Dear Families,

Welcome to the Room 1001 family! I hope that you have all had an enjoyable summer break and that you are as excited as I am to get this school year started! This will be my 8th year teaching in District 39. As someone who has a passion for education, I know how important it is to embed a love for school and learning at an early age and it is my goal to do just that as your child’s teacher! Teaching is my passion. I have a Special Education degree from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in Literacy Education from Northern Illinois University. I am also certified to teach English as a Second Language.

Besides teaching, I have a passion for traveling. I love to visit new countries with my husband or visit my home country of Poland. When not traveling, we enjoy taking our dog Rue, for long walks or bike rides. I live with my husband in Chicago, and we enjoy exploring new restaurants and excursions in the area.

I know this year is going to look a little different than what our typical school experiences have been in the past, but we are in this together and as a team, we will not let this time together go to waste. We are going to have so much fun this year, whether your child is participating in remote learning or in-person learning, and I look forward to working with your child and getting to know your family! Below you will find basic information about our classroom. I will discuss the classroom and curriculum further during our Virtual Curriculum Night (Thursday, September 3rd at 5:00pm).

Contacts

I will be sending you a weekly email every Friday afternoon updating you on the upcoming week’s schedule, learning focus, and activities. While we are remote, this email will contain all of the home learning activities and zoom meeting links for the entire week. That way you can have all of the information you need in one place! I will also be sharing this email on my website in case you misplace the email.

 Communication during remote learning will be a collaborative effort between school and home using our new curriculum tool Creative Curriculum Cloud. I will be sending you more information about how to register shortly. This app will be used to share curriculum extension activities as well as by you, to upload student pictures of activities completed at home.

 Please call me Justyna and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s programming throughout the school year.  I am available by phone most mornings from 8:15-8:40, and 2:30-3:30.  I will return all phone calls during these times. 

 Email is by far the easiest way to contact me, but please feel free to leave a phone message. If you need to get a message to me immediately during class time, please leave a message with the front office.

 To report an absence please call the absence line at (847) 512-6450.

lostumbj@wilmette39.org

 847-512-6115

Monthly Studies

Each month your children will participate in thematic studies guided by our early childhood curriculum. This year we are using  Seesaw to share photos of projects and experiences your child is having in the classroom related to the curriculum. 

Supplies

A link to the classroom supplies list can be found on the LEEP homepage.  We will be using the supplies daily to make learning a hands-on and fun experience for the children.

http://www.wilmette39.org/for_parents/lechner_early_education_program

Snack

In the past, we have enjoyed a family style snack every day. This will no longer be the case this year due to new COVID safety regulations. That being said, please make sure your child has a well-rounded breakfast/snack prior to school. Children are asked to bring a reusable water bottle to school every day. Please make sure it is clearly labeled with their name. The water bottle will be sent home every day and needs to be thoroughly washed.

 Schedule

Throughout the in-person school day children will be required to maintain 6ft social distancing from teachers and peers to the greatest extent possible. Children will have access to their own yoga mat space and learning materials/supplies. These will not be shared with other students in the classroom. Materials will be thoroughly sanitized before another child has access to them.

 In Person Learning Schedule for AM and PM students:

AM Hours: 8:45 - 11:05

PM Hours: 12:10 - 2:30

Arrival 

Table toys

Circle Time 

Small Group or Mini Lesson 

Purposeful Play Time

Outdoor time/Movement Activity 

Dismissal

 Once again, I want to let you know how excited I am to be working with your family this year! The whole team looks forward to working together to provide your family and child with a wonderful educational experience.  Please do not hesitate to call, email, or write a note. See you soon! 

Sincerely, 

Justyna Lostumbo, EC Teacher

Room 1001