Patterson Elementary Announcements

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Hello Patterson Families!

We had so many exciting activities happening around the burrow this week to celebrate the students' accomplishments and hard work all school year. Once again, I have been reminded of how lucky I am to get to do what I love each day! Thank you for sharing your children with us! I am so proud of the growth made by our students and the partnerships made with all of our families. Everyone has become a champion this year!

Yearbook or autograph signing will be done on Monday, June 2nd. Please send your child with their yearbook to school on Monday, June 2nd. If students do not have a yearbook they will be provided with an autograph signing page.

Don't forget to register your student for the 2025-26 school year! Each year, you need to register for the upcoming year. We are at about 176 families currently registered. Registration is completed all online. More information can be found by clicking HERE. Staffing allocations are based upon student enrollment, so please complete your registration as soon as possible. . If you have any questions regarding registration, please call the main office line at #630-428-6500. If you know you are moving or not returning to Patterson, please let the office know by completing the form below.

End of Year Reminders:

-If your child has medication in the nurse's office, please pick up from the office before June 3rd. Any medication left after June 3rd will be disposed of. Nurse Amanda is available Monday and Tuesday this week from 8:20am-3:50pm

-Yearbook signing is on Monday, June 2nd.

-The last day of school is Tuesday, June 3rd.

-As part of the referendum that passed, Patterson will be getting a safe and secure vestibule. This means Patterson's front office will be under contruction beginning on June 5th. The front office will be closed during construction. You may still call the main office number or my phone number over the summer should you need anything. You can also email myself or Tina Pecoraro over the summer.

Check out below to see what is happening around the burrow!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Mrs. Michelle Hebenstreit, Principal

michelle_hebenstreit@ipsd.org

#630-428-6503

June 2- Yearbook signing-please make sure students bring yearbooks back to school

June 3- Last day to claim lost and found items and last day to pick up medications from Nurse Amanda, Last Day of School for students, 5th Grade Ceremony at 2:10pm in the Patterson Gym, 5th Grade Clap Off at 3:15pm outside, Spring iReady scores posted in ParentVue

June 6 - Q4 Report Cards Go Live on ParentVue at Noon

June 22- Last Day to order a school supply kit for the 2025-26 school year, see more info below

Here are a few important news items from the LMC!!

• SUMMER READING! Check out this slide deck with lots of summer reading goodies, and even a BINGO board for over the summer to win prizes next school year!
• 5th Grade: Check-in of Chromebooks will be on Monday, June 2. Please make sure all students bring their Chromebook wiped down/cleaned. They must be free of damage and must turn in the charger they were issued.
• Grades 2-4 will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. All of the resources on the SSO will be available until July 31. Resources will not be available until school starts as the district needs time to update accounts.
• K-1 students will not have Chromebooks during the summer. 1st graders will receive new Chromebooks in 2nd grade, and KDG student will have Chromebooks in their 1st grade classrooms. All SSO resources are available for use on a home device until July 31.
• If you are moving, please return all materials before the last day of school. The district will charge for all materials not received.

Thank you again for all of your support!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or phone: dawn_maly@ipsd.org or 630.428.6500 x 55358.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Maly, LMC Director

Your child's Spring iReady scores will be available in Parentvue on Tuesday, June 3rd. Please click the linked documents below for directions on how to view scores as well as the description for the assessments.

Overall as a school, we have celebrated the huge growth that all grade levels K-5 have made on iReady this year! We ended the year with 85% of students at or above grade level in English Language Arts and 87% of students at or above grade level in math. Way to go Prairie Dogs!

English Spring iReady Parent Letter

Spanish Spring iReady Parent Letter

Welcome incoming Kindergartners for the 2025-2026 school year!

Please take a moment to view this slideshow with information about Kindergarten at Patterson. ***If you have an incoming kindergartner, please click the link below to complete the student information form on SLIDE 3.***

Kindergarten Information Slideshow

*This can also be found on Patterson's webpage.

*If you know a family that has an incoming kindergartner, please share the link above with them.

You can also visit the district's website by clicking HERE for more information.

Kindergarten Meet and Greet- Tuesday, August 12th, see info above

1st-5th Grade Meet and Greet- Thursday, August 14th 2:30-3:30pm @ Patterson

Gregory P.E. Shirts for 6th Grade:

• If you ordered a P.E. Shirt for Gregory next year, it will come home on Monday, June 2nd in your child's backpack

5th Grade Gregory Middle School T-Shirts:

• 5th Grade Gregory Middle School T-shirts (NOT the Gregory PE shirts) were sent home May 28th.

• Please wear your 5th Grade Gregory Middle School T-Shirts (NOT the Gregory PE shirts) on June 3rd, the last day of school!

