Dear Waters Families,

First and foremost, I hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and well in the midst of these unprecedented times. It feels like yesterday that our first experience with remote learning was coming to a close and summer was just beginning. But somehow, September 8 is right around the corner. I can hardly believe we’re about to kick off the 2020-2021 school year! 

I know many of you are feeling anxious and uncertain about what the next few weeks and months are going to look like. I completely understand how you are feeling and am working on bringing you updates as quickly as I can.
In the meantime, I’ve received many emails with questions spanning a wide range of topics. Thank you, as always, for reaching out. I’d like to take the opportunity to address as many of them as I can:

• CHROMEBOOK REQUESTS: If your child/children needs a Chromebook for remote learning, please complete this survey: Waters Family Tech Survey If you have already contacted our office team, please disregard.  Mrs. Amerson and Mrs. Mendez, our office team, will set a schedule for your family next week to pick up your device.  We will do our best to make sure each and every student’s needs are met.

 

• GARDEN USE: Many people have asked if we might be able to use the garden as a space for teacher-led small group learning. Although we are so fortunate to have the beautiful garden on our grounds, at this time, we are obligated to abide by safety guidelines set forth by CPS. 

 

• KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT: If you have not yet enrolled your child in Kindergarten, please contact Cecibel Amerson (ckbarzola@cps.edu) and Melissa Mendez (mmendez54@cps.edu) in the main office this week.

 

• OUR NEW WING: We are grateful for the beautiful addition on the north side of our campus and cannot wait to fill it with children and teachers once we return to in person teaching and learning.  The main building has been painted throughout and all of the classrooms are being cleaned.  Like many construction projects we have all been involved with, there is some delay and because of that, our teachers are not legally allowed to go into their classrooms until we have clearance from the inspector (much like a home inspection but on a much grander scale) and deems the building up-to-code.  Because of this, there have been days where administration has not been in the front office and teachers cannot access learning materials (many which are currently still boxed up) and might for at least another week. This unfortunately is putting another layer of complexity with specific remote learning plans, but please be patient with us and this process, as we are trying our best to plan remotely. 

 

• HOMEROOM/PODDING REQUESTS: Though we are unable to make any guarantees, we are doing our best to accommodate homeroom/podding requests. We ask for your patience as this has caused a delay in finalizing homeroom rosters. 

 

• REMOTE LEARNING TECH SUPPORT: Your child’s teacher will be available to assist with remote learning technology, including setting up your child’s email account, Google Classroom, and Aspen.

 

• STUDENT REGISTRATION FEES: Waters administration has decided to waive the Student Registration Fees for this semester.  This will be revisited mid year should we return to in person learning.

 

• TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS: Teacher and Student assignments will be released next week. It is our goal that families should be alerted regarding classroom assignments by next week via the ASPEN portal. 

 

• SUPPLY LIST: It is highly recommended that you create a designated study area for your child. Updated supply lists will be posted on our school website but in the meantime a modified list of items such as pencils/pens, paper/notebooks, folders, a small personal sized whiteboard, dry erase markers, index cards, crayons/markers, scissors and highlighters will be helpful for your child.  

 

• REMOTE LEARNING PLAN: We know that what the children, parents, teachers, and school based administrators went through in the spring from an educational and an emotional standpoint was not ideal. It is our goal and expectation that children will engage in virtual instruction from their teachers every day. Remote learning hours will be from 8:15 am to 3:15 pm Monday through Friday. Your child's daily schedule will be balanced between synchronos(online) and asynchronos(off line) learning activities. Teachers will share their daily schedules with you next week. This pandemic has created an environment and world none of us were prepared for, so as we come together as a community of educators and parents, we will get through this! 

      

• I missed the LSC meeting where the upcoming year was discussed. Will there be another opportunity to learn up-to-date information about the upcoming virtual school year and how it will look at Waters? Yes! We are inviting the Waters community to a virtual Waters Elementary Back to School Town Hall on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 6:00pm - 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be attended by the Waters administration, teachers, and will be facilitated by long-time Waters parents, John and Serena Hess. 

