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Silas Family Newsletter #1
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Welcome Silas Willard Wildcats!
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. We are excited to welcome all students, whether it is your first year, or you have been at Silas for multiple years. We are the Silas Willard Wildcats, and we follow "The Wildcat Way."
Mission Statement: Silas Willard welcomes everyone in an inclusive, diverse learning community that values equality and recognized and respects strengths and needs of all learners without exception.
All About The New Prinicipal: Mrs. Keever
Welcome our Newest Staff Members!
- Mrs. Kochersperger, Kindergarten
- Mrs. Kelley, 2nd grade
- Mr. Miller, P.E.
- Mrs. Lovell, Interventionist
24-25 Registration is Open!
Are you overwhelmed with the registration process? Have no fear - we can help you! Stop into the front office or call to make an appointment for assistance. Returning Families, please log in to Skyward Family Access to begin the quick and easy process. Click the link for step-by-step instructions: https://bit.ly/4cWd1o0 #Thisis205
Skyward Payments Now Taken
Beginning on July 1, 2024, any payments made on Skyward through our online web store, RevTrak, will be charged a 4.3% software admin fee. Staff and Families can add money to their Skyward account with no additional fees by paying with check (payable to Galesburg CUSD #205) or cash at school.
When Will I Know Who My Teacher is?
Classroom teacher assignments will be available in SkywardQ on Friday August 2nd, 2024 at 9:00 AM. 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.
Transportation Information
Please look for information next week about new drop off and pick up procedures. To alleviate traffic back up we will have a new plan for the 24-25 school year. We appreciate your patience and cooperation!
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
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
August Breakfast Menu
August Lunch Menu
CHAMPS Expectations at 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
Awards and Recognitions
Student of the Month:
This is given to students that have exemplified the character trait of the month.
Monthly Themes:
- August: Cooperation
- September: Respect
- October: Courage
- November: Gratitude
- December: Honesty
- January: Empathy
- February: Kindness
- March: Perseverance
- April: Responsibility
- May: Creativity
Students will have a yard sign placed in their front yard by staff members. A window sign will be given to students that are in apartments.
Monthly Behavior Incentives:
At the end of each month, we will hold fun activities for all students that had no disciplinary offenses.
Character Strong
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. After a Kindness Kick Off, we will focus on Cooperation in August!
Please look for our 2024-2025 event dates in the next few weeks!
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