Happy New Year - January Newsletter

January Important Dates

Wednesday, January 7th - Fun Lunch Sign-Up Opens (Closes on1/23)

Tuesday, January 13th - District Wide Spelling Bee @ KHS (5:30)

Friday, January 16th - Preorder Milk Due for 2nd Semester 

Monday, January 19th - No School MLK Jr. Day

Thursday, January 22nd - PTN Meeting 6:30pm

Wednesday, January 28th - Fun Lunch

February Important Dates 

Friday, February 6th - 4th Grade Field Trip to Naper Settlement 
Saturday, February 7th - New Kindergarten Registration (8:30-12:00)
Wednesday, February 11th - Fun Lunch
Thursday, February 12th - 5th Grade Instrument Fitting 
Friday, February 13th - Kindergarten Music Concert (9:30) 
Friday, February 13th - Valentines Parties 
Monday, February 16th - No School Presidents Day
Friday, February 20th - 5th Grade Scheduling for Middle School
Friday, February 20th - 2nd Trimester Report Cards Go Live (4:00)
Wednesday, February 25th - Fun Lunch
Friday, February 27th - No School Teacher Institute Day

Fun Lunch & Milk for Second Semester

Message from the PTN: Fun Lunch sign-up will be from 1/7-1/23.

The PTN has a couple of new vendors this season, but they require a few days to confirm the details. Also, prices have been lowered! We worked with vendors to cap costs at $5. We (the PTN) made a donation to lower the cost and round everything down. If the meal was $3.50 before, it is now $3. The PTN wants Fun Lunch to be more accessible to all families. If you need assistance or have additional questions, please reach out to stewartptn@gmail.com.

Also, the last Fun Lunch of the year will be free! That registration will be sent in April.
Sign-up to volunteer for Fun Lunch will also be in Wednesday’s PTN newsletter email. Please only sign up for 1 slot per family. Thanks!


Prepaid Milk
It is time to order 2nd-semester prepaid milk. Milk may be purchased online through your parent portal on Infinite Campus. Orders are due by Friday, January 16th.

Costs: ($.55)/Milk ($48.00-2nd sem.)

Annual KST Spelling Bee

On Tuesday, December 16th, our students in 3rd-5th showcased their hard work and spelling skills during our school Spelling Bee! After taking a spelling assessment, the top students earned the opportunity to compete in today’s bee.

We are excited to share that the top 10 spellers will move on to represent our school at the District Spelling Bee, which will be held at Kaneland High School in January. What an incredible accomplishment!

A special congratulations to our Top 3 winners:

1st Place: Emily S. (5th grade)

2nd Place: Dylan S. (5th grade)

3rd Place: Leonard T. (5th grade)

Congratulations to all of our participants—we are so proud of your perseverance, confidence, and dedication. Way to shine!

Top 10 Pictured Left to Right: Elaina (3rd), Cameron (4th), Caiden (4th), Eli (4th), Dylan (5th), Emily (5th), Lyla (5th), Leonard (5th), Baylee (5th), Shay (5th)

Final Data Collection for Our School Improvement Goal

We are in the final stretch of our School Improvement Goal focused on helping students strengthen their written responses to grade-level texts. Students are practicing how to answer questions using text evidence and making meaningful connections, and they continue to show growth in their writing.

How families can help at home:
- Provide students with opportunities to write about what they read
- Ask questions like who, what, when, where, and why
- Encourage your child to find details in the text to support their answers
- Offer positive feedback and gentle reminders about grammar (capital letters, punctuation, and using a capital I when appropriate)

For older students, encourage richer vocabulary and more detailed responses.

Winter Weather Procedures for Recess and Student Arrival

As we begin the new year and head into the colder winter months, we would like to share a reminder about our procedures for outdoor recess and student arrival during cold or inclement weather. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students.

Recess Guidelines
We use the following temperature guidelines (with or without wind chill) when determining recess:

• Above 10°F – Recess will be held outdoors

• 1°F–10°F – Recess will be held at the principal's discretion, based on conditions

• 0°F or below – Recess will be held indoors

If recess is held outdoors, we also evaluate precipitation and ground conditions, including snow or ice, to ensure student safety.

Student Arrival Procedures
For morning arrival, students will be allowed inside the building anytime the temperature is 0°F or below, or when there is inclement weather, such as rain or unsafe outdoor conditions. Staff will be present to supervise students as they enter the building.

Winter Clothing Reminder
When outdoor recess is possible, please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather, including coats, hats, gloves, and boots as needed.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work to keep our students safe, warm, and ready to learn. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Elementary Principals

Mrs. Aversa (KST), Mrs. Ward (KBK), Mrs. Russelle (KSS), & Mr. White (KME)