                                                                       Please click on the link below to attend:
                                                                     Waters Back to School Town Hall Meeting
                                                                         Monday, August 31⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
                                                                           meet.google.com/php-hkqu-vwc
                                                         Join by phone (US) +1 510-766-1817 PIN: 743 524 924# 

• What will be covered at the Town Hall? As guidance by CPS is evolving daily, our goal will be to provide the Waters community with as up-to-date  information as possible. The first 10-15 minutes of the meeting will provide this information, and the last 45 minutes will be dedicated to answering questions. Although we wish we could answer every question at this meeting, our facilitators will group the questions so that hopefully the big picture questions can be answered and communicated effectively. 

• Please email your questions ASAP and no later than Saturday, August 29th, 8pm to: 

             Serena Hess, serenahess773@gmail.com
              Subject line: Town Hall Question


Finally, please note that while I do not have specific information to share about the following topics, they are very much on my radar. I look forward to sharing more details with you soon.  

• Classroom materials pick-up- delayed due to construction
• Breakfast and lunch distribution- delayed due to construction
• Kindergarten meet and greet
• Virtual Meet and Greet for new families
• Remote guidelines for ESL learners
• Remote guidelines for diverse learners
• Fall MAP testing dates
• Natural playspace update
• Virtual curriculum night
• Academic Centers and Selective Enrollment guidelines
• Fall sports 

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we prepare to kick off the 2020-2021 school year. Please know we are here for you!  We do know that we are going to get through it together and come out on the other side stronger than ever. Let’s make this year at Waters one for the memory books.  

Warmly,
Titia Kipp and Nilsa Alvarez
Waters Administrative Team 

Dear Waters Parent/Guardian:  
As you know, CPS has proposed that parents of students in kindergarten through eighth grade choose between two different learning plans for the fall.  The learning plans available for most K-8 students will be:
Hybrid Learning Plan.  With the hybrid learning plan, K-8 students will have two days of in-person learning at school, one day of remote instruction, and two days of at home independent learning. When they are at school, all students will be assigned to pods of 15 students or fewer to maintain proper social distancing. More information on the hybrid learning plan can be found here.
Remote At-Home Learning Plan.  For those families that would prefer their children not attend school in-person in the fall, the district is offering a remote, at-home learning plan. I am unsure what this will look like at this time - it could be remote at-home learning with a Waters teacher but other CPS teachers might also be assigned to lead remote learning. Much depends upon the number of parents who elect the full-time at-home/remote learning option. 
In order to prepare and plan for the start of school, we need to hear from all families by August 7 about whether or not parents plan to have their child/children participate in the Hybrid Learning Plan or the Remote At-Home Model.
The parent/guardian of record should have received a text and an email from the district asking about learning preferences for your child. Please complete the short form that came with that text or email to let us know how your child will be learning in the fall. Please be aware of the following information when making this choice:

• To ensure schools can plan effectively, please complete this form by Friday, August 7. 
• If you choose for your child to learn remotely at home, you will receive more information in the coming weeks about what to expect. If you change your mind and want to participate in hybrid learning, you will be given the opportunity to change your preference at the beginning of the second quarter.
• If you choose to start the year with the hybrid learning model, you have the option to switch to the learn-at-home model at any time. More information on Pod A/Pod B choices will be forthcoming.

This form also asks if you would like to receive ongoing texts from the district. If texting is a preferred method of communication for you, please say yes to this question. If you opt to receive texts from the district, we will be able to text you about scheduling updates, daily symptom screener reminders, and other important updates.
If you do not receive the form by Monday, August 3 or are having difficulty completing it, please contact Ms. Amerson at Ckbarzola@cps.edu.  Once we have additional information about the start of the year logistics, we will communicate it with you.


