February Newsletter

February Important DatesFriday, 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

March Important Date

Monday, March 9th - Tornado Drill (2:00)

Wednesday, March 11th - Fun Lunch Buona Beef

Thursday, March 12th - KST Open House (5:00-7:00)

Thursday, March 12th - 3rd Grade Music Concert (5:15-5:45)

Thursday, March 19th - Lockdown drill (2:00)

Wednesday, March 25th - Fun Lunch Culver's

SPRING BREAK March 28-April 5

Monday, April 6th - No School /School Improvement Day

💌 Valentine’s Day Party- Friday, Feb 13th 

Kindergarten: 10:40-11:20

First - Fifth Grade: 2:30-3:20

All students are welcome to bring Valentine’s cards. If cards are brought, please be sure your child brings one for each student in the class. No food items should be attached to Valentine's. Small non-food trinkets are acceptable. Individual teachers will be in contact with their class if a Valentine's box needs to be created at home or if one will be made at school.

Fifth Grade Transition Information

February 6, 2026

• Teachers will provide students with the Registration Form to bring home. Students should bring back their form with selected courses no later than February 19

• Parents will receive an overview at the parent night on course registration from Mr. Faulkner

Week of February 9, 2026 

Instrument Placement Schedule (times are 1:30-3:15 for each school)

• Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 - John Stewart

February 11, 2026

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night (KHMS Cafe) 6:30 p.m.

• Registration Form will be discussed & shared (also emailed) by Mr. Faulkner

February 20, 2026

Incoming 6th Grade Registration. Counselors from the middle school will come over and meet with the 5th-grade students individually.

• 9:00-9:45 a.m. - KST

Week of April 20th, 2026

5th Grade Tours (9:30-11:20 a.m.). Teachers will take their class on a "field trip" to Harter.

• Tuesday, April 21 - KST

April 28, 2026

Step-Up Knight (Harter Gymnasium) 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Week of August 3, 2026

Jump Start - registration will be on Infinite Campus and will come out closer to the end of the year.

World Read Aloud Day

We are excited to celebrate World Read Aloud Day on February 4th with a very special gift for every child at John Stewart Elementary. To honor this day and our shared commitment to literacy, each student will receive a FREE copy of Andy’s Space Friends by Jennifer Hayes to take home and enjoy with their families. The book is yours to keep FOREVER!

We encourage you to take time to read together at home, whether it’s Andy’s Space Friends or another favorite book. Just a few minutes of shared reading each day can spark meaningful conversations and nurture a deep love of books that lasts a lifetime.

Upcoming Author VisitKindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grades will get to meet Ron Keres on February 10th!Please turn in book order forms by Friday, February 6th.

BOOK ORDER FORM

Parking Lot Reminders

We kindly ask for your patience and cooperation during drop-off and pick-up, especially during these cold winter mornings. Our parking lot gets very busy, and safety is always our top priority. Mrs. Fair, our wonderful crossing guard, works hard in all kinds of weather to keep traffic moving and everyone safe, so please be sure to follow her signals.

When in the drop-off line, remember to pull all the way forward to help traffic flow smoothly. A little patience, awareness, and teamwork go a long way in keeping our arrival and dismissal safe and smooth for everyone. We truly appreciate your support and kindness toward our staff who are out there each day helping keep students safe! Thank you! 

Mark Your Calendars, Open House is Coming Soon!

We invite you to our Open House on Thursday, March 12th, from 5:00–7:00 PM for a fun and engaging evening with your family. Doors open at 5 PM.

Come explore your child’s classroom, visit their exploratory classes, and celebrate their hard work on display. While you’re here, don’t miss the Scholastic Book Fair, our Silent Auction baskets and items, and the chance to grab some Spiritwear! Third Grade Families can also enjoy their child's music concert in the gym from 5:15-5:45 PM. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers, staff, and other families while enjoying a night of school spirit and fun. We can’t wait to see you there!

