Mid-January News

 Parking Lot Reminders

- NO CELL PHONES in School Zone Area between Anderson Rd. & Ridge St.

- NO LEFT TURNS into the Parent Parking lot. 

- Parents DO NOT get out of your cars if you are in the drop-off line. If you need to assist your child out of the car, please park in a parking spot. 

- ALWAYS use the CROSSWALK

Thank you for keeping our students and staff safe during drop-off and pick-up!!

Information Writing Reel

Students have been writing all year long and to help students understand ways to improve their writing, it is important to look at examples and discuss what they notice. One way to do this is by looking at writing from Kindergarten all the way to 5th grade. This is posted by the library in the form of a reel for all to view (see picture below). The information writing reel shows the students and staff what an exemplar information writing piece looks like for each grade level. Students and staff alike are asked what they notice and use that to apply it to their own writing. Below are links to those examples if you want to look at them with your child at home. 

• Kinder
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• 5th Grade
  
  

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! 

Kids Heart Challenge

Kids Heart Challenge formally known as Jump rope for Heart is Feb. 18th and forms are coming home. Signing up online to donate is easy and if they/you sign up and don't donate they still get a wristband. The link to sign up is www2.heart.org/goto/johnstewart

Plus the class with the most students that sign up will get to silly string their teacher!

5 Essentials Survey

We would love to hear from you! On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted from January 11, 2022, through March 11, 2022. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

Valentines Day Parties

Valentines' Day Parties will be held on Monday, February 14th. 

Kindergarten will have their parties from 10:40-11:20 am.  First - 5th Grade will have their parties from 2:30-3:20 pm. Sign-up sheets to volunteer for the party will be sent out by the PTN within the week, please be on the lookout!  The coordinator and one other volunteer will be allowed in the classrooms for this party.  

Students may bring in non-candy/food valentines for each student in the class. Classroom teachers will share a list of students in their class with you and will let you know if students need to make a valentines day box at home or if one will be provided to them. 

Please remember only parents who have signed up to volunteer, in advance, are permitted to attend classroom parties and masks are required. If volunteering, be sure to park in a designated spot, rather than along the parent pickup lane. Additionally, per the elementary handbook, younger siblings are not permitted to attend classroom parties. If you have not volunteered in the school this year 

Important Dates

Monday, January 24th                      District Spelling Bee - 6PM Meredith MS Gym

Tuesday, January 25th                     PTN Meeting - 6PM 

Wednesday, January 26th                Fun Lunch - Reams Hot Dogs

Monday, February 14th                    Valentines Day Parties 

January News

Happy New Year's John Stewart Families -

I hope everyone had an enjoyable winter break! We are all looking forward to starting a successful 2022. Here are a few reminders for when we return on Monday, January 3rd. 

Snow 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. As snow becomes more regularly, boots and snow pants are required if your child wants to play in the snow.   These items can be sent with your students in a separate reusable bag. Students without proper gear will have to stay on the blacktop only.  If you are in need of support getting your student these items, please don't hesitate to call the front office.  

Nurse Information 

If you have any test results or information, please send it to me (Samantha.Aversa@kaneland.org) and Mrs. Danielle Hines (Danielle.Hines@Kaneland.org).  Thank you!  

Important Dates

Monday, January 3rd                       Expectation Walks

Thursday, January 6th                     Four Schools, One Book Virtual 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

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. 

Ages & Stages 5

Ages & Stages 6-8

Ages & Stages 9-11

Managing Emotions

Growth Mindset

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

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

 

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 

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