December News

Dear Kaneland Families, 

Thank you for all of your support and flexibility throughout this school year, especially during our transition to remote learning the past three weeks.  Without your support at home, we couldn't have made it happen. Let's close out this year by putting the computers and schedules away for a while so you can enjoy your time together. Soon enough we will see you all again on January 4, 2021! B-Day students, we will see you in person on January 5th.  We wish you a wonderful holiday season! 

RTI Interventions

The final day for all RtI Interventions, both reading and math, will be Friday, Dec. 18 until we return to school in January.  New schedules will be communicated when we return to school.

 

KST Holiday Sign-Along

Every year on the last day of school before Winter Break, everyone gathers in the gym to sing holiday songs together.  This is a very fun and memorable time for all. However, this year, as you know, we can't gather the same but we can still keep our tradition alive by including our families to join in this year!!  Mrs. Kuntsman has provided a holiday sing-along video to participate in at home with your family and loved ones. ENJOY!! 

Kaneland District Email  

This message was shared by the Kaneland Administration on Wednesday, 12/16. We have highlighted important topics that pertain to the elementary level.  

 

To assist in a successful return to school in January,  please continue to work diligently to practice the W’s - Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands - you are making a difference.

 

Our plan is to return to in-person learning at school on January 4, 2021 (A day), with the hybrid model (A and B days) that we started the school year.  Tuesday, January 5, 2021, will be a B day.  Full Remote Students begin on January 4th. 

 

When we return to school in January, and what was shared with the Board of Education on Monday night, there has been a change made to the learning structure for Wednesdays starting in January.  Please see the attached information outlining those changes by grade span.  

K-5 Wednesday Hybrid and Family/Medical Choice Remote Structure

 

In addition to the new Wednesday Schedule, please also see the Hybrid Exploratory Calendar, as well as the Wednesday Attendance Outline for elementary students.

Hybrid Exploratory Calendar (K-5th Grade)

Wednesday Attendance Outline (K-5th Grade)

Self-Certification Reminder

As Kaneland CUSD #302 transitions back to in-person learning starting Monday, January 4, all staff and students will need to use the Certification Tool for each day they enter our buildings.   Please see the following directions:

1. Students (Parents) Planning to return to Hybrid Learning in January:  Please use the student self-certification tool each day beginning Monday, January 4, 2021.  If a student either tests positive or is identified as a close contact with a person that tests positive for the coronavirus, please keep the student home and send an email to your school nurse.

2. Family Choice/Medical students should continue to sign in for attendance following their current protocols for this school year.

To minimize the spread of the disease, Kaneland Schools are taking the following steps: 

• Continuing self-certification of staff and students

• We recommend that everyone continue to monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms.  Symptomatic persons should contact their health care provider to determine the plan of care and discuss testing.  Anyone who develops severe symptoms should seek medical care immediately

• Kaneland schools continue to follow protocols for disinfection (routine and high-touch cleaning) reinforcing the importance of wearing face masks at all times, encouraging social distancing, and providing an opportunity for hand washing or hand sanitizing multiple times a day.

Kaneland Cares Closet

The Cares Closet will stop taking orders today, Friday 12/18, and will not be available over Winter Break.  We will start accepting orders again after the holidays on January 4th.  Visit Kaneland.org for more information.

FaceTime Fun Time Event

This week I had four amazing young ladies reach out to me regarding an idea they had from a  Design Your Own App assignment that originated in Mr. Rutter's class.  The girls would like to take this assignment one step further. They would like to hold an event, FaceTime Fun Time, where all KST students are invited to sign-up and play fun games through Zoom.  If you think your student(s) would be interested, please click on this invite for more information.  

May Your Holiday Be Happy and Bright 

- From the Staff at KST

Transition To Remote

THANK YOU!! 

Thank you to all teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, and caregivers that have supported the hybrid students' transition to remote learning.  Without all your support, we couldn't have made it happen.  As we continue to travel down this journey together we need to take deep breaths, reach out when we need support, and remain flexible as we are all trying to find the "right fit" for remote learning to best support our students and create an environment that maximizes learning.  If you have any questions, again please do not hesitate to reach out! Here are a few helpful reminders that I wanted to reshare.

