March 3, 2025

 

     

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EPE’s School Vision and Theme

Good day, EPE Community. 

EPE is participating in RESPECT WEEK from now through Friday, March 7th. It’s a chance for schools across Illinois to celebrate inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all abilities. What started as a campaign to end the use of the R-word has grown into a vibrant movement that unites school communities. You can find more information here. 

This year’s chosen theme is Taylor-Swift inspired:

Every day, the students will be participating in different Respect Week activities. Help us celebrate by having your children wear a specific color each day. 

Monday: 

• Color of the day: Purple
• Disability focus of the day: Epilepsy

Tuesday: 

• Color of the day: Red
• Disability focus of the day: Autism

Wednesday:

• Color of the day: Black
• Disability focus of the day: Schaaf-Yang Syndrome

Thursday:

• Color of the day: Gold/Yellow
• Disability focus of the day: Down Syndrome

Friday:

• Color of the day: None- dress in your favorite Swiftie-inspired outfit 
• Disability focus of the day: Cerebral Palsy

And, if that is not enough. We had a number of EPE staff, students, and family members participate in this year’s Polar Plunge to help raise money for the Special Olympics. Our team raised $7,898! That is amazing!

	Upcoming Events: *Here is a link to all key dates/events this school yearMonday, March 3rd-Friday, March 7th: RESPECT WeekThursday, March 6th: EPE Restaurant Night at Cane’sFriday, March 7th: 8th Grad Pic Retakes Future Dates: Tuesday, March 11-Thursday, March 13: Grades 3rd-5th IAR testing (see this letter for more information)Tuesday, March 11th: LSC meeting (6 pm)Thursday, March 13th: Family Fit Night (5:30 pm)Friday, March 14th: Lucky Guy Dance – see below (6 pm)Monday, March 17th-Wednesday, March 19th: Grades 6th-8th IAR testing (see this letter for more information) A bit further off…March 24th-March 28th: Spring BreakMonday, March 31st: School Improvement Day (no students)Tuesday, April 1st: Parent-Teacher Conferences (11 am-6 pm)Friday, April 4th: Princess Dance (6 pm)Thursday, April 10th: EPE Open House 3:15pm → Help us spread the word! Saturday, April 26th: Boots & Bling Fundraiser (6 pm) *click here to learn how to add EPE’s events to your personal calendar
	The Lucky Guy & Me Dance is on Friday, March 14th!Get ready for a shamrockin’ good time at our St. Patrick’s Day-themed dance! This special night is all about celebrating our EPE boys, and they’re invited to bring a loved one—whether it’s a parent, grandparent, sibling, or another special guest—to join in the fun! See flyer below! Scan the QR code for details and to RSVP!   Interested in volunteering for the dance? Fill out this volunteer form by this Sunday, February 23rd!  For more questions, feel free to contact Gigi Guercio a [email protected].
	February’s Social-Emotional Learning theme was Acceptance and Diversity. The students below were chosen by their teachers due to their understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences as assets. Congratulations to these students!
	Due to the work our core 4th & 5th grader teachers (Ms. Marcheschi, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Stern, and Mr. Almer, along with middle school special education teacher, Mr. Donlin) have been doing with LEAP Innovations over the past 5 months and recently an AI company called Playlab, I was selected as an AI Innovator and will be part of the ASU+GSV Show where I will present at the AI Learning Fair on April 5th. You can find more information here. Our group is figuring out ways to use AI to help our teachers plan more efficiently and effectively.  I have been telling the team that we are changing the way education is being done right here at EPE! Presenting in San Diego will provide me a chance to share the work they are all doing with educators on a national level. I am so proud of this team and excited to brag about them to those attending this conference.
	Princess Dance: Friday, April 4thPlease join us for our annual princess dance. The theme this year is Dress To Impress (it’s some Roblox game?). There will be a table at the dance with random accessories for the girls to wear but feel free to bring your own. The wackier, the better.  Admission is $25 per family. Cash or Venmo will be accepted at the door. Food and beverages will be provided. Please also bring cash for raffle prizes and the photographer. You can RSVP at this link. Reach out to Tim Kirby at 517-930-3169 with any questions.  Thanks!
	SAVE THE DATE: Edison Park’s Yearly Fundraiser: Saturday, April 26th at 6 pm This year’s theme is BOOTS & BLING~Mark your calendars for Boots & Bling, an adults only fun night out!  Saturday, April 26, 2025 @6pm!Purchase Tickets starting on Thursday, February 20th! Like our Facebook Page – Friends of Edison Park to stay up to date on all things Boots & Bling!Look for more information on this event and ways to get involved in the upcoming days!
	Help us spread the word about all of the wonderful things EPE is doing by sharing information about the first of two EPE OPEN HOUSES scheduled for Thursday, April 10th at 3:15 pm.
	Candice Lodrée | Program & Operations DirectorFour Point PlayPO Box 2129 Hines, Illinois 60141Phone: (708) 320-8011 | Email: [email protected]: www.4ptplay.orgConnect with us on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.Candice Lodree <[email protected]>
	WEEKLY POST: Purchase EPE Spirit Wear: Don’t forget to order your new EPE Spirit Wear. The easy-to-use website can be found here.  WEEKLY POST: Add EPE’s Calendar to Your Personal Calendar: If you go to the school’s website and scroll down a little bit, you will find UPCOMING EVENTS on the left-hand side. We do our best to keep this as accurate as possible. If you click on SHOW CALENDAR below the events, it will bring you to the entire EPE calendar. In the top right corner, you will see little icons. These icons can be used to add the calendar to your own. WEEKLY POST: General LSC Information: If you are a parent, staff member, teacher, or community member, and you have a question/concern you would like the LSC to address, please contact those people using their emails found here. We are asking those who wish to make a comment or present a question during public participation at the next LSC meeting to complete this form. You have the option to have the Chair read the statements and questions aloud or to say them yourself. You can also sign up in person before the meeting begins