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 is now open until midnight 1/23.
the link is live here
Or you can always find all of our links at our Linktree 
https://Linktr.ee/kstsocial

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)

December Newsletter

 

Important Dates

Wednesday, December 3rd        Fun Lunch - Paisano's Pasta

Friday, December 12th               1st Grade Music Concert @ 9:30am

Tuesday, December 16th            KST Spelling Bee 1:30-3:00pm

Wednesday, December 17th       Fun Lunch - Culvers

Thursday, December 18th          1 Hr Early Dismissal 2:25/2:30 pm

Friday, December 19th                Holiday Parties & 1 Hr Early Dismissal 2:25/2:30

Holiday Break December 20 - January 4th 

Monday, January 5th                Classes Resume 

Early Dismissal Reminder

Due to high school final exams, all Kaneland Schools will have a 1-hour early dismissal on Thursday, December 18, and Friday, December 19.
Our adjusted dismissal times will be:

• 2:25 PM – Walkers and Car Riders

• 2:30 PM – Bus Riders

Winter Gear for Winter Weather  

Please know that all students will go outside for their daily lunchtime recess when the wind chill is above 9 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. You can put the items in a reusable bag labeled with their name. 

K-3rd Grade All Snow Gear (Pants/Boots/Coat) is required to play or walk in the snow. 

4th & 5th Grade Students can walk in the snow if they have snow boots on but cannot play in the snow unless they have snow pants. 

 

**Students without the proper clothing or boots will have to stay on the sidewalks.**

iReady Testing 1st - 5th Grade

Your child will soon be taking the i-Ready Diagnostic in reading and math the first week of December. This adaptive test will help teachers personalize instruction and monitor your child's academic growth throughout the year.

What to know about the assessments 

• It's a personalized tool: The diagnostic questions will get easier or harder based on your child's answers, providing a better picture of what they know and what they are ready to learn next.

• It's not for a grade: The results are for instructional purposes only to help teachers, not to assign a grade.

• It's a helpful guide: The data from the diagnostic helps teachers tailor lessons and provide targeted support for each student.

• It’s okay not to know every answer: Reassure your child that it is expected they will not get every question right, and making their best guess is the best approach.

• It's integrated with instruction: Immediately after the diagnostic, your child will begin personalized online instruction based on their results.

How you can help
1. Encourage your child to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test.
2. Remind your child to do their best and try not to rush.
3. Let them know it's okay to get some questions wrong, and to make their best guess and move on if they are stuck.

Parent Parking Lot Reminders

As the weather gets colder, we’re seeing many more cars in the parking lot—and with that, an increase in families parking and walking children through the lot or sending students through on their own. This creates safety concerns and slows down the flow of traffic. With so many cars moving at once, it can be very difficult for staff to see students walking between vehicles.

For everyone’s safety, please use the crosswalk, and we highly encourage all families to use the designated car drop-off line whenever possible. The drop-off line is the quickest and safest way for students to exit, especially during winter weather. Reminder: In the drop-off line, please stay in your car and pull all the way forward to help keep the line moving safely and efficiently.

Thank you for helping us make arrival safe for every student!

❄️ Holiday Party - Friday, December 19th

Due to the Hour Early Dismissal, afternoon parties will be held one hour earlier
Kindergarten parties: 10:40-11:20.
First - Fifth Grade: 1:30-2:20
*Parents set up at 1:30-1:40 while Student/Staff are at whole school Sing-Along 1:10-1:35

Holiday Spirit Week 

(click picture to view)

We’re excited to celebrate the final week before winter break with a fun Holiday Spirit Week! Each day will have a festive theme to help us end 2025 with joy, school pride, and lots of smiles.

Teachers' Favorite Things List 

Looking for an easy way to show appreciation to our amazing teachers this holiday season? We’ve created a Teacher's Favorite Things List that shares each teacher’s favorite things. This is a great resource for holidays, birthdays, or just-because treats to say “thank you” for all they do to support our students every day.

Thank You From Mrs. Steers - Book Fair

Grade-Level Data Chats

Last month, each Grade level participated in Data Chats at our data wall in the front hallway. During these conversations, we reviewed our School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals, looked closely at beginning-of-year i-Ready scores, and discussed test-taking strategies to help students feel confident and prepared for the upcoming assessment. The student discussions were powerful—our learners shared insightful “noticings and wonderings” that showed how invested they are in their own growth.

