Thursday, February 29, 2024

March Newsletter



March
1 No School - Kane County Institute Day for Teachers
6 Fun Lunch - Buona Beef
7  Fifth Grade District Concert (7:00 pm @ Harter Middle School)
11 - 20 IAR Testing for 3rd - 5th Grade (see schedule below)
20 Fun Lunch - Paisanos
25 - 29 Spring Break - No School 

APRIL 
1 No School - Teacher School Improvement Day 
3 Fun Lunch - Mazza Pizza
5 Paraprofessional Appreciation Day 
10 Spring Picture Day
11 5th Grade Tour at Harter Middle School (KHMS)
12 3rd Trimester Progress Reports 
14 Annual Kaneland Fine Arts Festival 
17 Fun Lunch - McAllisters
18 PTN Dine Out - MOD Pizza
18 OPEN HOUSE & 3rd Grade Concert! 5-7pm
24 Administrative Assistant's Day
27 Special Needs PTA Craft & Resource Fair 9-4pm

Kindergarten Concert
Here is the Youtube link of the Kindergarten concert:  

KST SIP Goal FINAL Data

WHAT A CELEBRATION!!!  I am beyond excited and proud of the hard work and dedication of the staff and students to achieve this goal!  Congratulations to the students and staff on all their hard work this year on our SIP goal. Our school is Distinguished in having all 5 Grade Levels grow by more than 25% in the On or Above Level Please ask your child about the Writing Expectation Walk they had today!



News from the Behavior Facilitators

As the weather starts to warm up and we look forward to all of the fun activities spring brings with it, it can be hard for students to be willing to engage in all of the tasks we ask of them at home and in school.  Consider shifting how you respond at home to help your children recognize the value of having a growth mindset and persevering through challenges.  


Say This 

Not That

“I can see you worked so hard on this!”

“You are so smart!”

“It seems like it’s time to try a new strategy.”

“It’s ok.  Maybe you’re just not cut out for this!”

“I like watching you do that.”

“You’re a natural at that!”

“It looks like that was too easy for you. Let’s find you something challenging so your brain can grow.”

“That’s right! You did that so quickly and easily; great job!”

“That was really hard. Your effort has paid off! Next time you’ll be ready for this kind of challenge!”

“That was really hard. I’m so glad it’s over and you don’t have to do that again.”

“You’ve worked hard to become a good writer. You should challenge yourself with an advanced class, and learn something you don’t know how to do yet.”

“You have a real talent for writing. You should take a creative writing class because you’re so good at it.”


Check out the full article to learn more about how you can help your child develop a growth mindset.




IAR Schedule - 3rd Through 5th Grade

Families, please ensure that your child(ren) gets plenty of sleep and a good breakfast this week so they can be at their best to show us and the State all they know. Thank you for your support!


Community Event 



Thursday, February 15, 2024

Mid-February Newsletter

 February

16 Kindergarten Concert (9:30-10am)
16 Jump Rope for Heart Event
16 End of Trimester 2
19 No School - Presidents Day
21 Fun Lunch  - Culvers
22 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)
22 Dine Out Night - California Pizza Kitchen
23 Report Cards Go Live on IC (Infinite Campus) 
29 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)
29 Dine Out Night - Portillos 

March
1 No School - Kane County Institute Day for Teachers
6 Fun Lunch - Buona Beef
7  Fifth Grade District Concert (7:00 pm @ Harter Middle School)
11 - 14 IAR Testing for 3rd - 5th Grade
20 Fun Lunch - Paisanos
25 - 29 Spring Break - No School 

5Essential Survey - Please Complete

Beginning January 30, 2024, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

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

All teachers and students in 4th through 12th grade will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2024 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Additionally, Kaneland will provide the Parent Supplement survey. If at least 20 percent of Kaneland parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted January 30, 2023 through March 11, 2024. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. To take the survey please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

Library News - Reading Passport Challenge


Congratulations!! To all students who are participating in the
Reading Passport Challenge!
It’s not too late for you to join in the fun
of reading and prizes.
There will be another raffle at the end of February for everyone who has participated!
Which grade level/class will have the most participation this month?

Lions Club Book Drive



Wednesday, January 31, 2024

February Newsletter



February
1 PTN Meeting
7 Fun Lunch - Jersey Mikes
8, 15, 22, 29 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)
10 Kinder Registration
15 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)
14 Valentine's Day Parties 
16 Kindergarten Concert (9:30-10am)
16 Jump Rope for Heart Event
16 End of Trimester 2
19 No School
21 Fun Lunch  - Culvers
22 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)
29 ACE (3:30-5:00pm)


March
1 No School - Kane County Institute Day for Teachers
6 Fun Lunch - Buona Beef
7  Fifth Grade District Concert (7:00 pm @ Harter Middle School)
11 - 14 IAR Testing for 3rd - 5th Grade
20 Fun Lunch - Paisanos
25 - 29 Spring Break



What is a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS,) and what does it look like for students at each grade span? 

