AFC Elementary Monthly Memo

Dear AFC Families,

As we settle into a new school year, I would like to take a moment to highlight something that makes a significant difference in your child’s success—school attendance. Every day in class matters. When students are present, they not only learn academic skills but also build friendships, establish routines, and gain confidence.

Research shows that:

• Students who miss just 2 days of school each month (about 18 days in a year) are considered chronically absent. That’s the equivalent of nearly 10% of the school year.

• By 6th grade, chronic absence is one of the strongest predictors of whether a student will drop out of high school.

• Students who attend school regularly are more likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade and graduate on time.

At AFC Elementary, we know that illnesses and emergencies happen. But we encourage you to make school attendance a top priority whenever possible. Arriving on time and being present every day helps your child stay on track and feel connected to our school community. No matter how hard our teachers try, it is impossible to recreate the learning experiences missed if your child is absent from school.

Let’s work together to build strong attendance habits this year—because when students are here, they are learning, growing, and thriving.

Thank you for partnering with us to make every day count!

Warmly,

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

AFC Elementary School

1 - Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)

2 - 6/7/8 VB @ Challand 4:00 PM, FFA Culver's Night 5:00 - 8:00 PM

3 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 VB @ Byron 4:00 PM

4 - Student Leadership Meeting 3:30 PM, 6 VB South Beloit

5 - PTC Post-It Service Project

8 - Homecoming Week, 6/8 VB @ Faith Christian, PTC Meeting 6:00 PM

9 - 6 VB @ Dixon 4:00 PM

10 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 VB Pecatonica 4:00 PM, Homecoming Parade 5:30 PM

11 - 5-12 Band Instrument Tryout & Rental Night (AFC Elementary Cafeteria)

15 - 6 VB Forreston 4:00 PM, Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM

16 - 6/8 VB Faith Christian

17 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 VB @ Polo 4:00 PM

18 - PICTURE DAY, Student Leadership Meeting 3:30 PM

19 - 6 VB @ South Beloit 5:00 PM, Family Connection Night - Movie on the Lawn 7:00 PM

22 - 6 VB Oregon 4:00 PM

23 - 6 VB Challand 4:00 PM

24 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 VB @ Winnebago 4:00 PM

29 - 6 VB @ Meridian 4:00 PM

30 - 6 VB Dixon 4:00 PM

If your child’s after-school transportation plan changes, please notify the office as soon as possible. The end of the school day is already a very busy time, and last-minute calls can be challenging to manage while ensuring all students get home safely.

If your child is going home with a friend—especially if they are riding the bus together—we require a note or email from both families granting permission. The office will then provide a stamped note for your child. Bus drivers are not allowed to let students ride home with a friend without this office-stamped note.

Your early communication helps us maintain a safe, orderly, and smooth dismissal process for every child. Thank you for your cooperation!

AFC Elementary School: 7:30 - 8:30

AFC Jr/Sr High School: 7:30 - 8:00

Regular Prices

• K-6 Lunch - $2.50
• K-6 Breakfast - $2.25

Students who ride the shuttle from the Jr./Sr. High School to the Elementary School in the morning may eat breakfast at the Jr./Sr. High School before boarding their bus. If they do not get breakfast there, they will still be able to get breakfast at the Elementary School.

ALL students eating breakfast at the Elementary School should enter through Door 1.

Arrival

8:15 - Students Enter Building (First Bell)

• K & 1st - Door 11
• 2nd & 3rd - Door 9
• 4th - Door 8
• 5th & 6th - Door 7

8:30 - Classes Begin (Tardy Bell)

Please note that there will be no adult supervision on the playground prior to 8:00 AM.

Dismissal

3:15 - Pick-Up/Walkers Dismissed

Bus students are dismissed as soon as all buses have arrived.

• K & 1st - Door 10
• 2nd & 3rd - Door 9
• 4th/5th/6th - Door 7

Please note that there will be no adult supervision on the playground after 3:25 PM. Students who have not been picked up by 3:25 will be brought to the main office.

Check out this news story featuring AFC's bus stop arm extensions!

Watch & Read the Full Story Here

As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:

Excessive tardies or absences may be referred to the Lee/Ogle/Whiteside Regional Office of Education’s Attendance Support Program for assistance. A student may be referred to the Attendance Support Program after four (4) unexcused and nine (10) excused absences during the previous 180 days of school attendance. If a student misses three (3) consecutive days, they must bring in a physician’s note for the absences to be considered excused. Also, after nine (10) absences per school year, to excuse each absence thereafter, a physician’s note will be required within 24 hours of the student’s return to school. While seeking a medical excuse, the student’s parent or guardian must still comply with absence notification procedures. Students are permitted to return to school while a physician’s note is being obtained, assuming the student has been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications).

We encourage attendance everyday as there is a strong link between attendance and academic achievement. Students must be present to learn. We trust parents and guardians will use their best judgement in deciding if their child(ren) are well enough to be present in school.

As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:

Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD #275 will exclude students based on typically qualifying symptoms such as: fever of 100.4 or higher (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications), vomiting, and diarrhea. Students may return when the student is fever-free/symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.

Please refer to our Student Handbook (linked at the bottom of this memo) for additional information regarding school attendance.

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

Email: jburkitt@afcschools.net
Address: 217 South Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 456-2325

Website: https://www.afcschools.net/