On February 21^st, Coonley will kick off an initiative placing a renewed focus on active play. We ask that students refrain from bringing any toys to school.  We hope this initiative will spark an increase in exercise and active play at recess.  We feel that active play provides opportunities for students to learn and practice sportsmanship, team building, and conflict resolution.

 This initiative is not only directed at outdoor play and recess.  We believe that students who are active and positive at play will be more productive in the classroom.  Empowering students to resolve disputes peacefully and amicably will translate into more focused instructional minutes. Eliminating the distraction of toys from the classroom will allow students to focus on instruction, and create more efficient transitions from one activity to the next.  

 We hope you can join our efforts to create a more positive and engaging Coonley one recess at a time.

 This policy includes, but is not limited to:

• Toys
• Stuffed Animals
• Action Figures
• Pokémon Cards  
• Bey Blades
• Beenie Boos
• Matchbox Cars and Trucks

Calling all potential candidates!  Applications are available in the main office and are due no later than March 8^th.  The elections will be held on April 18^th.  A Candidate Forum will be held on a mutually agreed upon date between March 8^th and April 18^th

Winter Dress

Winter weather has arrived! Please make sure that students are dressed for the cold temperatures. Students will have recess throughout the winter unless temperatures below 20 degrees or unsafe weather conditions exist. 

Morning Inclement Weather Procedures

As the temperatures start to drop, our students will be following the inclement weather morning procedures more and more often.  When weather conditions prohibit use of the playground, Coonley staff will be supervising students in the following locations:

• Kindergarten and 1^stGrade students in the gymnasium
• 2^ndand 3^rdGrade students on the second floor outside their classroom doors
• 4^th- 8^thGrade students on the third floor outside their classroom doors

Teachers will pick up students from the assigned locations at 8:57 a.m. as usual.  Please do not bring your child directly to the classroom. The time from 8:30 a.m.to 8:57 am is allocated for teacher preparation and morning staff meetings.  If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher please feel free to make an appointment.  We appreciate your cooperation with our inclement weather procedures.

Come Prepared for Physical Education Class

As snow boots begin to be the shoe of choice, please make sure that students come prepared with athletic shoes for gym class. Students are unable to participate safely and effectively in physical education without unrestrictive clothing and athletic shoes.

Safe Winter Pick-up/Drop-Off

Please drive slow and cautious in the cold and icy conditions when dropping off or picking up children.  Please do not stop directly in front of the school or on the school side of Belle Plaine Ave.  Buses are unable to park and pick up our students thus creating traffic jams and serious safety concerns for our students.  Please use Bell Ave. or the east side of Leavitt and walk children across the street.  You may also park south of the stop sign on Leavitt as no buses pull into that location.  Our Kiss N Go drop off, operating on Bell Avenue between 8:30—9:00 am, is a safe and efficient option for morning drop off.  Thank you for keeping our students safe.

Coonley has received preliminary Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) scores for the 2010-2011 measurement year.  The administration is very pleased to report that our students once again demonstrated broad-based, strong performance across all subjects!

2010-2011 Highlights:

Composite – Meets/Exceeds state standards is 91.4%

• Reading- Meets/Exceeds state standards is 92.0%
• Mathematics - Meets/Exceeds state standards is 90.1%
• Science - Meets/Exceeds state standards is 94.6%

Composite - Exceeds state standards is 44.0% (Up 16.7% vs. 2009-2010)

•  Reading Exceeds state standards is 40.1% (Up 10.3% vs. 2009-2010)
• Mathematics Exceeds state standards is 46.9% (Up 16.1% vs. 2009-2010)
• Science Exceeds state standards is 48.6% (Up 37.8% vs. 2009-2010)

Congratulations to the Coonley Community:  students, teachers & parents for their continued commitment to academic excellence!  It is extremely gratifying to see these efforts reflected in our ISAT performance.

For more information, please refer to the CPS website:

http://www.cps.edu/Schools/Pages/school.aspx?unit=2880

Pre-K Wish Lists and Classroom Supply Lists:

Attachments

Wishlist 106 2011-12	[ ]	14 Kb
Supply List KG 2011- 12	[ ]	62 Kb
Supply List 1st Grade 2011-12	[ ]	63 Kb
Supply List 1st Grade Options 2011-12	[ ]	55 Kb
Supply List 2nd Grade 2011-12	[ ]	55 Kb
Supply List 2nd Grade Options 2011-12	[ ]	67 Kb
Supply List 5th - 8th Grade 2011-12	[ ]	79 Kb
Supply List Early Childhood Autism 2011-12	[ ]	56 Kb
Wishlist 101 2011-12	[ ]	14 Kb
Supply List 3rd and 4th Grade 2011-12	[ ]	62 Kb