Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!

February 14, 2025

From the Desk of: Principal Hoese

Lil Steamer Families --

Love is in the air — and so is an alarming amount of glitter! As we celebrate Valentine's Day, we want to remind everyone that this holiday is about kindness, friendship, and, of course, excessive amounts of heart-shaped everything. Thank you for making this holiday such a special one for our kiddos.

We also recognize that Valentine’s Day can be a mix of excitement and, let’s be honest, a tiny bit of sugar-fueled chaos. Rest assured, we do our best to keep the day filled with fun, inclusive activities that celebrate the joy of friendship. So, whether your child is handing out valentines, building a friendship chain, or simply enjoying a heart-shaped snack, we’re here to make the day special. Thank you for sharing your wonderful kids with us — we ❤️ our school family!

JAGH

From the Desk of: AP Parsons

Parents of Students with IEPs:

Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) gathers information from a representative sample of parents with a child receiving special education services to determine the degree to which schools throughout the state are facilitating parent involvement in their child's education. Parents from districts in the state are surveyed once every six years apart.

If you are the parent of a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you may receive a survey in the mail from Measurement, Incorporated, the current contractor administering the ISBE survey. If you do receive the parent survey, please take a few minutes to complete it.

If you have questions, please reach out to me at FES at 815-589-2911 ext. 353.

From the Desk of: Counselor Meumann

Valentine’s Day is here! Consider making a valentine for your child. Writing personalized and sentimental messages in your child’s greeting card can make them feel extra loved and special on an otherwise ordinary February day.

Here are some cute messages for your most lovable mini valentines!

“Life is filled with lots of things that make it all worthwhile, but none is better than your little smile.”
“Thank you for filling my life with love.”
“Know what I like about you? Everything! Happy Valentine’s Day”
“May your every heart’s desire come true for you today.”
“It’s so sweet having a [daughter/son] like you. Hope your Valentine’s Day is extra sweet, too.”
“May your life be filled with the kind of heartfelt beauty that you bring to mine.”
“Even in a fairy tale where every dream comes true, I could never hope to find a son/daughter as sweet as you.”

1B is Shining Bright in our Valentine's Day Shades!

FES PTO Corner

Holiday Shop Success!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Holiday Shop! We had total sales of $9,135, with inventory costs $3,532, supplies of $1,202. After expenses, our net sales totaled $4,401. We had approximately 40 students that were invited to the Polar Bear Cub Club. This club continue spreading holiday cheer by making sure every student was able to enjoy and Shop at our Polar Bear Patch.

Donuts with Grown-Ups – March 18-21

Join us in the FES Gym from 7:30-8:00 AM for our annual Donuts with Grown-Ups event! Each day is designated for a House, but if your schedule doesn’t allow, feel free to attend on a different day:

- Tuesday: Bridge House

- Wednesday: River House

- Thursday: Anchor House

- Friday: Wheel House

Gift a Lucky Duck!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun surprise! PTO is offering the chance to send a Lucky Duck to students, delivered at school. Flyers will be sent home soon, and orders are due by the end of the day on March 14. You can also place orders at our Family Fun Night table on March 10.

Approved PTO Action Items

- Crayons for Miss Maloney’s 2nd grade classroom

- Circa 21 2nd Grade Field Trip Funding: PTO approved $9 per student, reducing parent costs to only $5 per ticket. In addition we approved to cover the complete ticket cost for teachers attending the trip.

- April Change Drive: Help us fund a new laminator or poster printer for FES—watch for details in the flyer!

- Field Day Support: PTO will provide water drinking stations and donate bubbles for the event

- Preschool Donations: Bubble blowers and sandbox toys were donated from extra Holiday Shop inventory

PTO Elections – Get Involved!

Interested in joining PTO leadership? Elections are coming up! Attend our next PTO meeting on March 4 at 7 PM in the FES Conference Room to be placed on the ballot or to nominate someone.

As always, feel free to reach out to us on Facebook at Fulton PTO, by email at fultonelempto@gmail.com, or contact a board member:

Lynne Coffey – President
Abra Richards – Vice President & Media Manager
Danielle Wilkins – Secretary
Tarah Manon – Treasurer

Thank you for your continued support of FES and our PTO initiatives!

Kindergarten Round Up Scheduled for Feb. 18 & Mar. 12

Winter Fun Day at Rock Creek Marina in Camanche, Iowa

Come and have fun and see Mrs. Pannell!!

NEW Positions Available!

Starting pay is $18/hour. AM/PM Route. Up to 4 hours per day.

Paid holidays, sick, personal and bereavement time, and insurance available as well as participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Come join River Bend's excellent team of transportation professionals! All of our vehicles are well maintained, newer models and are all parked indoors.

No CDL? No problem! Paid training is provided (terms apply.)

Email Transportation Director Taylor Whitney at twhitney@riverbendschools.net to apply.

Capturing Kids Hearts February Family Newsletter

Be sure to read through the conversation starters at the bottom of the newsletter for great ways to discuss how to be a kind student. Kindness is our January monthly character trait!