AFC Elementary Monthly Memo

Dear Families,

As we enter October, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s education. The school year is well underway, and we are proud of the progress we’ve seen in our students.

October is a busy month, with many exciting events and activities planned. From Parent-Teacher Conferences to our first round of PTC Sponsored Events, it’s a time for us to reflect on the growth our students have made and look ahead to the goals we are working toward.

We encourage you to stay engaged in your child’s learning journey. Whether reviewing progress reports, participating in school events, or simply having conversations about what they’re learning, your involvement plays a crucial role in their success. If there’s anything you need from us, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are here to support both students and families.

As the fall season brings cooler weather, please also ensure your children are dressed appropriately for the changing temperatures, especially for outdoor activities.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community. Together, we will continue to create a positive and enriching environment where every student can LEARN, GROW, & THRIVE!

Wishing you all a wonderful October!

Warm Regards,

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

AFC Elementary School

1 - 6 VB @ South Beloit 5:00 PM, Body Safety Presentations, Homecoming Week

2 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, Homecoming Parade @ 6:00 PM

3 - Body Safety Presentations

4 - Perfect Pastries Orders DUE

6 - Fire Drill

9 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

10 - School Picture Retake Day, 1st Grade Field Trip to Jonamac Orchard, Community Coffee 8:30 AM

14 - Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL

15 - PTC Meeting 6:00 PM

16 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, Jr/Sr High School Band & Choir Concert 5:00 PM

18 - End of 1st Quarter

21 - United Way Coin Drive Begins, Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM

22 - 6 BKB @ Pecatonica 4:00 PM

23 - 2:30 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences

24 - 2:30 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences

25 - NO SCHOOL

28 - United Way Coin Drive Ends, Fall Scholastic Book Fair Begins, Family Reading Night 6:00 PM

29 - 6 BKB @ Oregon 4:00 PM

30 - October Awards Assembly, 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 BKB South Beloit 5:00 PM

31 - Happy Halloween

NOVEMBER

1 - Breakfast with a Buddy 7:30 AM,

It is time to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences!

Parents/Guardians should sign up for a conference with their child's teacher in Skyward Family Access. The video below walks you through the process of signing-up for conference step-by-step.

If you need help logging into Skyward Family Access, please email afcskyward@afcschools.net.

Please remember, adult supervision does not begin on the playground until 8:00 AM. Many parents bring students before 8:00 AM, and they stay to supervise their child until a staff member gets outside - this is fine. However, students SHOULD NOT be on the playground unsupervised by an adult.

We are excited to announce that beginning in October we will host a monthly awards assembly where students will be recognized in a variety of ways. The following awards will be given:

Student of the Month

• Awarded to (1) student from EACH class
• In recognition of their academic progress and/or accomplishments.
  

Rockin' Raider

• Awarded to (1) student from EACH class
• In recognition for a positive change they have made at school.
  

PurposeFull People Award

• Awarded to (1) student from EACH class
• In recognition for consistently putting the character trait of the month into practice.
  

Artist of the Month

• Awarded to (1) student from ALL classes
• In recognition of their dedication to achieving or surpassing their artistic potential in art class.
  

Good Sport Award

• Awarded to (1) K-2 student, (1) 3-4 student, and (1) 5-6 student
• In recognition of their positive attitude, dedication to giving their best effort, adherence to game rules, support for teammates, strong character, respectful treatment of others, and pride in knowing they performed at their best in every physical education activity.
  

Musician of the Month

• Awarded to (1) student from ALL classes
• In recognition of their dedication, enthusiasm, and positive attitude towards music, as well as their musical talent.
  

Bookworm of the Month

• Awarded to (1) K-2 student, (1) 3-4 student, and (1) 5-6 student
• In recognition of their effort toward growing their reading skills by consistently practicing reading.
  

Things are up and running (literally) in the gym! Everyone has settled into the routines and we are having fun learning new skills and playing all kinds of games!

The older kids have wrapped up their football unit. We worked on the basics of learning to throw a spiral, the proper way to catch a football along with some basic football terms and positions. We ventured into some flag football games that incorporated all of our skills along with trying to pull someone's flags as they tried to score - this is harder than you may think! We are currently in our volleyball unit. The students are learning the proper form for forearm passes, setting and how to serve a volleyball. They are also learning the rules of the game, developing an understanding of the boundaries, how to move their feet quickly and communicate with one another on the court. It's a lot to think about when you have a short amount of time to act before the volleyball hits the floor!

The younger grades have been putting all of their throwing and catching abilities into practice with numerous games for them to practice those basic skills. Some of the favorites may have been the Space Orbit Relay, Time to Make the Pizza game, and the Popcorn Relay! We’ve also worked in some of those games that have withstood the test of time like 4 Square, Monkey in the Middle, Tetherball and an all time favorite called Cookie Monster!

Health Class for 5th/6th grades have focused on being good sports, learning how to get along with others and showing empathy to friends and family. The 4th graders have been taking a deeper look into understanding how our eyes and ears function. We had a special presentation for the younger grades called the “Land of the Smiles” theater company which was a classic case of the good guys versus the bad guys as we learned the importance of keeping our teeth healthy! Everyone walked away with a new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss for the win!

Arrival

8:15 - Students Enter Building (First Bell)

• K/1 - Door 11
• 2nd - Door 9
• 3rd - Door 8
• 4/5/6th - Door 7

8:30 - Classes Begin (Tardy Bell)

Please note, there will not be adult supervision on the playground prior to 8:00 AM.

Dismissal

3:15 - Bus Students Dismissed (First Bell)

3:17 - Pick-Up/Walkers Dismissed (Second Bell)

• K/1 - Door 10
• 2nd - Door 9
• 3rd - Door 8
• 4/5/6th - Door 7

Please note, there will not be adult supervision on the playground after 3:25 PM. Students who have not been picked up by 3:25 will be brought to the main office.

As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:

Excessive tardies or absences may be referred to the Lee/Ogle/Whiteside Regional Office of Education’s Attendance Support Program for assistance. A student may be referred to the Attendance Support Program after four (4) unexcused and nine (9) excused absences during the previous 180 days of school attendance. If a student misses three (3) consecutive days, they must bring in a physician’s note for the absences to be considered excused. Also, after nine (9) absences per school year, to excuse each absence thereafter, a physician’s note will be required within 24 hours of the student’s return to school. While seeking a medical excuse, the student’s parent or guardian must still comply with absence notification procedures. Students are permitted to return to school while a physician’s note is being obtained, assuming the student has been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications).

We encourage attendance everyday as there is a strong link between attendance and academic achievement. Students must be present to learn. We trust parents and guardians will use their best judgement in deciding if their child(ren) are well enough to be present in school.

As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:

Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD #275 will exclude students based on typically qualifying symptoms such as: fever of 100.4 or higher (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications), vomiting, and diarrhea. Students may return when the student is fever-free/symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.

Please refer to our Student Handbook (linked at the bottom of this memo) for additional information regarding school attendance.

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

Email: jburkitt@afcschools.net
Address: 217 South Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 456-2325

Website: https://www.afcschools.net/