  Open Enrollment Fair

The Open Enrollment Fair is an event when parents and students learn more about unique programs at various schools in our district, which you might be interested in learning more about.  The Open Enrollment fair will take place at Addams Junior High School on the evening of January 25^th. 

•  Busing

For the safety of our bused students we do not allow students that are scheduled to ride the bus to ride the bus some days of the week and not other days.  Students who ride the bus need to have the same riding arrangement every morning or every afternoon.  Next year we will also be providing only a 5-day KASPER program here at Nerge.  Please make your before and after school arrangements NOW so there will not be any last minute confusion as we start off the school year to always maintain students’ safety.

•  School Closings

Earlier this year we sent home information about weather emergencies.  Please go to this link if you need a second copy of the information which was attached in an earlier version of the Nerge Knightly news.  http://sd54.org/schoolcancellations/

 In the interest of keeping our students safe, District 54 would like to reinforce a few laws and policies concerning smoking, cell phone use and school buses.

•  No Smoking at Schools

District 54 policy prohibits smoking or the use of tobacco products on district property and in district facilities, regardless of whether students are present or school is in session. Individuals or groups using or renting facilities are also banned from smoking or using tobacco products in District 54 facilities or on District 54 properties.

• School Bus Stop Arm Violations
  

It is unlawful for a driver to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children when its stop signal arm is extended. Any driver traveling in the same direction as the bus is required to stop his vehicle when the driver is on a road fewer than four lanes of traffic.

• Cell Phone Use in School Zones

It is unlawful for any person, regardless of age, to use a cell phone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone.

We look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher conferences and please drive safely if the predicted snow storm does arrive.  Enjoy the long weekend with your family!

Knightly News 1-12-2012

Chipotle Fundraiser 01.12.2012

Amanda Clark, Principal

Frederick Nerge PTA Chipotle Fundraiser

Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser.

Thursday, January 12th, 3:00pm – 8:00pm at the Golf and Roselle Chipotle

Bring in this flyer and 50% of the proceeds will benefit Frederick Nerge PTA.

Chipotle Fundraiser 01.12.2012

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays, Nerge Parent Community!

The December issue of the Nerge Knightly News is attached.  Please take a moment to view this edition for end of the year updates and new year events.

Mark your calendars for the following:

• December 16^th: NO HOT LUNCH TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! Please remember to send a lunch to school with your child.
• December 16^th : Winter Break begins at dismissal
• January 3^rd – Students return to school
• January 10^th – 2^nd Trimester Midterms end
• January 12^th and 13^th – Parent-Teacher Conferences
• January 16^th –Martin Luther King- No School
• January 17^th – PTA Meeting:  6:00 PM in Teacher’s Lounge
• January 24^th – 6^th Grade Musical performance

If you drop your child off on Jennifer Lane, you may have seen some new signs this week.  These signs have been created to maintain safety as the weather turns inclement.  We ask parents to stay in a single file line and drop their child off on the pavement directly in front of the crosswalk.  This spot is marked with a sign that says: “Drop Off Here: Kiss-n-Go.”  If you are dropping off a child that attends our Early Childhood program, please pull past the crosswalk before dropping off to alleviate some of the congestion.

Here are a few important reminders:

• We ask that parents stay in their car when dropping off, except for parents with children in the Early Childhood Program.
• Continue down Jennifer Lane after dropping off your child, and refrain from making any U-Turns.
• Please do not pull out of line while other cars are dropping off.  This ensures that the students and the crossing guard have a safe path across Jennifer Lane.
• The doors are opened for the students at 8:30, and closed by 8:40.  After 8:40, students are to report to the front office.

Thank you for working with us to create a safe and efficient student drop off area.  We look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces each morning!

On behalf of the Nerge staff, we wish you and your family a joyous holiday season filled with many special memories.  We’ll see you in 2012!!!!!

Amanda Clark

Knightly News 12-16

Nerge Knightly News

Dear Nerge Community,

I cannot believe the holiday season is upon us!  Snow would make the season complete and I’m excited to get out to try out my new skis.   