Please Self-Certify Your Student(s) Each Day 

As Kaneland CUSD #302 transitions to full remote learning starting Monday, November 30, we will monitor internal metrics, as well as local and State metrics, in addition to the guidance and mandates from local and State agencies. 

We need your help to monitor our local positivity rates and close contacts to make decisions for a safe and timely transition back to the Hybrid A/B model.  Please see the following directions:

1. Students (Parents) Planning to return to Hybrid Learning in January:  Please use the student self-certification tool each day beginning November 30, 2020.  If a student either tests positive or is identified as a close contact with a person that tests positive for the coronavirus, please send an email to your school nurse letting them know.
2. All Staff:  Please continue to use the staff self-certification tool each day.  Also, be sure to notify the Director of Human Resources if you test positive or if you are identified as a close contact with a person that tests positive for the coronavirus.
3. Family Choice/Medical students should continue to sign in for attendance following their current protocols for this school year.

Exploratory Classes for Hybrid Students

If you were an A Day student your student(s) will attend LIVE Zoom sessions during their exploratory time on Mondays and Thursdays PLUS on Wednesday, December 9th.

If you are a B Day student your student(s) will attend LIVE Zoom sessions during their exploratory time on Tuesday and Fridays PLUS on Wednesday, December 2nd and 16th.

When it is NOT their LIVE Zoom day for exploratories, students should check their exploratories Canvas Page for application work.  

This information has been shared by the classroom teacher noting what exploratory they see on specific days.  If you are unable to locate your child's exploratory tile on their Canvas page, please refer to this document. 

KST Exploratory Canvas and Zoom Link Information

Technology Issues

Starting Monday, Nov. 30th there will be a help desk for students and parents in the KHMS Community room. 

Please enter door 20 to access the help desk.

It will be open Monday, Wednesday, Fridays 12-4pm and Tuesday, Thursday 7-11am.  

You can also use the Student Helpdesk for support or make an appointment at https://www.kaneland.org/r/student-helpdesk

Checking Out Library Books 

Please check out the Library tile on your child's Canvas page to check out books. Books can be picked up on Wednesdays between 9am-2pm that have been checked out. Students will check out books from the Destiny Program (that can be found on the Library Canvas page). It does not allow books to be put on hold that are currently available in the library.  A hold can only be put on a book that is currently checked out.

To work around this, I ask that the student or parent (not both) email me with the title(s) they would like to check out.  I do look at my email throughout the day and I will be as diligent as possible to get the title(s) pulled in a timely manner on a first come, first serve basis.

Please include:

• Title

• Author

• Student first and last name

• Student ID number

Students may have 2 books checked out at a time and on a weekly basis. If you have other library questions, please email Mrs. Kerry - 50107@Kaneland.org

Kaneland Cares Closet

Dear Kaneland Staff and Families,

Thank you to all who have donated to our Kaneland Care Closet. We have already begun to help out some families in our community due to your generosity!

Today is Giving Tuesday and it would be amazing if we could stock the closet even more to get us through this challenging winter and be able to help as many families as possible.

Items can be purchased through the Amazon Wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GCUF6LFHPBIV?ref_=wl_share   

OR you may purchase them on your own and drop off at any one of the schools and we'll get them to the closet at KST. (Even though the closet is at KST, families from ALL schools may use it and items will be brought to them.)

Items needed most right now are Hygiene: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, maxi pads, tampons, baby wipes, diapers, pull-ups

Pantry: macaroni and cheese, Hamburger Helper, canned tuna and chicken, canned ravioli/spaghettios, Capri Sun, tortillas, applesauce, peanut butter, jelly, Goldfish, oatmeal, mini cereal boxes, granola bars, Nutrigrain Bars, pasta, tomato sauce, tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, dish soap

Thank you!

