Silas Family Newsletter 25-26 #34

Mrs. Keever, Principal

Ms. Cooper, Dean of Students

Mrs. Miller, Secretary

Mrs. Prater, Secretary

Mrs. Bernardi, Outreach

Mrs. DeJaynes, Nurse

Mrs. Stinson, Counselor

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

#silaswildcats

#thisis205

Galesburg 205 Vision Statement: Empowering students to realize their potential to Thrive.

Silas Willard Vision Statement:

Silas Willard Elementary School will create a dynamic learning environment where students demonstrate kindness, respect, and perseverance. Through consistent high expectations, we will provide an equitable experience that prepares students to thrive as lifelong learners.

Galesburg 205 Mission Statement: Through collaboration with families and our community, our schools will develop the potential of students in a safe, equitable, and engaging learning environment, which advances high performance and excellence for all.

Silas Willard Mission Statement:

Silas Willard Elementary School welcomes all learners. We cultivate perseverance through high expectations for every student to ensure each learner's unique strengths and needs are met, without exception.

Thank you to everyone who registered for the upcoming school year! Our school competition has ended, but registration is still open.

Our end of the year benchmark testing is now complete. We are so proud of the academic growth we have seen this year from all of the students at Silas Willard!

Our Field Day is this Friday May 22nd with a rain date of Tuesday May 26th.

Thank you for your support!

Jodi Keever

Parents are still able to register their child for the upcoming school year in Skyward! Parents will need to login to complete registration themselves this year. If you need help remembering your Skyward login, you can call the Silas front office.

Registration is easiest to complete in a web browser rather than the mobile app. If you have questions, please contact the District Registrar at 309-973-2112. Illinois School Physicals and up-to-date immunizations must be submitted prior to the first day of school.

Please click below to view the grade level-specific health requirements. Students who do not submit the required health documentation will be excluded on the first day of school.

We had our second pre-k visit this week! Students from the Bright Futures afternoon classes that will attend Silas visited on Monday.

On Wed, 5/13, Mr.Nick Gidmark who teaches Biology at Knox College, came in to five a presentation about predators and prey. The students got to learn about garter snakes, turtles, bearded dragon lizards, and pythons.

District #205 will provide scholarships for 338 #205 students to attend Knox College’s College 4 Kids this summer. Scholarships will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to students entering grades 1-8 (approx. 42 students per grade level). Knox College 4 Kids started in 1975. It is an annual summer academic enrichment program offered by the college. Participating students select from an array of courses provided by local community professionals and educators. The camp runs from July 6-July 17, 2026 this year. Registration information and additional details can be found at:

The registration deadline is May 31, 2026. To take advantage of this opportunity, guardians must click “CUSD #205 Registration” on the website. District #205 will not be providing transportation to College 4 Kids.

District #205 will provide scholarships for 168 students to attend Kids on Campus at Carl Sandburg College this summer. Scholarships will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to students entering grades 1-8 (24 students per grade level). Kids on Campus summer programs have offered over 20 years of summer opportunities to students. Kids on Campus is open to all students, regardless of academic standing. Courses have included the following subject areas: art, science, math, history, writing, cooking, health, physical fitness, performing arts, astronomy, music, and more. The camp runs from July 20-24, 2026 this year. Registration information and additional details can be found at:

The registration deadline is June 5, 2026. To take advantage of this opportunity, guardians must enter a promo code. The promo code will be shared prior to registration opening on May 1st. District #205 will not be providing transportation to Kids on Campus.

The District will also be providing scholarships for available dual credit courses offered by Carl Sandburg College this summer for 35 students entering grades 10-12. Students earning a passing grade in a dual credit course will receive both high school and college credit. Students can use the scholarship for a maximum of one course this summer. Students who are already registered and have paid may be reimbursed for costs. To take advantage of this opportunity, the steps for a student to take are as follows: ○ Apply to Carl Sandburg College at www.sandburg.edu/apply. (new students to CSC only need to apply). ○ Schedule to take the Accuplacer test. To sign up, go to www.sandburg.edu/accuplacer and then visit campus to take it. Note the student must score 247 or higher to take BIO 101, ENG 101 and PSY 101. All other courses require a score of 227 or higher. For the Math portion, a score of 256 or higher is required for college coursework unless high school courses or SAT/ACT scores waive this requirement. ○ The student should then schedule a meeting with their high school counselor to determine what classes best fit their needs, as well as complete the registration form. The form will then be routed to Megan Jones at CSC. ○ CSC will then bill District #205 for the first 30 students to take advantage of this opportunity. Summer courses begin on Monday, May 18, 2026. More information can be found at: https://www.sandburg.edu/Academics/index.html

Keisha Cares has been serving our District since 2020. The purpose of Keisha Cares is to

continue the legacy of late, long-time Lombard Middle School secretary Keisha Harris. Keisha

was well-known for her extensive support of students in need. By offering Keisha Cares, we aim

to meet the needs of students and families by providing food, tutoring assistance, referrals to

other services, hygiene items, and clothing as needed. Through Keisha Cares, District staff

travel via our dedicated van showing Keisha’s likeness. The service has a set schedule for

serving families at designated locations. Still, home visits/ family check-ins are also available

upon request by any CUSD #205 staff members or families in our community.