Thank you. 
Ms. Kipp and Ms. Alvarez

Dear Waters families,
There is no doubt, that all of us – possibly even our youngest students - are aware of and concerned about the events that have transpired in the last week. Racism, bigotry, violence, trauma, these are all very complex, emotionally-laden topics. Discussions about them can be difficult and impacted by the adult’s background and emotional reactions to events – which could include shock, anger, confusion, fear, frustration, sadness and even hopelessness.  But we must discuss these topics with children in age-appropriate ways, without bias and with a moral sense of right and wrong so they can come to an understanding of what is happening. 
Like all adults, Waters teachers are determining the best way to do this. CPS has provided guidance and we expect that more will be provided over the coming weeks. Even with that guidance, sensitive, complex topics are hard enough to address face-to-face when we can provide additional support to students who may need it. They are even more difficult to tackle in a virtual context. Thank you for your patience and grace as we do our best. We are committed to making anti-racism an even more important part of our work with children next year when we hope to be back together in person again.
There are things we can do now, though. As a school community, I am asking Waters parents and teachers to commit to:

• Taking care of their own mental/emotional health, as well as that of children.
• Listening to children and talking about race, racial violence, and racism.
• Paying close attention to news, media, and other information sources.
• Working to be actively anti-racist.

I am attaching a list of resources for parents, vetted by our central office, to help you. There are many others available on the internet. As the 2019-20 school year winds down, I ask that we collectively focus upon our shared humanity and that we take time to talk about the root causes of the current protests and the interracial activism. This is a time to come together, to listen, to learn, to share in grief and in hope, and to act for a more just, equitable, and racially conscious world. 
Sincerely;
Titia M. Kipp

Dear Waters Families;

We have completed our first week of remote learning! Who would have thought that I
would be saying such a thing?

What I can say is thank you for your patience as teachers, students and parents navigate
this new learning norm. It certainly has tested our resolve but together supporting one
another I know we can do this! I would also ask that we all seek to give each other grace,
flexibility, patience, and empathy during the challenges of remote learning due to this
pandemic.

I, along with my staff, miss you! Our abrupt departure in March did not prepare us for
what was to come. I can’t tell you enough how much we miss the students, the chatter in
the hallways, the office buzzer ringing from a classroom, the students playing during
recess, after school programs, the shrill of voices as the students bolt out the doors at the
end of a school day, these are the sounds we take for granted but when the building is
empty, you long to hear them. Please know that although remote learning has begun, it
will never replace the human connection!

I would like to thank the “Circle of Help” who has provided technology to some of our
most vulnerable families. We are grateful to this community organization who continues
to provide important resources to families! In addition, Ms. Alvarez and I continue to
loan school technology to families as the reality of remote learning begins to set in.
If you are in need of a Chromebook, please be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher.

While the building has been closed for teaching and learning, it has provided an
opportunity for the construction team to connect our existing building to the new
addition. The overall construction of the Annex is 50% complete. As of today the steel
structure and temporary roof has been completed at the Annex. The exterior framing at
the north side of the building is complete and work will continue to the east and south
with the exterior sheathing (yellow) following. Interior (wall) framing and MEP rough is
in progress. Brick masonry will begin late April.

Next Wednesday, April 22, 2020 is Student, Parent and Teacher conferences and a non-
instruction day for students. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out to you to schedule
a conference with you.

Today’s announcement that CPS will continue remote learning until June 18, 2020, has
generated a lot of questions. Questions about grades, promotion, summer school, planned
trips, graduation, LSC elections, etc. CPS is aware of these questions and many more.
They are working at providing answers as quickly as possible.
When I have answers to any or all of these questions, I will be sure to inform you.

In closing, please know that Waters staff is here to support your children and their
learning. If you are in need of anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

​Sincerely,
Titia Kipp

Dear Waters School Community;
Please join Administration and LSC Facilities and Grounds Committee for a special presentation of the new Annex design by representatives from CPS Planning and Design. They will present renderings of both the exterior and interior design, including color scheme and floor plans.

This is a great chance to see what lies on the other side of our big construction project.

Meeting will be on January 7, 2020 at 6 pm at Waters School.  

See you there! 

Ms. Kipp

Dear Waters School Community,

Waters is in the middle of its annual pledge drive! Check out the Help Waters Grow banner on the field to watch our progress toward the $100,000 goal. The WatersToday pledge drive committee has created a variety of events to encourage our community to give back in any way possible. You can learn more and make a donation at waterstoday.org/pledgedrive. Our school depends on the support of families and community members to fund many of our programs that would not be possible within our current budget. I thank you for your support during the pledge drive and all year long! 