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is designed to provide interventions for students who require additional support and acceleration of standards for those who comprehend faster than their peers. 

Students will receive their typical instruction from their teachers and then participate in a formative assessment or check-in to ensure their understanding of the subject. Suppose it is determined that a student needs additional support. In that case, MTSS provides an intervention ranging from one day to a few weeks in addition to regular teaching, remedying any shortcomings in their learning. 

Response To Intervention (RTI) was limited to students for mediation, but MTSS also allows students to receive intervention for acceleration. Intervention provides students the opportunity to excel beyond their current grade level. 

MTSS is for academic and social-emotional support, and the length of intervention is personalized to students based on their needs. Interventions happen in the classroom so that they can be closely aligned with the curriculum. In most cases, a shift has been made to in-class co-teaching rather than RTI by removing the student from the class at the K-8 grade spans. 

For K-8 grade spans, the first level of intervention would be for an interventionist to go into the classroom and support the student throughout their given lesson. In those same grade spans, students are temporarily pulled from the class for more intensive interventions to participate in small groups or one-on-one for more personalized intervention. For high school students, they are pulled from the class to go into an MTSS walk-in lab for support. 

MTSS will give our students the support they need to succeed academically and socially. Please visit Kaneland Connects for more details about the Kaneland CUSD #302 strategic plan. 


💌 Valentine’s Day Party - Wednesday, February 14th 

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

Kindergarten: 10:40-11:20


Students may bring in non-candy/food valentines for each student in 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 Valentine's 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. 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.

Thank you for making this day extra special for our students!


2024 YOUNG KNIGHTS REGISTRATION
February 10, 2024 8:00 AM 11:30 AM
All incoming Kaneland Kindergarten Age Welcome!

At John Stewart Elementary School 
817 Prairie Valley Drive, Elburn 

Sign up here to schedule a time for your Kindergarten or Preschool Registration:      https://shorturl.at/eilvK 

Sign up here to schedule a Preschool Screening for children 2.9 months - 4 years: https://shorturl.at/cwGUW


Please Bring the Original and Photocopy of the Following Items:
Drivers License

Birth Certificate

Proof of Residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage, etc.)


Please bring a check or credit card to pay school fees


During the Event…

*Computers Available to complete the registration 

*Screening with your Child and a Kindergarten Staff Member

*Raffle Baskets

*Free Books for Every Kindergarten Age Student


We ask that only the guardian and incoming kindergarten student attend the event, Thank you for understanding.


KST Contact Person: Jessica Bottorff    

Registration Secretary                                                

(630) 365-8170 ext 73101


We are excited to welcome the Class of 2037!



Artwork at Corner Grind

This month (January) all students (Kindergarten-5th) have been learning about art within the community and I am so excited to announce that each student has made/ designed a Valentine coffee sleeve for Corner Grind! This provides students the opportunity to connect with the community, show the importance of how art plays a role in designing/ careers and spread kindness during Valentine’s Day. These one-of-a-kind coffee sleeves will be passed out starting February 1st. Please note, student names are NOT on the coffee sleeves; however, they have put their grade level!  

Thank you, Mrs. Gregg, for providing this opportunity for our students!



How to Respond to Disrespectful Behaviors 


The eye rolls, slamming doors, and harsh words can be infuriating for us as teachers or parents. But all behavior is communication, a window to something deeper.


Have you ever had a bad day and lashed out at your family? Maybe you slammed a door or yelled at your partner for not unloading the dishwasher. What was going on for YOU at the moment? What were you needing? Most likely, it was not for someone to snap at you, send you away, or criticize you.


Before disciplining remember these things:


  • Your student or child has limited tools in their toolbox for coping with stress


  • They need you to model HOW to behave when they are frustrated not just tell them what not to do


Before we can figure out what’s going on under the surface, we have to be able to hold their emotional experience. When a child feels seen by their teacher or parent, they soften and will share what’s really going on, or at least release those emotions (i.e., have a good cry) so the behaviors don’t continue to escalate.


Source: https://instituteofchildpsychology.com/




Friday, December 22, 2023

January Newsletter


We hope you have had a wonderful winter break! 
We are looking forward to having an AMAZING second half of the school year.  

