Steele Family Newsletter

Mrs. Grice, Dean of Students

Mrs. Knuth, Nurse

Mrs. Hickey, Family Engagement

Mrs. Mowen, Outreach

Mrs. Fones and Ms. Patch, 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

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year at Steele Elementary School! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful summer break, filled with memorable moments and joyful experiences. As we embark on this new academic journey, I am thrilled to welcome our returning families and extend a special greeting to those who are joining our school community for the first time.

At Steele Elementary School, we are committed to providing a nurturing and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Our dedicated staff has been working diligently to prepare for an enriching and successful school year, filled with innovative learning opportunities and meaningful connections.

This year, we are excited to introduce several new initiatives aimed at enhancing our students' educational experiences:

1. Bridges Math Program: We are pleased to launch Bridges Math Program at first and second grade. Last year our Kindergarten teachers all piloted the program and we saw phenomenal results.

2. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Our focus on social-emotional learning will continue to be a priority, with new programs and activities designed to help students develop essential skills such as empathy, resilience, and teamwork. We will be using Character Strong as our core curriculum and highlight one character trait a month.

3. Community Involvement: We believe in the power of a strong school-community partnership. Throughout the year, we will host various events and opportunities for families to engage with the school. In addition, there will be volunteer opportunities available such as buddy readers, classroom helpers, etc.

Communication and collaboration are key to a successful school experience. I encourage you to stay connected with us through our school website, newsletters, and social media channels. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our staff. Your feedback is invaluable, and together, we can create a positive and enriching environment for our students.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are honored to be part of their learning journey and look forward to a fantastic year filled with growth, discovery, and achievement.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Coate

Principal

Whether this is your first year at Steele or you have been here for multiple years, we want to welcome you all to the 24-25 school year. We are the "STARS" and we shine bright!

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

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.

Steele School 24-25 Theme: Making Memories Inside and Out at Steele School

• Mrs. Woerly, Kindergarten
• Miss Novak, 1st grade
• Ms. Gomez, 1st grade
• Mrs. Johnson, 2nd grade
• Mrs. Austin, 3rd grade
• Mrs. St. Clair, 3rd grade
• Mrs. Wilson, 3rd grade
• Ms. Robison, 3rd grade
• Mr. Kirkhove, Physical Education
• Mr. Lopez, Music

For a full staff list, please click on the attachment below.

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

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.

Classroom teacher assignments will be available in SkywardQ on Friday, August 2, 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.

Students can turn in completed workbooks to Mrs. Coate at the family engagement events over the summer or the first week of school for free Kastle Kreme coupons.

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: Busses 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 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

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

All meetings are held at Steele in the library. Meetings run from 5:30 - 6:30 PM and are typically on the first Monday 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#