If you are looking for a way to get involved at Waters, I encourage you to visit waterstoday.org. WatersToday is the primary fundraising and volunteer recruitment organization for our school.  They host several events each year and assist with school wide volunteer needs. Additionally, they send our Green Notes newsletter. WatersToday hosts quarterly public meetings and I hope you can attend to hear more about this great parent-led organization. The next meeting is Monday, October 21 in the annex. 

Ms. Kipp
Principal

Dear Waters School Community;

Welcome Back!

What a great opening week! From a rainy Tuesday to a fabulous Wednesday, each day, students
came ready to learn and teachers were ready to engage the students.

This week Friday, a Back to School packet, will be sent home. This packet has very important
information and we need you to complete it and return it to school on or before Friday,
September 13, 2019.

The following documents must be returned to school for each of your children:

( If you are a kinder parent or new family to Waters, you have already completed form #2 and
# 4 upon your registration this summer. )

1. Student Medical Information 2019-2020 page 5
2. Request for Emergency and Health Information page 21
3. School Messaging Consent Form ( Robo Call ) page 23
This is an additional form of communication that you will receive via email, text or phone
messaging. We have already used the ROBO system for back to school messaging. If you
did not receive a call or email, you will want to complete this form with current information.
4. Media Consent Form and Release Page 25
5. Family Income Information Forms Page 27
This form is crucial for funding from the state and federal governments. Please be sure to
complete this form. If you do not wish to complete, return the form anyway and write across
the form Not Applying.

If you want Dental and Vision service for your child(ren) please complete:
Vision Consent Form page 9

The following forms must be completed by your child’s doctor and be returned to school:

• Proof of Dental Examination Form -for students who have a private dentist Page 11
• Vision Examination Report - for students that have a private eye doctor Page 12
• Asthma Action Plan- for students with asthma, be sure to meet with the school nurse Page 15
• Healthcare Provider statement for Food Substitution - for students with food allergies, be
• sure to meet with the nurse Page 17

Also in this packet is a booklet titled Student Rights and Responsibilities( Student Code of
Conduct) Immediately following the Student Bill of Rights (first six pages of the booklet ) is a
page titled “acknowledgement of receipt of the student code of conduct”
Please have your child sign and date the upper portion and your signature is required at the
bottom of this page, sign page 7 and return this page to school with the aforementioned
documents.

Thank you to the Waters staff and community for making our first week a huge success!

Titia Kipp
Principal

Dear Waters Community,

As I write my final blog for 2019, I reflect on the many things we have done at Waters this year.  I am very proud of our accomplishments and the work that continued through the last months.

We have been incredibly busy with learning opportunities!  All of this is in addition to what goes on in the classroom on a daily basis.  Here are just a few highlights:

• Cyber Kids parent workshop
  
• “Screenagers” film screening for families
  
• Understanding the IEP process for English Learners parent workshop
  
• Reading and Math strategies for English Learners parent workshop
  
• Understanding  ACCESS scores parent workshop
  
• No More Bullying workshop parent workshop
  
• Assistive Technology parent workshop
  
• James and the Giant Peach Drama performance
  
• Billy Goats Gruff Drama performance
  
• Spring Cardboard Challenge
  
• Little Big Night
  
• Museum of Contemporary Art
  
• Cops and Kids Chess
  
• Footloose spring concert
  
• CAPE annual finale
  
• Wrigley Field Cubs
  
• Hamilton Exhibitiion
  
• Multiple Sauganash , Lake Michigan  and Chicago River trips
  
• Levy Senior Center
  
• Old Town School of Folk Music
  
• 7th graders go to Springfield
  
• 8th grade luncheon at Navy Pier
  
• Loyola Law School - ABC projects
  
• Lincoln Park Zoo
  
• Spring Art Show
  
• Save the Ocean from Plastics Community Mural ( stop and look on the corner of Wilson and Western created with help from our 6th grade class)
  
• Field Day
  
• Walk A Thon
  
• Scholastic Spring Book Fair
  
• Volunteer Thank You Breakfast
  
• Girls on the Run 5K
  
• Volleyball and Soccer
  
• Track -Congratulations to Nate Bjurstrom and CeCe Barlow who qualified for City Finals!
  
