September News

Principal's Message~ 
With the school year well underway, students have participated in fall expectation walks, completed benchmark assessments and are becoming more familiar with their daily routines and procedures. These initial weeks of school are dedicated to building positive relationships with teachers and peers. All students have been participating in daily social-emotional learning lessons led by their homeroom teacher, along with an additional adult staff member from either our Exploratory, Response to Intervention or Special Education teams. Our  School Social Worker and School Psychologist have also led specific lessons based on the STOP-WALK-TALK strategy designed to promote self-advocacy in situations where students feed bullied, annoyed or offended.  

Our desire to build strong, trusting and positive relationships extends to the families of our students as well. Every adult in the school chooses to be here each day. Every adult at KST cares deeply about your child(ren) and his/her success. We encourage positive dialogue, open communication and productive problem-solving throughout the year. It is the combined efforts of teachers and parents that yields the greatest academic and social-emotional growth. 

I look forward to the year ahead and the wonderful memories we're sure to make!
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                  ~Laura Garland, Principal
                                                                              


Important Dates

• September 2nd, No School, Labor Day
• September 3rd, PTN Charleston Fundraiser Begins
• September 4th, Tornado Drill
• September 6th, Practice Fire Drill (no fire department participation)
• September 9th, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Harter Middle School
• September 11th, Fun Lunch
• September 11th, 5th-Grade Outdoor Education
• September 16th, PTN Charleston Fundraiser Ends
• September 17th, First PTN Meeting, 6:30pm at John Stewart
• September 20th, PTN Run for Fund
• September 24th, Fire Drill with Fire Department
• September 25th, Fun Lunch
• September 27th, 5th-Grade Outdoor Education
• September 30th, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Harter Middle School

Visitors

When visiting John Stewart during school hours, ring the bell located to the right of the main doors to gain entrance. Once inside the office, you will be asked for your driver's license, which will be scanned through our RaptorWear system. You will be provided with a visitor badge that must be worn while in the building. Even if you have been entered into our system in previous years, we will need to re-scan your license this year. Please remember to bring your driver's license when visiting school!!

**If you bring your child to school after 8:50am, be sure to walk him/her into the building. The exterior doors will automatically lock at 8:50am and visitors will need to ring the bell to gain entry.  Young children may be unaware of how to access the building if they are sent in alone after 8:50am. Parents are also required to sign their student in at the main office if they arrive after 8:50am. 

Recess Reminders

• A variety of outdoor games and equipment is provided for students. Please do not bring additional items from home.
• Completing twists and flips on the bars is a popular recess activity. Parents may want to consider having girls wear shorts under skirts and dresses. 
• Open-toes shoes are prohibited at recess
• Stop-Walk-Talk is emphasized as a way to manage peer relationships. If your child is reporting difficulty with a peer, remind him/her to ask the peer to stop, walk away, and if necessary talk to a monitor. Please reiterate the Stop-Walk-Talk language at home as a way for your child to advocate for his/her own needs and as a way to be aware of the needs of others. 

Transportation Reminders

• Be sure to send a note to school with your child detailing any changes to his/her normal transportation routine.
• If your child is going home with a friend, a note is required from both families.
• A parent or other adult must meet kindergarteners at their bus stop. 

i-Ready Testing
i‑Ready is an online learning program which connects rich assessment data to personalized digital learning and powerful classroom instruction. With i‑Ready, teachers can sharpen their insight into student needs with actionable data and access rigorous, yet engaging instruction to help each student succeed. Students in grades 2-5 will complete their diagnostic testing in reading and math between Tuesday, 9/3- Friday, 9/6.

As with any testing, please make sure your child receives:

• a good night's sleep
• a healthy, nutritious breakfast
• arrives at school on time

Pay it Forward~ Kaneland Community Read

https://kanelandpayitforward.blogspot.com/ 

This blog is dedicated to a community-wide sharing of the book Pay It Forward.  Throughout the school year, Kaneland Staff from across the district will be posting videos and updates on this blog sharing their thoughts, ideas, connections to the community. Families are also encouraged to also post comments and videos sharing the impact of the book and how they have chosen to Pay It Forward. To begin your family's journey, start by reading pages 1-26 and watch our first video.  We are excited to work together on our community read! 

