The Indian Beat: September 2025

We’ve had a great start to the school year at Scott Elementary! As a reminder, our monthly newsletter will be emailed at the beginning of each month and is also available on our school website. Each edition will include important announcements, upcoming events, and helpful information to keep you connected with what’s happening at SES.

Ongoing communication between home and school plays a vital role in student success. Our teachers and staff have been working hard to ensure every student feels welcomed and supported as we begin the new year. We remain committed to our vision: "We are committed to making Scott Elementary the school of choice for military-connected students."

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the SES office.

Sincerely,

Kellen Kettwich

Principal

Use the links below to view the 2025-26 MSD19 School Calendar

2025-2026 School List Calendar

2025-2026 School Grid Calendar

September 1

* Labor Day - No School

September 5

* Spirit Day - Wear Purple!

September 9

* SES Skate Night, 5:00-7:00 (More Information Below)

September 11

*Patriot Day; wear red, white, and blue to school

September 12

* Spirit Day - Wear Purple!

September 16

* Mascoutah School Board Meeting, 7:00pm

September 19

* Spirit Day - Wear Purple!

September 26

* Picture Day - More Information to Come!

September 29

* PTO Meeting, 4:15pm

All students at SES will have their yearbook picture taken on Friday, September 26. Scott Elementary will once again partner with Jostens Photography for school pictures. Soon, you will begin receiving email reminders from Jostens with more specific information. Please do not have your child wear green as it will interfere with their "green screen technology." More information will be coming soon!

We are so fortunate at Scott Elementary to have a wonderful staff that cares about students and wants them to succeed. This is an opportunity for you to recognize any staff member whom you feel has gone above and beyond for your child at school. When we receive a staff recognition, we will notify staff and acknowledge them as well. Scan the QR code below or use this link: SES Staff Shout Out 2025-2026

How do I report my student's absence?

Call the office to let us know if your student will be late or not attending by 9:00am. You can absolutely let your student’s teacher know as well, but the office manages attendance for the whole school.

What is an excused absence vs. an unexcused absence?

An excused absence is one where the office knows why your student is not at school. If we do not receive notice from the parent, the absence is marked unexcused. After 3 unexcused absences you will receive a truancy letter. After 6, you will need to meet with the district truancy board. After 9, documentation will be sent to the county truancy board.

What time does school start and end?

School begins at 8:35. Students arriving after 8:35 are marked tardy. Please remember that three tardies equals a 1/2 day unexcused absence. The school days ends at 3:30 (2:30 on Wednesdays).

Join us on Tuesday, September 9 for SES Skate Night at Skate City in Belleville from 5:00-7:00. Admission is $7 and rentals are $5. The concession stand will be open as well. This is a PRIVATE party, so only Scott Elementary students and families will be in attendance. We hope to see you there!

In October, SES will participate with Booster Fundraising, a nationwide fundraising company. Throughout this effort, students will focus on positive character education traits and the culminating event will be a Fun Run on October 17 to raise funds for student activities at SES such as Week of the Military Child, PTO Activities, Field Day, & Quarterly Reward Parties for students!

We have an amazing PTO at SES that plans a large number of fun activities throughout the school year.

If you would like to join the PTO, please fill out the membership form on the link below. Membership is FREE!

Visit our website: https://sites.google.com/view/scott-elementary-pto/home

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottESPTO

With over 700 students entering and exiting our building each day, we ask for your cooperation when dropping off and picking up your child(ren) to ensure the safety of all students.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

* Students may begin entering the building at 8:15. School begins at 8:35. Any student arriving after 8:35 will need to be signed in as tardy by a parent or guardian in the main office.

* Students should be dropped off in the vehicle drop-off lane and enter the school through the front doors. If parents would like to park in the parking lot and escort their child to the front doors, they may do so.

* Please refrain from dropping children off or picking them up outside of the designated areas. Unattended children in the main parking lot present a safety hazard.

* No adult supervision is available for students prior to 8:00. If a child arrives prior to 8:00am unattended, a $5 fee per student will be charged.

* Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in the school parking lot. Please obey the one-way "Do Not Enter" signs, and do not drop off students in the bus lanes.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Students will be dismissed at 3:30pm (2:30 dismissal every Wednesday).

Parents and guardians, please abide by the following procedures that apply:

* All bus riders and students going to the Scott Youth Center will be dismissed first.

* After the buses have departed, students walking home or being picked up are dismissed.

* Parents wishing to pick up their child after school may walk on to the school property via the SAFB walking gate. (Please have your military IDs to pass in and out of the SAFB gate.)

* If using the car pick-up lane, please remain in your vehicle. Please pull all the way forward and follow directions from our staff. Please have car tag with your student(s) name visible on the dashboard so staff can call students as you pull forward.

* When your child has safely entered the car, you may pull away to exit the grounds following the flow of traffic.

* If we are having an inclement weather dismissal, please have your car tag with student(s) names visible for school staff to retrieve your child. Your car tag will also be used as your gate pass to re-enter SAFB on Patriots Drive. Your military ID may be requested by the gate guard, so please have it available.

We will always err on the side of caution in the school parking lot. While we understand that everyone is in a rush in the morning and afternoon, safety will always be our top priority. Thank you for your cooperation!

Hello & welcome back! Start the school year right with healthy habits that include plenty of sleep, breakfast before school, nutritious foods, and exercise! Illness management & preventative measures include: staying home when ill, no fever (100.4 or higher), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours and feeling better before returning to school. Reminder that school physicals with immunization records are due within the first 30 days of school for Kindergarten, 1st year PreK, and all new students entering the Illinois school system. Vision exams by an eye doctor (separate from physical exam) are also required for all new students. Please send in an extra set of clothes for your student to keep on hand at school (shorts/pants , underwear, shirt). Spills, tears, and other accidents happen at all grades and having their own clothes to quickly change into saves missed class time or calls home to bring items in. Looking forward to a healthy & happy school year for all!

Nurse Nekola

Throughout the month of September, SES students and staff will practice several safety drills with their classmates and teachers. These drills will include: bus evacuation, fire, tornado, and intruder. All of our drills are announced in advance with students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or the main office.

When sending in birthday items, please follow the following guidelines from our Elementary Handbook:

-Prearrange with the teacher first

-Food items must be prepackaged and individually wrapped.

-Please do not send flowers or balloons to school.

-We are happy to pass out birthday party invitations in the classroom, but only if all students are invited.

Parents and families are able to attend lunch at school with your child up to four times per school year. Please check in with the office when you arrive. Please note: It is school handbook policy that no food may be brought it from fast food restaurants during lunch hours. Thank you for your cooperation.

Throughout the school year, our students, teachers, and administrators share out the amazing learning experiences and activities going on at Scott Elementary and in our school district. Click the link below to view our Facebook page!

Mascoutah School District 19 Facebook

4732 Patriots Drive

SAFB, IL 62225

Website: ses.msd19.org

Phone: 618-746-4738