Author: eakocs

Note from Mr. Hodge – School Directory
Dear Irving Families,
Despite our best efforts, we have learned that there were several omissions/errors in this year’s school directory. If you need your contact information either added to or updated in the directory, please email me at jhodge@op97.org by Friday, January 10th.  We will use this information to create an addendum to the directory that we will send home with our students.We apologize for any inconvenience this situation has caused, and appreciate your help in making sure that all of the contact information we share with our community is complete and accurate.

Regards,
John

Registration for the EAGLE EXTRAS Winter Session will be extended through Wednesday, Dec. 18!
We are extending registration for the Winter 2014 season of Eagle Extras through Wednesday, December 18!  After Wednesday, registrations will no longer be accepted.  Classes that still have space include: Photography (now open to grades 2-5!!), Legacy Sports (K-2 and 3-5), Extra, Extra — the school newspaper class (2-5), Sing-A-Story (K-2), Soccer (K-2 and 3-5), Little Bits Workshop (K-5), Bead It! (3-5), and Mad Science (K-5).  The LEGO Engineering, Stitch It! Print It!, and Chess Scholars classes are FULL.  Classes begin January 13 and run through March 22, 2014.  Click on the links below (or go to https://irvingpto.com/eagle-extras/) for course offerings and the registration form.  Or pick one up in the hallway outside the school office.  Please email EagleExtras@irvingpto.com with any questions.
If you’ve already registered, thank you!!  Look for a registration confirmation in your email inbox this week.

 

Bone Marrow Registry Table at Cookie Crumble
You may have seen the signs at school about Ben, my 13-year old nephew who is battling leukemia. He’s an active, intelligent, and thoughtful 8th grader living in Chicago. He hasn’t been to school at all this Fall. He’s too sick (tutors visit the house, but it’s hard for him). He is in need of a bone marrow transplant and his situation is critical. Join the bone marrow transplant registry and help us find a donor match for him on Saturday at the Cookie Crumble.
We will have a table there with more information. You can get swabbed and everything! I know what it’s like to have children under tow, some of whom may be cranky, tired, overly excited, etc. (my 3 kids? ugh!), while you attempt to find something out or fill out a form so please read up early if you can at bethematch.org. If you end up being a match for someone (only 1 in 540 people are ever contacted once on the registry), it is NOTHING like donating an organ. It’s a relatively simple procedure and your body automatically regenerates new marrow. Questions? call 312-218-8058

Update from Irving Nurse about Holiday Celebrations

Dear Staff, Room Parents, Parents, Guardians, and Students

As the Winter Holiday Season approaches, we are preparing for Winter Concerts and anticipating the joys of the season. This is a fun and enjoyable time for all, however, it can be a time of worry for children with food allergies and their families. In order to provide a safe celebration environment for the students at Irving, ALL classroom celebrations will be NUT FREE with a focus on healthy snacks and treats for the children.

As always, fresh fruits and veggies are welcome and should be promoted. It is recommended that room parents and teachers communicate before their scheduled Winter Holiday Party to identify the foods/treats that will be provided for each classroom celebration. A good ratio of treats to healthy foods should be 1:3:  One treat option for every three healthy food options.

Foods are required to have an ingredients list. Foods that are made in factories that may process nuts should not be served due to the potential for cross contamination. Please consider labeling the food items for easy identification by students. Teachers can confidentially alert room parents of any other dietary restrictions and or food allergies in the classroom so that an alternative treat can be provided for inclusion.  Additionally, non food treats such as stickers, pencils, and activities are always welcomed and enjoyed by all of the children.

 Here is a link to a web site for Peanut/Nut/Egg safe food items http://snacksafely.com/snacklist.pdf.

 Thanks to the entire Irving Community for helping to make this a safe and enjoyable holiday season for all . Please feel free to contact Nurse Jamie for any questions or concerns at jstrokosch@op97.org or 708-524-3089.

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Jamie Peterson-Strokosch,RN, BSN, CSN-IL
School Nurse for Washington Irving Elementary School
Oak Park School District 97