Our writing goal focuses on responding to questions using the CER/RACE strategy while strengthening writing conventions. Students are working on starting sentences with capital letters, using an uppercase “I” when referring to themselves, ending sentences with correct punctuation, and adding details and descriptive language to enhance their responses.

Our second goal centers on building students’ understanding of feedback. We discussed the three levels of feedback ownership:

• Level 1: Someone tells you something.

• Level 2: The teacher and student discuss strengths and areas for growth and make a plan together.

• Level 3: The student takes the lead—coming prepared with reflections, identifying their needs, setting goals, and tracking their own progress.

These data chats help our students see themselves as active partners in their learning, and we are so proud of the thoughtful contributions they made throughout the process.

The drop-off box is located in John Stewart's Vestibule.

 Thanks for donating!

Summary Results from Parent Survey

A quick overview of the main thoughts

The engagement survey reveals a generally positive sentiment from parents regarding their understanding and involvement in their children's education, with specific interest in family engagement activities. A significant 65% of parents agree that they understand what their child is learning, and 61% feel the school provides adequate information to support learning at home. However, there's interest in more resources and strategies to support learning at home (78% expressed interest) and a strong inclination towards attending family engagement events, with 44% very likely and 42% somewhat likely to participate. Qualitative responses further emphasize the demand for consistent communication, detailed academic insights, and specific suggestions for enhancing family-school collaboration.

Categories

Communication and Support at Home: Participants consistently highlighted the need for more detailed and regular communication regarding curriculum and learning expectations to better support their children at home. Many parents expressed interest in supplemental resources such as workbooks or additional instructional strategies, suggesting that while current communication efforts are helpful, there is room for improvement in specifics regarding academic guidance.

Engagement Opportunities: Parents expressed a strong interest in family engagement activities, such as workshops and curriculum nights. The desire for short and accessible formats (80% prefer short sessions and 76% prefer evening events) was evident. The perceived benefit of such events lies in fostering a deeper connection and collaboration between the school and families.

Feedback and Collaboration: The feeling of being valued and heard by the school community is generally positive, with 47% of parents agreeing that their input is sought in school decisions. Nevertheless, some comments indicate a desire for more personalized and consistent communication about their child's progress and specific needs.

Comfort in Communication: A significant portion of parents feel comfortable reaching out to teachers or administrators, with 64% strongly agreeing. This suggests a positive perception of the school's openness and approachability, although there is always room for improvement in building trust and ensuring all parents feel equally heard.

Desired Improvements: Suggestions for improvement focus on enhancing communication, providing more specific academic insights, and diversifying engagement opportunities. The feedback includes requests for more personalized updates and constructive feedback, reflecting a desire for detailed interaction between parents and school staff.

Areas Mrs. Aversa will investigate further

Communication Specificity: Although 65% agree they understand what their child is learning, further exploration is needed into why some parents (16% disagree or are neutral) feel insufficiently informed about academic expectations.

Family Engagement Preferences: Despite high interest, potential barriers preventing participation in engagement opportunities should be examined to tailor more effective and inclusive events.

Feedback and Collaboration Processes: With 19% of parents only believing their input is actively sought, understanding and addressing these concerns could enhance trust and collaboration.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey to support our learning community!

 

🍎 We’re Looking for Substitute Lunch Monitors! 

Do you love being around kids and want to make a difference in the middle of your day? We have are looking for Substitute Lunch Monitors! Hours are 10:30–1:15, making it the perfect opportunity for anyone wanting to be part of our school community—without a full-day or full-time commitment. Sub Monitors are called on an as-needed basis when our full-time monitors need time off. 

If you’re interested or would like more information, please reach out to Mrs. Aversa at 10017@kaneland.org. We’d love to have you join our team! 🌟

You can also complete an online application via the link below.