Preschool Screening

Kaneland School District will hold the first of four annual Early Childhood Developmental Screeners in September. This event is fast approaching on September 13th, 2019. This process is free to all Kaneland community members and will allow parents to better understand their child's global development from ages infant-preschool. 

These screeners are set up by appointment only and take place at the Early Childhood Center for Kaneland students located in Blackberry Creek Elementary School. The team will include a preschool teacher, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist and physical therapist.

Both morning and afternoon appointments are available. If a family is interested in scheduling a screening or has additional questions, please call 630-365-4118. All families are required to provide proof of residency and a valid ID at the time of the screening.

Preschool Screening Information

Welcome Back!

Principal's Message~ 

We are eagerly anticipating the return of energy, laughter and excitement to our building. It gets pretty quiet around here without students and staff. While the custodial and maintenance crews are wonderful, there is nothing like the sound of enthusiastic students and staff filling the halls! 

We have been working hard throughout the short summer to prepare for the upcoming year. As you'll see below, we have been interviewing extensively and are thrilled with the results. We have hired some top-notch staff members who can't wait to meet you! The KST faculty as a whole is a hard-working dedicated group of professionals committed to providing our students with a quality education. They have spent the last several weeks preparing learning environments, collaborating on curriculum and instructional strategies and engaging in planning to ensure the first days of school are as perfect as possible. The excitement and promise of a new year is upon us! 

A few upcoming community events that you will want to be aware of are the K-5 Curriculum Night/ Supply Drop-Off and the first-ever Taste of Kaneland. Additional information can be found by clicking on each link.  

Please keep the lines of communication open throughout the school year. Your interest and support show your child that their education is important. As a staff, we are here to celebrate, problem-solve, discuss, listen and reflect alongside you and your child. As parents, you are key team members in building a memorable and meaningful school year. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and respected. 

We look forward to seeing everyone soon~

Laura Garland

Welcome New Staff

We are pleased to welcome the following new staff members to Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School: 

Mrs. Tracy Read, Half-Day Kindergarten (PM) Teacher

Ms. Paige Nachreiner, 1st-Grade Teacher 

Mrs. Kaitlyn ImHof, 2nd-Grade Teacher

Mrs. Stacie Salzman, 4th-Grade ELA Teacher

Mr. Dan Rutter, 4th/5th-Grade STEM Teacher

Mrs. Taylor Knoepke, Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Kathryn Gabrielson, Social Worker

Mrs. Rachel Walker, Instructional Coach

Mrs. Kathy Kerry, Library Resource Center Assistant 

While not new to John Stewart, Mrs. Natalie Smith will take on a new role this year, moving from 1st-grade teacher to instructional coach. Mrs. Lori Doll will be moving from 4th-grade ELA to Extended Day Kindergarten and Mrs. Liz Orman will be moving from 2nd-grade to 1st grade.

K-5 Teams

Kindergarten: Mrs. Druwe (EDK), Mrs. Doll (EDK), Mrs. Tracy Read (PM)

1st Grade: Mrs. Liz Orman, Ms. Paige Nachreiner, Mrs. Karen Weigt

2nd Grade: Mrs. Kristi Purnell, Mrs. Ashley Sterkel, Mrs. Kaitlyn ImHof

3rd Grade: Mr. John Ahearn, Mrs. Teri Hartkopp, Ms. Chris Zollers

4th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Terra Pyfer, Ms. Kellee Conquest, Mrs. Stacie Salzman

5th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Sharon Dillon, Mr. Rob Williams, Mr. Dan Rutter

Crossing Guard Needed

We are in great need of a crossing guard for the upcoming school year. We can also always use substitute recess and lunch monitors. If you or anyone you know is interested in either position, please contact me at 10166@kaneland.org

