Welcome Mrs. Salto - Assistant Principal
Dear John Stewart Families,
I wanted to introduce myself as the Assistant Principal of John Stewart and John Shields for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Last year I was the Assistant Principal at John Shields and McDole Elementary schools. I am excited about the opportunity to get to know, learn from, and support staff, students, families, and the John Stewart community this year.
Feel free to click here to watch this video to learn more about me both personally and professionally.
Thank you,
Kara Salto
Feel free to click here to watch this video to learn more about me both personally and professionally.
Thank you,
Kara Salto
Important Dates
Thursday, August 10th - Kindergarten Supply Drop Off and Curriculum Night 4-5:30pm
Friday, August 11th - PTN Sponsored Ice Cream Social from 5-7pm (All Grades Welcome)
Monday, August 14th - 1st Grade thru 5th Grade Supply Drop Off and Curriculum Night 4-6pm
Wednesday, August 16th - First Day of School!! 8:40 Start Time
2023-2024 John Stewart Elementary Staff
Bell Schedule
Bus students will enter as the busses arrive (approximately 8:40) and will wait at their assigned door until the bell rings.
If walkers and drop-off students arrive at school before 8:40 they will wait outside their assigned door until a teacher comes to walk them in at the 8:40 bell.
Students should not arrive before 8:30 due to no supervision.
Door 1: K & 3rd
Door 2: 1st & 2nd
Door 12: 4th & 5th
Students will be able to wait inside on days when the windchill Is 5 degrees or colder. If it is raining we will bring them in at 8:35am.
FIRST BELL 8:40 A.M.
TARDY BELL 8:50 A.M. - Parents/Guardians must bring their student(s) to the front office to check in if they are tardy
AM Kindergarten Dismissal: 11:30 A.M.
Student Dismissal
3:25 p.m. - Walkers & Pick-Ups
3:30 p.m. - Bussers
LUNCH/RECESS MONITORS WANTED!
LUNCH/RECESS MONITORS WANTED!
Do children's laughs and smiles make your heart happy? Do you enjoy spending time with elementary students? Do you have late morning/early afternoon availability (2.75 hours per day)? If so, please consider reaching out to Mrs. Salto about our lunch/recess monitor vacancies. We'd love the opportunity to learn more about you and share more about these positions. Please contact her at 65928@kaneland.org or via phone at (630) 365-8170 extension 73105 or complete an online application via the link below.
PS - We are also still looking for Substitute teachers for the year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to learn about our flexible scheduling and building opportunities! Kaneland Employment Online Application
School Calendar
Please click HERE to view the 2023-24 Kaneland School Calendar
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 will be August 18th. If you elect to pay for the entire school year, the fee is $42.00-1st sem., $42.00-2nd sem., Or $84.00-year
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.
Immunization and Health Records
We would encourage all incoming kindergarten students to have immunization records, health forms, dental forms, and eye exams submitted by the first day of school, August 16.
We would also encourage all incoming 2nd-grade students to have an updated dental form submitted by the first day of school.
PS - We are also still looking for Substitute teachers for the year! Please don't hesitate to reach out to learn about our flexible scheduling and building opportunities! Kaneland Employment Online Application
School Calendar
Please click HERE to view the 2023-24 Kaneland School Calendar
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 will be August 18th. If you elect to pay for the entire school year, the fee is $42.00-1st sem., $42.00-2nd sem., Or $84.00-year
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.
Immunization and Health Records
We would encourage all incoming kindergarten students to have immunization records, health forms, dental forms, and eye exams submitted by the first day of school, August 16.
We would also encourage all incoming 2nd-grade students to have an updated dental form submitted by the first day of school.
Bus Routes, Alternate Transportation, & Class Assignments
As you start school, your child's information for who their teacher is, what bus they ride and report card will go through a system Infinite Campus.
All students who are eligible to take the bus will automatically be routed to one. If your child uses alternate transportation or needs to be picked up or dropped off at another location other than your house on a regular basis, please complete THIS FORM. It is required to be completed each year.
As a reminder, for families with a Kindergarten and/or First-grade student, a parent or adult must be at the bus stop to pick their child up at the end of the day unless they have an older sibling riding with them.
As you start school, your child's information for who their teacher is, what bus they ride and report card will go through a system Infinite Campus.
All students who are eligible to take the bus will automatically be routed to one. If your child uses alternate transportation or needs to be picked up or dropped off at another location other than your house on a regular basis, please complete THIS FORM. It is required to be completed each year.
As a reminder, for families with a Kindergarten and/or First-grade student, a parent or adult must be at the bus stop to pick their child up at the end of the day unless they have an older sibling riding with them.
Class assignments will be shared through Infinite Campus on Friday, August 4th.
