EDW BRAVE BULLETIN

With Thanksgiving approaching, we want to remind our families that community resources are available for those who may need assistance with a Thanksgiving meal. If you or someone you know could use a little extra help this holiday season, please take a moment to explore the two resources linked below for more information. We are thankful for our wonderful community and the support we can provide one another!

The Edwardsville Mobile Pantry will be available on Saturday, November 14, offering an opportunity for families in need to receive groceries and support. Families interested in participating MUST pre-register by Wednesday, November 11 to receive groceries.

Brought to you by: Representative Caiharr and members of the Edwardsville Governing Body, Edwardsville Christian Church, Harvesters, and community volunteers.

We are grateful for the wonderful community partners who help support our families!

We invite parents and family members to attend our 4th Grade Veterans Day Program on Wednesday, November 11th, at 2:45 PM!

To help ensure check-in runs smoothly, we ask that all guests arrive at least 20 minutes early (by 2:25 PM) to check in at the front office, scan in, and receive a visitor badge. A photo ID is required for all guests. Without your ID, we may be unable to check you in, and you may not be permitted to attend the program.

We know extended family members often enjoy attending these special events, so please share this information with anyone planning to join. Most importantly, please remind them to arrive early and bring their ID so everyone can enjoy the program without any unexpected delays. Thank you for helping us make this a smooth and special event! ❤️🤍💙

Every Thanksgiving season, Feed His Lambs helps provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in our community.

All schools in the Bonner Springs–Edwardsville School District participate in this community-wide service project. Edwardsville Elementary, Bonner Springs Elementary, and Delaware Ridge Elementary collect food items to help put together Thanksgiving meals for families in need.

How can you help?

We are asking each grade level to donate specific Thanksgiving food items for our food drive. Please see the list below to find out which items your child's grade level is collecting.

Cute designs, fun styles, and a little something for everyone! Take a peek at the designs and find one (or a few 😉) you’ll love wearing!

🛍️ Ready to order? Click the Shirt Order Form link below to browse the designs and place your order.

✨ Made Just for You: Every shirt is made to order, we’ll get started once your order and payment have been received.

💰 Payment: Cash or Venmo accepted. Payment is required before your order can be processed.

📦 Pickup: Once your shirt is ready, it will be available for pickup at the EDW Front Office.

Go ahead… treat yourself to a new favorite! You deserve a little shirt shopping. 😉🧡🖤

Nov 11th: Veteran's Day Program 2:45pm

Nov 12th: 4th Grade Field Trip-JA Bizz Town

Nov 18th: Dental Clinic

Nov 19th: 2nd & 3rd Music Program 6pm

Nov 20th: Community Meeting @ 8:40am (North End) sign in will begin at 8:15am- anyone attending must bring their ID to check in

Nov 23rd - 27th: Thanksgiving Break

This month, our Braves are learning about Self-Awareness! Self-awareness means understanding our own feelings, thoughts, strengths, and behaviors. It helps us recognize what makes us unique, understand how our actions affect others, and make choices that help us grow.

Throughout November, students will practice identifying their emotions, recognizing their strengths, and noticing how their thoughts and actions influence the way they respond to different situations.

Why is self-awareness important?

When students understand themselves, they can:

• Recognize and name their feelings.

• Identify their strengths and areas where they can grow.

• Understand how their actions affect others.

• Make thoughtful choices when faced with challenges.

• Build confidence in who they are!

📚Book Recommendation of the Month

The Reflection in Me by Marc Colagiovanni

This uplifting story encourages children to recognize their unique qualities, appreciate who they are, and develop a positive sense of self. It is a great way to start conversations about what makes each of us special!

🏡Try It at Home: Carry-Over Conversation

Self-awareness starts with noticing and understanding ourselves! Take a few minutes this month to talk with your child about who they are and what makes them unique.

Ask your child:

• What is something you really like about yourself?

• What is something you are really good at?

• What is one feeling you experience often, and what might cause you to feel that way?

• What is something you are still learning or working to improve?

November Challenge: Encourage your child to share one thing they learned about themselves each day. Remind them that getting to know ourselves is a lifelong journey, and we all have strengths to celebrate and room to grow!

Janai Johnson, Ed.S.
School Counselor | Edwardsville Elementary

Contact Me: johnsonja@usd204.net

P: 913-422-4036

We’re excited to participate in the SchoolStore Program, an easy, online way for families and friends to support our school and our teachers!

Earlier this week, your child brought home a SchoolStore lanyard with information on how to sign up. When you register, you will receive a personalized code, write that on the card you received, send the card back to the school with your child. Once your child turns in their code, they will receive a BookBuddies slap bracelet just for participating! 🎉

So, what exactly is SchoolStore?

SchoolStore gives families an opportunity to help support our school without selling products, going door-to-door, or collecting money. One of the biggest ways families can help is by inviting family and friends to participate.

💙 Caring For Classrooms Gift Cards

🛒 Shop & Support

📱 It's Easy!

Every gift, purchase, and shared invitation can help provide our teachers with resources they can use right in their classrooms! Thank you for helping us make our classrooms even better for our students!

District 204 proudly patriciates in the federally funded Title I program, which provides additional academic support and resources to help students succeed. Through Title I, students may receive extra support in areas such as reading and math, while families are encouraged to be active partners in their child’s learning.

We invite you to learn more about our Title I program, how it supports student success, and ways you can be involved by clicking the Title I Parent Letter below.

Our morning car line doors will close promptly at 8:30 AM. If you arrive at or after 8:30 AM, you will need to continue around to the front of the building, where you will buzz in and bring your child inside. Your child will receive a tardy slip before heading to class, and a parent/guardian must come inside with the child.

When visiting our school, the check-in process is quick and simple:

• Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Report to the main office and proceed to the visitor kiosk
• Select the appropriate badge type on the screen
• Scan your ID using the optical scanner
• Have your photo taken
• Receive your visitor badge instantly
• Wear your badge at all times while in the building
• Upon leaving, check out by scanning your badge or selecting your name on the screen

The system performs an instant security screening, including a sexual offender registry check, to help ensure that all visitors in our buildings are authorized to be present. The process typically takes less than a minute and is designed to be efficient while enhancing campus security.

Important Reminders

• Please bring a valid photo ID each time you visit.
• All visitors, including parents, guardians, volunteers, contractors, and guests, are required to use this system.
• Visitor information is kept secure and confidential.
• Office staff are available to assist if you need help using the kiosk.

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.

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!

President: Amanda Burns

Secretary: Julie Thomas

Treasurer: Ashley Shepard

Volunteer/Event Coordinator: Tiffany Manglos & Heather Soliz-Higbee

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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.

Private dining is available in the Makerspace (right across from the office) for families who would like to have lunch with their child.

The Makerspace is also used for district employees who may need to hold special meetings with families or staff, so all private dining must 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.

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

Andi Stipe, Principal: stipea@usd204.net

Cassity Wooten, Asst. Principal: wootenc@usd204.net

Janai Johnson, Counselor: johnsonja@usd204.net

Front Office Staff:

Attendance & Transportation Email: EDWSec@usd204.net

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

Jenny VanWinkle, Bookkeeper/Secretary: vanwinklej@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