September Newsletter

 

Important Dates

Thursday, Sept. 3 - School Store

Monday, Sept. 7 - No School Labor Day 

Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Ream's Fun Lunch

Friday, Sept. 11 - PTN Sweet Charli Coffee Truck @ KST (8-9:30am)

Friday, Sept. 11 - 5th Grade Field Trip to Cantigny

Tuesday, Sept 15 - 5th Grade Outdoor Ed

Wednesday, Sept. 16 - Tornado Drill (9:30am)

Friday, Sept. 18 - Picture Day 

Friday, Sept. 18 - PTN BINGO Night (6-8pm)

Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Paisano's Pizza Fun Lunch

Wednesday, Sept. 23 - Fire Drill (2:30pm)

Tuesday, Sept. 29 - PTN Meeting (6:30-7:30pm)

Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Student of the Month Assembly 

From The KHS Athletic Office

Due to Safety & Behavior Concerns, all K-8th Grade Students attending KHS Athletic Events must be accompanied & remain with an adult. Those not accompanied by an adult will be turned away at the gate. Additionally, there will be no football playing inside the stadium, etc. Footballs, etc. brought into the stadium may be confiscated.

We do hope to see you there! This Friday is Senior Night agaist DeKalb. Freshman kick off at 5pm AND Varsity at 7:00pm

Other Home Games:
Friday September 18 v Sycamore
Friday October 2 v LaSalle (Homecoming)

Knight Tickets & The Knight’s Market

Our Knights have a new way to celebrate positive choices! Students can earn Knight Tickets for demonstrating kindness, responsibility, perseverance, respect, and other behaviors that show what it means to be a Knight.

Students can save their tickets and shop at The Knight’s Market, our school store, which will visit classrooms once a month on Thursdays. Students who miss their classroom shopping time can visit the main office on the following Friday. 

We are excited to see our students make thoughtful choices, celebrate their accomplishments, and show that Every Knight Belongs! 

New Student of the Month Recognition

Each month, we will celebrate students who consistently demonstrate what it means to be a Knight! Two students from each classroom at each grade level will be recognized as Student of the Month.

These students are recognized for demonstrating positive choices, showing kindness and perseverance, making progress, and contributing to our school community. Students will be celebrated at a whole-school Student of the Month assembly each month.

We are proud to celebrate our Knights and the many ways they show that Every Knight Belongs! Shirts have been ordered and will be here soon so we can ALL wear our shirts on Assembly days. 

John Stewart’s 1st Annual Bookmark Challenge!

Get ready, KST students! Our library is excited to announce the 1st Annual Bookmark Challenge, hosted by our library secretary, Mrs. Nancy Steers!

Students in 1st–5th grade will have the opportunity to create an original bookmark celebrating books, reading, or their favorite characters. Designs may also include Stewart, the Knights, or Kaneland!

🏆 The winning bookmark will be printed for ALL Stewart students! The winner will also get to choose a book from the Fall Book Fair!

Entries are due to Mrs. Steers by October 2nd.

More information and details will be coming soon! Start thinking about your favorite books, characters, and creative ideas! 

Helpful Websites & Ways to Stay Connected

We want to make sure families have easy access to important information throughout the school year. Please use the resources below to stay connected with John Stewart Elementary!

Helpful Website: visit www.Kaneland.org for district and school information, important updates, calendars, and resources.

Facebook: Please like and follow our school Facebook page for exciting news, pictures, videos, and celebrations happening at John Stewart Elementary.

Stewart Scoop Newsletter: Be sure to bookmark the Stewart Scoop blog! This is where you will find the monthly newsletters with important updates, reminders, and school highlights.

Parent Teacher Network (PTN) Emails
Stay connected with our Stewart PTN by joining their email list. To receive PTN updates, please email stewartptn@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list. Here is a link to their website, too!

CLICK HERE FOR PDF

Mark Your Calendar for This Years' Concert Dates

4th Grade -Wednesday, November 11th @ 2:45pm
1st Grade -Friday, December 11th @ 9:30am
Kindergarten -Friday, February 12th@ 9:30am
3rd Grade -Thursday, March 11th @ 5:15pm
2nd Grade -Friday, May 7th @ 9:30am
5th Grade - TBD 

Kaneland School Abbreviations
KST - Kaneland John Stewart Elementary (Elburn)

KBK - Kaneland Blackberry Creek Elementary (Elburn)

KSS - Kaneland John Shields Elementary (Sugar Grove)
KME - Kaneland McDole Elementary (Montgomery)
KHMS - Kaneland Harter Middle School (Sugar Grove)
KHS - Kaneland High School (Maple Park)
FVCC - Fox Valley Career Center (Maple Park)
KIPLA - Kaneland IgKnight Personalized Learning Academy (6th-8th) (Located at KHMS)
KMAC - Kaneland Meredith Academic Center (Located North of KHS)

August Newsletter - Welcome Back!!