Important Dates

• August 12th, 4:00-6:00 pm, K-5 Curriculum Night
• August 14th, First Day of School
• August 25th Taste of Kaneland
• August 26th, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Harter Middle School
• August 29th, Fall Picture Day
• September 2nd, No School, Labor Day
• September 3rd, PTN Charleston Fundraiser Begins
• September 9th, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Harter Middle School
• September 11th, Fun Lunch
• September 12th and 13th, 5th-Grade Outdoor Education
• September 16th, PTN Charleston Fundraiser Ends
• September 17th, First PTN Meeting, 6:30pm at John Stewart
• September 20th, PTN Run for Fund
• September 25th, Fun Lunch
• September 30th, Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Harter Middle School

First Day of School Information

• August 14, 2019!
• This is a full day of attendance
• Busses typically run a bit late, as routes and routines are established
• Kindergarten and 1st-grade teachers will meet their students outside by the flagpole. They will be holding color-coded signs, with their name of them. The color of your child's transportation tag (you will receive this at Curriculum Night/Supply Drop-Off on 8/12) will align with the color of the teacher's sign. 
• 2nd-5th-grade students will line up at their designated door (see below). Their teachers will greet students in their classrooms. 
• There will be extra staff on hand during the first few days of arrival and dismissal to assist students. 

Student Entrance/Dismissal
To ease congestion and increase safety, students enter and exit our building through various doors, assigned by grade level. The assignments are the same as last year. 

• Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Door #1/Front Main Entrance
• 2nd/4th Grade: Door #2 / Front of building/ east end of the building
• 3rd/5th Grade: Door #12 /Front of building/ west end of the building

Parking Lot Procedures
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. 

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. 


Parent-Teacher Network (KST-PTN)
The KST PTN is a wonderful group of dedicated parents, administrators, students and  teachers, working to enhance the educational environment by fostering a sense of support, pride, and enthusiasm through cooperative efforts. All parents and staff are automatically members.; no need to officially join :) The KST-PTN meets monthly and welcomes all teachers and parents to attend, share ideas and hear about what is being planned for the upcoming school year. Mark your calendar for our first meeting on September 17th.

Virtual Backpack

Be sure to check this wonderful resource for school, district and community information, as well as extra-curricular opportunities for students. Paper flyers are not sent home via student backpacks, so it is crucial to check the Virtual Backpack regularly. The backpack can be accessed via our school or district website, by clicking the link at the top of this page, or by clicking here

Student Handbook

Be sure to review the Kaneland Elementary Student Handbook for the most updated policies and procedures related to the elementary level. Handbook information includes topics such as student attendance, birthday celebrations, recess/lunch guidelines, among many others. The handbook can be accessed via the school or district website, by clicking the link at the top of this page, or by clicking here

Supply Lists

Supply lists can be accessed via our school or district website or by clicking here.

School Start and End Times

School begins at 8:50 am. Students arriving after 8:50 am are considered tardy and will need to stop in the office for a tardy slip. Doors open for students at 8:40 am and supervision of students waiting to enter school, begins at 8:35am. Please be sure to sign your student into school, in the main office, if he/she is arriving after 8:50am.

At the end of the day, walkers are dismissed at 3:25 pm and bus riders are dismissed at 3:30pm

1:1 Technology - Grades 4 and 5

The complete 1:1 handbook can be found HERE. Pages 14-16 need to be completed and returned to the school office before your student can bring his/her device home. 

2019-20 Grade Level Musical Performances

Given that several of our grade level musical performances take place during the school day, we understand it may require some additional planning on the part of families to attend. Therefore, we wanted to share the dates with you as early as possible. Please see each grade level's 2019-20 performance dates.

Kindergarten- February 7, 2020, at 2:45 pm
1st-Grade- December 13, 2019, at 2:45 pm
2nd-Grade- May 8, 2020, at 2:45 pm
3rd-Grade- April 16, 2020at 5:30 pm (just prior to Open House, which is from 6-8pm)
4th-Grade- May 1,2020 at 2:45 pm
5th-Grade- District-wide 5th-Grade Choral Festival April 14, 2020, at 
                      Kaneland High School at 7:00pm. 

2019-20 Holiday Parties
At Kaneland John Stewart, we celebrate Halloween, Winter, and Valentine's Day with classroom parties. Parent volunteers and the PTN do an amazing job planning fun celebrations within each classroom. 

