January 16, 2020 was a great day to be a Coolidge Cougar. We received over $20,000 in donated books and supplies from Enchanted Backpack! Students sang "One Small Voice" as our great custodial staff unloaded everything and were treated to grade level dances and a flashmob featuring their teachers and Mayor Eidam. A special thanks to Coolidge 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Cappizano for completing the application with Enchanted Backpack, whose drivers described our educational climate as "vibrant." Outstanding job, Coolidge - you are #158Strong!
https://www.facebook.com/LansingSD158/videos/218051365876093/
As a fundraiser incentive, Coolidge students were able to tape Assistant Principal Mr. Byrne to the wall. He was a brave and courageous Coolidge Cougar! The students were so excited to see the experiment work!
Coolidge students enjoyed Kids Night Out. The students experienced a special night with friends while they enjoyed movies, pizza, popcorn, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. A special thank you to Ms. Lafferty and Ms. Dahlkamp for organizing the event!
Coolidge teacher, Nichole Harris, hosted the fifth annual Pajama Drive at Coolidge. This event was highlighted with a PJs with the Parents night put on by Coolidge PBIS members on December 4th. This is the second time that this event has been held with community members reading to both students and parents.
During the month of November Mrs. DiGrispino held her Kindness Club for 1st and 2nd graders at Coolidge Elementary. They covered a variety of ways to show kindness to others though stories, activities, and games. The students also had weekly activities to share with their families, friends and peers. What a great way to show our future leaders how important it is to spread kindness throug our day to day encounters.
Coolidge School concluded American Education Week with Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). About 650 students and the Coolidge staff lined the hallways and read together. Even Puff the Bearded Dragon wanted to be a part of the excitement! Over 1,200 books were donated during the Book Drive. Students loved getting different books during the Book Exchange.
Coolidge students recently enjoyed time on a huge game truck as a PTA fundraiser prize. Students were all smiles as they played video games with their friends. Thank you to the Lansing community for supporting our PTA fundraiser!
Mr. Becker played along with the Coolidge fifth graders during clarinet sectionals this week. The students learned about tempo and how to avoid making a squeak. Band is so much fun!
Last week, the annual Penny War was held at Coolidge School. This is a tradition that has been going on for many years. Classes compete to see who collects the most points counting pennies as positive points and silver money and dollars counting as negative points. Over $2,200 was collected for families in need during to the winter holidays. This is a great way to teach citizenship by helping our community.
Mrs. Hanaway, Mrs. Heim, and Miss Wazny applied for the Meemic Foundation’s Teachers Pay Teachers Classroom Resource Grant and WON! Representatives from the company awards their grants at a recent Coolidge School faculty meeting.
It’s time to begin your Science Fair Project! All students in grades K-5 are invited to be a part of our annual Area Elementary Science Fair on February 1. Fifth Grade Coolidge Teachers Mrs. Driver, Mrs. Jamrock, Mrs. Stablein and Mrs. Wiora hosted a Science Fair Parent Night at Coolidge to give details about the project, show example projects, and answer any questions from parents.
Students in second grade at Coolidge School crafted turkeys as a family turkey project for Thanksgiving. They displayed their creations during American Education Week!
Coolidge has been selected to receive a donation from Enchanted Backpack! This grant is valued at $20,000 and will provide essential classroom supplies, household goods, books, and clothing for our students. The donation will take place on Thursday, January 16 at 10:00 AM. Please share and help publicize this so we may receive more donations in the future! #158Strong
As part of our school-wide PBIS program, students at Coolidge spent their Cougar Cash on free throws with Mr. Byrne during lunch!
Mayor Patty Eidam read a story about community to the fifth graders at Coolidge. She led a discussion about different career choices. Coolidge School would like to thank Mayor Eidam and the Village of Lansing for being a part of our Community Reader Program.
Ms. Zentz's class at Coolidge read the story The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis. They worked in groups to discuss how they can make the pumpkin roll farther on a ramp and realized the higher the incline, the further it will roll!
Happy Halloween from our Coolidge faculty and staff!
Last week Coolidge participated in Spirit Days for Red Ribbon Week. The students and staff were encouraged to dress according to the message for the day. We focused on promoting making positive choices. The PTA distributed items to reinforce focusing on their goals and being kind to everyone.
Coolidge students Lawrence and Laila Johnson started their day by riding to school on a fire truck. They won this honor at Loteria at Coolidge during Hispanic Heritage Month. What an awesome way to start the day!
Mrs. Fuller, LRC Director at Coolidge, has created a new Community Reader Program! Community members are given the opportunity to read a book to a class and discuss the story. This another great example of how the school and community are working together to help our students. In these pictures are Village of Lansing Trustee Mr. Abbasy, Village Administrator Mr. Podgorski, and Lan Oak Park District Board Commissioner Mrs. Adams who read the biography of Ruth Wakefield (inventor of chocolate chip cookies) and taught our fourth graders a song on her ukulele!
Coolidge teachers learned more about the Eight Mathematical Practices during a recent professional development meeting. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and specials teachers collaborated together to improve instruction!
