Ferson Creek eNews
September 11, 2026
Good Afternoon Ferson Creek Foxes,
I wanted to give you an update on something new we are trying this year regarding student IDs. Last year I had the opportunity to work between two of our D303 elementary schools. The other building that I worked in has required students to wear IDs during the school day for the past several years. I was able to observe many benefits (see below). I collected feedback from staff and based on their responses, decided to move forward with this.
Safety & Security: IDs help us quickly identify every student throughout the day, ensuring they belong in our building and helping all staff respond more efficiently during the day, during emergencies, drills, or unexpected situations.
Building Relationships and Student Belonging: When students wear their ID clips, it helps every adult from lunch and recess supervisors, to support staff, to substitutes, administrators, volunteers, and etc. learn students’ names more quickly. Being greeted by name helps students feel known, valued, and connected. When adults know students by name, it’s easier to build positive relationships, recognize great choices, and provide support when needed.
Additional Information: We understand some families may worry about a student losing their ID on the playground. The IDs are intended to be worn during the school day in our supervised environment. We will also be implementing a system during recess using student IDs to ensure we know exactly which students have entered the building to use the restroom and/or visit the nurse. While no system is without risk, the benefits of helping every adult quickly identify students, strengthening relationships, and supporting school safety are our top priority.
How you can help support: Please remind your student that their ID clips should remain at school daily. If you see it accidently come home on a shirt, please prompt them to return it to school the following day. Staff who are supporting dismissal are also looking out to collect any IDs so they remain at school.
Classroom Party Volunteers
Thank you to those who were able to sign up to serve as a classroom party volunteer last night. We realize that the directions may not have been followed in every case and the PTO will be working to problem solve this over the weekend. Thank you for your patience.
Outdoor Classroom Update
Our outdoor classroom will be receiving an update next week! They will be pouring a concrete foundation and moving the outdoor classroom closer to the building to allow for more shade. This is an exciting upgrade to our outdoor classroom!
-Mrs. Salto and Ms. Pigoni
September
September 16th-17th- Acadience screener for grades K-3
September 18th- PTO booster fundraiser (scheduled for grade-levels during the school day)
September 22nd- PTO Meeting 10:30-11:30 a.m.
September 23rd- Safety day AM (fire drill, tornado drill, lockdown drill)
September 30th- Early Release at 2:25p.m.
On September 23rd, Ferson Creek will be conducting our state required annual Lockdown Drill during which students will review and practice the classroom procedures. Parents/guardians may opt their child out of the physical participation in this drill each year by emailing Principal Kara Salto at Kara.Salto@d303.org AND Assistant Principal Ms. Pigoni at Gianna.Pigoni@d303.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled date. Students who have been opted out will receive an alternative school safety learning experience with a certified staff member.
Collect a NEW $105 donation on MyBooster.com by Monday and your student earns a Double Decker Frisbee!
Help us reach our goal of $30,000 for soccer goals, field trips, teacher allotments, assemblies, and birthday books. If we get there, we will have a teacher inflatable race!
Here’s how to help:
- Sign up at MyBooster.com
- Share your student’s page
- Give a donation
We’ve already raised $18,000 with 48% of students registered on booster. Every donation gets us closer!
Our goal is within reach and we are closer to unlocking our Great Wolf Lodge reward: WATERPARK DAY PASSES FOR ALL! Make sure you’re registered on mybooster.com to get your digital day pass. This weekend is the perfect opportunity for families to participate. You have to be registered to receive your pass. Don’t forget! Students can also earn wolf ears just for receiving their first donation.
Our big Ferson Fox Fit Games is coming up on 09/18/2026. We can’t wait to celebrate!
Thank you for your support!
We are wrapping up our fall i-Ready inform assessments this week. Makeup assessments are scheduled for next week. Please click the links below to learn how to access your student's results via the i-Ready dashboard.
Lunch and Recess
Parent volunteer positions for lunch and recess are currently on pause.
Birthday Lunches
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to join their child for lunch on their birthday (or an alternate day for summer birthdays).
- Check-in Required: All visitors must check in at the main office to receive a visitor tag before entering the lunchroom.
- Pre-Registration/RSVP Google Form: Please fill out the RSVP Google Form below at least 24 hours in advance so the office and lunchroom staff can plan for extra seating. We are limiting attendance to 2 adult guests per student. Click here to complete the birthday lunch RSVP Google Form.