 

Important Dates

Monday, August 3
Normal Office Hours Resume  🕢 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 6
Kindergarten Supply Drop-Off & Curriculum Night  🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Monday, August 10
Grades 1–5 Supply Drop-Off  🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12
🎉 First Day of School! We can't wait to welcome our students back!

Friday, August 21
🏈 First Kaneland High School Home Football Game
Come out and cheer on the Knights!

Monday, September 7
No School – Labor Day

July Newsletter

 

Happy Summer, Stewart Families!

I hope you and your family are enjoying a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories. While there's still plenty of summer left to enjoy, our team is busy preparing for another fantastic school year! We can't wait to welcome our new and former students back in August.

Below are a few important updates and reminders to help you prepare for the start of the school year. Please watch for another email on August 1 with additional back-to-school information, including arrival and dismissal procedures, transportation information, and other important details to help ensure a smooth start to the school year.

📅 Important Dates

Monday, August 3
Normal Office Hours Resume  🕢 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 6
Kindergarten Supply Drop-Off & Curriculum Night  🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Monday, August 10
Grades 1–5 Supply Drop-Off  🕓 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12
🎉 First Day of School! We can't wait to welcome our students back!

Friday, August 21
🏈 First Kaneland High School Home Football Game
Come out and cheer on the Knights!

Monday, September 7
No School – Labor Day

🛝 Playground Update

We are so excited about our brand-new playground equipment! While the equipment has been installed, the project is not quite complete. Turf installation and the final safety inspection still need to take place before the playground can open.

Please obey all posted signs and refrain from using the playground area until further notice. We appreciate your patience and can't wait for our students to enjoy this amazing new space!

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🏫 Summer Office Hours

The school office is open Monday–Thursday from 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

If you plan to stop by, please call ahead at 630-365-8170. Ashley may be assisting elsewhere in the building, and we'd hate to miss you!

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📚 Summer School

Stewart is excited to host Summer School this year!

Dates: Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 30

Please note that you may see additional activity around the building during these weeks.

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👩‍🏫 Classroom Teacher Assignments

Your child's classroom teacher for the 2026–2027 school year will be available in Infinite Campus on Thursday, July 30.

We know this is an exciting day for students and families!

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✏️ School Supply Lists

School supply lists are linked below for each grade level.

1st - 5th Grade Supply List Kindergarten Supply List

For added convenience, families may also purchase supplies through School Tool Box if they choose. 

https://schooltoolbox.com/school-supplies/school/list-boxes/?schoolId=32532

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🎒 Save the Date: Supply Drop-Off

Mark your calendars!

Monday, August 10    4:00–6:00 p.m.

Students and families are invited to drop off school supplies before the first day of school. Additional details will be shared as the date approaches.

We hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your summer. We are looking forward to seeing our Stewart Knights very soon!

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⏰ Before & After School Care

The Sugar Grove Park District offers before and after-school care for John Stewart Elementary students, conveniently located right here at our school. This program provides a safe, engaging environment for students before and after the school day.

If you have questions about the program or would like to register your child, please contact the Sugar Grove Park District office directly for more information.  https://www.sgparks.org/care-program/

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🌐 Helpful Websites & Ways to Stay Connected

We want to make sure families have easy access to important information throughout the school year. Please use the resources below to stay connected with John Stewart Elementary!

Helpful Website

Visit www.Kaneland.org for district and school information, important updates, calendars, and resources.

Stay Connected

📱 Facebook
Please like and follow our school Facebook page for exciting news, pictures, videos, and celebrations happening at John Stewart Elementary.

📰 Stewart Scoop Newsletter
Be sure to bookmark the Stewart Scoop blog! This is where you will find the monthly newsletters with important updates, reminders, and school highlights.

💙 Parent Teacher Network (PTN) Emails
Stay connected with our Stewart PTN by joining their email list. To receive PTN updates, please email stewartptn@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list.  Here is a link to their website, too!

Welcome Incoming Kindergarten Families!