1. Read together every day. You can read the morning news at breakfast, share a story after supper, or cuddle up for a book at bedtime. A daily reading routine is something everyone can look forward to.
2. Talk and build vocabulary. Interesting conversations build vocabulary, language skills, and knowledge about the world. Talk is a child’s best source of exposure to new words and ideas.
3. Model reading. Kids want to do what the grownups do. Make sure your kids get to see you reading and hear you talk about it.
4. Point out print. Read and talk about the words you see in the world around you. There’s lots to read—signs, recipes, cereal boxes, instruction manuals, bus schedules, news, maps, and menus.

Practicing math facts is a great way to practice math at home!

This is the same as the 24-25 school year.

Window cards were sent home with students for pick up. This will help to make pick up go quickly. Please place these cards in the passenger window of the vehicle picking up. If you need more cards, please let your child's teacher know, and we can print more for you.

If you are getting out of your car at pick up, please meet your child on the playground. This is to ensure student safety.

ARRIVAL:

There is NO DROP OFF on Fremont in the morning. You need to park and walk your child through the playground gate if you use this entrance to the playground. Please drop off in the circle drive on Fifer, and your child can walk to the playground. You may not leave your car parked on Fremont to bring your child to the playground. At the end of the day, please do not have your child cross Fremont to be picked up. This is very dangerous for both students and parents.

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.

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.

3/4 Pick Up Lane: Students will exit door 10 and load from the grass in order of the cars in line. This is to ensure that all students are safely in their vehicles and that no one pulls around cars to get out of the line.

A reminder that the playground is CLOSED until 4:00 p.m. so that we can make sure that all students are picked up.

If you want to change your child's regular way home, please contact the office before 2:30 p.m.. We will make sure that your child's teacher receives the note. Office Phone: 309-973-2015.

Please do not message the teacher since we can't ensure that they will see the message before dismissal.

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.

We’re excited to announce that #Shinein205 is making its return! We're looking for your nominations of the incredible staff members who truly made a difference during those pivotal first moments of the school year and beyond! Whether it was helping a student adjust to a new environment, providing support, or reaching out with thoughtful insights for success, let us know about the remarkable efforts of our dedicated staff. Nominate today and help us recognize their hard work and dedication!

Quarter 1: August 11 - October 10, 2025

Quarter 2: October 20 - December 19, 2025

Quarter 3: January 6 - March 13, 2026

Quarter 4: March 23 - May 21, 2026*

*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

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

Student are required to come to school each day unless there is an emergency outlined above. Please click the link below for more information about attendance and truancy through the Regional Office of Education.

Truancy Procedures from the Regional Office of Education:

Truancy staff identify students through system of referrals by the participating school district, which then initiates steps that lead to the following:

• Step 1: Upon the student receiving 3 unexcused absences the Parent/Guardian will be sent Letter 1.
• Step 2: Upon the student receiving 6 unexcused absences the Parent/Guardian will be sent Letter 2.
• Step 3: Upon the student receiving 9 unexcused absences a citation for truancy will be written. ​​
• Step 4: Upon the student receiving 12 unexcused absences the Parent/Guardian will be sent Letter 3.
• Step 5: Upon the 15th unexcused absence the Student, Parent/Guardian will be sent a Legal Notice to Appear before the Truancy Review Board in the County they reside.
• Step 6: Upon any additional unexcused absences after the Truancy Review Board a petition to the State Attorney of the County resided in will be filed.

CHAMPS is a proactive approach to classroom management.

Origins of CHAMPS Classroom Management

CHAMPS is part of Randy Sprick's Safe and Civil Schools and is a research-based program with over thirty years of classroom research.

The CHAMPS acronym stands for:

• Conversation: Can students talk to each other during this activity?
• Help: How do students get the teacher's attention and their questions answered?
• Activity: What is the task/objective? What is the end product?
• Movement: Can students move about during this activity?
• Participation: How do students show they are fully participating? What does work behavior look/sound like?
• Success: When students meet CHAMPS expectations, they will be successful!

Benefits of CHAMPS Classroom Management

According to Safe and Civil Schools, CHAMPS strategies are easy to implement and will:

• Reduce classroom disruptions and office referrals
• Improve classroom climate
• Increase student on-task behavior
• Establish respectful and civil interactions

Each month students will focus on the monthly themes above. Teachers will provide explicit, direct skill instruction in these areas so that our school community as a whole becomes stronger.

Click the headline above to visit our virtual backpack to learn about opportunities and activities available in the area for children.