- Guidelines and Rules: Food may only be shared with your own student. For student privacy, no photos may be taken during lunch. When lunch is over, you must return to the office to sign out.
- Grade-Level Lunch Times
Kindergarten 12:35-12:55
1st Grade 11:05-11:25
2nd Grade 11:25-11:45
3rd Grade 12:55-1:15
4th Grade 11:50-12:10
5th Grade 12:10-12:30
School Start Time - 9:05 am
Earliest Drop-Off Time - 8:50 am
School End Time - 3:25 pm
Early Release End Time - 2:35 pm
There are three easy ways to report your child's absence:
📱 Synergy Parent Portal/App: Click "Report Absence" on the home screen or in the attendance section
📞 Call: 331-228-2300, press option "1"
📧 Email: cheryl.wiley@d303.org
Phone/email details:
- Messages can be left 24 hours a day
- Please include: your name, your child's name, your phone number, reason for absence, and symptoms (if ill)
- Already emailed the teacher about the absence? Please copy cheryl.wiley@d303.org on that email as well — this helps you avoid a daily attendance verification call
Using Synergy ParentVue?
- Click the Report Absence button on the home screen or in the attendance section
- Select the Start and End Date for the absence
- Choose a Reason from the drop-down menu
- Enter a Note explaining the absence
- Upload documentation (e.g., doctor's note) if required, then click Save
Please refer to Chapter 2 of the 2026-2027 Student Handbook for detailed district attendance policies and procedures. Click button below for handbook!
In D303, we value the opportunity to provide a community of care and support for our families, especially those facing financial hardship.
If your family is currently experiencing a significant financial need, our community partnerships offer several supports, including school clothes/shoes, winter coats/accessories, school supplies, toiletries, holiday meals, and/or holiday gifts. If you would like to be considered for any of these supports, please complete the Family Resource Form by September 11, 2026.
En D303, valoramos la oportunidad de proveer una comunidad de cuidado y apoyo a nuestras familias, especialmente a aquellas que enfrentan dificultades financieras.
Si su familia está experimentando actualmente una necesidad financiera significativa, nuestras asociaciones comunitarias tienen varios apoyos disponibles para las familias, incluyendo: ropa/calzado para la escuela, abrigos/accesorios de invierno, materiales escolares, artículos de aseo personal, comidas para los días festivos, y/o regalos para navidad. Si desea que se le tenga en cuenta para cualquiera de estas ayudas, por favor, rellene este formulario. Para ser considerado, es fundamental que complete esta encuesta a más tardar el viernes 11 de septiembre.
All schools in St. Charles CUSD 303 have moved to Synergy SIS as the district’s new student information system, replacing HAC (Home Access Center). ParentVUE is the secure parent/guardian portal where you will be able to view your student's information, such as grades, report cards, attendance, and online registration.
Please activate your ParentVUE account by following the steps below.
Activate Your Account
Click here to begin: ParentVUE Account Activation
Review the Privacy Statement.
Click I Accept at the bottom of the page.
Create your username and password, and enter your email address.
Click Complete Account Activation.
You will then be logged into ParentVUE!
Important Notes
Initially, you will see one tile: Student Information.
Student Information: We kindly ask that you click into Student Information and verify that your student’s information is accurate. If edits are necessary, click Edit Information.
On August 10 in the afternoon, you will see additional information and tiles in the portal.
Each parent/guardian should create their own account. Do not share accounts.
You only need one account, even if you have multiple children enrolled in the district.
You must activate your web portal account before using the mobile app.
Students in middle and high school will receive their own StudentVUE accounts, which provide similar information. Please do not give your student(s) your ParentVUE login credentials.
Using the ParentVUE Mobile App
Download the free ParentVUE app by Edupoint from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app and either allow location services or type your zip code, then tap the district name.
Log in using the username and password you created during activation.
If you need assistance, please contact your student's school.
Thank you for completing your ParentVUE activation!
The District 303 Parent/Guardian Attendance Resource Guide is officially launching on the D303 website. This comprehensive resource is organized into three sections: D303-specific attendance resources, community-based attendance resources, and general attendance information, providing families with a clear, accessible starting point for navigating attendance concerns.
Ferson Creek Elementary
Gianna Pigoni, Assistant Principal
Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/