November / December News

Due to the District's Closure, there will be limited access to the Main Office and will be open by appointment only.  Please email the following individual with building/office specific questions:

Samantha Aversa, Principal - 10017@Kaneland.org

Courtney Ward, Assistant Principal - 11515@Kaneland.org

Karen Gage, Principal Secretary - 38763@Kaneland.org

Debbie Johnson, Building Secretary - 10242@Kaneland.org

Kaneland CUSD Phase 4 Full Remote Plan

Remote Schedule for “Hybrid” and Fully Remote Students-

Students will have live zoom sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Wednesdays will be used for personalizing learning for students.  Students may engage in: 

• Virtual one on one feedback sessions

• Virtual small group sessions for reteaching

• Virtual small group sessions for enhancement

• Office hours with the teacher

• Independent learning application time 

Students with specific needs K-12 will be invited by their teacher or support staff member to attend small group virtual sessions on Wednesdays 

Student Schedules-

Student schedules will be sent by their teachers and will mirror the in-person days for their class schedules for the most part. There will be live instruction via Zoom that will be in a variety of formats. On Wednesdays students will be learning asynchronously, meaning they will have work to do through Canvas and may not have a live Zoom session with a teacher. Our teachers are using this day to personalize learning for students and will contact specific students for small group Zoom meetings among a variety of other learning options. If you have specific questions about your child's schedule, please reach out to their classroom teacher.

Exploratory Expectations-

During our remote learning classroom, teachers will be following a schedule much like the students had during their in-person school day, this schedule includes a specific exploratory class each day. Exploratory groups will continue to follow the rotating schedule and students will have interactions via Canvas or Zoom lessons for the day. The exploratory teachers will be in regular communication with classroom teachers and with the classes that they are seeing each day. On Wednesday students may be encouraged by their exploratory teacher to attend a small group Zoom session or could have work to do asynchronously through Canvas.

Attendance Procedures-

Attendance will be taken daily by teachers. Please call the attendance line if your student will be absent from remote learning. 

Student Announcements -

More information to come as we work out a schedule. I will reach out to families of students who have already expressed interest.

Lunch Pick up-

Free school lunches are available to all students. Students and/or parents may pick up school lunches on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School, Kaneland John Shields Elementary School, or Kaneland McDole Elementary School. Students will pick up lunches for multiple days on Mondays and Thursdays. Lunches will not be available the week of Thanksgiving or during winter break.

Dates Lunches are Available

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Monday, December 7, 2020

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Material Pick-Up Dates-

If teachers have supplies for your learning at home they will be bringing them to the office and we will have a pick-up time frame on Wednesdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Please look for communication from your teacher to know if you have materials to be picked up from the building. This will be our pick up date for all learners, even if you have been in the remote setting prior to our announcement of full remote. This would begin on December 2nd.

Internet Service Providers -

Our Technology Department has put together a comprehensive list of Internet Service Providers that are available in the Kaneland School District.  Please use these resources as needed, so that all students are able to successfully participate in remote learning.  Thank you!

 

Did Your Student Have COVID or was Quarantined Prior to Full Remote Learning -

If your student had COVID or was quarantined prior to full remote learning, and has since been released, please email the student’s release letter from the Kane County Health Department to your student’s school nurse.  A list of school nurses with their email addresses are below:

Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School - Ms. Modaff - 11600@kaneland.org

Kaneland Elementary Schools - Ms. Meuer - 10338@kaneland.org

Technology Issues -

Starting Monday, Nov. 30th there will be a help desk for students and parents in the KHMS Community room.  Please enter door 20 to access the help desk.

• It will be open Monday, Wednesday, Fridays 12-4pm and Tuesday, Thursday 7-11am.  

You can also use the Student Helpdesk for support or make an appointment at https://www.kaneland.org/r/student-helpdesk

Cares Closet -

We are starting a care closet for our community and looking for donations to get it up and running.  Please see the document for more information and how to donate.  What to learn more about the Cares Closet, Click HERE.

