Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Mid-December News

We have had a great time celebrating the holiday season together and can't wait to finish out the week before Winter Break with even more FUN! Thank you for all your continued support and we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

Ways to Get KST Information

Besides the Stewart Scoop, below are other ways to stay informed on what's happening.

John Stewart PTN Website: Check out the new PTN website for helpful information regarding Fun Lunch, Upcoming Activities, PTN meetings, and Volunteer Opportunities.

Kaneland John Stewart Facebook Page: Even if you do not have a Facebook account, you can still view our page and watch live events and concerts from your home on the KST Facebook page.

Kaneland John Stewart Twitter Page: If you use Twitter, feel free to like our page and follow along.

Kaneland John Stewart Website: Please visit the main Kaneland Page to see information for John Stewart and other District schools. Kaneland John Stewart Webpage

Parent Supports for their Growing Students

Our amazing Behavior Coach, Mr. Jimmy Boyle, was kind enough to share these helpful resources for parents. Please feel free to review these documents as needed to support your child at home.

What is Executive Functioning

Expectation Walks

When students return from break on January 3rd, each class will partake in a variety of expectation walks to review expected behavior within the school following our CHAMPS expectations, in the bathroom, hallway, lining up, entering, exiting, recess, & lunch. We are very excited to include 5th-grade students in co-presenting these expectations. The classroom teachers will individually review their classroom expectations as well.

Parking Lot Reminders

Please remember that drivers should NOT use Cell Phones while driving. Please refrain from using it within the school zone.

If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please do NOT call for your child or wave them to cross the cross-walk alone. To ensure EVERYONE'S safety, please walk to get your child through the cross-walk.

Thank you for everyone's support!!

Kaneland Foundation - Trivia Night

Saturday, Feb 5th @ 6:00 PM - The Warehouse at Obscurity

Here's How It Works: This unique Trivia Knight is not only a fundraiser for Kaneland Foundation but also an opportunity for a Kaneland school to win an immediate $1,000 Kaneland Foundation general operating

grant for their school!

When you register you or your team for the event, you must "pick your school" in which the money supports; the school that raises the most will win the grant.

All other proceeds raised will go to Kaneland Foundation to be dispersed through our annual grant awards program.

Visit Kanelandfoundation.org

to sign up today!

John Stewart Spelling Bee

Congratulation to our Spelling Bee participants who participated in the annual Bee on Tuesday, December 14th. The top 10 students will be moving on to the district spelling bee in January. We are so proud of their hard work!!

The top 10 participants From Left to Right: Colby Santoyo, Cammie Stover, Ryland Laster, Paige Grieshaber, (3rd place) Corey Baker, (2nd place) Quinn Wicklund, Mark Lawrence, Sara Mcgrane, Grace Austin, (1st place) Nathan Markovich

Important Dates

Saturday, December 18th - January 2nd Winter Break

Monday, January 3rd School Resumes

Expectation Walks

Thursday, January 6th Four Schools, One Book Assembly

Friday, January 7th Progress Reports Sent Home (As Needed)

Monday, January 17th No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 25th PTN Meeting - 6PM

Wednesday, January 26th Fun Lunch - Reams Hot Dogs

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

December News

PrePaid Milk

It's that time again to order prepaid milk for the 2nd Semester. Milk may be purchased online at the Kaneland Webstore www.kaneland.org or return the linked order form with payment.

2nd Semester Only (1/3/22 - 5/18/22) $34 per student

Please make checks payable to Kaneland CUSD #302

All orders are due on or before Friday, January 7th, 2022. No late orders will be accepted. Milk service will begin Monday, January 3rd, 2022.

As always, milk is available to purchase on a daily basis for 40 cents.

2nd Semester Milk Form

Coat Drive

Holiday Spirit Week 12/13-12/17

Fun Lunch

Fun lunch will again be done with an online form only. Please click here to sign up for fun lunch. All signups and money are due Dec. 15th, no exceptions, you can pay with check or credit card through paypal. Please read all the info on the form when filling it out and you should get a copy of your form once it is submitted. If you have any questions please let me know or email kstptnfunlunch@gmail.com

Holiday Party

This year's holiday party will be on Friday, December 17th. Kindergarten will have their parties from 10:40-11:20 am. First - 5th Grade will have their parties from 1:45 - 2:20 pm. Sign-up sheets to volunteer for the party have been sent out by the PTN.

Masks

Please remember to pack spare masks in your child's backpack for those cases where masks get misplaced or wet. Thank you!!