This year our celebrations will take place on the following dates:
Halloween Party~  Thursday, October 31st at 2:30 pm- Costume Parade at 3:00 pm
Winter Party~Friday, December 20th at 1:30 pm (This is a 1-hour early dismissal day)
Valentine's Party ~ Thursday, February 13th at 9:30 am (There is no school on 2/14)

We are experimenting with the time for the Valentine's Day party this year, having it in the morning, rather than the afternoon. We are curious to see if morning party time alleviates the parking and traffic congestion that is typical with end of the day parties. We'll see how it goes!

End of the Year Information

Principal's Message~ 
In raising children, we often hear "the days are long, but the years are short". The is very applicable to education. We find ourselves, yet again, at the end of a school year that has just flown by! This year has been full of celebrations including several staff members receiving grant funding to purchase flexible seating, web-based instructional tools, and a Lego Wall, students demonstrating leadership and self-advocacy skills, the incorporation of weekly social-emotional learning lessons for all students, the approval of 1-1 technology at the 4th-12th-grade levels, the incorporation of customized learning pathways and a continuum of learning in math at the 1st-3rd grade levels, surviving a full instructional day with no power, a multitude of fun-filled PTN events, and recognizing our own Mrs. Purnell as Kane County's Elementary Educator of the Year! The planning for next year has already begun. We are sure to find ourselves in this same spot one year from now, surprised at how fast time flies and celebrating the accomplishments of our students and staff. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and fun summer! 
                                                                                                                       ~Laura Garland
                                                                                                                        Principal


Important Dates 
May 21st- McCare Night 5-8pm
May 27th- Memorial Day Holiday- No School
June 4th- One Hour Early Dismissal
June 5th- Last Day of School
                 - Field Day
                 - Free Fun Lunch
                 - One Hour Early Dismissal
                 - 5th Grade Clap-Out

Field Day
Field Day will be held on the last day of school, Wednesday, June 5th. Please remember that this is a 1 hour early dismissal day, with students being dismissed at 2:30pm. Please be sure to send your student dressed for the weather, including wearing shoes with a back, and with a water bottle. Sunscreen should be applied at home as staff may not apply sunscreen to students. 

Free Fun Lunch- DEADLINE to order is TOMORROW, May 21st!!
Thank you to the John Stewart PTN for providing a free Hot Dog Fun Lunch for all 1st-5th and Extended Day Kindergarten students. The lunch will be provided on the last day of school during Field Day. To have your child receive the lunch, a parent or guardian MUST give permission by registering HERE.

Clap-Out
Our annual 5th Grade Clap Out will take place on the last day of school, Wednesday, June 5th, at 2:15pm. Students in grades k-4 will line the hallways, cheering and clapping, as our 5th graders parade through the halls for the last time. The 5th-grade parade will continue outside, along the front sidewalk. All parents are welcome to line the walkway outside and continue the cheering and clapping. Parents of 5th graders may want to bring a tissue!  

Thanks to Midwest Ground Cover and the Cub Scouts
If you have enjoyed the addition of the beautiful flowers at our front entrance, be sure to thank Midwest Ground Cover for their generous donation. They provided all the plants, fresh soil and some very helpful plant knowledge!  An additional thanks to Mrs. Bagnasco and her Cub Scout troop for their grounds beautification efforts! 

Happy Retirement 
The end of the school year will find Mrs. Palpant, Mrs. Straughn and Mrs. Smykowski heading into retirement. Each of these women has made significant contributions to our school community and will be missed. We wish them the best in their next chapter. 

Taste of Kaneland
Save the Date~ The first Taste of Kaneland event will be held on August 25, 2019 from 3:00-7:00 pm at Kaneland High School. The celebration will include food, games and student performances. A flyer for the event can be found HERE.

April News

Principal's Message~ 
Welcome Back! In talking with students today, it was great to hear of all the adventures that took place last week. Camping trips, road trips, the first time in an airplane, watching turtles hatch on the beach...the stories have been amazing! I imagine the memories will last a lifetime. The students were definitely less impressed to hear about my exciting week of mid-day Costco trips and folding laundry! 