Amazon Wish List

Important Dates 

November 30th - All students begin remote learning

December 21st - January 3rd - Christmas Break / No School

Wishing families a safe and healthy holiday season from the staff at KST!  

November News

REMINDER: Parent/Teacher Conferences 

Wednesday, November 4th (4-8pm) and Thursday, November 5th (10am-8pm). All conferences will be held via Zoom or by Conference Call.  If you have not yet signed up for parent-teacher conferences please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible. You can choose to meet via Zoom or conference call. Please remember that the teachers only have a limited time and may need to end the Zoom or phone call to stay on schedule. Likewise, please be patient if your child’s teacher is a minute or two behind calling or hosting a Zoom call.

REMOTE TO HYBRID LEARNERS

If your child was a remote learner during the first trimester and you have selected that they become a hybrid learner second trimester, you will receive an email on Monday, November 2 informing you of school procedures and teacher information. During the week of November 2 - we will be using that time to roll students into their correct hybrid class on Tyler so we wanted to clear that up in case you get an email that says one thing and Tyler hasn't been updated, please know we are in the process.

We look forward to welcoming our new hybrid learners back to school on November 9!

Halloween at KST

KST Halloween A Day Students

KST Halloween B Day Students

Student Announcements 

We will begin student announcements on November 9th.  If your child is interested in recording an announcement, parents please fill out this form: Click Here for the Student Google Form and we will be in touch with the student and/or parent to provide them with a date and script. Thank you!

Prepaid Milk 

Just a reminder that it's time to order milk for the 2nd Semester. Milk purchased online at the Kaneland Webstore.  All Orders are Due Thursday, December 17th, 2020. No late orders will be accepted. 

Library News

Calling All 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Super Readers!!

Parking Lot Procedures - Reminders

As you drop off your child, please be aware and cautious of those parents who drop off their children near the yellow area to walk to the back doors.  If you choose to drop off at the yellow star area, please pull as close as possible to that side. Remain patient as students exit their vehicles.  Parents, please ensure that students exit their car on the RIGHT side. Our staff members continue to monitor the parking lot and communicate concerns as they arise. 

COVID Information and Reminders

Updated COVID Guidelines (10/21/2020) - Please CLICK HERE to view the chart. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Nurse - Ms. Modaff (630) 365-8170 ext 73103. 

We would like to remind families that if anyone in the household exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, please keep all students in that household home from school until a negative COVID-19 test is received or an alternative diagnosis is identified.  This will help to stop the spread of COVID-19 within the schools.

Dear Parents and Families,

Help build your student's classroom library!

Simply open the "Teacher Wish List" and find the tab for the grade you would like to look at. Then go to the Scholastic website to purchase.

John Stewart Scholastic Online Book Fair Homepage 

When your book arrives at your home just send it with your child to school.  Remote families can leave them on the blue LRC cart in the vestibule.  Please label which classroom it is for and who it is from.

Thanks for your support!!

Important Dates

Saturday, 10/31 - Scholastic Book Online Store: John Stewart Book Fair Homepage

Tuesday, 11/3 - No School 

Wednesday, 11/4 - Remote Students Asyconis Learning and Parent/Teacher Conferences 9 am-8 pm

                          - A Day Students attend school all day.  Parent/Teacher Conferences 4 - 8 pm

Thursday, 11/5 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 10 am - 8 pm

Friday, 11/6 - No School

Friday, 11/13 - Book Fair Ends

Sunday, 11/15 - Trick or Treat for UNICEF Ends - KST's UNICEF Virtual Donation Box

Wednesday, 11/18 - A Day Student Attend 

Monday, 11/23 - Friday, 11/27 Thanksgiving Break-No Student Attendance 

Mid-October News

Hello John Stewart Families -

Here are some friendly reminders mid-way through October!  Thank you to all those who participated in Spirit Week last week and shared pictures with us. We had a fun week celebrating! 