Dear Kindergarten Parent(s) and Guardians,

Welcome to Kaneland John Stewart Elementary! What an exciting time for you and your child! The staff and I look forward to working with you throughout this school year to ensure that your child has a positive and rewarding school experience.
Front Office Staff
Mrs. Samantha Aversa - Principal
Ms. Ashley Jeager - Principal Secretary
Mrs. Jessica Bottorff - Attendance Secretary

For the upcoming school year, Kaneland John Stewart will run four extended-day kindergarten classrooms, with half-day students throughout all four classrooms. Mrs. Lori Doll, Mrs. Lisa Druwe, Mrs. Alicia Hardy, and Mrs. Stacey Gacek are our fabulous kindergarten teachers this year. The core and half-day classes will run in the AM from 8:45 - 11:30 am. Extension and enrichment activities for extended-day students will take place in the afternoon.

Specific classroom assignments are made based on the desire to keep classroom characteristics equitable, current enrollment information, specific needs of individual students, and registration in extended-day programming. You can find out who your child's teacher is on August 1st in the Infinite Campus App


Infinite Campus
If you have not downloaded the Infinite Campus app, please do, but you can also access the IC system at www.Kaneland.org. This is an extremely important tool for parents to see all of their child’s school information, payments, fees, emergency contact information, etc.


Kindergarten Orientation/Supply Drop Off
Kindergarten orientation/supply drop off for you and your child will take place on Thursday, August 6th from 4-6pm at John Stewart Elementary. Please enter the main doors - door 1

4:00-4:45 pm Principal chat in MPR with guardians to review important information regarding starting school. Kindergarten students play outside on the playground with teacher support

4:45-5:30 pm Supply drop-off in the classroom with guardians and kindergarteners. Teachers will share the curriculum and important classroom information.

5:30-6:00 pm Self-guided school tour of the rest of the building (Optional for families to complete)

*Please do NOT bring other siblings. We want to make this a special event for our kindergarten students

Kindergarten Supply List

At orientation, you will receive an identification tag for your child to wear on his or her backpack to school for the first few weeks. The color and information on the tag will enable staff to guide your child to the appropriate destinations throughout the school, including which bus to board at the end of the day. Transportation information can be found on the Infinite Campus App in early August. If the transportation information is incorrect or needs to be changed, please let your teacher or the front office know. If your child takes a bus, ALL Kindergarten bus stops require an adult when be present at drop-off to release the student. In the event that you will not be able to attend orientation, please contact the school office to arrange the pickup of your child's identification tag. If you have forms to turn in, this is a great night to drop any forms to the office.

The opportunity to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences for the upcoming school year will also be available during your visit, so please make sure to bring your calendar.

Our classroom teachers will also be joined by a few other teachers who support our children. Your kindergartener might also talk about Ms. Gacek and Miss Razim who provide interventions and special education supports with our kindergarten team in addition to a few other teachers in the building.

Information from the Health Office
Welcome Incoming Kindergarten Families!

We are already preparing for your child's arrival and looking forward to seeing them in August. Just a reminder to please review these important health requirements for all kindergarten students to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

REQUIRED: PHYSICAL EXAM
● Must be completed within 1 year of school start date
● Due: First Day of School

Physical must include:
● Parent/guardian completed & signed health history
● Allergies/medical conditions
● Diabetes screening & lead assessment
● Exam results + Immunizations

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
● DPT - 4+ doses (last after age 4)
● Polio - 4 doses (last after age 4)
● MMR - 2 doses
● Varicella - 2 doses OR proof of disease
Hepatitis B recommended (not required)

DEADLINE- Students NOT meeting requirements by October 15 will be excluded from school (per state law).

ALSO REQUIRED
● Dental Exam
● Vision Exam

MEDICATIONS & HEALTH PLANS
● Medication at school requires a signed Medication Authorization form (attached)
● Students with Asthma, Allergies, Diabetes, and/or Seizures should submit an Action Plan from your doctor before the 1st day of school

FORMS & HELP
Submit any paperwork to the school office, by mail, or email to 10827@kaneland.org

Forms are available at www.kaneland.org (Parents → Health Forms), in the health office, or from your doctor

Immunizations are available through Kane County Health Department 630-264-7665. Need help? Call the Health Office 630-365-8170 or email 10827@kaneland.org

Mrs. Von Almen - School Nurse


Exploratory Classes
Each day your kindergartener will go to an exploratory class and your teacher will have a schedule for your information at orientation:

Music - Mrs. Kunstman
Art - Mrs. Gregg
PE - Mr. Biddle & Mr. Schuster
Critical Thinking - Ms. Maz (Mazurkiewicz)
Computer - Ms. Svihlik
Library - Mrs. Steers

I found that asking your child about what exploratory class they went to was a great way to begin talking about their day.