January 

  • Monday, January 8th - School Resumes 
  • Thursday, January 11th - Five Schools, One Book Kick-Off Assembly
  • Thursday, January 11th - KST PTN Meeting (6:00-7:30pm)
  • Monday, January 15th - NO SCHOOL 
  • Thursday, January 18th - District Spelling Bee (6:00-7:00pm)
  • Wednesday, January 24th - PTN Dine Out - Portillo's (Batavia)
  • Monday - Wednesday, Jan. 29-31 - SIP Writing Post Assessment

Infinite Campus Tip - Requesting Absence

Do you sometimes forget to call your child into the office because your mornings are just so busy...well we can help you out!  Here are a few steps to digitally mark your child's absence. 
  1. Log into your family Infinite Campus Account  
  2. Click on the 3 lines (top left)
  3. Click on "more"
  4. Click on Absence Requests
  5. Choose which student, Excuse, and Absence Type
Once you submit it, Jessica will be notified in the front office and will mark your child absent. If you still would like to call in you can, but as a parent, I have found this way to be very helpful!! 

Mid-Year Expectation Walks

Each year we take time to review the school expectations when we return from break with all of your students as a friendly reminder. 

Stations will include:
Bathroom
Exiting the Building
Hallway
Lunch/Recess
Writing Data Review - Perseverance & Expectations in Writing 

These stations will be facilitated by 5th-grade students and staff members and will be held on Thursday, January 11th, and Friday, January 12th.   Feel free to ask your child the expectations for each of these areas as another review opportunity.


From Our Behavior Facilitator 

Let’s start out 2024 on the right foot! Please review the below tips and tricks for making the transition back from break as seamless as possible.

Tip #1: Lead by example
Want your child to begin readjusting to his or her school schedule before going back? Show them how by doing it yourself. It’s not just kids who alter their activity and sleeping habits during breaks. Parents often relax bedtimes and other structured parts of daily life.

Tip #2: Talk about going back to school
Kids can get as stressed as adults. And, just like grown-ups, kids learn to hide their anxiety or bury it. Going back to school can be very stressful for kids. Whether it’s feeling unprepared, nervous over encountering students they don’t get along with, or some other reason, kids may have feelings they are struggling with and not sharing.
As a parent, look for those signs of stress. Is your child moodier as school approaches? Do they lose their appetite? Are they withdrawn? Have you noticed a lack of energy in your child?

Tip #3: Prepare your student for class by picking up supplies and using calendars
Take a look at your child’s upcoming assignments and needed supplies. Ask your child if they have everything they need when school resumes. If not, go to the store with your student. Get them involved in the buying process. Encourage them to have a sense of ownership over what they need.

Tip #4: Get a good night’s sleep
Sleeping habits are often one of the first things altered during an extended break. Kids sleep in later in the morning. They stay up later at night. Getting back onto an appropriate sleep schedule is one of the biggest adjustments for going back to school.
Set a scheduled bedtime and stick to it several days before the holiday break ends. Your child will be in a much better position to readjust to daily school with a good night’s sleep.

Tip #5: Schedule reading times
A simple way to make going back to school easier for your child is implementing reading time. Schedule a minimum amount of reading time for your child each day. Reading is a foundational activity that keeps your brain limber and active.
You can take your child to your local library. Getting them out of the house (where all of the tempting time wasters are waiting) is an effective way to encourage more reading. The library offers endless opportunities for children to explore subjects.

Tip #6: Reduce screen time
This suggestion is hardly a surprise! Get them moving and doing other things. Brains need to be stimulated, and it’s too easy to slip into sluggish (from a mental standpoint) time-wasting with unlimited access to their tablets or cell phones.


Read the full article to learn more.

Five Schools, One Book

You and your family are officially invited to participate in our Five Schools One Book reading project which will launch on Thursday, January 11th. All Early Childhood, K-5, and MidValley learners will attend an assembly and THEN get to solve a mystery to find their books. Everyone will be sent home with their very own copy of the book where they can participate in the weekly activities to earn raffle prizes. 


Our goal is to build a community of lifelong readers, and we know that you play an essential role in encouraging your children to jump on board! Encourage your children to participate and enjoy this experience by reading and discussing the book with them. Please set aside time every night and develop a special reading routine together; or you could encourage more independent readers to maintain a reading schedule and discuss the book together. You and your child(ren) can also access videos of the book being read on the school website. 


We can’t wait until January 11th!


Upcoming Author Visit

The Extraordinary Imagination
of Jenny Figment

Author Visit Information
We are excited to welcome local author Jennifer Hayes to our schools for the release of her new book The Extraordinary Imagination of Jenny Figment!