Important Dates:

Friday	December 10th	First Grade Winter Serenade 2:45 pm (Max 2 Adults and no siblings per student)
Tuesday	December 14th	KST Spelling Bee (3rd-5th Grade) PTN Meeting in Library 6:00 pm
Wednesday	December 15th	Fun Lunch: Paisano's Pasta 2nd Semester Fun Lunch Orders DUE
Thursday	December 16th	1 Hour Early Dismissal (2:25 walkers/2:30 busers)
Friday	December 17th	1 Hour Early Dismissal (2:25 walkers/2:30 busers) Holiday Classroom Parties
Saturday	December 18th- January 2nd	Winter Break
Monday	January 3rd	School Resumes

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Mid-November Newsletter

Veterans Day - Thank you

A huge thank you to Mrs. Kunstman (music teacher) and all of the staff that made Veterans Day extra special for our Service members and families. We are very grateful and thankful for the day. Hopefully next year we can have even more service members attend the celebration!

If you missed the performances, please see the live streaming event on our Facebook page: John Stewart Elementary You do not need a Facebook account to view the Livestream. After the event is over, we will archive the video and it can be found on our YouTube channel: KST Video

Need Lunch/Recess Monitors!!

We still need 1 more Outdoor Recess Monitor at KST. It is M-F from 10:55 - 1:30. If you can only work a few days a week and know of someone else who can work the other days of the week, we would be happy to have any support we can get. If you are interested, please CLICK HERE to apply! If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Aversa (10017@Kaneland.org) or Ms. Waller (58992@Kaneland.org)

Diabetes Awareness Month - Wear BLUE Friday 11/19

We have a student with diabetes that would like to bring awareness during Diabetes Awareness Month. She has created a presentation that shared basic information about diabetes that may be shared with your child's classroom. If you would like to participate in this awareness, please feel free to wear BLUE on Friday, November 19th.

Exploratory Choice Day

Students always enjoy Exploratory Choice Day!! Please read this presentation from the Exploratory Team regarding more information on what Exploratory Choice Day is and the requirements for Trimester 2 and 3.

Winter Gear

Please know that all students will go outside for their daily lunchtime recess when the wind chill is above 5 degrees. It is important to dress your children for the weather. Warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots, labeled with your child's name, are recommended. When it starts to snow more regularly, boots and snow pants are required if your child wants to play in the snow.

Thanksgiving Day FUN

40 Thanksgiving Games for Kids and Families from Country Living

Important Dates

November 16th PTN Meeting 6pm - KST Library

November 17th Fun Lunch: Paisano's Pizza

November 22nd-26th No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 10th First Grade Winter Serenade 2:45pm

December 14th KST Spelling Bee (3rd-5th Grade)

PTN Meeting in Library 6:00pm

December 15th Fun Lunch: Paisano's Pasta

December 18th - January 2nd Winter Break

January 3rd School Resumes

Monday, November 1, 2021

November News

Halloween Party Fun

Please enjoy this video of photos taken on Friday (10/29) during the Halloween Parties!! We were so happy to be able to make new memories during the parties and the parade. Thank you to all of the parents who helped make Friday an extra special day!

Parking Lot Reminders

A friendly reminder to please use your turn signals when entering and leaving the parking lot to ensure all are safe during the morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. THANK YOU!!

Dressing for the Weather

It's that time of year again when we need to dress in layers. Please remember to dress your children warm with coats, hats, and gloves as they do go outside for a 20-minute recess and a variety of mask breaks anytime it is above 4 degrees real feel temperature.

Staff Shout Outs

Thank you to those who have shared a teacher shout-out already! I share the shout-outs with the staff member on a Monday and it is a really great way to start their week off knowing how much they are appreciated. Thank you!! If you would like to give a shout-out to a teacher or staff member, please email me Samantha Aversa (10017@kaneland.org) with a short blurb about a teacher that has gone above and beyond for your student. Thank you so much for your continued support!

We Need Your Support

This year we have noticed an increase in students being physical with other students. Pushing, hitting, grabbing, etc in the classroom, hallways, and mainly at recess. We are working with our Behavior Interventions to support these behaviors around the school with a variety of whole-class, small group, and individual interventions but could use your help at home to remind students that the expectation at school is to NOT use physical contact. For example: getting the attention of another student, using their name, and not hitting them. Playing tag outside should be a touch and not pull a student's arm or clothes. Or hitting someone when they are frustrated. Instead, we encourage students to use STOP, WALK, and TALK. When a student feels they are upset or angry they need to use the strategy: stop what they are doing, walk away from that situation, and talk to an adult for more help. We appreciate you working with your child at home to remind them of these expectations.

Masks/Water Bottles

Please remember to send your child with extra masks in their backpacks and a labeled water bottle daily. Our water fountains are still only used to refill bottles.

