December Newsletter

 Important December Dates:

Wednesday, December 4 Fun Lunch - McCallisters

Wednesday, December 4 Sterling & Me PTN Shop Night 4:00 -7:00

Friday, December 6 KHS Madrigal Assembly 1:30 - 2:00

Saturday, December 7 PTN Holiday Shop 10:00 - 2:00

Friday, December 13 1st Grade Holiday Concert 9:00 - 9:30

Friday, December 13 Storm Science Assembly 9:30 - 11:00

Tuesday, December 17 KST Spelling Bee 1:30 - 3:30

Wednesday, December 18 Fun Lunch - Culvers

Wednesday, December 18 KHMS Knightshift/Jazz Band Concert 10:00 - 10:30

Thursday, December 19 1Hr Early Dismissal
Thursday, December 19 PTN Mtg 6:00 - 7:00

Friday, December 20 1 Hr Early Dismissals
Friday, December 20 Holiday Parties Kinder: 10:30-11:20 / 1st - 5th Grade: 1:30 - 2:20

December 20 - January 5 WINTER BREAK
Monday, January 6 School Resumes

School Improvement Data Chats

On Thursday and Friday before the break, ALL classes participated in a mid-point data chat with Mrs. Aversa and Mrs. Sears (MTSS Coordinator). We discussed our mid-point data from the most recent SIP assessment and planned how much more we needed to grow to meet our school's goal, as well as, reviewed our Rigby (reading) and iReady Math & Reading scores to prepare for the upcoming Diagnostic 2. 

Students took time to review all grade level data in pie chart form.  They were asked, what do you notice? What do you wonder? What are some celebrations or areas for growth that you see?  Here is an image of our Data Board and a video from a 1st-grade chat and a 5th-grade chat.  It was so powerful hearing all the students able to talk about data and use that data to drive their learning and next steps.   What a celebration! Ask your students about it! 

  

iReady Testing

1st-3rd Grades- Week of 12/2

4th and 5th Grades- Week of 12/9

Students will take the Diagnostic 2. The data/information we get from this assessment is a data point that we use to know where the students are at and what skills still need to be worked on.  This is a long test but will be broken up into small portions throughout the week. 

How to Prepare and Support iReady Testing at Home: 

Get a good night's sleep

Eat a healthy breakfast

Bring a bottle of water for the day

Give Positive Affirmations and Support at Home

Charge Chromebook each night

Here are the supports we have shared with the students when they are taking the test: 

Winter Gear for Winter Weather  

Please know that all students will go outside for their daily lunchtime recess when the wind chill is above 5 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.**

        

Teacher Favorite Things List

As you prepare for the holiday season, here is a helpful list of your child's teacher's favorite things.  Thank you for all the love and kindness that you always show our teachers! 

CLICK HERE

Exploratory Feedback Needed

We need your feedback on Exploratory offerings, please take a moment to review the slide show and take the brief survey. Thank you!

Click HERE to review the Slide Show  

Click HERE to take the Survey

Spirit Week December 16 - 20

Author Visit 3rd-5th Grade

Children’s book author Yatiksha Rao to meet YOU on Monday, Feb 3rd 2025

Yatiksha Rao, from Sowtastic LLC, is one of the authors of Chasing Rainbows: Discovering Your Dreams, a heartwarming story that inspires children to embrace their goals, support one another, and find joy in their journey. During her visit, Yatiksha will read from her book, share the inspiration behind it, and lead an exciting interactive session that encourages kids to dream big and believe in themselves!

To order an autographed copy of the book in time for the visit and kickstart

New Year’s goals with your kids, please return this form by Wed, Dec 18th.

Books will arrive the first week of January after winter break.

Returning From Winter Break
As we return to school after an extended break- we understand that many students may be struggling with getting back into the school routine. They may be refusing to get on the bus or leave for school. Please know that we have a school social worker, school psychologist, and other staff here to help support you and your child each morning. If you are experiencing this at home, please call the office at 630-365-8170 for extra help!

