Steele Family Newsletter

Mrs. Grice, Dean of Students

Mr. Orellana, Dean of Students

Mrs. Knuth, Nurse

Mrs. Hickey, Family Engagement

Mrs. Fones and Ms. Howerter, Front Office Assistants

Email: kcoate@galesburg205.org
Website: https://steele.galesburg205.org/
Location: 1480 West Main Street, Galesburg, IL, USA
Phone: (309)973-2016
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steele205/
X: @wearesteele

Instagram: @205steelestars

Dear Steele School Families,

Welcome to a brand-new school year! I hope this summer provided you and your family with time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together. As we prepare to begin the 2025–2026 school year, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to both our returning families and those who are joining us for the first time. We are so glad you’re here!

There’s something special about the start of a new year—fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the excitement of new possibilities. Our team has been working hard over the summer to make sure Steele School is ready to welcome students with open arms. Classrooms are prepped, hallways are gleaming, and our staff is energized and eager to engage, inspire, and support every child who walks through our doors.

This year, we are focused on continuing to build a strong and connected school community. Our theme, “A World of Cultures, One Community,” will guide the way we celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and nurture a sense of belonging for all students and families. We believe that when students feel safe, seen, and supported, they are empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

We also remain committed to academic excellence and high expectations. Through engaging instruction, strong relationships, and targeted support, we will ensure every student is challenged and celebrated in their learning journey. Whether your child is just beginning their educational journey or entering their final year at Steele, we are here to partner with you in making it a successful one.

Please be on the lookout for communication about upcoming events and important information about the first week of school. As always, our doors are open, and we welcome your questions, ideas, and involvement. When schools and families work together, great things happen.

Let’s make this year one to remember!

With excitement and appreciation,
Mrs. Coate
Principal, Steele School

Whether this is your first year at Steele or you have been here for multiple years, we want to welcome you all to the 25-26 school year. We are the "STARS" and we shine bright!

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

Steele Vision Statement: Creating learners who make wise choices, embrace challenges, and own their future.

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.

Steele Mission Statement: Diversity is who we are. Equity is what we strive to provide. Inclusion is how we achieve our goals. Together we inspire dreams, celebrate learning and embrace the future.

• Ms. Moats, 1st grade
• Ms. Hall, Physical Education
• Mrs. Holtz, Self Contained Special Education
• Mrs. Meyers, Interventionist
• Ms. Martin, Social Worker
• Ms. Kestel, Building Substitute

• Ms. Mindell
• Ms. Harper
• Ms. Weinreich
• Ms. Spencer
• Ms. Bodenhamer

We are so blessed to have them join our team.

Classroom teacher assignments will be available in SkywardQ on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM. If you have not registered, a teacher assignment will not be given until registration is complete. Parent requests for changes will not be honored this close to the school year.

Kiss-N-Go Car Riders: Students may be dropped off after 8:50 AM am using the single-file car lane next to the playground. Students should exit the vehicle on the passenger's side for their safety. This may only be used if the student can get in/out of the car on their own. Adults may not get out of the car to assist in any way.

Parent Park: If your child cannot enter/leave the car without your assistance, you must use the parent parking lot. When entering the lot, you MUST park your car in an open slot, exit your car and walk up to the cafe doors (side of the building) to drop off/meet your child.

Bus Riders: Buses use the front circular driveway to load and unload students. Parents are not to use the circular drive to load/unload students before/after school. If a student wishes to ride home with a friend on the bus, a note must be given to the office for the principal’ signature regarding this prior to dismissal. Bus information (bus stop locations, pick up and drop off times) will be in Skyward.

After the 3:45 p.m. bell, all students are dismissed from school to:

• the kiss-n-go car line through door 7 (K-2 graders) and door 8 (3-4 graders)
• the parent park through the cafeteria doors. Parents must park, exit the car and come up to the cafe doors to meet your child.
• PALS which is held in the cafeteria
• to buses in the front circle

Picture 500 students all getting home the correct way in about 10 minutes. It may seem overwhelming. It would be without a very structured process. This is where we need your help. We need you will indicate your child's primary way home here. If plans change, you MUST let the office know of the change so we can keep a master list of changes should there be an issue. Please do not rely on a message to the teacher since they may not have time to read the message before the end of the day.

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

Students will bring their own supplies to school this year. Our "Meet the Teacher Night" will be on Thursday August 7th from 5:00-6:30 p.m.. Students can bring supplies this night, but they also may bring supplies on the first day of school.

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.

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.

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 monthly themes . Teachers will provide explicit, direct skill instruction in these areas so that our school community as a whole becomes stronger. The month of August is our Kindness Kick off!

We believe that students should have safe, predictable places to learn where they feel included.

Students should have healthy and helpful connections with teachers and classmates. They

should also experience learning that will help them tackle challenges inside and outside of

school. PurposeFull People is more than a set of lessons - it is a partnership between schools

and families to create a place where students feel like they belong and learn skills that will help

them be the best they can be!

Purposefull People has three main goals for students: Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well.

• Be Kind: Social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership. These skills are taught alongside Empathy, Respect, & Cooperation
• Be Strong: Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals. These skills are taught alongside Responsibility, Courage, & Perseverance
• Be Well: Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.These skills are taught alongside Gratitude, Honesty, & Creativity

This year, you’ll be invited to join the fun! We will send letters home about the skills and

strengths being taught each month. Each letter will include some ways to build these skills at

home, discussion starters, and fun challenges you can try with your family.

The path forward is full of growth! We cannot wait to partner with you in this work…

● To teach students how to build strong friendships

● To work together to solve problems, big and small

● To grow skills for life

● To become PurposeFull People

View more: htpp://schools.mealviewer.com/school/SteeleElementarySchool

All meetings are held at Steele in the library. Meetings run from 5:30 - 6:30 PM and are on the first Tuesday of the month.

A Google Meet will be set up for those of you that want to attend but cannot be in person.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jms-yjdu-agj

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 678-487-9512‬ PIN: ‪356 280 867‬#