AFC Elementary Monthly Memo

Dear AFC Elementary Families,

As we enter the final month of the year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support and partnership in making our school a wonderful place for our students to learn grow, and thrive. December is a special time filled with excitement, reflection, and preparation for the months ahead.

Here are a few important updates and reminders for this month:

Upcoming Events

• Holiday Program: Join us on December 19th at 7:00 PM for our annual holiday performance. The students have been working hard, and we can’t wait to share their talent and creativity with you!
• Spirit Week: To celebrate the season, we’ll have themed dress-up days during the week of December 16th. A note was sent home with your student (and is posted below).
• Classroom Celebrations: Classroom parties will take place on December 20th. Teachers will share more information about how families can participate or contribute.

Supporting Our Community

• This season of giving provides a great opportunity to teach our students about kindness and generosity. Mrs. Chapman has organized a program called Holiday Helpers that provides an opportunity for individuals to sponsor a students Christmas wishlist. If you are interested in helping, please contact her by emailing achapman@afcschools.net.

Winter Break Reminder

• Winter break begins on December 20th (2:30 dismissal), and school will resume on January 6th.

Looking Ahead

• As we prepare to close out 2024, we’re excited for all the opportunities 2025 will bring. From academic milestones to special events, there’s so much to look forward to in the new year!

Thank you for your ongoing involvement in our school community. On behalf of our entire team at AFC Elementary School, I wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

Warm Regards,

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

AFC Elementary School

DECEMBER

2 - School Resumes

3 - 6 BKB Pecatonica 4:00 PM

4 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, 6 BKB Byron 4:00 PM

9 - Winter Benchmark Testing Begins, PTC Meeting 7:00 PM

10 - 5th-12th Grade Band & Choir Concert 7:00 PM

11 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

13 - PTC's Holiday Craft Night 5:30 PM

16 - Holiday Spirit Week, Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM

18 - December Awards Assembly (1st Quarter Honor Roll Recognized), 1:30 Early Dismissal

19 - K-4 Holiday Program 7:00 PM

20 - Classroom Holiday Parties, 2:30 Early Dismissal, End of 2nd Quarter

Arbor Management has recently been acquired by Whitson's Culinary Group. Part of the transition to Whitsons Culinary Group is the change of the current myschoolmenus digital menu platform that we have been using to the new FD Meal Planner digital menu platform. This program has all the same features that myschoolmenus has with the additional option to use a mobile app.

You can click on the button below, and you will be taken to the new online platform where you can choose the school location you would like to see the menu for.

Our Winter 5-12 Grade Band and Choir Concert will be held in the High School Gymnasium at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10th.

Please arrive at the Jr/Sr HS music rooms at 6:30 PM in concert attire. Choir students only need to bring themselves. Band students need their instruments and music. See the guidelines below for concert attire.

Concert Attire for 5/6 Students:

• Sunday Best:

• Ex.: Dresses, Dress Pants, Polos, Dress Shirts, etc.

• Avoid:

• T-Shirts, Leggings, Sweat Pants, Jeans, Casual Shoes (crocs, slippers, gym shoes, etc.)

If there are any parents/guardians available to help monitor the music rooms during the pre-concert preparation time (6:20pm-6:55pm), please contact Ms. Daly at mdaly@afcschools.net.

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/