EC-5th grade Supply List Information
Here is a link to the school supply lists. Please bring the supplies with you to your child's scheduled curriculum night - Kindergarten, August 10th / 1st grade - 5th grade, August 14th. If you can't make it to curriculum night, your student can bring their supplies on the first day of school, no problem! We will have extra staff members outside to help!
Parent Zone For Waving
In the past, parents liked to walk their students to the main entrance of the building to send them off for the day. In order to maintain the safety of our students and staff, we are asking parents not to walk up to the entrance with their children. Please stop at the sidewalk and say your goodbyes there. Think of it like the “kiss and ride or fly zones” you would see at train stations and airports.
Parking Lot Procedure
All parents dropping off or picking up their child(ren) should use the West parking lot only. The main lot is reserved for buses during arrival and dismissal times. No cars should enter the main lot during arrival and dismissal. Please Click Here for a Map. When in the parent drop-off line please have students only exit the car on the right side by the sidewalk. Parents, please remain in your car. If you need to get out for any reason, please find a parking spot to assist your child(ren). The traffic should continue to move along.
We kindly ask for your patience and compassion toward the staff members working to keep our parking lot safe for everyone during student arrival and dismissal. We recognize pulling all the way forward or waiting a few moments to pull away after picking up your child is not always convenient, but these simple actions support the greater goal of student safety. Please remember, the professional training and experience of the staff on "parking lot duty" is in the education field, not traffic control. They do their best each day and greatly appreciate positive feedback and demonstrations of grace. The hecticness of the parking lot during student arrival and dismissal is a perfect place to model kindness for our children.
Chromebook Insurance for Students in Grades 2-12
Every year we allow parents to purchase insurance for their child's Chromebook. The insurance is good for one year and only costs $25. Parents can purchase the insurance now through August 31st with this link - https://gpo.worthavegroup.com/gpo/kaneland/.
Ways to Stay Connected
Infinite Campus - This program will allow you to check your child's teacher, bus information, home information, emergency contacts, etc.
Canvas - This program will allow you to check on your child's academic work and communication from the teacher. The teacher will provide you with an email or document on how to get registered for their specific class. This resource will help parents navigate through Canvas - Canvas Information.
Facebook & Twitter - We will post pictures, videos, and helpful reminders.
Kaneland.org - Stay up to date with what's going on in Kaneland through the main website.
StewartPTN@gmail.com - If you have PTN questions or want to sign up for their emails, please contact stewartptn@gmail.com. Look for the meeting dates on the school's calendar at KST.Kaneland.org
Back-to-School Anxiety
What is Back to School Anxiety?
Beginning school again after a long break can cause nervousness in all students. Students of all ages can worry about their new classrooms if they will make friends, the demands of school, or being away from their parents or home environment.
Symptoms of Anxiety:
Children who are anxious about the start of the school year may have emotional and/or physical symptoms of anxiety such as sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal problems, isolation from family or friends, avoidance of normal activities, feeling weak, tired, or restless, trouble concentrating, and having an increased heart rate.
How to Help Your Child with Back-to-School Anxiety:
Listen, Validate Feelings, and Be Empathetic - If your child opens up and is honest with you about their anxiety, listen to them and validate their feelings. Ensure your child knows it is okay to feel anxious and that you are there to help them through their feelings. Help your child determine what they are worrying about then coach your child to help them problem solve how to help work through their fears or concerns.
Self-Care - Establish self-care routines or strategies with your child. Teaching your child self-care strategies can help them with remembering to check in with their thoughts and feelings when they are becoming overwhelmed with anxiety.
School Year Routines - Create back-to-school routines and practice them before the school year starts. Practice waking up, getting dressed and ready, eating breakfast, then leaving the house. Resume your school year bedtime routines a week or two before school starts. Have a playdate with a familiar peer who attends your child’s school.
Role Play Feared Scenarios - Role-play the scenarios that your child is concerned about. Take turns in the role of your child and whoever else is in your child’s fear (a “mean” teacher, a hard activity, an uncomfortable social situation, etc.). Your responses will help your child learn how to deal with the situation in an appropriate way. Role-playing can also help your child learn how to respond with less anxiety about the situation. Visit the school to rehearse drop-off and pick-up routines or spend time playing on the playground.
Be Supportive and Reinforce Successes - Be supportive of your child’s anxieties about the new school year but continue to get them to school. Allowing your child to stay home from school because of their anxiety will only reinforce their fears. Reinforce the successes that your child does have. Acknowledge their bravery in facing their fears.
BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE
“The Sugar Grove Park District CARE program provides a safe, supervised environment where children can socialize, play, or do homework before and after school, including sports, arts and crafts, games, reading, storytelling, music, videos and study time. This program is for children entering Kindergarten – 5th grades at all four Kaneland Elementary Schools. Enroll Now!”
https://www.sgparks.org/care-program/
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