November Newsletter

November Dates:

Friday, November 1 - Fire Drill 2-2:30
Tuesday, November 5 - No School - Election Day
Wednesday, November 6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
Thursday, November 7 - No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences 10am-8pm
Friday, November 8 - No School
Monday, November 11 - Butterbraid Fundraiser Ends
Monday, November 11 - 4th Grade Veteran's Day Concert 2:45-3:15pm
Wednesday, November 13 - Fun Lunch - Buona Beef
Friday, November 15 - Penny Wars Award Assembly 2:30-3:00pm

Monday, November 18 - Alice Drill 2pm

Thursday, November 21 - Maple Park Library Night 6-7pm

Friday, November 22 - 4th Grade Field Trip to the Escape Room 

Monday, November 25 - Friday, November 29th - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Teacher Favorite Things List

As you prepare for the holiday season, here is a helpful list of your child's teacher's favorite things.  Thank you for all the love and kindness that you always show our teachers! 

CLICK HERE

We’re excited to announce that this fall the Literati Book Fair will be in the library coinciding with Stewart’s Parent Teacher Conferences!

PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR HELPFUL TIPS AND INFORMATION

Wednesday and Thursday, November 6th & 7th

From 4pm-8pm on Wednesday and from 10am-8pm on Thursday

■ The fair will begin on Friday, October 25th and it will run through Thursday, November 7th. (Online shopping is available now through Friday, November 8th as well!)

■ You can visit Stewart’s Book Fair website at: Stewart Literati Fall Book Fair 2024

■ Student’s will be able to make purchases during designated school hours if they have a Literati Gift Card or bring funds to make purchases starting on Wednesday, October 30th through Wednesday, November 6th.

■ Every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly!

Alice Drill - Parent Information

On Monday, November 18, our school will participate in its first Lockdown drill of the school year. The drill will be coordinated with the Elburn Police Department and school personnel, including school mental health professionals. During this drill, teachers will lock their doors, turn off all lights, barricade their classroom doors, and move all individuals within the classroom out of eyesight from classroom doors. The drill will not include simulations that mimic an actual school shooting or active shooter event. Before the drill, teachers will review the procedures with their students to prepare them for what the drill will entail. Following the drill, teachers will debrief with their students. If you have any questions about the drill or wish to exempt your child from participating, please get in touch with Mr. Keith Tankersley, Assistant Principal, at 92967@kaneland.org.            Please read the following document for more information

John Stewart Elementary Veterans Day Celebration

On Monday, November 11th, 2024, Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School will be holding a Veterans Day celebration. Please have your child wear red, white, and/or blue clothes.

Veterans will be honored with a morning breakfast which will take place at 8:10 a.m. in the LRC. Our flag raising ceremony will immediately follow in the front of the school at 8:50.

We are inviting Legion members and KST parents or family members who are veterans to join us for both the breakfast and morning flag ceremony. We are hoping to have many veterans in attendance.

The 4th graders will also be presenting an afternoon choral concert that honors veterans in the gym at 2:45 p.m.

These annual events help teach our students about the importance of good citizenship. Please email Mary Kunstman, KST music teacher, at 10274@kaneland.org with any additional questions. We hope to see you there!

Parking Lot Reminders

• Please use the crosswalk when going from your parked vehicle to the school and back. 
• Use the crossing guard to cross the street.  
• Do not walk between the buses, use the sidewalk
• No cell phones
• Stay in your car unless you are parked in a parking spot
• No Left Turns into the Lot
• Do not use the Main Lot between 8:30-8:50 or 3:00-3:30 or when busses are present
• Use Turn Signals

THANK YOU!! 

Dressing for the Weather

Just a friendly reminder to please check the weather before sending your kiddos to school. We have been having warm days and then really cold days.  Please overpack or over-dress your child so they have layers to use during the day.  Also, please LABEL their clothes just in case they misplace an item.  Our Lost & Found has accumulated a lot of clothes. During Parent-Teacher Conferences please take some time to look at the lost items.