Coolidge PTA hosted a Bingo Night to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month! We had food samples and over 22 sponsors made donations. Coolidge believes strongly in forming community relationships. Thanks for the great turnout!
Second grade teacher Mrs. Capizzano and fifth grade teacher Mrs Driver were awarded Memic Foundation grants during a recent Coolidge faculty meeting. Mrs. Capizzano received $250 worth of school supplies for her classroom, and Mrs. Driver received a hydroponic butterfly habitat for her classroom. Another great day to be a Coolidge Cougar!
Coolidge students in Mrs. Lam’s 3rd grade class visited the Book Fair. This was a great opportunity for students to learn more about money and how much items cost!
The staff at Coolidge Elementary School work together as a team! What a great way to start a school year!
Students in Mrs. Sheahan’s 4th grade class enjoyed the new and improved Cougar Den at Coolidge Elementary School. When students displayed excellent behavior and complete all homework assignments, teachers can reward their class with time in the Cougar Den. The Cougar Den encourages and shows the importance of social interaction without the use of social media. Foosball, air hockey, puzzles, and board games are some of the favorites. Coolidge is always looking to expand with donations of craft projects and Legos.
Welcome to YOUR new Calvin Coolidge Elementary School! Landscaping has been completed by the new front entrance and we are proudly flying the American, Illinois, and Lansing flags! The final Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Coolidge has been set for Monday, September 16 at 7:00 PM and will include special guest speaker State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Hope to see you there!
The Fifth Annual Coolidge Family Picnic was a huge success! Families gathered for food, games, and laughter at Coolidge this past Friday night in celebration of our new school year together. Reptiles from Coal Black Exotics were on display to view and touch. The best part of the night was being able to talk and mingle with other Coolidge families!
Hey Lansing School District 158, who's feeling their Coolidge Pride? Only a month until the new, fully completed building opens for school!
Coolidge Update: the new main entrance (left) and open kitchen (right) are nearing completion! District 158 is incredibly proud of this construction project and we look forward to hosting a final ribbon cutting and public walkthrough in the fall. #158Strong
The third grade students in Miss Spangler‘s class from Coolidge researched the history of their ancestors and presented an ethnic poster of their findings.
Mrs. Mirich, Mrs. Wiak, and Mr. Marcinski were each named Educator of the Year by the Coolidge PTA. We thank them for volunteering and helping our students in any way they can!
Coolidge School celebrated during their annual Jamboree! Students from TF South’s Captains’ Club ran twelve different games for over 600 students. Students wore white or blue shirts and cheered for their teams.
Coolidge update: the new front hallway, main office, and classrooms are looking great with floors tiled, furniture assembled, walls painted, arches installed, and spaces created for additional picture tiles! Progress is moving quickly both here and in the new open kitchen, with our Board of Education hiring A'viands to deliver fresh food service for the 2019-2020 school year.
The CCLB (Calumet City, Lansing, Burnham) PTA recognized volunteers in the community and honored them for their service at their annual dinner at TF South. Coolidge Social Worker Mrs. Doorn along with Coolidge family members Mrs. Lewis, Ms. Thigpen, and Mr. Gonzalez were recognized for their contributions. Thank you for making Coolidge School even better!
Students in Mrs. Wiora’s fifth grade class at Coolidge have been working collaboratively on their writing. The students wrote key word outlines and wrote a paragraph retelling the “She Risked Everything” article in a recent Scholastic News magazine.
Mrs. Lam’s third grade class read "How Do You Raise a Raisin?" by Pam Munoz Ryan and "Raisins" by Margie Sigman. The students were fascinated that raisins are made from grapes. The book said a few days in direct sunlight would turn grapes into raisins. They wanted to see if raisins could be made using artificial light in the classroom. Mrs. Hodgson donated the grapes from her lunch, and the students made predictions and observations for the raisin experiment. The process took 42 days or 6 weeks. So, they eventually made raisins!
The Coolidge playground supervisors were treated to a surprise party to recognize them for all that they do to care for our students. We are thankful that safety of our students is their priority! The Coolidge Family continues to work together.
On Wednesday, April 10, Coolidge fifth graders in Mr. Becker's clarinet sectional were treated to a special lesson. Superintendent Dr. Schilling, who used to be a band director, shared his grandmother's antique metal clarinet from the 1930's! Students were able to see how the instrument has changed, discuss the physics of sound, reflect on their experiences as beginning clarinetists, reinforce good playing habits, and perform a few etudes together. Ydalis Alvarez and Jasmine Gonzalez were even called up to demonstrate! Dr. Schilling will be sharing this lesson at other District 158 schools in the upcoming weeks.
To improve teaching and learning, the Coolidge teachers researched fiction and nonfiction resources and planned a new methodology of teaching writing. The teachers shared their ideas with each other to make our curriculum even better. Collaboration is a key to success!
Come check out the Coolidge Mini-Mall and our student entrepreneurs tomorrow night, March 22nd!
