May Important Dates
Monday, May 5 ALICE Drill 9:15 am Date Change
Monday, May 5 - Friday, May 9 Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 9 2nd Grade Concert (9:00-9:45am)
Monday, May 12 Nurse Appreciation Day (Ms. Scott)
Friday, May 16 Senior Clap-Out
Wednesday, May 21 Crossing Guard Appreciation Day (Mrs. Becky Fair)
Wednesday, May 21 Field Day
Wednesday, May 21 1 Hr Early Dismissal (2:25/2:30)
Thursday, May 22 Last Day of School
Thursday, May 22 1 Hr Early Dismissal (2:25/2:30)
Data Chats - SIP Writing Goal
This week, we had our final data chat with all classes to review our School Improvement Plan (SIP) writing goal and final assessment. We’re on track to reach our target of 60% student growth by May, and I’m incredibly proud of how well students analyzed data and pie charts!
You may remember that in February, we earned an Excellent rating—5 out of 6 grade levels met or exceeded the 50% growth goal. We’ve continued building on that progress by supporting students' writing skills.
Our Goal:
By February 2025, John Stewart Elementary aims for K–5 students to show 50% growth or reach 85% proficiency in written responses to instructional-level texts. By May 2025, the goal increases to 60% growth or 85% proficiency.
Grade-Level Focus:
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K–1: Read grade-level text and respond to a prompt through writing.
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2–3: Include at least 2 pieces of text evidence in their written response.
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4–5: Include at least 2 pieces of evidence and make a connection to the text.
Students will complete their final writing pieces in the next two weeks. We’re excited to see their growth! Also, if the students meet this goal again with at least 5 out of the 6 grade levels with 60% or more growth, we will have a whole school popcorn party on the last day! I will email everyone the results once they are ready!!
End of the Year Assessments
It’s hard to believe we’re already at the final stretch of the school year! Students are currently working one-on-one with their teachers to complete their Rigby reading assessments. Next Monday, 1st–5th grade students will begin their i-Ready Diagnostic 3 assessment.
During recent data chats, we reviewed important test-taking strategies with students, including:
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Taking their time and not rushing
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Rereading questions carefully
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Using math tools like manipulatives, whiteboards, or paper and pencil
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Practicing positive self-talk to stay confident and focused
Our students have been working hard all year long, and we’re excited to see just how much they’ve grown. They’ve got this!
Field Day Fun Lunch
The PTN is providing Fun Lunch for field day (5/21) - yay!
The Meal includes 1 piece of cheese pizza, chips, dessert, and a juice box.
This is a free meal for our students and staff, but you MUST sign up to receive your meal. Sign-up will be from 4/23-5/12. REGISTER HERE. Late Orders will not be accepted. If you have questions, please reach out to stewartptn@gmail.com
Teacher Appreciation Week
We are so lucky to have such an incredible team of dedicated and passionate educators at our school. Their hard work, care, and commitment make a difference in our children’s lives every single day, and I am so grateful for them!
This year, we’ll be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week from Monday, May 5th, through Friday, May 9th. Keep an eye out for an email from the PTN or your homeroom coordinator with details on how you can get involved.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to show a little extra love, we’ve attached the Teachers' Favorite Things document to help guide you. Thank you for helping us celebrate our amazing teachers—they truly deserve it!
Lost and Found
We have an awesome new Lost & Found unit to store our items. Thank you to Mr. Baron's CTE class at KHS for making this out of reclaimed wood and using their engraving tool for the first time on this project. They did a wonderful job and we are so grateful.
Please have your students take a look at the lost and found items before the end of the year!
2025-2026 Registration
Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA)
Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA) provides educational experiences designed around the individual strengths, needs, and interests of learners. While ALL Kaneland schools provide a rigorous learning experience, IgKnight Academy offers unique, in-depth access to customized learning pathways, personalized methods of instruction and assessment, and flexible learning environments.
IgKnight Academy programming is open to any Kaneland CUSD #302 student, entering grades 3-8. In the 2025-26 school year, IgKnight programming will be located within Kaneland John Shields Elementary School for students in grades 3-8 and Harter Middle School for students in grades 6-8, with instruction provided by staff highly trained in personalized practices.
Parents can register their student(s) for KIPLA through Infinite Campus.
Questions and other inquiries can be sent to Laura Garland at 10166@kaneland.org or 630-365-5111x71127.
