EDW BRAVE BULLETIN

This week we celebrated Read Across America Week with a fun spirit week and lots of excitement around reading! On Thursday, we were especially lucky to welcome guest readers into our classrooms. Each grade level had a special visitor stop by to share a favorite story with our students. It was such a fun way to celebrate the joy of books! Be sure to check out some of the adorable pictures from the week below.

Set up your student's eWallet and get additional news here.

March 10th: Braves Lead 3:30pm

March 12th: Parent Teacher Conferences 4pm-8pm

March 13th: No School, Parent Teacher Conferences 8am-11:30am

March 16th-20th: Spring Break

March 23rd: Classes Resume, Choir Music In Our Schools Month Concert, 6:00pm at the Braves Fieldhouse

March 30th: PTO Quarterly PTO Meeting 6pm EDW Cafeteria

📘Hello Braves Families,

March is all about growth! As we head into the spring months, students will be learning how to grow not just academically, but emotionally too. This month’s counseling lessons will focus on building confidence, perseverance, and strong thinking skills.

What We’re Learning in Counseling

🌱Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Growth Mindset

Our K–2 students will learn about having a growth mindset, which means believing our brains can grow and get stronger when we try, practice, and don’t give up.

Students will explore:

• The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset

• How to use the power of “yet” (ex: “I can’t do this… yet!”)

• Positive self-talk

• What to do when something feels hard or frustrating

We’ll practice turning mistakes into learning opportunities and celebrating effort!

📚Book Recommendation:

We love reading The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. This story shows students how frustration is part of the learning process and how perseverance leads to success.

💬Try this at home:
Ask your child, “What’s something that felt hard but you kept trying?”

3rd – 5th Grade: Test-Taking Skills & Confidence

With state assessments approaching, our 3–5 students will focus on building strong test-taking strategies and confidence.

Students will learn:

• How to manage test anxiety

• Positive self-talk before and during a test

• Reading directions carefully

• Strategies like eliminating wrong answers and checking work

• The importance of effort, focus, and rest

We will emphasize that tests show what we know right now — and that trying our best is what matters most.

📚Book Recommendation:
A great read for upper elementary students is What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada. It encourages students to face challenges with courage and confidence.

💬Try this at home:
Ask your child to share one strategy they can use if they start to feel stuck during a test.

🌟Counselor’s Reminder

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when we:

• Try again

• Ask for help

• Learn from mistakes

• Encourage one another

Thank you for partnering with us as we help our Braves grow into confident, resilient learners!

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 🌷

Contact Me: johnsonja@usd204.net

P: 913-422-4036

Class photo orders must be placed online. To order, please follow the steps shown in the photo below.

Spring pictures will be sent home as a full package within the next 3-4 weeks. Families may keep the photos they would like and simply return the ones they do not want along with payment for the photos kept.

Beginning the week of January 19, 2026, District 204 will implement Centegix Visitor Management at all school buildings to strengthen campus security and improve visitor tracking.

How the System Works

-Office staff are available to assist you if you need help using the system

With the help of our amazing EDW PTO, we are offering a variety of volunteer and mentorship opportunities through our Building Braves Volunteer/Mentorship Program. This initiative is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school while giving parents and guardians meaningful ways to support our students and staff.

Participating is simple!

• Volunteers will work in the building, but not with students. Examples: Stapling worksheets, making copies, or cutting supplies. With the option to assist with school events, projects, and community activities.

• Mentors will work with students. Examples: being a lunch buddy, reading buddy, or math facts buddy. This is a great way to build positive, supportive relationships with students who may benefit from extra encouragement.

Those interested will be asked to complete a short, self-paced training. Mentors will also need to consent to a district funded background check, as student safety remains our top priority.

If you would like to get involved or learn more, please complete the Building Braves Interest Form. We would love to welcome you into this growing program and appreciate your partnership in making Edwardsville Elementary a wonderful place for all Braves!

Our celebrations have always been special opportunities for students to enjoy time together and for families to be part of those moments. We are always looking for ways to perfect and ensure the safest and most positive environment for all children.

With this in mind, and to stay consistent with procedures already in place throughout the district, we will be moving to a new celebration model that focuses on student safety, staff support, and building-wide consistency.

Classroom celebrations will follow these guidelines:

• Each classroom may have two (2) adult volunteers at each celebration

• Teachers will select their volunteers using a method that best fits their classroom needs (interest surveys, rotation, etc.).

• Volunteer names will be shared with the office ahead of time to help with smooth check-in.

• Families who are not attending are still welcome to contribute by sending treats (following allergy guidelines), supplies, or activity ideas that support the celebration.

We understand these changes may feel different, and we truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Our goal is always to make school events safe, enjoyable, and memorable for students.

Capture those epic hair days, unforgettable field trips, and the many “I wasn’t ready!” moments of the year. 😄 Scan the QR code below to snag yours for just $15

👉 Online sales only! Yearbooks will be handed out at the end of the year—perfect for signing, doodling, and reminiscing!

The EDW Spirit Wear Store has officially landed and is open for business! If your closet has been feeling a little too quiet lately, it’s probably just begging for some fresh Braves gear. 😉 Let’s gear up and show that school spirit loud and proud!

🧡🖤 Scan the QR code, or click on the "Braves Spirit Wear" link below to place your order, and prepare to be the best-dressed Brave in town!

President: Vacant

Secretary: Vacant

Treasurer: Ashley Shepard

Volunteer Coordinator: Julie Thomas

Event Coordinator: Tiffany McCann

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

edwpto204@gmail.com

COMMUNICATION:

www.facebook.com/edwpto

To help families know the best way to get answers quickly and effectively, our school follows a communication matrix flow. This matrix outlines who to reach out to first with different types of questions or concerns, whether it’s about classroom learning, attendance, technology, or school-wide events.