• Today the entire school participated in our December PBIS Celebration by having a door decorating contest.  Thank you to everyone who sent in decorations and made the PBIS Celebration today a HUGE success.  The door decorating was a simple and fun way to celebrate with our kids to showcase their creativity, team building, practicing taking turns, sharing ideas and materials, and working together to reinforce the safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors that we expect each day here at Nerge.  We wanted to thank one of our staff members, Lisa Gentry, for creating the fabulous Red Ticket Trolley that now rolls through the classrooms to provide fun, unique, little trinkets to reward kids one to two times per month.  One of the “favorite” prizes today was a coupon to “Eat lunch with a friend from another classroom.”  Teachers will honor these coupons if they had a student in their classroom who selected that as a prize one day next week. 
• Winter break begins at the end of the day on December 16^th and runs through January 2^nd. School will resume on January 3^rd.
• MAP testing is going on right now and will continue through the next week and a half.  I am amazed at how well the children are doing.  The students are making great gains.
• Hand Chimes/Choral concert and Primary Art show will take place on Thursday, Dec. 8.  The concert portion will take place from 6:30 – 7:30 and the Primary Art show will take place from 7:15 – 8:15.  Our students’ beautiful artwork will displayed in the front hallway and some portions of the gym so we hope you can join us for the Fine Arts performances and masterpieces.
• “Toys for Tots” collection is still continuing through the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 14.  These gifts should NOT be wrapped. Thank you for your generous donations to bring joy to a child this holiday time.
• Friday, Dec. 16^thin the afternoon is our Winter Assembly in the gym for ONLY Nerge staff and students.  It is our way to wish everyone a wonderful Winter Break and holiday season as a school community.  The students will all gather together to sing a wide variety of songs that are relevant to the season that recognizes the diverse celebrations that our students
• Reminder…Every Monday we sell pizza at lunch for $2.00 per slice.
• As the weather will soon be changing, we ask for your assistance as snow will present a new challenge for us in dropping off and picking up children along Jennifer Lane.  We will soon be adding traffic signs to assist with the flow of traffic to keep everyone safe.  Once the snow arrives and is piled high and barricading the sidewalk, we ask that you proceed single file along Jennifer Lane and drop off your student(s) where the fence is open and a staff member is on duty waiting for the children.  If you are transporting an Early Childhood student, please pull up well beyond the crosswalk, park your car, and remove your child safely to the sidewalk area where an Early Childhood staff member is waiting to escort them down to the classroom with support so they don’t slip and fall. 
• Believe it or not….conferences are coming up soon.  They are after the winter break on January 12^th and 13^th.  Invitations will be coming home soon.

As the holiday quickly approaches I’m sure many of you will be out hustling and bustling with decorating, baking, and shopping this weekend.  Whatever you have on your calendar, relax and enjoy time with family and friends.

Knightly News 12-2-11

Have a great weekend!

Amanda Clark, Principal

Nerge Knightly News

Hello, Fantastic Nerge Community,

The weather is getting cooler outside and I’ve started to see more and more Holiday commercials on TV for upcoming shopping.  Did you know there are only 36 shopping days left until Dec. 25?  Please remind your students to dress accordingly for the weather because we will be going outside every day for recess and lunch unless the windchill is 0 degrees.

The yearbook has some exciting news this year!  You can now order your yearbook online! If you have not yet purchased a yearbook and would like to do so, please go to: http://shop.balfour.com/smi22771  and click on “Your Yearbook” on the left-hand side of the page.  The yearbook is still $14 per book but will be going up to $16 at the beginning of the year.  If you are not sure if you have already purchased a book, please call or email me and I will be glad to look it up.  Also, if you would like you can still send cash or check to me through the school to order the yearbook.  Just make sure you include your child’s name and room number and send it to: Beckie Cosgrove, c/o Kamden Cosgrove, Room 105. 

• MAP Testing will begin on Nov. 28 and run through Dec. 16.  Please plan to schedule any appointments outside of your child’s testing date and time.  Contact the classroom teacher in advance to find out the specific date and time of their MAP test if you may have a potential conflict. 
• Report cards go home on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
• Thanksgiving Break from Wed., Nov. 23 – Sun., Nov. 27. 
• District 54 staff, students and community members celebrated American Education Week this week.  The NEA has chosen the theme of Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility as it celebrates the 90^th annual American Education Week. Here at Nerge, our parents are welcome any day and at any time, so we did not coordinate any specific events, but please feel free to come for a visit anytime. 
• Toys For Tots Toy Drive will be sponsored by the Student Ambassadors from November 28 – December 14 at Nerge Elementary.   Please donate NEW, UNWRAPPED toys and place them in a colorful gift-wrapped empty box in the office.  Our goal is to HELP  BRING JOY TO A CHILD’S HOLIDAY! 
• The Giving Tree will be put up in the Nerge office next week for our families that are in need.  We ask that no electronics be purchased this year.  Two shifts of gift tags will be placed on the tree before Thanksgiving and the final gifts will be delivered back to Nerge by Dec. 12 so families can come pick up their gifts.  If you plan to take a tag and purchase gifts for families, please let Barbara Nall take down the information from the gift tag.  Thanks for your giving nature at this time of year.
• A Schaumburg District 54 Foundation grant was received for “Nerge Family Knights.”  Events for families for LDI and Early Childhood students will be conducted several times throughout the year.  Our first family night for our LDI students took place last Wednesday where families attended presentations on behavior, hygiene, and how to complete homework and afterwards ate dinner together while visiting with some of the Nerge staff members.  Our second family night took place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 called “EC Goes Camping.”  Your littlest Noble Nerge Knights arrived with backpacks ready to read with their families in tents set up in the gym, ate pizza, went on a nature hike outside, created a photo frame, took a family photo with camping equipment, and had a snack of S’mores trail mix while singing campfire songs with Mr. Wulbecker while he played his guitar.  Everyone had a GREAT time and we’re looking forward to the Spring family nights to create more positive memories together. 
• Winter Assembly will be on Friday, Dec. 16 in the Nerge Gym for all Nerge staff and students only at 1:00 PM.  Winter Break begins at the end of the day on Dec. 16 and school resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 3. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break with your family.  We are truly thankful for our Nerge families and you sharing your precious children with us each and every day.

