August Update

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope you have all had a restful and enjoyable summer break filled with relaxation and exciting adventures. As we approach the beginning of a new school year, I wanted to take a moment to extend a warm welcome to both our returning students and those joining us for the first time.

Each new school year brings with it a sense of anticipation and excitement, and this year is no exception. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our dedicated team of teachers and staff have been hard at work over the summer months preparing for the year ahead. Two major updates have been completed in the elementary building. We now have a full functioning cafeteria with a dishwasher and new flooring has been installed in the hallways and cafeteria prep area. The new flooring really modernizes the building and the dishwasher in the cafeteria means students no longer have to eat off plastic tableware. A huge thank you goes out to our custodians and summer maintenance crew for all their hard work these past few months. I can't wait for everyone to see the updates at Meet the Teacher Night.

Communication between school and home is essential for your child's success, and we encourage you to stay connected with us throughout the year. I am looking forward to seeing all of our students back in the hallways and classrooms, ready to embark on another year of learning and growth. Together, with your support and involvement, we can make this school year one of the best yet.

Please join us for the Meet the Teacher Night on August 19 from 5:30-7:00 at Stockton Elementary (500 N. Rush St.) to meet your child's teacher and drop off school supplies. It's always a fun and busy evening. The office will also be open if you have any questions regarding registration, nurse requirements, or transportation questions.

Here's to another successful and rewarding school year ahead!

Mrs. Casey Downey, Elementary Principal

Please join me and welcoming our new staff members at the Elementary:

• Mrs. Tiffanie Duchow - K-2 special education/Preschool Teacher
• Mrs. Amanda Boyer - Kindergarten Teacher
• Ms. Alexis Joiner - 5th Grade Teacher
• Mrs. Sarah Suttman - Speech & Language Pathologist

**Mrs. Lawfer previously taught kindergarten and will be moving to 4th grade this school year.

• Week of August 5: New students register in-person by visiting the office

• August 9: Deadline to register for the 2024-2025 school year online through TeacherEase

• August 19: Stockton Elementary (grades PreK-5) Meet the Teacher Night 5:30 - 7:00/Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30pm

• August 20: Stockton Middle/High School Meet the Teacher Night & Freshman Welcome Night 5:30-7:00

• August 21: First day of student attendance **1:15 dismissal**

• August 22: First day of preschool

• September 2: No School - Labor Day

• September 4: Picture Day

• September 19: Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30 pm

• September 20: SIP DAY - 11:15 dismissal

• September 28: Stockton Education Foundation Radio-a-thon

Bus Stops

• 410 S. Simmons St (Trailer Court Entrance)

• Corner of Prairie Ave/N. Pearl St

• Corner of Ward/Washington Ave

• Corner of Front Ave/Simmons St

• Corner of Summit Ave/Hudson St.

• Corner of High St./Simmons St.

• Corner of Benton St./Pearl St. (by the library - replaces the stop at the old elementary)

Busing

• Stockton Elementary is requiring parents to have one pick-up and drop-off point for their students this year.
• We realize some students get dropped off at a babysitter some days and at home some days. In this situation, we encourage you to plan on your child being dropped off at the babysitter's every day and the parent meeting the bus there to pick up your child.

Preschool Busing

• There will NOT be a dedicated preschool route. Preschool students who ride the bus will ride the regular route bus in the morning and afternoon. Midday drop-off for AM students and midday pick-up for PM students will be available.

Please call the bus garage with any questions - 815-947-2015

For the 2024-2025 school year, our District's goal is to increase student attendance. Please assure your child is in attendance every day unless ill. Be on the lookout for a document that will be sent to parents with information about student attendance. We appreciate your cooperation and support!

• Breakfast is served starting at 7:50. Please do not drop your child off prior to this time, as this is when staff supervision is in place.
• The bus loop is only for buses, no thru traffic is permitted.
• Students must have a pair of tennis shoes for PE class. They may wear other shoes to school if desired, but must have a pair of tennis shoes to change into.

Stockton Elementary School

500 N. Rush St.

Stockton, IL 61085

Phone: 815-947-3702

Fax: 815-947-2114