Ferson Creek eNews
November 6th, 2026
From Your Principal and Assistant Principal
Happy Friday Ferson Creek Fox Families,
As the temperatures drop and we think ahead, please make sure to send your child dressed for the cold with a warm coat, hat, mittens and boots when necessary. On snowy days, students will need snow pants and snow boots to play in the snow. Make sure your child knows how to independently zip, button, and put on all winter gear. Please write your child's initials or first name with Sharpie on tags or use the stick on/iron on labels. Last, you might consider tucking an extra pair of socks in your child's backpack, just in case of wet feet!
Have a great weekend!-Mrs. Salto and Ms. Pigoni
Important Dates
November
November 6th- Trimester 1 ends
November 9th-13th CogAT testing window for grades 3 & 5
November 10th- 5th grade orchestra concert 6p.m. @ TMS
November 13th- Student Leadership Club Meeting 8:05 in STEM room
November 16th- 20th CogAT makeup testing for grades 3 & 5
November 16th- CHESS club @ 3:35 in art room
November 17th- PTO Meeting 12:30-1:30
Culvers Night (Culvers of South Elgin) 5-8p.m.
November 18th- Early release at 2:30p.m.
Trimester report cards available to parents in Synergy ParentVue
November 19th- Windy City Bulls Assembly
November 23rd-29th- No school. Have a great Thanksgiving!
4th Grade Feed My Starving Children Field Trip Today
Today the 4th Grade classes turned hunger into hope with their own two hands by packing nutritious meals for hungry children around the world. By packing an impressive 135 boxes of nutritious MannaPack®meals specifically designed to assist in reversing and preventing undernutrition, they provided over 25,000 meals. This was an amazing extension of understanding how one person can make a difference, explored in their ELA Unit.
🍦 Join Us for Culver’s Teacher Night! 🍦
Come out and support our amazing Ferson Creek Elementary teachers on Tuesday, November 17th, from 5:00–8:00 PM at Culver’s in South Elgin!
This special fundraising event helps provide our teachers with additional classroom funds so they don’t have to spend their own money on classroom supplies, party decorations, educational toys, and other materials that help keep our students excited and engaged in learning. A percentage of the evening’s sales, along with 100% of all tips collected during the event, will go toward supporting our teachers!
Bring your family, enjoy a delicious meal or sweet treat, and help us give back to the teachers who do so much for our children every day!
Culver’s of South Elgin
280 Randall Road, South Elgin, IL
Tuesday, November 17th
5:00–8:00 PM
Every purchase helps make a difference. We hope to see you there!
Veterans Day
We will be celebrating Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th with an all-school assembly. If there is a veteran that you would like to recognize by having them included in our Veterans Day video, please email our LRC director Renee Ignoffo at sharon.ignoffo@d303.org. In your email, please include your child's name, the veteran's name, the veteran's relation to your child, a picture of the veteran, and branch of the military. Please send all pictures to Mrs. Ignoffo no later than Monday, October 26th. If you sent pictures last year, you do not need to resend them as Mrs. Ignoffo still has the images.
If you have a veteran in your family, or a friend of your family, and your child would like to invite them to attend our assembly on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:30 am (brief pre-assembly welcome at 9:15am with breakfast snacks), please rsvp to Amanda Hodnik at Amanda.hodnik@d303.org, no later than Monday, November 2nd so that we can plan accordingly.
I am also looking for a couple people who would be willing to help with decorations for the Veterans Day assembly. If you are creative, love a craft, or just have an abundance of red, white, and blue decor you'd be willing to let us borrow, please reach out to Kara Salto at Kara.salto@d303.org.
Big Hearts of the Fox Valley
Our Student Leadership Club and PTO are collaborating with Big hearts of Fox Valley for the holiday toy drive. Student Leadership Club members will we available during arrival on November 4th, 5th, and 10th to collect any donations. There is also a box for donations located near the main office.
Here is the Pushcoin link as well for financial donations to Big Hearts that Ferson is collected. It is live and will be open until 11/10 midnight.
https://store.d303.org/?6WZULRLDAF=PUKD2NCHX5#!/products/CGKDN33YNK
Ferson Foxes Give Big this November!
One school. One goal. A whole lot of giving!
50 Items donated- Holiday music at lunch
100 Items donated- cozy sweater/flannel day
150-Items donated- TBD Surprise!
Frosty Fest
Erin's Law
At the end of October, Ms. Daley and Mrs. Sheridan, school social workers, will begin Erin's Law lessons utilizing the Second Step Child Protection Unit. For more information regarding Erin's Law and the Second Step instructional resource, please see the letter below.
CogAT Testing for Grades 3rd & 5th is Coming Next Week
Please see the attached letter below for additional information.