Knightly News 11-18-11

Happy Thanksgiving,

Amanda Clark, Principal

Nerge Reminders

Good afternoon,

This is not our normal newsletter distribution, but I had a few really important reminders that I wanted to send out to you all this afternoon. 

Halloween events will be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 31 here at Nerge.  As you are finishing your final touches on costumes this weekend, please remember that we ask that there by no costumes depicting excessive violence, fake blood, or weapons of any kind (squirt guns, chains, whips, plastic swords, etc.), keep make-up to a minimum, and be certain that your child can see through his/her mask.  NO ONE MAY WEAR MAKE-UP TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING (Early Childhood and Kindergarten students are the exceptions).  Please find attached our detailed letter with specific times for the parade and volunteer timelines. 

• Picture retakes will take place on Thursday, November 3^rd in the morning.  Please send money orders or picture packets with your child.  Afternoon Kindergarten and Afternoon Early Childhood students that need picture retakes will need to be brought in to the gym before 10:00 AM.
• Club pictures will also be taken in the morning.  Please send uniforms in with your child if they need one for their club picture.
• The end of 1^st Trimester is Thursday, Nov. 10.
• No School on Friday, Nov. 11 for Veteran’s Day.
• Halloween Letter

Have a wonderful weekend with your family,

Amanda Clark, Principal

Nerge Knightly News

Happy Friday!!!!

The weather has certainly gotten colder this week, so please remember to dress your children accordingly. We are still going outside every day for recess and PE. It is supposed to be a little warmer this weekend and it may be one of our last warm and sunny ones, so head outside and enjoy the time with your family.

Today, we had our PBIS Celebration. Kids had a great time watching a special “Halloween” edition of the Nerge Office Staff. It was a cute cartoon edition with each of our faces included. The red tickets were pulled and kids received incentives and had lots of engaging entertainment. Our students had a lot to celebrate throughout the past month in terms of positive behavior. We have been focusing on “bullying” and the data for that category over the past month has decreased. We believe our awesome Enrichment Activities that are providing our students with fun opportunities during lunch is a major support for us reaching our goal. Our goal for next month is “Disruptions in the Classrooms.” We are optimistic that our new “Red Ticket Trolley” cart in place with incentives for kids to choose from that the data in this category will be improved. Thank you for support of positive behaviors at home as well.

Some of you have asked about the Butterfly Garden and what is happening with it this year. We gathered a committee of staff members together and met with the Schaumburg Park District Director to find out more details about the garden. He shared with us that it is now in it’s “growing” stage. There is nothing that we can or need to be doing to it at this stage. It looks a little ugly right now and that’s what it’s supposed to look like at this point. The park district maintains it and has the background and experience to keep it growing so that in 3-4 years we will see productive results. Thank you, PTA, for your funding support throughout the “planting” stage. Mr. Bob, our own day-time custodian, also adds seeds and plants to it from time to time. He has experience from our very own school-district 54 Nature Center, and is very excited to be our primary resource.

Please find the Halloween letter attached for details regarding parties, costumes, and timeframes for Monday, October 31. We look forward to a fun and safe event for all of our kids and we appreciate your attention to these expectations.

Halloween Letter

Knightly News 10-21-11

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend and quality family time together.

Amanda Clark, Principal

Nerge Knightly News

Good morning, Nerge Parent Community!

 The weather has been wonderful this week and is supposed to continue throughout the long weekend. We are sending out the Nerge Knighly News a day early so please read through the newsletter for many important announcements and dates to add to your family calendar.

 Here is the latest news…

•       Conferences are today and tomorrow! Dismissal today is at 11:40 and there is no student attendance tomorrow.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you were not able to schedule a time. Our goal is to have 100% of our students represented at conferences. Parent support is so important. Together we can ensure student success for all Nerge students.
•      MAP testing results, “Tips” for how you can support learning at home, and goal setting will also be shared at conference time for all students K – 6th grades. The scores are used as part of the student goal-setting conference.
•      ISAT results were sent home yesterday for all current 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. As a school, Nerge did very well. 92% of our students met or exceeded state standards in Reading and 97% of our students met or exceeded state standards in Math. High achievement for all students continues to be the standard at Nerge School.
•      Thank you for all of the support you shared for our Book Fair last week.  We don’t have an exact total yet but made a profit of $2500.  Thank you for your online purchases as well and supporting this new way of enhancing the Book Fair options.  We will have a Spring Book Fair during the week of March 19 – 23 as well if you missed this opportunity and more information to come as the date approaches.  
•      If you haven’t already joined the PTA, it’s not too late. It costs only $5.00. Each year, we try to increase our membership over the previous year. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends and local businesses can also join.
•      There is no school on Monday, October 10^th. It is Columbus Day. Enjoy the extra long weekend with your family.

Attached is the latest edition of the Nerge Knightly News.

Knightly News 10-06-11

Enjoy this beautiful weather with your children!!!!!

 Amanda Clark, Principal