February 27th
- KPASS 9:30-10:15
- 2nd 7 3rd Grade 10:30 - 11:15

This Is Us Bulletin Board

We would love to feature your family on our "This Is Us" bulletin board in the main hallway. To celebrate this theme with us, we would love to have our families join our whole school bulletin board.  Please email a family photo to Jessica.Bottorff@kaneland.org so we can print it off and add it to our bulletin board in the main hallway.  Thanks for participating! 


https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080549abaa2ca5fe3-preschool#/

Or VISIT https://www.kaneland.org/departments/pre-k  








Friday, December 1, 2023

December Newsletter

Important Dates

  • December 1 - PTN/IgKnight BINGO 6-8pm @ IgKnight Academy 
  • December 6 - PTN Night Out - Noodle & Co. 
  • December 7 - PTN Meeting at 6:30 PM
  • December 12 - KST Spelling Bee (3rd - 5th grade) 1:30-3:30 pm
  • December 13 - Fun Lunch - Culver's 
  • December 13 - PTN Night Out - Beef Shack
  • December 15 - 1st Grade Music Concert 9:30-10:00 am
  • December 19 & 20 - 1 Hr Early Dismissal  (2:25 & 2:30)
  • December 20 - Holiday Parties (K: 10:40-11:20) (1st-5th 1:30-2:20)
  • December 21 - January 7  WINTER BREAK 

 December Spirit Month

Click this link to save it to your phone: A December to Remember - Holiday Spirit Week 2023
Our Holiday Spirit Month starts on Tuesday, December 5th with a 12-day Countdown.  I'll send weekly reminders to help you out! 

A Few of Their Favorite Things

Are you wondering what your child's teacher(s) favorite things are to get a head start on this holiday season?? CLICK HERE to see their lists.  


Connecting with KST's Google Calendar

Do you use Google calendar?  If so, feel free to add our calendar to yours to keep up to date on what's happening at KST.   KST Google Calendar


iReady Testing
Students in 1st-5th grade will be taking the iReady Diagnostic 2 reading and math tests the week of December 4-8. Please make sure they get a great night's sleep and hearty breakfast that week! Please encourage your student(s) to take their time on the tests and try their best. We do utilize the data provided to develop the next steps or supports for students.  

Pre-Paid Milk
You are able to prepay milk for the year or by each semester. This is available when you register into your child's Infinite Campus account. The last day to purchase milk for the second semester will be January 12th to pay for the entire school year, the fee is  $42.00-2nd sem. Login to your family's Canvas Account to purchase. Click on School Store. Click on John Stewart Elementary. Click on Pre-Paid Milk. 

Your child can also bring 50 cents daily to purchase milk when they would like if you do not want to prepay milk for the semester.  


News from Lunch and Recess Monitors 
  • Please refrain from sending your child with a toy or ball to recess.  We have plenty of equipment for all students.  
  • Please help us remind your child not to share food with other students. Our monitors are doing their best but they are still trading and sharing. 
  • Students are also eating most of their lunch during snack time. If you could please send your child with more food or separate bags for lunch and recess, that would be appreciate. 

Kaneland Cares Closet 
The Care Closet is still available this year for any family who is struggling with basic necessities. See the link below for more information:     Cares Closet    


School Improvement Plan Mid-Point Check-in

KST Goal: By February 2024, students in grades 1st - 5th achieving in the on and above level will increase by 25%, in the area of writing development in a Narrative writing piece. Based on the assessed pre-narrative in September and post-narrative in February.


On Tuesday, November 21st our SIP building team created a plan that asked for staff to self-reflect on the Writing Delivery Table and Writing Audit Form as a team/individual which was identified as an Action Item from our School Improvement Plan. 

  • Teachers reflected on the proficient and approaching proficient statements and created action steps for any approaching proficiency statements that you have identified as an individual or team. 

Teachers also had time to assess each student's mid-point writing and work collaboratively as a grade level to create the next steps to support our writers based on the information they received from the assessment. For our mid-point check-in, all 1st-5th grade students participated in a 90-minute writing piece over a three-day time span where a random sample of 25% of the grade level (1st-5th) provided us with our mid-point check-in data.

Our student's midpoint data:


PBP Professional Development 
During another part of our PD (Professional Development) Day on Tuesday, November 21st our. Student Samples were presented and teachers reflected on how they would answer the following questions based on the work shown at each station.
  1. What probing questions would you engage in with this child?

  2. What notes or data would you take?

          3. What are the next steps you would create with the student? Kaneland PBP 









March Newsletter

March 1 No School - Kane County Institute Day for Teachers 6 Fun Lunch - Buona Beef 7  Fifth Grade District Concert (7:00 pm @ Harter Middle...