The goal is to connect you directly with the person who can best support your child and provide accurate information right away. By following the communication flow, families experience fewer delays, staff can respond more efficiently, and everyone stays on the same page.

Good attendance is essential for student success. Please call or email (edwsec@usd204.net) between 8:00 AM–3:00 PM on the day of an absence (or send a note within one day of returning) for it to be excused.

👉 Please note: Excused absences have changed — students now have 14 excused absences for the entire school year. They do not reset at semester like before. After 14, a doctor’s note will be required.

• Tardy: Arrivals between 8:30–9:00 AM or leaving after 3:15 PM = tardy (5 tardies = 1 unexcused absence).

• Truancy: 3 consecutive unexcused days, 5 in a semester, or 7 in a year.

For early release, a parent/guardian must come to the office to sign the student out — students may not wait outside.

This year, we will continue to offer private dining for families who would like to have lunch with their child. However, the location has changed since our music room is now in the former private dining space. We have designated the Makerspace (right across from the office) as the new area for you and your child to enjoy lunch together.

Because the Makerspace is a dual-reservation room, used not only for private dining but also for district employees who may need to hold special meetings with families or staff—all private dining must now be reserved in advance. If the room is not available on your requested day, we’ll be happy to help you choose another day, or you are welcome to sign your child out for lunch and return in time for their next class.

Once you have a reservation scheduled, you are still welcome to bring outside food if you choose.

For safety reasons, and to ensure we can properly monitor and accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, friends are not permitted to join for lunch. This policy helps us maintain a safe and controlled environment for all students.

At the conclusion of lunch (and lots of hugs), your child will return to class with their teacher, and you will depart from the Makerspace. Before leaving the building, please stop by the office to sign out so we can keep our visitor log accurate.

We love celebrating birthdays at school, and we’re excited to welcome parents back to join in the fun! To keep learning on track, all birthdays celebrations will take place at the very end of the day. Store bought treats should be brought in by 3:10 PM or later. This ensures celebrations do not disrupt the school day. As always, you are also welcome to just send the treats in with your child.

📞 Planning Ahead: Please communicate with your child’s teacher or the front office before bringing treats, so we can be ready for visitors and adjust the end-of-day routine as needed.

🎈 Birthday Invitations: If you’d like to distribute invitations at school, please provide one for every student in the class. Otherwise, invitations should be shared outside of school.

For the safety and accountability of each student, only legal guardians are authorized to sign out a student from school. We cannot release a student to a grandparent, sibling, boyfriend, girlfriend, other family members, or friends without prior phone approval from a legal guardian.

Please note that even if someone is listed as an emergency contact in Skyward, they are not considered a legal guardian. We still require a call from the legal guardian before releasing a student to an emergency contact.

Legal guardians include biological parents listed on the birth certificate, foster or adoptive parents, or individuals with court documentation stating they are guardians. This policy is in effect every day, including during parties, celebrations, and assemblies.

Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of all our students!

As we navigate the changing seasons, We want to remind everyone of our recess guidelines and the importance of ensuring students come to school dressed appropriately for the weather.

• Winter Guidelines:

  • If the outside temperature or wind chill is 25-31 degrees, outdoor recess will be limited to 5-10 minutes.
  • If the temperature or wind chill is 24 degrees or below, recess will be held indoors.
  • Recess will also be held indoors during falling precipitation (snow, sleet, rain, etc.).

• Summer Guidelines:

  • Outdoor recess may take place as long as there is no heat index warning in effect.

We appreciate your help in preparing your child with weather-appropriate clothing, such as coats, hats, gloves, or lighter attire as needed for the season. These measures ensure all students can enjoy recess comfortably and safely.

To stay connected, we’re continuing to use Rooms, our two-way communication tool with teachers and staff. The best way to access Rooms is through the USD 204 app, available in the App Store and Google Play. Just search USD 204. You can also access Rooms via a web browser at https://id.thrillshare.com.

• New to the district? You should have received an invitation by text or email to set up your account. If not, submit an account request HERE.

• Returning families: Your login hasn’t changed. Use your email or phone number, or reset your password with “Forgot my password.” If you’re unable to log in or see issues, submit a support request HERE.

• Already have the app? Be sure you’re on the latest version—open your app store, search USD 204, and update if needed.

• Don’t see a class yet? Please be patient—teachers are in the process of publishing their Rooms, and classes will appear as they are set up.

What’s new this year?

SMS Notifications: Receive a text whenever a new message or announcement is sent, with a direct link to view it in your browser or the app. Learn how to set your notification preferences HERE.

• Upgraded Messaging: A single inbox now shows all your messages across all children, with the ability to read, reply, or start new conversations. See additional details HERE.
  

Check out this overview of the new experience or watch this short video to learn more.

Thank you for your patience as we work through any issues together—we’re excited for another great school year!

Administration / Counselor

Nancy Julo, Principal: julon@usd204.net

Scott Geary, Asst. Principal: gearys@usd204.net

Janai Johnson, Counselor: johnsonja@usd204.net

Front Office Staff:

Attendance & Transportation Email: EDWSec@usd204.net

Kelli Wille, Registrar/Secretary: willek@usd204.net

Kristin Rissler, Bookkeeper/Secretary: risslerk@usd204.net

Cherie Coffman, Nurse: coffmanc@usd204.net

(doors open at 8:15am for arrival, tardy bell will ring promptly at 8:30am)

Office #- 913-422-4036

Fax#- 913-298-5190

Transportation #- 913-441-2493