November 2024 Banner Tracks

Happy Fall, Banner Families! Our students are fully immersed in all types of learning experiences so far. Their efforts go beyond academics as they are embracing the values of kindness and respect towards others. Keep encouraging them to work hard and treat others with kindness. That is the Bobcat way!

~Mr. Fairchild

"YOU BELONG HERE!"

The word of the month for November is GRATITUDE! Our next "Bobcat Family Event" is scheduled for Thursday, November 7.

Don't forget to turn back your clocks this coming weekend as we "fall back" on Sunday, November 3.

The PTO Fall Fundraiser has concluded. We will share the amount collected once all has been finalized. Thank you to everyone for their amazing generosity!

• The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 beginning at 6:30 PM. It will be virtual and a link will be provided.
• Blood Drive - The PTO is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 4 from 2:30 - 6:00 PM. The students will bring home information later this month.

For the past several years, Banner has collected thousands of boxes of macaroni and cheese, creating a "Macaroni Mountain." The boxes are donated to Midwest Food Bank. This year, we will be collecting boxes of macaroni and cheese the week of November 4. Students bring the boxes and set them right outside their classrooms. The 5th graders will count the number of boxes each classroom collects and build a "mountain." The class that collects the most boxes of macaroni and cheese will get to load them onto the Midwest Food Bank truck. Last year, we set a record of collecting over 3,800 boxes in just 5 days!

The 4th and 5th graders have been working hard to perform their music program! The date is set for Thursday, November 14.

• 4th grade families:
• Arrive at 5:45 PM, students head to the classroom; Program begins promptly at 6:00 PM
• 5th grade families:
• Arrive at 6:45 PM, students head to the classroom; Program begins promptly at 7:00 PM

• Election Day - Tuesday, November 5
• School Improvement Day (1/2 day) - Students will be dismissed at 11:15 AM on Friday, November 15.
• Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL beginning Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29. Students return to school on Monday, December 2.

Teachers recognize each child's birthday within the classroom, so treats from home for birthdays are not permitted. Thank you for understanding!

Each classroom has a time built into their schedules where students may have a snack. Don't forget to send your child with some sort of snack. One that is healthy is preferred. We do have snacks for those who are unable to purchase on their own, but it is very limited and we tend to run out quickly. These snacks are typically reserved for those families who cannot consistently afford them.

Each year for the past 20+ years, we have collected money as a building to support the Children's Home of Peoria. Once all the money is collected, we take the ENTIRE school shopping to purchase toys, games, and clothes, then drop them off at the Children's Home. We will be collecting money beginning after Thanksgiving and will be taking the building shopping on Thursday, December 12. Last year, we collected over $5,700 from our generous families!

As the weather gets colder, we want to remind parents to make sure their child is dressed warmly enough to go outside for recess. Our general rule is that we go outside as long as the temperature is 15 degrees or higher (including windchill). Also, please label your child's coats/hats/mittens, etc... clearly so they don't get lost.

In an effort to maintain the safest environment possible for our children, security measures have been implemented in all buildings throughout the district. All school doors, including the front entrance, will be locked during school hours. Visitors to the school will need to press the buzzer located to the right of the main entrance and wait to be let in by office staff (you will hear a "clicking" sound to signify the door is unlocked). A drop area will be located in the foyer outside the main office for items that need to be dropped off or picked up. Please call to alert office staff (309-243-7774) ahead of time if you have an item to drop off and be sure to clearly label the item with your child's name and their teacher. Upon entering the building, visitors will be asked to present a US government issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into our electronic sign in system. Once entry is approved, a badge will be issued that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of the visit. Upon exiting the school, visitors will be asked to give their visitors badge to the office staff when checking out. Meetings with teachers should be pre-arranged with the classroom teacher ahead of time. We hope our families understand and appreciate our efforts in maintaining a safe school environment.

School volunteers are important to the success of our school district. If you are interested in volunteering for our school and working with the students, please complete the volunteer approval process. This process involves completing the online application, being fingerprinted, and providing fingerprinting confirmation. While the process from start to finish does take some time, volunteers will only need to complete this process once.

• Step 1: Complete the online application. After application completion, an email will be sent regarding the fingerprinting process. This email comes from Dunlap District office staff, not Banner office staff.

• Step 2: Get fingerprinted. Follow instructions found in the previously mentioned email.

• Step 3: Provide fingerprinting confirmation to either the Dunlap District office staff or the Banner office staff.

• Macaroni Mountain Collection Week - November 4 - 8
• Election Day (no school) - Tuesday, November 5
• November Bobcat "Family Event" - Thursday, November 7 at 1:30 PM - "Gratitude"
• 4th/5th Music Program - Thursday, November 14
  
• SIP DAY (students dismissed at 11:15 AM) - Friday, November 15.
• PTO meeting - Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 PM via Google Meet
  
• Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29