Kaneland Employment Online Application

November Newsletter

 

November Dates

Monday, 11/3 - Mutal Ground Presentation Kinder and 4th Grade

Tueday, 11/4 - Mutal Ground Presentation 1st and 4th Grade

Wednesday, 11/5 - Trimester 1 Ends - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-8pm

Wednesday, 11/5 - 3rd-5th Grade IAR Reports Go Home

Thursday, 11/6 - No Student Attendance - Parent/Teacher Conferences 10am-8pm

Friday, 11/7 - No School

Tuesday, 11/11 - Veteran's Day Flag Raising Ceremony 8:50am & 4th Grade Concert 2:45pm

Wednesday, 11/12 - Fun Lunch Jersey Mikes 

Friday, 11/14 - Report Cards go Live at 4pm in Infinite Campus

Friday, 11/21 - PTN Sponsored Assembly - Mouse Trap 

Monday, 11/24 - Friday, 11/28 No School - Thanksgiving Break

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Celebrating Our IAR Success! 🎉

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our Kaneland John Stewart families! Our school earned an Exemplar rating on the 2024–2025 School Report Card based on IAR results!

This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication, care, and teamwork of our teachers and staff, who work every day to support your children’s learning and growth. Thank you for being part of our school community and supporting your students along the way—it truly makes a difference!  Individual Student Reports will be sent home on November 5th for our 4th & 5th Grade students. 

If you’d like to explore the new report card data, click HERE to see a Summary

Bundle Up for the Changing Weather!

As the temperatures start to drop, please make sure your child comes to school dressed for the weather. Students will go outside for recess whenever the feels like temperature is 9°F or higher, so warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots are important to keep them comfortable during their 20 minutes outdoors. We monitor conditions closely each day, but it’s always best for students to be prepared.

To help misplaced items find their way home, please label all outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) with your child’s name. Thank you for helping us keep everyone warm, safe, and ready for some fresh air!

Ensuring Strong Attendance

Attending school every day helps students build strong learning habits, stay connected with classmates, and make steady progress. Every day counts—when students are present, they’re learning, growing, and part of our school community! Thank you for helping us support your child’s success by prioritizing regular attendance. Please see the links below regarding attendance information and parent support. 

Pre/K Parent Attendance Handout

Elementary Parent Attendance Handout

Additional resources related to attendance can be found HERE

Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy

To learn more about Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (KIPLA), please join us at our upcoming Informational Night on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 6:00-7:00 pm. More information on the event can be found HERE

Veterans Day Celebration – Wear Red, White & Blue!

On Tuesday (11/11), we invite all students to show their patriotic pride by wearing red, white, and blue as we honor our Veterans. We will begin the day with a special flag-raising ceremony, and our 4th-grade students will present a musical tribute concert in the afternoon. We look forward to coming together as a school community to recognize and celebrate the brave men and women who have served our country!

Teachers' Favorite Things List 

Looking for an easy way to show appreciation to our amazing teachers? We’ve created a Teacher's Favorite Things List that shares each teacher’s favorite things. This is a great resource for holidays, birthdays, or just-because treats to say “thank you” for all they do to support our students every day.

Donation Box will be located in the vestibule at Door 1

From the Nurse's Office:

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

    As we move into the cold and flu season, the health and wellness of our students remain a top priority. To help minimize unnecessary visits to the nurse’s office and reduce exposure to illness, we kindly ask for your support in preparing your child for the colder months. Please ensure that your student has personal items they may need during the school day, such as hand lotion, chapstick, tissues, and weather-appropriate clothing. Having these items readily available can help students stay comfortable in the classroom and reduce trips to the nurse’s office for minor concerns.

    By keeping our students equipped and healthy, we can work together to limit the spread of illness and maximize learning time. Thank you for your continued cooperation in promoting a healthy school environment.

Warm regards,
Kaneland Nursing Department

Additional Food Support for Families

We know that times can be tough, and we want to make sure every family has the support they need. If you or someone you know could use a little extra help with food resources, please visit the Food Service tab on our school website. (www.kaneland.org) There, you’ll find a link titled “Feeding Illinois.” Simply enter your address to see nearby programs and services that can provide assistance.

Parent Survey Requested - closes on 11/7/25

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please take a moment to share your feedback through our ThoughtExchange survey. Your voice plays an important role in helping us shape the future and continued growth of John Stewart School.  The survey will be open until Wednesday, November 5th.  

Click here to participate: https://tejoin.com/participate/143980321

Thank you in advance for your time and input.

Mrs. Aversa