Last Day of School – This Wednesday

This is a reminder that the last day of school for students is this Wednesday, May 24th.  Thank you for an absolutely wonderful school year and all the support we receive from our Kolling families.  We wish you all a safe summer filled with great memories!

Miles Krueger Scholarship Fundraiser Opportunity next Wednesday – This Wednesday

Many of our students and families are looking for a way to support their favorite computer teacher, Mrs. Kruger, after the loss of her son.  The family has established a scholarship fund in his name as a way for Miles to continue to give kindness and there will be a McDonald’s Fundraiser in St. John on the last day of school, next Wednesday, May 24th.  Click here for the flyer.

Happy Retirement

We want to thank Mr. Zak (music teacher), Susan Hofstra (ELL para), and Lynette Gallegos (para) for all their years of service to the students of Kolling Elementary.  All three retirees have been tremendous assets to our school community and they will be missed dearly.  We wish you many great adventures in retirement!

Field Day – Tomorrow

All students will be participating in Field Day tomorrow.  Please make sure your child is dressed accordingly.  Thank you to Mr. Michner for organizing this for the entire school.

Summer Reading Challenges

There are several ways to get involved in reading challenges this summer.  Students may log their reading in multiple competitions.  Below is more information on how to get your child involved.  We hope you will encourage some fun places to read and get lost in books this summer. My favorite place to read in the summer is on the beach!

The Lake Central School Corporation has a summer reading challenge.  Students who participate will be invited to a special celebration with the librarian and principal at the beginning of the school year.  Click here for a link to the Lake Central School Libraries Summer Reading Challenge.  Forms can be turned in when school returns.

The district also has a fun way for students to continue checking out books from Lake Central throughout the district with our Summer Uni Mobile.  The Uni shows up at various parks in the Tri-Town area throughout the summer.  Children in the community are invited to meet up at the parks and exchange books throughout the summer.  All Uni books can be returned to another Uni outing, any Lake County Public Library, or to your child’s school when they return.  Click here for a list of dates and times for the summer Uni Mobile.

Each student has their own Beanstack app where they can log their reading and earn incentives at school as a way to motivate them to love reading.  Students can access their account through their LC Clever account or they can click here for directions on how to log reading in your child’s school Beanstack account.

The Lake County Public Library also has a fun summer reading challenge.  Click here for a video that was shared with students at school explaining the Summer Reading Challenge that is available through the Lake County Public Library.  Click here for a link to the Lake County Public Library Summer Reading Prizes.

Regarding Medications (prescription OR over-the-counter)

ALL MEDICATIONS – must be picked up in the nurse’s office, by a parent/guardian, on or before Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Any medication remaining in the office after this date will be disposed of.

No Request for Teachers

I cannot and will not honor any teacher requests for next year.  Please do not contact me to request a teacher for your child for next year.  Also, please know that being in the high ability program does not guarantee that your child will automatically have the same students in their class each year.  Students are guaranteed to have high ability services for their identified area, but as they enter grades 3 and 4, the students in their class may be significantly different.  Class lists should be posted on August 14th.

Box Tops

DOWNLOAD THE BOX TOPS APP, TODAY!!!!!!!! The PTO is asking everyone to take part in our Box Tops for Education initiative.  Everything is now handled via the app, so we no longer need to clip tops!  Please download the Box Tops for Education app in the App Store or on Google Play and register for Kolling. Scan all of your physical or digital receipts within 30 days of purchase.  If the receipt has an eligible item, it will automatically be funded along with any available bonuses.  If there is not an eligible item, you can choose to be automatically entered into a national drawing.  Thank you for helping us reach our goals! Click here to get the app!!!!