As we move into April, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our Open House and showcasing the learning taking place throughout the building. We are also beginning to plan for next school year. If you have not already registered an incoming kindergartener, please contact the school office at 630-365-8170. We are hoping to get as accurate of a student count as possible to help determine the number of kindergarten sections we will run. 

I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy the nicer weather that is supposed to be right around the corner! Please remember the afternoons can still be chilly. Students do go outside daily for 20 minutes of recess, so please be sure your child is dressed for the weather. 

I look forward to seeing everyone on the 11th!
                                                                                                                       ~Laura Garland
                                                                                                                        Principal

Important Dates & Information
April 3rd- Fun Lunch-Paisanos
April 5th- Daddy Daughter Dance 6-8pm
April 7th- Kaneland Arts Initiative Festival at Kaneland High School
April 11th- 3rd Grade Performance 5:30pm
April 11th- Open House 6pm
April 15th- 5th Grade Choral Festival at Kaneland High School 7pm
April 16th- PTN Meeting 6:30pm
April 17th- Fun Lunch- Ambrogi's
April 19th- No School
April 23rd- Erin's Law Parent Presentation at Harter Middle School 7pm
April 24th- Secretary and Monitor Appreciation Day
April 26th- PTN Mother/Son Event
April 30th- One to One Technology Parent Meeting at Harter Middle School 6:30pm


Open House

Please Join Us Thursday, April 11, 2019

From 6:00 - 8pm

During this evening, bring your family and let your student(s) lead you through the school. They will showcase

• Learner Profiles - how they self-reflect on how they learn best
• I Can Statements - targets of learning in the various content areas
• Learning Environment - Then vs. Now - school has changed a great deal since we were kids...see the school day through your child's eyes

Don't forget about our Book Fair - it is a great and easy way to support our library by purchasing books from our book fair.

3rd Grade Performance 

Please join us in the Gym at 5:30 pm on Thursday, April 11th, 2019, just prior to Open House for a special concert by our 3rd graders!

*Please have your 3rd grader in the multi-purpose room at 5:15 PM.  Please be sure to arrive on time, so that your child may participate.  Students will check-in with their teacher and line up in concert order.  Parents will proceed to the gym to find their seats. Our 3rd-grade classrooms will be closed at this time.

*The concert begins promptly at 5:30 PM.  

* Please be sure your child is dressed nicely for the concert, but nothing too fancy. (It helps to make the pictures and video extra special.)   Please, No hats!  

  

*Immediately following the concert, the 3rd-grade teachers will walk their students back to the classroom & parents will follow AFTER all 3rd-grade students have exited the concert.  This will ensure a safe dismissal.

*All third-grade classrooms will close at 7:15 PM, so be sure to visit your third grader's classroom first before going to other siblings’ classrooms.

Yearbook
If you would like to place your order directly through the school please complete
this form and return it to the main office NO later than April 10th, 2019. Yearbook Order Form
Any order forms received after April 10th, 2017 will not be processed and will be returned to your student. You will still be able to order a yearbook online using the website any time after April 10th, however, you will be charged an $8.99 shipping fee for direct shipping to your house. All yearbook orders received by April 10th will be distributed at school in May.

Now Hiring
Kaneland school district is looking to add nurses to our sub-pool. If you would be interested in serving as a substitute nurse in one of our schools, please click this link to fill out the online application for substitute nurse.  Thank you for your consideration!

Illinois Science Assessment

All fifth- and eighth-graders and some high school students will begin taking the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) March 1. 5th-grade students at Kaneland John Stewart will take this assessment on April 4, 2019. The ISA aligns with our new Illinois Learning Standards in science. This assessment helps families understand how well students are performing academically and see whether they are on track to succeed in college. The ISA represents Illinois’ commitment to preparing all students for college and careers, including in the high-demand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The assessment also satisfies federal accountability requirements.

The ISA is designed to reflect classroom experiences. Many students who took the assessment last year said the ISA seemed more like an instruction than a test. Students do not simply select an answer and fill in the bubble of a multiple-choice test. Rather, the ISA pushes students to apply their knowledge when they give answers, thus better preparing them for higher education and a career. All students deserve the opportunity to demonstrate what they know; they get to see how knowledge is applied to real-life situations.

