Patterson Elementary Announcements

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Hello Patterson Families!

It was great to celebrate all of our parents this past Monday at our PTA meeting. Thank you again for all the support you give to Patterson. I want to also thank the 5th grade planning committee who organized the 5th grade Fest as well as other upcoming 5th grade special events. The students really enjoyed the event today! Thank you to all parents who donated their time and other items for this event!

I am looking forward to seeing the Patterson Chorus and all the student artwork at the Fine Arts Festival tomorrow, 5/17, at Neuqua Valley High School. If you have the opportunity to stop by, please do. It is a wonderful event celebrating and showcasing all of our talented students in the arts K-12th grade! The Patterson chorus will be performing at 1:20pm in the Auditorium.

More Information can be found here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fundthefineartsfestival2025/

Thank you to those who have already registered your students for the 2025-26 school year. Let's keep those registrations coming in! We have about 133 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. Registration needs to be completed for ALL students, returning or new to Patterson. 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.

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

Have a nice weekend!

Mrs. Michelle Hebenstreit, Principal

michelle_hebenstreit@ipsd.org

#630-428-6503

May 17- Fine Arts Festival at Neuqua HS, Chorus performs at 1:20pm in the auditorium

May 20- Incoming Kindergarten Screening 9:30am-6:00pm

May 21- 2nd Grade Field Trip

May 23- Burrow Store Open

May 26- NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day

May 27- RAMP it Up Day

May 30- Whole School Assembly with BMX Biker Matt Wilhelm at 2:00pm

June 3- Last day to claim lost and found items, Last Day of School for students, 5th Grade Ceremony at 2:10pm in the Patterson Gym, 5th Grade Clap Off at 3:15pm outside

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

• As we start winding down the year here are some important dates and information from the LMC. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
• All books will be due back to the LMC on May 23. We will start sending out overdue notices the following school day. If we do not receive your student's books back by the end of the year we will mark them lost.
• 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.
• Grade 5 will turn in their Chromebook and chargers on June 2. They must be free of damage and must turn in the charger they were issued. **If you student will be in a summer math class from the district, more information to follow.
• If you are moving, please return all materials before the last day of school. The district will charge for all materials not received.
• INFORMATION FROM THE DISTRICT:

• District 204 is aware of a concerning trend that has recently surfaced on social media platforms like TikTok. Some students across the country—and in some cases locally—have been participating in a challenge that involves inserting foreign objects into Chromebook charging ports in an attempt to cause an electrical short.
  

  This behavior is not only destructive but also dangerous. It poses a serious safety risk to students and can result in significant damage to the device. If it is determined that a student intentionally damages a Chromebook in this manner, families will be assessed the full replacement cost of $344.

  We ask for your help by speaking with your child about the importance of using school-issued technology responsibly and the serious consequences of damaging school property—especially in ways that can cause harm.
  

  As always, our priority is to keep students safe while ensuring that all technology remains available and in working condition to support their learning.

• Naperville Library came to visit with their summer library program. Information is located on their website or in person. Great way to keep reading over the summer!

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

Congratulations to this week's Champions! We are so proud of your hard work in following Patterson Expectations of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible.

Register to run and raise funds for Patterson! Extended registration for Team IPEF runs through May 30 - that is the last day we can guarantee your shirt size. Run, walk, and raise funds as a Team IPEF Charity Hero in the Naperville Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K on October 19. 50% of funds raised go to your favorite IPSD 204 school and 50% to IPEF-funded district-wide programs. Returning this year: any student who registers with a parent only needs to meet a $25 charity fundraising minimum! Students must be 6 years old by Race Day (October 19) to participate in the 5K or 10K and at least 14 years old to participate in the half marathon. Gather your friends and family to register and join the fun! Learn more and register HERE for Team IPEF today!

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.

Save the Date:

Incoming Kindergarten Screening will take place on Tuesday, May 20th at Patterson. Parents/guardians will bring their incoming kindergarten child to Patterson on this day. Children will go with a staff member to engage in early literacy and numeracy tasks and/or engage in English Language Proficiency tasks while parents/guardians complete student information and learn about Kindergarten at Patterson.

Please click the link to sign up for a timeslot on Tuesday, May 20th: Kindergarten Screening Sign Up

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

Please review the 5th Grade Parent Letter, for upcoming 5th Grade Celebration event details!

Yard Sign Pick Up

Yard Sign, pick up was Friday, May 9th from 3:40 pm-4:30 pm outside of Patterson near the Gym. If you did not pick up your Yard Sign yet, please email carrie.giacobbe@gmail.com to make alternate pick up arrangements.

5th Grade Gregory Middle School T-Shirts

Shirts will be delivered to the school and sent home with your student before 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 Grade Ceremony:

When: Tuesday, June 3rd; Parents arrive at 2:10pm, Ceremony will begin at 2:15pm

When: Patterson Gym

Who: 5th Grade families and 5th grade students

What: 5th Grade Parents are invited to attend the 5th Grade Ceremony where we will celebrate the students' years here at Patterson. There will be a few awards presented and the 5th grade slideshow will played.

5th Grade Clap Off:

When: Tuesday, June 3rd

When: Outside around the perimeter of Patterson

Who: 5th Grade families and 5th grade students

What: Immediately following the 5th Grade ceremony at 3:15pm, we invite 5th Grade parents to gather outside around the perimeter of the building to "Clap Off" our 5th graders and wish them well in their middle school journey. Students will walk inside the building where our Kindergarten-4th grade students will clap them off. Then, the 5th graders will walk outside so families can clap them off too. If there is inclement weather, parents will stay in the gym for the clap off.

5th Graders

Don't forget to bring a sharpie to sign 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!

*If you are planning to help chaperone a field trip with your child, you do need to complete the volunteer process.

In order to volunteer, you must complete the online process which is required by the district. Please click the link below for directions. This is for any volunteer regardless if you are part of the PTA.

Become A Volunteer Today!

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.

We’re switching things up for our big fall fundraiser for 2025—and we’re looking for a few awesome volunteers to help make it happen!

This fundraiser powers our entire PTA budget for the year. That means we’re not constantly asking families for donations, and we’re able to keep all our events—like Bingo Night, Science Fair, Wheel of Wisdom, Multicultural Night, and more—free and accessible to everyone.

This year, instead of partnering with an outside company like Orange Ruler, we’re running the fundraiser ourselves. That means more of the money raised goes directly to supporting our school and students.

The good news: we already have a payment platform in place, and we’re using last year’s fundraiser as a starting point—so we’re not building from scratch. Now we get to focus on the fun part: picking the theme, choosing the prizes, and planning a celebration event to replace the Orange Ruler Fun Run that the kids will love!

We’re hoping to get a head start now so we’re not scrambling in the fall. If you’re creative, organized, or just excited to be involved, we’d love to have you on the committee.

Interested? Email us at info@pattersonpta.com—we’d love to hear from you!

Stay cool all summer long with Patterson spiritwear.

Use code SUMMER at checkout

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

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.