Halloween

We will still be allowing our students to dress for Halloween this year. Our A day students will come dressed in costume on Thursday, October 29 and B day students will come dressed in costume on Friday, October 30. We will not have any parent-planned parties or volunteers. Instead, teachers will celebrate with their students in class in a way that best fits the student's ages, curriculum, and classroom needs. We will share pictures of the day on our Facebook Page. There will not be a parade outside or throughout the school.

Parent/Teacher Conferences 

Hybrid Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Wednesday, November 4th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm and Thursday, November 5th from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm.

This year, there will be two options for conferences for Hybrid Families: (1) Zoom or (2) conference call. 

Conferences will be twenty minutes long. Sign-ups have already gone out, please look for an email from your child's classroom teacher to reserve your time slot and indicate your choice of the conference.

Remote Parent-Teacher Conferences  

Conferences can be held starting at Wednesday, November 4th from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm and Thursday, November 5th from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. This year, there will be two options for conferences for Remote Families: (1) Zoom or (2) conference call. 

EC-3rd Grade:  No live sessions will be held on Wednesday in order to provide more slots for parent/teacher conferences.  

4th and 5th Grade: No live sessions will be held on Wednesday in order to provide more slots for parent conferences.  4th and 5th-grade students will write a self-reflection on their progress that the Teacher will approve and send to Parents.  Families may use the reflection of progress in lieu of attending a scheduled conference time.  Each 4th and 5th-grade teacher will have 40 spots open for conferences.  Parents are asked to select only 1 of the 2 Teachers to conference with.  

Conferences will be twenty minutes long. Sign-ups have already gone out, please look for an email from your child's classroom teacher to reserve your time slot and indicate your choice of the conference.

Hybrid Application Day Reminders

Our expectation for students on application days (at home learning) is that they are completing 4-5 hours of learning. This will obviously look different from an in-school learning experience for a student but we wanted to help prioritize how the at-home learning time is spent and clarify what exploratory options our students have.  

 

The main priority of the learning day should be ELA and Math application assignments from the general education teachers.  Students should then look to spend some time working on any Science or Social Studies activities, these activities will likely be explorations and will not need to be brought back to school or handed in unless explicitly stated by the teacher. The next priority for learning would be to spend some time on Physical Education as this is an exploratory area that is required by the State of Illinois.  Finally, please spend time working in exploratory areas including Music, Art, Technology, and Critical Thinking.  The Exploratory teachers have worked hard to provide students access to many opportunities for learning through Canvas pages but some requirements for returning work could differ and most of the application day activities will be geared towards further standard exploration, this means teachers can review to see work is completed but feedback may not be given to students. Thank you for the help!

COVID Information - Masks

Here is some helpful information from the IDPH regarding mask care - 

Click here for the full document. 

 

How do I care for my mask?

It is a good idea to wash your mask or face covering at least daily. Place your used masks in a bag or bin away from small children or pets until they can be laundered with detergent and dried on a hot cycle. If you need to remove and reuse your mask before washing, consider putting it in a plastic or paper bag (not your backpack or purse) and be mindful not to put the mask where others can touch it or where the mask will contaminate other shared surfaces. Wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face. Paper-based masks, like surgical masks, should be discarded after each use.

SELF-CERTIFYING: Please continue to self-certify your child prior to 8am on their In-Person Learning Days. Ensuring that your child is certified helps to expedite their entrance into the building.

COVID Parent Link  - www.kaneland.org/covid       Student Link - www.kaneland.org/pass

Remote Families

Thank you to all those who have sent pictures of their Remote Student(s). Please feel to email a picture of your child to Mrs. Aversa 10017@kaneland.org.

Important Dates

Wednesday, 10/21 - A Day Students Attend

Wednesday, 10/28 - B Day Students Attend

Thursday, 10/29 - Halloween Celebration for A Day Students (Student Wear Costumes)

Friday, 10/30 - Halloween Celebrations for B Day Students (Student Wear Costumes)

Tuesday, 11/3 - No School (Election Day)

Wednesday, 11/4 - Parent Teacher Conference 4-8pm

Thursday, 11/5 - No Student Attendance/Parent-Teacher Conferences 10am-8pm

Friday, 11/6 - No School