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Silas Family Newsletter #32

Silas Family Newsletter #32
Silas FamilyNewsletter #32
Silas Willard Elementary School

Silas Willard Elementary School

309-973-2015 309-343-0569

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Make sure to follow us on Social Media! Make sure to follow us on Social Media!

Facebook Page
Instagram @205SilasWildcats

#silaswildcats #silaswildcats

CUSD #205 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
Click above to see the calendar for all of the District #205 schools. This will help you stay up-to-date on days off, early release days, and much more.

Silas Willard Elementary School Mission and Vision 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,


I am so impressed with how hard the third and fourth grade students worked this week on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, or IAR. Fourth grade has one more day of testing next Tuesday in the morning.


A reminder that "Rooms" in the Galesburg app is still up and running. Please join if you have not yet. This will be the app that we use for all classroom communication next year.


On Tuesday April 1st the 3rd and 4th grade music concerts will be held in the Silas gym.

3rd Grade Music Concert: 6:00, students arrive and go to classrooms at 5:45

4th Grade Music Concert: 6:30, students arrive at go to classrooms at 6:15


We are also having our own "Young Authors" competition at Silas this year. Information will go home on Monday March 31st, so please check your child's folder to see how your child can participate. Some teachers are doing this in the classroom, and others are not, so make sure to check in with your child.


Sincerely,

Jodi Keever

Principal

Silas Online Calendar
Registration FAQ's

Rooms Messaging Rooms Messaging

Please download the Galesburg App. When you receive your invitation in your email, then you can sign up for messaging. This is what all staff will use to message parents once everyone is signed up.

Download for iPhone

Field Day Field Day

If you would like to volunteer for field day, you will need to be on the approved volunteer list. Our P.E. teacher, Mr. Miller, sent an email to all approved volunteers on Thursday March 27th. If you do not get an email, then you will need to click the link below and sign up as a district volunteer to help run a station at field day. Field Day is on Monday May 19th, with a rain date of Tuesday May 20th. We appreciate your support!

Galesburg CUSD #205

Galesburg CUSD #205

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.

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Arrival and Dismissal Reminders Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

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 Freemont to bring your child to the playground.


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.

Truancy information Truancy information

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 & Homeless Education

Participating school districts identify and refer students. The Stay-In program operates on the premise that dealing with kindergarten through twelfth-grade students' attendance and academic problems will result in the student improving school attendance and academic performance, eventually resulting in the acquisition of a high school diploma.

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Wildcat Way Ticket Drawing Wildcat Way Ticket Drawing

This week we recognized many students, but we were not able to get pictures! We will follow up with pictures next week.

Character Strong Trait of the Month for April: Responsibility Character Strong Trait of the Month for April: Responsibility

Responsibility Read Aloud Responsibility Read Aloud

Kids Book Read Aloud: A Little SPOT of Responsibility: A Story About Making Good Choices

Family Strong Website Family Strong Website

Take a look at the "Family Strong" website for more resources for home.

FamilyStrong

FamilyStrong

FamilyStrong

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CharacterStrong

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Read Alouds at Home 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.

Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition

Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition

Amazon.com: Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition: 9780143133797: Trelease, Jim, Giorgis, Cyndi: Books

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The Blog Post Below has a list of recommended titles to read at home! The Blog Post Below has a list of recommended titles to read at home!

Dive into Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook - Read To Them

Dive into Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook - Read To Them

It's customary for Read to Them to recommend books aimed at children. You can, in fact, find numerous book lists on our blog, along with a sprawling

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Read Aloud Ideas For Home Read Aloud Ideas For Home

Interactive read alouds: tips for parents and caregivers for enriching reading experiences at home - Crane Center

Interactive read alouds: tips for parents and caregivers for enriching reading experiences at home - Crane Center

Many parents and caregivers find themselves at home with young children while schools and child care centers are closed. Reading aloud is one of the most significant activities for developing literacy that also creates a sense of connection and safety in what may be a difficult time.

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"Bridges in Mathematics" Curriculum at Home "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 Apps

Math Apps

Sharing in an app allows educators to pose problems and investigations for students by using an 8-character code or link. Students can share their thinking with their teachers and classmates. Share codes remain available for continued use for 18 months from the date they are last accessed.

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Math Game of the Week for Home Math Game of the Week for Home

13 Math Games Your Children Will Love to Play - peanut butter fish lessons

13 Math Games Your Children Will Love to Play - peanut butter fish lessons

Do you like to sneak learning into your day? I sure do. Games are one of the ways we do that in our house. They are perfect for evening, weekend, and summer learning or you can schedule a game afternoon or day in your homeschool.

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4th Quarter Skills Letters by Grade Level 4th Quarter Skills Letters by Grade Level

Kindergarten Kindergarten

1st Grade 1st Grade

2nd Grade 2nd Grade

3rd Grade 3rd Grade

4th Grade 4th Grade

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Volunteers 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.

Galesburg CUSD #205

Galesburg CUSD #205

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.

launch galesburg205.org

PTO PTO

PTO Facebook Page
Galesburg 205 Breakfast and Lunch Menus

April Breakfast Menu April Breakfast Menu

April Lunch Menu April Lunch Menu

Printable Pick Up and Drop Off Directions

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 Attendance Policy

zoom_out_map

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 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

#silaswildcats

#thisis205

Jodi Keever
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