The ISA is an hour-long summative assessment. The results provide administrators with important data to help them make broad curriculum decisions at the school and district levels. But classroom educators will not use the results to make teaching adjustments year-to-year for individual students.

We encourage you to talk with your children about the importance of doing their best on the ISA while communicating that the assessment yields only one piece of information about them and their school’s progress. Students’ attendance, classroom work, homework, projects, performance on local tests, participation in sports and extracurricular activities, and contributions to the school’s climate and culture all help them grow and learn.

We all work together to ensure Illinois students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. Thank you for your role in developing lifelong learners and successful citizens.

Erin's Law
“Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented

child sexual abuse program. A parent meeting regarding Erin's Law presentations for 1st and 4th grade families will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd  at Harter Middle School at 7pm. Additional Information regarding how Kaneland CUSD #302 meets Erin's Law requirement can be found here: Erin's Law Parent Presentation     Erin's Law Parent Letter

One to One Technology Parent Meetings
All parents are invited and welcomed to attend the 1:1 learning implementation parent meeting. We are excited to begin the process of rolling out Chromebook for each 4th-12th-grade student beginning next year. At this parent meeting, the team will share the purpose, process and key parent signature pages that must be completed. Please be sure to attend one of the following meetings:

April 22nd at 6:30pm in the Middle School Cafeteria- Middle School focus 
April 23rd at 6:30pm in the Kaneland High School Cafeteria- High School focus
April 30th at 6:30pm in the Middle School Cafeteria- 4th and 5th-grade focus

Please bring your questions to the session.  Students are also encouraged to attend this meeting to hear the process and responsibility.  We look forward to a great session!

Exploratory Choice Day

The exploratory team is once again providing an exciting opportunity for all students to earn an exploratory "Free-Choice" day on Friday, May 17, 2019. This means each individual student will have the chance to spend their exploratory time in whichever exploratory classroom they choose as their most favorite (Art, Music, PE, Computer, Critical Thinking). In order to maintain eligibility for this event, students will be expected to follow the school-wide expectations, receiving no more than 2 behavior documentation forms from any teacher between Monday, March 11th through Thursday, May16th. Between the school-wide expectation walks students engage in three times per year, daily expectation reminders from teachers and peers, as well as your support at home, we expect high levels of student participation in this event. Should any students not meet the expectation, an alternate activity will be planned during their exploratory time.  

March News

Principal's Message~ 
The annual Young Knight's Fair was held this past Saturday. We had the pleasure of meeting 42 new Kindergarten Knights that will be joining us in the fall. The enthusiasm for school that our youngest students show is such a sight to see! If you were not able to make it or know of a family who has a child in our boundaries turning 5 by September 1st, please connect them with our office staff to get registered for the upcoming school year. We plan for staffing and sectioning for kindergarten now, so the earlier incoming families register, the better! No payment is required at the time of registration. Our goal at this time is to get as accurate a count as possible. The new school year will be here before you know it! 

Important Dates & Information
March 5th- Community Safety Presentation 7:00pm
March 8th- 2nd Trimester Report Cards Go Live
                  PTN Family Movie Night 6:00pm
March 12th- PTN Meeting 6:30pm
March 13th- Fun Lunch- Reams
March 15th and 16th- PTN Clothing Sale
March 25-29th- Spring Break- No School


Illinois Assessment of Readiness

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness, formerly PARCC, is the state assessment and accountability measure required for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. It will be taken by all 3rd-5th-grade students. At Kaneland John Stewart, students will test the week of March 11th-15th. 3rd graders will test from 10:30am-12:20pm and 4th and 5th graders will test from 9:30am-11:25am. 

Kaneland Community Safety Presentation
Please join us for a School Safety Forum on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00pm. The event will be held in the Kaneland High School Auditorium and will address topics such as ALICE training, social media trends, vaping and more. 

KST is Now Hiring!
We are in need of an outdoor recess monitor to fill a vacancy starting March 15th. The hours are M-F, from 10:30am-1:15pm. Applications can be found on the Kaneland website or interested applicants are welcome to pick up an application in the school office.