As the fifth graders in Mrs. Wiora's class at Coolidge completed a morning of Pi related activities, students earned time to make Pi bracelets.
Fifth grade Coolidge students in the class of Mrs. Driver and Mrs. Hays-Smith cooperatively work in small groups on a STEM project. The students were challenged to build the tallest and strongest structure out of the given paper shapes.
On Friday, March 1- National Pig Day - Coolidge students were treated to a visit by Macie: Ms. Zentz's pet miniature pig! Students participated in lessons with Macie including measuring the perimeter of her cage, reading to her, and comparing pig care to their own self care. Superintendent Mr. Schilling - a pig parent himself - dropped by to teach her a few tricks!
Coolidge parents learned about the scientific method process during the Science Fair Parent Night. Many thanks to Mrs. Driver, Mrs. Jamrock, Mrs. Stablein, Mrs. Wiora for sharing awesome ideas and great tips for a successful project. All students are encouraged to participate in the Lansing Area Science Fair on April 6.
The Coolidge Boys Basketball Team finished the season undefeated with a 6-0 record. A special thanks to Coach Hersom for her dedication, knowledge and encouragement! Congratulations to the boys on becoming District Champions!
Coolidge first graders working with Reading Specialist Mrs. Spila. Students are reading "Jake's Valentine Treats" and learning how to identify the title, author, illustrator, characters, character traits, and rhyming words. Pictured left-to-right: Kiley Chaidez, Christina Munoz, John Arias, Mason Arnold, and Micayah Mcclenic. Happy Valentine's Day!
Progress continues with the Coolidge Renovation/Expansion Project. The new main entrance (pictured right) is taking shape and walls are going up for the open kitchen (bottom left) that will prepare and serve fresh food daily to all schools in the district!
Monday, February 4 was the first basketball game held in the new Coolidge Elementary School gym! Here is the tip-off. Coolidge's boys beat Reavis 18-11. Reavis's girls took the win 4-2.
Coolidge third graders built electrical circuits during LRC time. Students worked in groups and learned how a circuit can create scoreboard and sound activated devices. This project was a part of many engaging STEM related lessons being taught by LRC Director Mrs. Fuller.
Coolidge fourth graders in Mrs. Heim's and Mrs. Hays-Smith's class on Wednesday, January 9 after their morning meeting, which was student-led by Aaron Carter (back left) and involved a greeting, sharing, and activity. Students are working on speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills. Superintendent Mr. Schilling (back right) stopped by to teach a few science words.
Coolidge Elementary School students had the opportunity to attend Kids Night Out. This is an evening where students watched a movie, ate pizza, popcorn, and a rice krispie treat! Two of the best things of the night were hanging out with their friends and a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus!
On Friday November 30, Coolidge Elementary School’s PBIS Committee hosted PJ's with Parents. The event was the kickoff to Coolidge’s annual pajama drive for children living in homeless shelters and featured games and crafts focusing on our Character Counts Program. Speakers included Lansing Mayor Mrs. Eidam, Superintendent Mr. Schilling, Ofc. Bogan and Ofc. Murrin from the Lansing Police Department, South Holland Stallions Coach Mr. Terry, and Coolidge Nurse Mrs. Porter.
Coolidge School held their annual Penny War and would like to thank all of those who donated money and time to the Penny Wars. We broke our school record by collecting more than $2,740! What a great Coolidge community effort to help others and to show how much we care! Each class competed by donating pennies (positive points) to their class or nickels, dimes, quarters or paper money (negative points) to other classes. The classes with the most points won a popcorn party. The following classes earned the most points for their grade level: K – Ms. Bireline, 1st – Mrs. Fitch, 2nd – Mrs. Quinn, 3rd – Mrs. Woensdregt, 4th – Miss Harris, 5th – Mrs. Driver. Many thanks to the Coolidge PTA for making this event happen!
In celebration of American Education Week, Coolidge School held a Book Drive. Over 3,000 books were collected. Students who donated books were able to pick out new ones to take home on Friday. On Monday and Tuesday, all students will be offered an opportunity to pick out a new book to take home. The students were excited to replenish their home libraries. One student said, "This is like a real book store." Another student said, "Do I get to actually take these books home and keep them for free?" Many thanks to our Coolidge PTA for promoting the culture of learning and reading at Coolidge!
The second graders at Coolidge are showing how much they care about Thanksgiving! A display of decorated turkey is available for all students to enjoy. Many thanks to the families who worked together to create such beautiful projects!
Happy Halloween from Calvin Coolidge Elementary School!
Mrs. Stablein’s class, with the help of Mrs. Nieves, created this bulletin board to celebrate and recognize Hispanic Heritage month (September 15 to October 15). We have been saying the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and English. Students are also taught one word or phrase in Spanish every day.
Coolidge Elementary School parents and students celebrate Open House 2018!
Congratulations to Jennifer Fuller for winning the Meemic Foundation’s $100 Back-to-School Supplies Grant. Mrs. Fuller will use the grant money to buy supplies for the new Coolidge LRC.