School Hours
First Bell 8:45
Tardy Bell 8:50 - If your child is Tardy, you must walk them into the front office
AM Kindergarten Dismissal 11:30
Walker/Car Rider Dismissal 3:25
Busser Dismissal 3:30

Main Office Hours 7:45 am - 4:00 pm

*Students cannot be dropped off any earlier than 8:40 am, as there is no supervision


Before and After School Child Care Options
We have the CARE program that is run through the Sugar Grove Park District. You can register through their website: https://www.sgparks.org/

This is offered to any student who attends full-day school and for half-day kindergarteners before school starts. SGPD also offers some day off activities during times when there is no school.


Lunch & Milk
If your child is enrolled in Extended Day Kindergarten, they will eat lunch at school. Parents will need to pack a lunch for their child each day. We are a cold lunch school. Milk is available for purchase and can be done by the semester or for the full year. Please go to Infinite Campus to make that purchase.


First Day of School
On the first day of school, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12th, all of our students meet in front of the school (Door 1) with their teacher. We have adults who will help your child find your teacher. All students walk in together. The PTN will have a Card My Yard Sign that you could use to get a picture of your child’s first day. We ask that parents remain in the parent waiting area and not wait at the front of the building.


Ways to Stay Connected
Facebook - Please like and follow for exciting news, pictures, and videos
Stewart Scoop Newsletter - Please bookmark this blog - these are bi-monthly newsletters
PTN Emails - email stewartptn@gmail.com to get on that list

Sincerely,

Samantha Aversa

Principal

Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School

Summer Newsletter

As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible growth and accomplishments of our students!

 iReady Celebrations

• 1st Grade: Outstanding percentage of students achieving their typical growth expectations

• 2nd Grade: Strong iReady growth in both reading and math

• 3rd Grade: Excellent growth in iReady reading

• 4th Grade: Great growth in both iReady reading and math

• 5th Grade: Great growth in both iReady reading and math

CLICK HERE to view the Results - noted are the % of students on or above grade level, 1 grade level below, or 2 or more grade levels below.

Another exciting milestone was the successful implementation of our new math curriculum, Imagine Math. This year, students were challenged to think critically, solve problems in deeper ways, and explain their thinking with confidence. One of our biggest celebrations has been hearing students consistently use strong mathematical vocabulary and clearly communicate their reasoning during math discussions.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support this year. Together, we have helped our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We hope you all have a fun, relaxing, and well-deserved summer!

We are so proud of the hard work, perseverance, and progress our students have shown throughout the year!

Summer Office Hours

The office will be open throughout the summer Monday–Thursday from 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Beginning June 5, the office will be closed on Fridays.

If these hours do not work for you, please call the office to schedule an appointment with Ms. Jaeger. Ms. Jaeger, our Principal Secretary, works throughout the summer and will be available to assist families.

Please note that I, Mrs. Aversa, will be out of the office during the month of July.

If you need assistance at any time, please feel free to call or email us at (630) 365-8170.

Playground Upgrades!
The District will begin updating the playgrounds at all Elementary school locations this summer.

John Stewart - Demolition begins 5/26 with completion targeted for 6/18, followed by a new safety surface in early July.

A quick note on timing: While our contractors will work hard to hit these targets, outdoor construction is always at the mercy of the weather! This schedule is subject to change based on conditions.

We know this is an incredibly exciting upgrade for our community, and it will be tempting for kids (and adults!) to want to sneak a peek. However, for everyone's safety, please maintain a safe distance from the construction zones and stay off the equipment until the playgrounds are officially reopened.

Student Chromebooks

Over the summer months, students in 2nd - 5th grade keep their Chromebooks and chargers at home. Students are able to access educational programs until late July when the systems switch over. Please keep them safe and charged, ready to be used next school year.

New Teacher Information

The information about your child's new teacher will be released in Infinite Campus the first week of August. More information will follow.

Summer Newsletter

I will send another newsletter out in late July to give you updates and helpful back-to-school information

Supply Lists

1st - 5th Grade Supply List Kindergarten Supply List

Book-IT - Parents can sign up their child for summer reading

May Newsletter

May Important Dates

Teacher Appreciation Week Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th

Monday, May 4th - 5th Grade Chromebook Switch Out 

Thursday, May 7th - PTN Mtg (6:30) 

Friday, May 8th - 2nd Grade Concert (9:30)

Tuesday, May 12th - 1st Grade Field Trip to Hickory Knolls (9:00-12)

Wednesday, May 13th - Culver's Fun Lunch

Wednesday, May 13th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Hickory Knolls (9:30-12)

Friday, May 15th - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Blackberry Farm (11:30-2)

Friday, May 15th - 5th Grade Amazing Race Activity (9-11)

Friday, May 15th - 5th Grade v. Teacher Basketball Game (2:45)

Monday, May 18th - PTN Sponsored Hot Dog Fun Lunch (Sign-up HERE) 

Tuesday, May 19th - PTN Sponsored Popsciles at Lunch

Wednesday, May 20th - Bouncy House Day (must wear socks!)