Inclement Weather Days

Last week, the district sent all parents an email informing them how eLearning will take place this school year in the event school is canceled due to inclement weather.  Click here to re-access that email.  I have also reposted a copy of the elementary schedule for inclement weather days below:

Kindergarten through 4th grade schedule will be as follows:

  • 9:45AM to 11:15AM–Reading & Writing (90 minutes)
  • 11:15AM to 12PM–Lunch & movement break (45 minutes)
  • 12PM to 1:15PM–Math and social studies or science (75 minutes)
  • 1:15PM to 1:45PM–Specials (recorded 15 minute lesson & interactive component)

Birthday Treats for Students with Allergies

If there are students with food allergies in your child’s classroom, your child’s teacher would have sent something home regarding allergies in the classroom.  Please plan ahead if you plan to send in treats for your child’s class so that all students can have the same snack and not feel they are being singled out.  It may not seem like a big deal to an adult, but to a child, this can be huge.  If your child does have a food allergy, you can also help by sending in some safe treats just in case there is a snack that we cannot confirm. However, the best would be for all of our parents to try to make sure the class gets to enjoy the same treat.

Bus Information

If you need bus stop or bus number information, you can find this by clicking on the link below or by clicking on the transportation link of the district website.If you have any difficulty, try not to narrow your search by school or grade level.If you continue to experience difficulty, please contact Transportation at 219-365-3141.

Bus Information Link

Food Service

There are 2 links below with important Food Service information.  You can also check their website for menus and other important information.

Food Service Welcome Letter

Approved 2022/2023 Meal Charge Guidelines

Adventure Club Before/After School Care

Adventure Club is an outside organization that provides on-site before and after school care at Kolling.  Students can be dropped off as early as 6:30am and can be picked up as late as 6pm.  You are able to register online here or call their office at 219-865-6283.

Medication Guidelines

Click here to access the district’s medication guidelines.

Table for Dropping Off or Picking Up Student Items

If you are bringing something to school for your child, simply leave it on the table in the vestibule with your child’s name and the teacher’s name on it.  We have staff members that will check the table throughout the day to deliver items to students.  If you are picking an item or class work up for your child that was arranged with a teacher or staff member, please check the table first.  Our number one reason for limiting access to the building is for safety and security.

Write Note or Call for Dismissal Changes

The most convenient way to communicate dismissal changes is to write a note and send it in with your child.  Make sure the note is big enough that it will not get lost between larger papers, includes your child’s first AND last name, includes the teacher’s name, and includes the date for the changes.  If you are not able to write a note, you must call the office and leave a message on the voicemail or with a secretary.  Most importantly, please make sure changes are in by 2pm each day.  If it is an Adventure Club change, remember to notify Adventure Club AND our school.  The Adventure Club call off number is 219-365-1391.

Sick Students MUST be Picked Up

If your child is exhibiting illness, they must be picked up right away.  It is the responsibility of the parent to have arrangements in place in case your child must be sent home without notice.  Click here for the state of Indiana’s guidance on when students are too sick to attend school.

Label Everything

Things get lost all the time and many students have identical belongings, so make sure to put your child’s first and last name on everything you can, especially backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles.  If it is properly labeled, it will find its way back to your child.

Send a Water bottle with Your Child

Students will not be permitted to drink from the water fountain.  They can refill their water bottles from the fountain, but they cannot drink directly from it.  Please make sure your child has a water bottle each day.  We will provide disposable cups if they do not have a water bottle.

Send a Healthy Snack Each Day

It is a long day and students get hungry.  Send a healthy snack to school each day for your child or put something extra in their backpack.  We do not permit students to eat unhealthy items as their daily snack.  Click here for a copy of our healthy snack guidelines.

Building Access for Guests

Our building enforces strict safety procedures for building access for guests.  Safety procedures include that a table is provided in the foyer for parents to drop off items that they are delivering for their children, and that little to no guests will be permitted into the building unless necessary.  Click here for a description of our building access procedures.

Please continue to check your email for additional information regarding protocols for the start of school.  Additionally, I will send weekly emails at 5pm every Sunday to give information on what is coming up at school.

We are excited to receive your children and start the new school year.  If you have any questions, please call our office at 219-365-8577.

Lake Central School Board Meetings

The Lake Central School Board meets two times a month and those meetings are usually the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.  All are welcome to attend.  You may also watch live streamed meetings on the LCTVNEWS Youtube page.  Meeting videos are always archived for later viewing.  Dates for school board meetings can be found on the School Board section of the district website.  Click here for a link to school board information.