5th Grade Last Day Trolley Info:

• If your student would like to participate in the 5th Grade Last Day Trolley, please complete the signup and send payment per the 5th Grade Parent Letter ASAP! Trolley

• The trolley is a parent-led, optional activity - not affiliated with PTA/Patterson Elementary School.

• 5th Graders: Don’t forget to wear your 5th Grade Gregory Middle School T-Shirt and bring a Sharpie to sign each other’s t-shirts!

• Dunkin Donuts and water will be provided for 5th grade students only.

• 5th Graders should arrive at the Ashbury Clubhouse at 7:45 am.

• Parents: Don't forget your camera to capture the last morning of 5th grade fun with friends! This is NOT a "drop off" event. Parents must remain at the Clubhouse to chaperone their child. 5th graders and their families will walk to school together at 8:45 am after riding the trolley.

Get Ready for Gregory!

Our costs have increased, but we’re committed to keeping membership fees the same so everyone can stay involved and have a voice. To help bridge the gap, we’ve introduced Gold, Silver, and Bronze donation levels for those who’d like to contribute a little extra. Our basic membership remains $20, and every dollar directly supports our students, teachers, and school programs.

A PTA membership is valid for the entire school year, so be sure to select the 2025-2026 school year when signing up.

If your family is currently facing financial hardship but would still like to be a PTA member, please contact our principal confidentially for assistance. We want every family to feel welcome and included.

Stay cool all summer long with Patterson spiritwear.

Use code SUMMER at checkout for 20% off

Make school supply shopping easy! Patterson has partnered with Educational Products, Inc. to help you save time and money on school supply shopping. All kits will be shipped to your home before school begins in August. Kits are offered as a service, be sure to check out the complete school supply list at the website below.

Patterson School ID: PAT025
Orders will be charged tax at checkout.

Complete School Supply Lists for Patterson Elementary can be found on the IPSD 204 District Website Here: https://www.ipsd.org/Page/2548

Entries will be due October 2025.

See pattersonpta.com/special-events/reflections for more information.

Gregory Middle School Supply Kits

Save Up to 40% on Supplies with EPI

Starting Now thru June 22nd!

Go to educationalproducts.com/shoppacks

Enter the school ID, GRE022 (3 letters/3 numbers)

Follow the directions to complete your order.

Keep your online confirmation as your receipt.

6th Grade: $55.00

7th Grade: $55.00

8th Grade: $50.00

A shipping fee of $7.95 per pack plus tax will be applied at checkout.

6th Graders, you have a choice of a School Supply Kit with an Expandable File Folder or 5 Pocket Folder.

School supplies will be shipped directly to your home.

Please DO NOT use a P.O. BOX or the school address as your ship to address.

For questions, please contact Kim Gilbert at 217-979-7796

As we wrap up the school year and finalize our budget, we’re excited to share that thanks to your incredible support, the Patterson PTA has some remaining funds to put to great use.

We worked with Mrs. Hebenstreit and the faculty to create a thoughtful “Wish List” of items that would benefit our students—and we’re proud to announce that we’ll be able to fund every single one!

Here are the additional items made possible by your support:

• Stairwell Spring Theme Mural – A special dedication to Mike Schu, former Patterson teacher and Ashbury parent, featuring artwork by Sarah McGinnis. This is part of a larger plan to have all three stairwells painted with seasonal themes by 2027. The final mural will feature a fall design.

• Main Hallway Repainting – With the secure vestibule upgrade planned for this summer, the hallway near the front office will be repainted to refresh and complement the updated entryway.

• Flexible Seating and Storage Cart for Specials Classes – New seating options and a mobile cart to support instruction in music, art, and other specials.

• Standing Desks – One standing desk for each grade level to provide alternative seating options for students.

• ELA Research Books (Kindergarten–2nd Grade) – Supplemental materials to support the new English Language Arts curriculum.

• Sensory Items – Tools to support student regulation and focus, such as Therabands, wobble stools, Move ’n Sit cushions, Velcro calming strips for desks, and noise-canceling headphones.

• Kindness Crew Club Materials – Supplies to support student-led initiatives promoting kindness and inclusion.

• Matt Wilhelm Assembly – A dynamic BMX presentation focused on bullying prevention, kindness, growth mindset, and resilience.

• Indoor Recess Cart Enhancements – New games and materials to expand and improve indoor recess activities.

This is all possible because of you—our generous Patterson families. Whether through PTA memberships, fundraisers like Orange Ruler, spirit wear, Square 1 Art, or restaurant nights, your support makes a real impact.

Thank you for helping us enrich the Patterson experience for every student!