• 1st Grade Circus
  
• Circus Carnival
  
• Horner Park
  
• Waveland Bowl
  
• Sulzer Library
  
• 8th grade Graduation and Kinder Celebrations
  

Update on construction:  While there haven’t been any fences erected, I have been informed that  trailers will be arriving soon. As information becomes available I will share what I know.  Please be patient. Thank you.

I would like to thank the staff for their outstanding commitment to education.  The countless hours working before, during and after school are greatly appreciated and it shows in your work with the children.  
Also, I thank you parents and school community for your tremendous support through fundraising, volunteering, honoring staff with the annual Staff Appreciation Week, donations, etc.  You have provided Waters students with additional learning opportunities that otherwise would not be available. Your commitment to Waters School goes beyond words. You are deeply appreciated.

OFFICE CLOSED:

Please be aware the office will be closed for the next two weeks.  It will reopen on July 9 at
9:00 am.  

Summer office hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 am- 12 noon.  


Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019!  We celebrated together on Wednesday at Amundsen High School.  It was a proud moment for all families to watch their child walk across the stage.  Thank you for your years of support! We wish these young people well as they enter a new chapter in their lives.   

In conclusion, my hope is that as summer begins, you will enjoy time together as famlies.  Children grow up so quickly and before you know it , they are graduating from 8th grade. Take time to engage in authentic experiences that will give you a lifetime of memories.  

Be safe, relax and I look forward to seeing all of you in September!




Sincerely,


Ms. Kipp
Principal

​

Dear Waters Community,

This month began with hosting an important workshop for parents on cyber awareness. This workshop provided insight into the many ways that children can be lured through online avenues.  We thank Rebecca Sikorski (Waters parent) and Carolyn DeVar (colleague) from  JP Morgan Chase for sharing this helpful information for parents to keep their children safe.  

Following the Cyberkidz presentation, we hosted Screenagers, a film that enlightened the viewers on the amount of time our children are spending on various tech devices and its effects on their brain development.  

We celebrated with our 4th graders performing James and the Giant Peach last Friday and tomorrow,  May 10, 2019 our 1st and 2nd graders will be performing Big Shows for Little People.  
If you can, please come by and enjoy the show.  Thank you Ms. Garcia and Mr. Bradford!

On Saturday, Waters hosted a Cardboard Challenge.  It was such a delight to see families working together to create a unique structure that is one of a kind.  Thank you Mrs. Vecchioni!

Our Chess Team participated in the annual Cops and Kids Chess Tournament this week Tuesday.  Students brought back many trophies and exciting stories about their experience.  Thank you Coach Prado! 

Our 4th and 5th grades enjoyed a beautiful outing at the Cubs game today.  Everyone returned safely and the Cubs WON! 

NWEA MAP testing begins next week.  Please make sure your child(ren) arrive on time to school.  We want to provide an optimal environment at all times however late arrivals during testing is a great distractor.   Please look for communication from your child’s homeroom teacher as to when their grade will be testing.  

Our spring sports are in full swing!   Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball, Track and Girls on the Run.  If you can, please join our athletes at a game, match or meet. We would love for you to cheer them on!

Dates to keep in mind:

• Our next LSC meeting will be on Tuesday, May 21st at 4 pm.
• Our spring music concert will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd.  
• Please look for information regarding the Waters Walk-a-Thon which is scheduled for  Wednesday, June 5th.  This annual event helps raise funds for our physical education program and reminds us to stay healthy. 
• There is no school on Monday, May 27th for Memorial Day.  

Construction update:

Fencing is scheduled to be installed sometime in the upcoming weeks around the north end of the school grounds.  This fencing will also encompass the south side sidewalk on Wilson avenue. If you walk your child to school, please consider walking on the north sidewalk on Wilson and cross at Campbell where there is a crossing guard on duty.  Please be aware that entry and dismissal for kindergarten and 1st grade will be assigned to the doors outside of the gym.   Parents, please be aware that there will be equipment on the property.  We ask that you keep your children away from the construction zone for their safety.  We thank you for your patience and flexibility as the play space will be very limited during this time.   We are looking forward to the beginning of this exciting project! 


Sincerely,

Ms. Kipp 
School Principal