Steele Family Newsletter

Mrs. Grice, Dean of Students

Mr. Orellana, Dean of Students

Mrs. Knuth, Nurse

Mrs. Hickey, School Counselor

Mrs. Fones and Ms. Howerter, Front Office Assistants

Email: kcoate@galesburg205.org
Website: https://steele.galesburg205.org/
Location: 1480 West Main Street, Galesburg, IL, USA
Phone: (309)973-2016
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steele205/
X: @wearesteele

Instagram: @205steelestars

Dear Steele Families,

We are writing to let you know that school will be in session tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18. We apologize for today’s unexpected closure, which was caused by a water main break.

The water main has now been repaired. However, a section of the parking lot will be blocked off due to freshly poured concrete. Please use extra caution during arrival and dismissal, and follow any posted guidance to ensure everyone’s safety.

As a precaution, bottled water will be available for students and staff in case water fountains are not yet ready for use.

We are excited to welcome our Steele Stars back to school and appreciate your patience and understanding with the last-minute closure.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Coate
Principal, Steele Elementary School

Steele Elementary School families,

I am excited to help create a community of lifesavers and am asking you to join me. Sign up tonight to receive a wristband!

This year, we have an important goal to have 100% of our families learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR! It only takes a few minutes to learn, and it can make all the difference in an emergency.

1. Sign Up for Kids Heart Challenge by downloading the free “AHA Schools” app for Apple or Android or by clicking HERE.
2. Be a hero: Send 10 texts TODAY to help save lives.
3. Complete Finn’s Mission: Complete all 7 steps, learn Hands-Only CPR, and be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets!

By signing up and raising funds, you can help us earn gift certificates for physical activity and recess equipment to support the health & wellness of our school community.

Let’s work together to create a community of lifesavers. Thank you for your support in helping us achieve this incredible goal!

Join us on February 25th for an insightful workshop led by BCBA Emily Lester, designed specifically for CUSD #205 parents and guardians. This session will focus on practical strategies to effectively utilize reinforcement and consequences in motivating students. Learn how to foster a positive environment without power struggles, guilt, or bribery. Strengthen your parenting toolkit and enhance your child’s learning experience! Don’t miss out—RSVP today by emailing elester@galesburg205.org! We look forward to seeing you there!

Letters should have gone home last week so that you can sign up for a parent teacher conference. If not, they are attached below.

Beginning February 3, 2026, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

· Effective Leaders

· Collaborative Teachers

· Involved Families

· Supportive Environments

· Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and fourth through 12th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Additionally, our district has chosen to provide the optional supplement parent survey. If at least 20 percent of Steele School parents/guardians complete this survey, a parent report will also be generated. The parent data will not be included on the State Report Card. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. The results from the 2025 parent survey are linked below.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted until March 10th. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same period. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

The Shine in #205 program is a way for you to salute any CUSD #205 employee who goes above and beyond what is expected. Whether you are a parent/guardian impressed with that special touch your student's teacher added to a moment, a coworker who thinks their colleague doesn't hear often enough about the great job they are doing, or a community member who witnessed a staff member's commitment to students-you can submit a Shine nomination!

Link to nominate a staff member

Please download the Galesburg App. When you receive your invitation email, then you can sign up for messaging. All staff will use this for communication this school year. Once you have the app downloaded, you will see your child's teacher and information in the app.

If you haven't received an email or text, you can reach out to the office to get a code. If you are having trouble connecting, please contact our main office at 309-973-2016

All meetings are held at Steele in the library. Meetings run from 5:30 - 6:30 PM and are on the first Tuesday of the month.

A Google Meet will be set up for those of you that want to attend but cannot be in person.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jms-yjdu-agj

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 678-487-9512‬ PIN: ‪356 280 867‬#

View more: htpp://schools.mealviewer.com/school/SteeleElementarySchool