Student Council
The KST Student Council is currently collecting items and monetary donations for the Elburn Food Pantry. The drive goes through March 8th. Please consider donating. 

Kaneland Preschool 
Did you know that Kaneland has a preschool program open to all district pre-school aged students? Information regarding the program can be found HERE. 

February News

Principal's Message~ 

I hope everyone made it through the Polar Vortex and is enjoying these warmer temperatures. We're hoping to keep the ice at bay so we can enjoy a 5 day school week with our students! 

A topic that comes up often in education is how vastly things have changed since the parents of our students were kids. Mr. Brian  Faulkner, principal at Harter Middle School, recently shared his thoughts on this subject in his monthly parent newsletter. With his permission, I'd like to share a snippet of his message. 

"The amount of research in education has doubled over the years and the evidence being produced through this research is something we should take note of.  As one of my favorite educators, Doug Reeves, says, "we need to accept the fact that today's evidence trumps yesterday's experience." It's always easy to resort back to the experiences we had as students, and this is why I am continuing to share information on personalized learning and how school looks different nowadays. It's not as common anymore to see desks in rows, teachers lecturing, and gobs of work or homework being given. The amount of work given to students isn't the mark of a rigorous education. The depth and quality of work given to the students is a true testament of a rigorous education."

One of my favorite quotes is “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou. This most certainly applies to the field of education. Kaneland teachers continuously learn current best practices in education through enrolling in continuing education courses, pursuing advanced degrees, conference attendance, reading peer-reviewed journals and publications and through networking opportunities with other educators across the nation. When you hear about pilot programs being run in your child's classroom, new tools and resources being incorporated into instruction, strategic planning goals, and opportunities to empower students to own their own learning, know that there is a research base underlying these shifts. Although different than you may have experienced as a young student, your child's educational experience is rooted in staff doing the best of what current research shows to be effective.

                                                                                                              ~Mrs. Laura Garland

                                                                                                Principal

Important Dates & Information
February 6th- Fun Lunch- Paisano's
February 7th- ACE- 3:30-5:00pm

February 8th- Kindergarten Music Performance- 2:45pm

February 11th- Board of Education Meeting- 7:00pm- HMS

February 12th- PTN Meeting- 6:30pm
February 12th- Jump Rope for Heart (Kindergarten only)

February 13th- Crossing Guard Appreciation Day- Mrs. S.'s last year due to retirement

February 14th- ACE- 3:30-5:00pm

February 14th- Classroom Valentine Parties- 2:30pm
February 15th- Jump Rope for Heart (Grades 1-5)

February 18th- No School- President's Day

February 21st- ACE- 3:30-5:00pm
February 23rd- Young Knights Fair (Kindergarten Registration) at HMS

February 25th- Board of Education Meeting- 7:00pm, HMS

February 27th- Fun Lunch

February 28th- ACE- 3:30-5:00pm

Young Knights Fair

Save the date for the 2019 Young Knights Registration and Literacy Fair. This event is for preschool and kindergarten registration, as well as to register for developmental screenings for children birth-3 years of age. More information can be found HERE

District #302 Gallery Walk
On Thursday, February 28th, in the Kaneland High School cafeteria, at 6:00 p.m., District #302 teachers and staff will share how Kaneland 2020 is being implemented throughout the district.  Staff will share their progress with personalized learning, student-choice learning, and other great innovations happening in the classroom.  Please stop by to see all the amazing learning activities provided to our students in Kaneland. This informal setting allows you to see what you'd like and visit the tables of your choice. There are no formal presentations done as a big group.

Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing Dates

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness, formerly PARCC, is the state assessment and accountability measure required for Illinois students enrolled in a public school district. It will be taken by all 3rd-5th-grade students in April. More information, including specific testing dates at John Stewart, will be shared in the near future. In the meantime, you can access more information regarding IAR by Clicking Here.

Lost and Found

Do you recognize any of these items? Please stop by to look through our ever growing Lost and Found. 

Reminders

• Please be sure to update your contact information through Tyler or by calling the school office at 630-365-8170, should you have any changes to your phone number and/or email/mailing address.
• Be sure to stay current on information regarding PTN events and community-based opportunities listed in the Virtual Backpack