Silas Family Newsletter #6

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Silas Willard Elementary School Mission and Vision
School Mission:
Silas Willard welcomes everyone in an inclusive, diverse learning community that values equality while recognizing and respecting the strengths and needs of all learners-without exception.
School Vision:
Silas Willard Elementary School will set the standard for excellence in providing a rigorous, caring and equitable school experience.
A Note From The Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We had our first ticket drawing today on our "live" morning announcements. Students have earned "Wildcat Way" tickets for following our building wide expectations. I am so proud of all of the students following expectations.
All of the elementary schools in the district use MTSS or Multi Tiered Systems of Support. I am including an article below about why these systems of support are beneficial for students and how this process works to help each student get what they need.
Grade level teacher teams will meet next week to look at student data and plan for instruction. This is the first step when looking at what support a student needs. Teachers then determine who needs extra support to reach the grade level standards in reading and math. If your child needs extra support throughout the day, they will get the main lesson with the teacher, support in a small group with the teacher, and support can be added in a small group with an interventionist if needed. Students that are above grade level and need acceleration will also get the support that they need. My own son received extra support in math for half of the school year last year, and he was able to get back on grade level with this extra support. Now he no longer needs this extra support. That is the goal of MTSS.
Students can also get extra support with behavior needs. They receive instruction from the teacher about behavior expectations, but if they need more support, then they can meet in small groups for extra skill practice. Forms will go home if your child needs extra behavior support.
Next Friday September 13th is midterm for the first quarter and Homecoming! Please see the spirit day below.
Sincerely,
Jodi Keever
Principal
Arrival and Dismissal
ARRIVAL:
If you have a dog, please drop your child off at the gate so that the dog is not on the playground with other students.
Thank you again for your cooperation with dismissal.
Please do not park until 3:30 or after in the car lane on the west side of the building. This is where 3rd and 4th grade and siblings are picked up. We have deliveries scheduled for before this time, and our staff who travels needs to leave before 3:30.
A reminder that the playground is CLOSED until 4:00 p.m. so that we can make sure that all students are picked up.
What is MTSS?
1st Grade Reading with Mrs. Jones
Students practiced blending and segmenting sounds with words that had the consonant vowel consonant pattern.
Art with Mrs. Fuller
Character Strong
The character trait for September is Respect.
Family Strong Website
Take a look at the "Family Strong" website for more resources for home.
Students Recognized this week!
I am still working on pictures of all of the students who were recognized for outstanding behavior this week! Here are the pictures I have so far below!
Read Alouds at Home
Reading to your children at home is essential to their education. I have learned a lot myself as a parent from the book linked below. In Jim Trelease's "Read Aloud Handbook" he discusses the benefits, the rewards, and the importance of reading aloud to children of a new generation. In this book there are ideas for how to make time to read to your child at home, and most importantly there is a list by grade level of books to read at home.
Read Aloud Recommendation for the Week
National Book Award Longlist * New York Times Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year
From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. Pax is destined to become a classic, beloved for generations to come.
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.
At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.
Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .
"Bridges in Mathematics" Curriculum at Home
Below is a link from the "Bridges in Mathematics" Curriculum for free learning apps to use at home that match the curriculum. Bridges in Mathematics is for students in grades K-2.
Math Games of the Week for Home
Volunteers
Volunteer in CUSD #205! We need you!
Galesburg CUSD #205 welcomes community members, parents, and caregivers to participate in our school programs. We welcome you to our school and thank you for your willingness to partner with us in providing an excellent educational program for our students.
Board Policy 6:250-The Board of Education encourages the use of resource persons and volunteers to: (1) increase students' educational attainment; (2) provide enrichment experiences for students; (3) increase the effective utilization of staff time and skills; (4) give more individual attention to students; and (5) promote greater community involvement.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Interact and build relationships with students during lunch and recess
- Work with athletic teams and coaches
- Read to a class or work with a small group of students
- Provide support to the Marching Streaks
- Tutor students
- Share career experiences
CUSD #205 is actively seeking volunteers to assist in our schools. Volunteer guidelines are established for the benefit and safety of all students and staff.
All adult volunteer applicants, including field trip chaperones, must complete the online application and wait for clearance prior to volunteering or chaperoning. Please click the button below to begin the application process. The application needs to be completed accurately and in its entirety. You will be asked to renew this clearance annually.
CUSD #205 Volunteer Interest Form
Volunteer Requirements:
- Complete volunteer application
- Pass background screenings
You will be contacted after your application is submitted and reviewed. If you have questions, please contact Amy Pickrel, apickrel@galesburg205.org, 309-973-2118.
PTO
September Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Report Card Information
Quarter 1: August 8 - October 11, 2024
Quarter 2: October 14 - December 20, 2024
Quarter 3: January 6 - March 14, 2025
Quarter 4: March 17 - May 21, 2025*
*unless emergency days are needed
How do we grade at the elementary level? We use a standards-based report card instead of a report card with letter grades. Elementary report cards are issued at the end of each grading period. They are intended to give an evaluation of the scholastic achievement and work habits of each child. Parents should examine all cards carefully since each child is rated not only on academic progress, but also progress in development of social attitudes and work habits.
We use a 4,3,2,1 system to assess a student's mastery of standards.
4 = Exceeding State and District Standards
3 = Meeting State and District Standards
2 = Approaching State and District Standards
1 = Not Meeting State and District Standards
Attendance Policy
Our district takes student attendance very seriously and we are committed to seeing that every child is at school unless there is an excused reason for absence or tardiness. Studies have shown that when students are consistently at school they are more likely to achieve their dreams.
What Parents and Students Can Do:
Ensure children arrive to school on time.
When absent, be sure to make up missed work.
Communicate with school and seek support when needed.
Call when your child is absent from school or unavoidably late ASAP at 309-973-2016.
Know attendance is required on early dismissal days.
Return to school after appointments.
Plan appointments outside of school day.
Call within one hour of the start of school or send a note within 48 hours of the return to school.
For minor health issues—come to school.
Please call the Silas Willard Front Office to let us know of any absences. 309-973-2015
Steps taken if you do not make contact with the school:
1. Automated Call: Parents/Guardians will receive an automated call stating your child is not in attendance.
2. School Call: The school secretary or outreach worker will follow up with the family IF the family does not call the school after the automated call.
3. Unexcused Absence: The absence will be recorded as "unexcused" if no contact can be made with the family.
Examples of Unexcused Absences:
- No phone call/email to explain a student's absence
- Returning to school after 3 consecutive days of absence with no doctor's note.
- Oversleeping
- Transportation issues
Examples of Excused Absences:
- Illness
- Medical appointment
- Observation of a religious holiday
- Death in the family/funeral service
- Family Emergency
Silas Willard Elementary School
Mrs. Keever, Principal
Mrs. Roberts, Dean of Students
Mrs. Miller, Secretary
Mrs. Prater, Secretary
Mrs. Bernardi, Outreach
Mrs. DeJaynes, Nurse
Mrs. Stinson, Family Engagement Specialist
Email: jkeever@galesburg205.org
Website: https://silas.galesburg205.org/o/swes
Location: 460 Fifer St, Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: (309) 973-2015
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silaswillardelemschool
Instagram: @205SilasWildcats
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