March
Wednesday, March 5 Fun Lunch - Culvers
5 Essentials Survey
Dear Stewart Families,
We are excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair is once again coming to Stewart this spring and will be open for business during Stewart’s Open House on Thursday, March 27th and in school; Monday, March 17th to Thursday, March 27th. Your child has an opportunity to choose books that empower and inspire them to become bolder, prouder, and stronger readers! As always, every book they buy earns rewards and benefits for our school!
Here is what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place in our centrally located LRC library . . .
All students will have an opportunity to preview books and make their “Wish List” the week of March 17th – 21st.
Our Book Fair will continue to offer the eWallet- which allows you to set up a digital payment account for your child. This is the best way to avoid those long lines on open house night! Share your child’s “eWallet” so friends and family can add funds giving your child even more books to enjoy! Any unused funds can be spent at the Scholastic Store Online or to fund a future eWallet. Scholastic Gift Certificates from the Spring Book Fair can be transferred to your child's new eWallet next year.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Of course, your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
We need your help in reinforcing our school’s values of respect, kindness, and support. Recently, we have noticed an increase in unkind behaviors across the school, including students calling peers names related to their size, hair color, intelligence, or something related specifically to that individual student. At school, we are actively addressing these behaviors through individual conversations, Second Step SEL lessons, and Restorative Conversations. However, creating a truly respectful community takes all of us.
Please take some time to talk with your child about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. Your support in reinforcing these expectations at home makes a big difference. We all deserve to be in a school environment that is supportive, caring, and safe. Thank you for your partnership in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all our students!
Join Us for Our John Stewart Elementary Open House!
Mark your calendars! We invite you to our Open House on Thursday, March 27th, from 5:00–7:00 PM for a fun and engaging evening with your family.
Come explore your child’s classroom, visit their exploratory classes, and celebrate their hard work on display. While you’re here, don’t miss the Scholastic Book Fair, our Silent Auction baskets and items, and the chance to grab some Spiritwear! Third Grade Families can also enjoy their child's music concert in the gym from 5:15-5:45 PM.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers, staff, and other families while enjoying a night of school spirit and fun. We can’t wait to see you there!
From April 9–16, our 3rd–5th grade students will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). This important assessment helps measure student progress in English Language Arts, Math, and Science for 5th-grade students. To help your child feel confident and ready, we encourage the following:
We appreciate your support in helping our students feel prepared and confident. If you could avoid scheduling appointments during these dates, it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you for your partnership!
School Improvement Update: Strengthening Written Responses
This year we are dedicated to helping students improve their ability to respond to texts with clear answers, supporting evidence, and thoughtful reasoning. Our goal was for all K-5 students to achieve a 50% increase or reach 85% proficiency by February 2025—and thanks to the hard work of our students and teachers, we have seen significant progress!
Key Growth Highlights:
📚 Kindergarten improved from 1% to 73% in answering prompts (72% growth!)
📚 1st Grade exceeded the 85% goal early (42% to 97%) and is now focusing on finding evidence in texts, growing from 0% to 71%
📚 2nd & 3rd Grade made strong improvements in using text evidence, reaching 46% and 59% growth from their pre-data.
📚 4th & 5th Grade built reasoning and text connections, progressing to 64% and 55% growth from their pre-data. This specific skill requires higher-level thinking and we are SO PROUD of their progress!
Because of this success, we will continue this goal through May 2025, aiming for a 60% increase or 85% proficiency. Thank you for your ongoing support at home—your encouragement helps our students develop strong reading and writing skills for lifelong success!
Based on the Evaluation Criteria, our school received an EXCELLENT Rating!