Important Dates:

November 1st-4th Scholastic Book Fair
November 3rd Parent/Teacher Conference 4pm-8pm

November 4th Parent/Teacher Conference 10am-8pm / No School

November 5th No School

November 11th 5th Grade Veteran's Day Concert 2:30PM (only 2 guests per student)

November 16th PTN Meeting 6pm - KST Library

November 17th Fun Lunch: Paisano's Pizza

November 22nd-25th No School - Thanksgiving Break

Friday, October 29, 2021

Fall Book Fair 2021

Dear Parents and Families:

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. Hosted by our staff, this event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school. After missing out on many beloved traditions, our fall Book Fair will be a familiar, welcome, and safe event for our students. Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from:

Online - October 29th - November 8th

In-Person - November 1st - 4th

During school and conference hours

• Our Book Fair offers a cash-free payment option called eWallet. It’s a convenient digital account that your child can use for shopping at our Fair. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute, too!

• If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop online at our school’s Virtual Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair.

Visit our homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping today:

Kaneland John Stewart Scholastic Homepage

If you would like to volunteer at the fair you can sign up here:

Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up

We look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Samantha Aversa

Principal

Kaneland John Stewart Elementary

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Mid-October Reminders

Dear John Stewart Families -

We want to make sure that everyone knows who is in the front office when we greet you or speak with you on the phone! Please help me in welcoming Ms. Ashley Jaeger to the KST Staff as our new Principal Secretary!

Reminders:

Wednesday, October 20th - Picture Retake Day

If your child was absent on picture day please have your child participate in picture retake day. If you would like to have your student's pictures retaken, please send them with the photos that were sent home.

Friday, October 22nd - Bus Driver Appreciation Day

If your child rides a bus please feel free to let your driver know how much they are appreciated! We are so fortunate to have such wonderful drives that care greatly for our students and get them to and from school safely!

Friday, October 29th - Halloween Party Day

Please review the Halloween Celebration Guidelines

Wednesday/Thursday, November 3rd and 4th

Please be on the lookout from your child's teacher on how to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences. You will have the choice of meeting in person or virtually. Wednesday Conferences run from 4-8pm and Thursday from 10am-8pm.

NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS on THURSDAY

Friday, November 5th

Please remember that there will be NO SCHOOL on Friday after conferences.

Friday, October 1, 2021

October News

Halloween Parties

Halloween parties will take place on Friday, October 29th. Specific information regarding the Halloween Party and Parade can be found here: Halloween Party/Parade Guidelines. There can be two-parent/guardian volunteers per classroom for this party. All volunteers must wear a mask and be pre-signed up through the PTN before the event.

SEL Newsletter

Thanks to the EC-12 team that had dedicated summer and school time to put this together.

SEL Newsletter. Here is a fun SEL Calendar to do with your family at home.

Bus Reminder

Just a reminder on the bus that students should NOT be eating any food for safety reasons. Thank you for helping remind your student(s)!

Masks

Please send your child with extra masks in their backpack. Many disposable masks are getting broken or lost at the playground. Regular cotton masks are getting dirty/wet, a new mask would be helpful too. Students are being asked and reminded to put their masks in their lunchbox, pocket, or wear it around their wrist while at the playground, however, they are still getting misplaced or broken we are still going through a large number of disposable masks here. Thank you for your help!

Walk to School

Approximately 400 students from John Stewart Elementary will walk to school on Wednesday, October 6 along with parents, teachers, and the Elburn Police Department. If your student is a bus rider or car rider, we will take the students around the track on the west side of the building before entering the school to participate in the event.

In the United States, International Walk to School Day is expected to include more than

5,000 events across all 50 states. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40

countries around the world.

Walk to School Day events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment, and building connections between families, schools, and the broader community.

The event is being organized by John Stewart's PTN

Walk to School Day in the USA www.walktoschool.org

Important Dates:

Oct. 4 - Oct. 8th Fire Prevention Week

October 6th Walk to School Day

October 11th No School

October 20th Picture Retakes

October 26th PTN Meeting 6pm

October 27th Fun Lunch: Reams

November 1st-4th Scholastic Book Fair

November 3rd/4th Parent/Teacher Conference

November 5th No School

November 11th Veteran's Day Concert

November 16th PTN Meeting 6pm

November 17th Fun Lunch: Paisano's Pizza

November 22nd-25th No School - Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Kaneland Homecoming Edition

We hope your child can participate in next week's Spirit Week Activities!!

On Wednesday, September 29th the Homecoming Parade will kick off in Maple Park at 6 pm, followed by the Powderpuff Game back at the High School stadium at approximately 7:30 pm. Food will be available for purchase at the Booster Barn. All are invited!

Friday, October 1st, the Kaneland Knights football team will be competing against Morris H.S, Fresh/Soph begins at 5pm followed by Varsity at 7pm. They would greatly appreciate your support by joining us to cheer them on! The evening will also include a halftime performance by the Marching Band, Dance Team, and Cheerleaders. Once again, the Booster Barn will be loaded with the World Famous Reams Porkchop sandwiches and many additional items, as well as all-new Kaneland Knights Gear in the Spirit Barn, available for purchase. Our District Office will also be available to share more information about Kaneland Connects. It will be a great evening to come together as a community and celebrate the pride of being a Kaneland Knight!!

Go Knights!!