Sincerely,

Patterson PTA

Volunteer for a PTA Committee

There are many different PTA committees that could use your help. Time commitments vary, so you can volunteer even if you don’t have a lot of time. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the PTA at info@pattersonpta.com.

Visit the PTA website.

Office Hours beginning on Monday, Aug. 12th:

8:00am-4:15pm

School Hours:

Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:

• School Start Times
• First Bell- 8:50am
• Last Bell 9:05am, Students are expected to be in their seats by this time
• School End Times:
• Dismissal Bell 3:35pm

Wednesday (Late Start, Staff engage in Professional Development before school):

• School Start Times
• First Bell- 9:00am
• Last Bell 9:15am, Students are expected to be in their seats by this time
• School End Times:
• Dismissal Bell 3:35pm

If your child arrives after the last bell, please park in the circle drive and walk your child to Door 1. You will need to come in and sign your child in at the greeter desk or front office.

The safety of our Patterson students, staff, and families is an upmost priority to our team. During meet and greet, each teacher will have a form for parents/guardians to notify your child's teacher and our office team how your child will be dismissed each day. Please make sure to complete this form when visiting your child's classroom.

Staff will be present at all entrances being used for arrival and dismissal to supervise students.

New this year:

• On the first day of school, your child will receive a backpack tag that is color coded by bus, car rider, walker, biker, or YMCA. Pleaase leave this tag on your child's backpack for the duration of the school year.
• Door 11 will be used for the dismissal of Kindergarten students only. Siblings that wish to "pick up" their kindergarten sibling will meet them outside Door 11.

Arrival Procedures:

• Students may enter the building through Doors 1,2,11 or by the back rike in the back of school at Door 9 and should NOT arrive before 8:50am or 9:05am on late start day.
• Car Riders will pull into the front circle drive. Please remember there are no cell phones while driving on school property. Please do not let your child leave the car until you see a staff member outside.
• Big Bus Riders will be dropped off at the bus pad and a staff member will walk the students inside the building through door 2.
• Small bus riders will be dropped off in the side lot and will be met by a staff member and walked inside.

Dismissal Procedures:

• Dismissal will begin at 3:35pm.
• Kindergarten walkers or car riders will exit the building through Door 11 and will be escorted by a staff member. Students will not be released unless they see an older sibling or parent.
• All other students will be dismissed from Door 1, 2, or out Door 9 by the bike rack.
• Car Riders will all have car numbers which you will receive at Meet and Greet or the first day of school. Please have your car number visible in your window. Car Riders will use the front circle drive. Students will be dismissed to the gym where they will watch for the car number to appear on the screen. Students will exit through Door 1 or 2. Parents/Guardians, please be respectful and patient of staff directing the carline.
• Big bus riders will be dismissed to the gym and will be walked by a staff member to the bus pad out through the gym door.
• Small bus riders will be dimissed through the gym door, Door 4, in the side lot and will be escorted by a staff member to the bus.

***VERY IMPORTANT: If your child is a car rider, please do NOT exit your car in the carline. Students need to be able to open the car door and get in their car independently. Thank you for staying in your car to help move the carline along quickly.

For more detailed information and to view our arrival/dismissal map, please click HERE.

Registration is open for YMCA Safe 'n' Sound Program for before and after school care. We are lucky that Patterson is a site for this program. For more information or to register your child click the link: YMCA Safe 'n' Sound

Per the district parent/student handbook, please remind your child of the rules regarding cell phones and smartwatches.

All electronic devices must be kept powered-off or silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day unless: (a) the supervising teacher grants permission; (b) use of the device is provided in a student’s individualized education program (IEP); (c) it is used during the student’s lunch period, or (d) it is needed in an emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff, or other individuals.

We appreciate your support in helping us priortize learning and instruction during the school day. Please note that in elementary school, we do not allow use of electronic devices during lunch.

• Students in Grades 2-5 all have Chromebooks that will travel to and from school daily. Grades K-1 will keep their Chromebooks at school in a charging cart in the classroom to use throughout the day.
• Please keep all chargers at home, do not send them to school. Students are responsible for charging their Chromebooks at home for the school day. We do not have the capability to charge Chromebooks during the day for students. Thank you for helping students be successful here at school!
• Students take home Chromebooks every night for charging to be ready for the next day of learning at school. Each grade level has different expectations on homework or practice at night on Chromebooks. Please contact your child's teacher for more information on what is required.
• Just a reminder that Chromebooks are for schoolwork only. Students are allowed to access their dashboard (SSO) that has multiple items for them to use. Other sites allowed are Mrs. Maly's LMC page with activites or their teacher's Google Classroom which may have items for them to access.
• For information regarding District 204 Student Data Privacy please click here.
• For more information regarding SOPPA (Student Online Personal Protection Act) and how it is applied in District 204 please click this link.