Wednesday, May 20th - 1 Hr Early Release (2:25/2:30)

Thursday, May 21st - 5th Grade Clap Out (1:45)

Thursday, May 21st - Last Day of School & 1 Hr Early Release (2:25/2:30) 

Stay Connected to the PTN:  CLICK HERE

End of the Year Assessments (Next Week)

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of the school year! Over the next few weeks, students will be wrapping up their learning with end-of-year assessments, including the i-Ready Diagnostic 3 for students in 1st–5th grade.

During recent classroom conversations, teachers have been reviewing helpful test-taking strategies with students, such as:

• Taking their time and doing their best work
• Rereading questions carefully
• Using tools like manipulatives, whiteboards, or paper and pencil
• Practicing positive self-talk to stay confident and focused

We are so proud of how hard our students have worked all year long. These assessments are just one way for them to show all the growth they’ve made. Thank you for your continued support at home—it makes such a difference!

How families can help at home: Making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, comes to school on time each day, and arrives with a fully charged Chromebook can help them feel confident and ready to do their best.

We’re excited to see all they can do—they’ve got this!

Chromebooks Exchange

5th Grade Families 

As part of our commitment to providing students with reliable, up-to-date technology, we are beginning our district-wide Chromebook replacement for grades 5 through 11.

To receive a new device, students must complete a 1-for-1 swap. Please review the requirements and the specific schedule for your student's building below.

What Your Student Needs to Bring:

To ensure a smooth transition, students must turn in the following items in working condition:

• Current Chromebook (must be the one originally assigned to you)
• Power Adapter (Charger) 
• Protective Case

Stewart (KST) 5th Grade - May 4-5 (9:00 - 10:30 AM) Library

• The Swap Rule:

  A new device cannot be issued unless the old Chromebook and charger are returned.

• Chargers:

  If a student has lost their charger, please contact the school's tech office prior to your scheduled date to discuss replacement options.

Thank you,

Kaneland CUSD 302 Technology Department

5th-Grade Clap Out 2025 Guidelines

It is that time again to host our annual tradition of the 5th-grade Clap Out! Many students and families look forward to this tradition, and we are excited to be able to celebrate our fifth-grade students as they move on to middle school! 

• The clap-out will be on Thursday, May 21st at 1:45 pm. 

• The clap-out will take place outside (weather permitting) around the walking path. A map of the clap-out route can be found below. Parents, please arrive by 1:35 to find a spot on the inside of the walking path. 

• We ask that you do not stop your child to taking a picture during the Clap Out. Pictures can be taken after the parade concludes by the Card My Yard Sign (donated by the PTN) that will be located by the baseball fields at the end of the route.  

• Following the conclusion of the Clap Out, you may take your child home by signing them out with their homeroom teacher.

• In the event of inclement weather, the clap-out will be held indoors and parents will be in the gym. 

                        

End of the Year Reminders

End-of-Year Activities: We have many fun activities planned as we head into the final stretch of the school year! Please be sure to mark your home calendars with all upcoming events so we can stay organized and prepared during this busy time of year. I know as a working mom myself—if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t happen (I get it!). 😊

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.

Transportation Changes: As a reminder, please avoid calling the school after 3:00 PM to make changes to end-of-day transportation unless it is an emergency. This is an especially busy time, and it becomes very difficult to locate students and ensure changes are communicated accurately. For last-minute transportation changes, please always call the main office.

Let’s finish strong—only 14 days left!

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026

Get ready to rewind time as we celebrate our incredible staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4–8! This year’s theme is all things 90’s, and we are so excited to honor our teachers and staff with a week full of fun, appreciation, and a little throwback flair.

We would love your help in making this week extra special! Here are a few ways you can join in:

 Shop our Amazon Wish List for items we’ll be using throughout the week
 Sign up through Sign Up Genius if you’d prefer to shop on your own and drop items off at the front office
 Volunteer your time — we’re looking for a few parent helpers each day to assist with set-up and clean-up

To add a personal touch, we’ll be including our teachers’ “Favorite Things” document to help guide your contributions.

Be sure to check out the attached flyer for all the details on each day’s theme and plans—we promise it’ll be all that and a bag of chips! 

Thank you for helping us celebrate the amazing educators who make such a difference in our school each day. We couldn’t do it without you!

Mrs. Aversa and the KST PTN