Save the Date for Ferson Creek Music Programs
3rd Annual Community Holiday Event: The Gingerbread Contest & Display
This festive event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and we’d love for Ferson Creek students, families, and staff to get involved! There are multiple ways to join in the fun:
Create your own gingerbread masterpiece — solo, as a family, or with a group! All ages and skill levels welcome. There will be prizes in multiple categories.
Join us on December 6th. Stop by the event from 11am – 3pm to enjoy music & treats, and vote for your favorite gingerbread house.
Admission is FREE!
BPAC Meetings-2026/2027
Virtual Coffee House Event Calendar
Early Childhood Playgroups
Lunch and Recess Parent Volunteers and Birthday Lunches
Lunch and Recess
Parent volunteer positions for lunch and recess are currently on pause.
Birthday Lunches
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to join their child for lunch on their birthday (or an alternate day for summer birthdays).
- Check-in Required: All visitors must check in at the main office to receive a visitor tag before entering the lunchroom.
- Pre-Registration/RSVP Google Form: Please fill out the RSVP Google Form below at least 24 hours in advance so the office and lunchroom staff can plan for extra seating. We are limiting attendance to 2 adult guests per student. Click here to complete the birthday lunch RSVP Google Form.
- Guidelines and Rules: Food may only be shared with your own student. For student privacy, no photos may be taken during lunch. When lunch is over, you must return to the office to sign out.
- Grade-Level Lunch Times
Kindergarten 12:35-12:55
1st Grade 11:05-11:25
2nd Grade 11:25-11:45
3rd Grade 12:55-1:15
4th Grade 11:50-12:10
5th Grade 12:10-12:30
Who Wants to be Frankie the Fox?!
Reminder of Elementary Day Start & End Times
School Start Time - 9:05 am
Earliest Drop-Off Time - 8:50 am
School End Time - 3:25 pm
Early Release End Time - 2:35 pm
26-27 District Calendar
Organic Life-What's for lunch?
26/27 Elementary Early Release Days
Reporting Student Absences at Ferson Creek
There are three easy ways to report your child's absence:
📱 Synergy Parent Portal/App: Click "Report Absence" on the home screen or in the attendance section
📞 Call: 331-228-2300, press option "1"
📧 Email: Amanda.hodnik@d303.org
Phone/email details:
- Messages can be left 24 hours a day
- Please include: your name, your child's name, your phone number, reason for absence, and symptoms (if ill)
- Already emailed the teacher about the absence? Please copy cheryl.wiley@d303.org on that email as well — this helps you avoid a daily attendance verification call
Using Synergy ParentVue?
- Click the Report Absence button on the home screen or in the attendance section
- Select the Start and End Date for the absence
- Choose a Reason from the drop-down menu
- Enter a Note explaining the absence
- Upload documentation (e.g., doctor's note) if required, then click Save
Please refer to Chapter 2 of the 2026-2027 Student Handbook for detailed district attendance policies and procedures. Click button below for handbook!
Reminder to activate new ParentVue Account
All schools in St. Charles CUSD 303 have moved to Synergy SIS as the district’s new student information system, replacing HAC (Home Access Center). ParentVUE is the secure parent/guardian portal where you will be able to view your student's information, such as grades, report cards, attendance, and online registration.
Please activate your ParentVUE account by following the steps below.
Activate Your Account
Click here to begin: ParentVUE Account Activation
Review the Privacy Statement.
Click I Accept at the bottom of the page.
Create your username and password, and enter your email address.
Click Complete Account Activation.
You will then be logged into ParentVUE!
Important Notes
Initially, you will see one tile: Student Information.
Student Information: We kindly ask that you click into Student Information and verify that your student’s information is accurate. If edits are necessary, click Edit Information.
On August 10 in the afternoon, you will see additional information and tiles in the portal.
Each parent/guardian should create their own account. Do not share accounts.
You only need one account, even if you have multiple children enrolled in the district.
You must activate your web portal account before using the mobile app.
Students in middle and high school will receive their own StudentVUE accounts, which provide similar information. Please do not give your student(s) your ParentVUE login credentials.
Using the ParentVUE Mobile App
Download the free ParentVUE app by Edupoint from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app and either allow location services or type your zip code, then tap the district name.
Log in using the username and password you created during activation.
If you need assistance, please contact your student's school.
Thank you for completing your ParentVUE activation!
District 303 Parent/Guardian Attendance Resource Guide
The District 303 Parent/Guardian Attendance Resource Guide is officially launching on the D303 website. This comprehensive resource is organized into three sections: D303-specific attendance resources, community-based attendance resources, and general attendance information, providing families with a clear, accessible starting point for navigating attendance concerns.
Across the Board Newsletter
Ferson Creek Elementary
Gianna Pigoni, Assistant Principal
Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/