Southwest Elementary Newsletter

October 2019

A Note from Mr. Hofer

It is hard to believe that we are ending the 1st quarter this month! It has been such a busy quarter with students learning expectations and diving into curriculum. By now students have had their first math assessments, 1st-5th graders have completed their first MAP assessment, and students are racking up their minutes reading!

This month will continue to be full of rich learning experiences... as well as an invitation to you to see and hear how your child's first quarter has been. We are looking forward to seeing you at Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, October 15th and Thursday, October 17th! If you are unable to attend during your scheduled time, I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher to schedule an alternative time to meet. We value these discussions and our opportunity to continue to build our connections with you!

We have greatly enjoyed this 1st quarter with your children and are excited to continue to watch their growth. I want to mention, this doesn't happen without your amazing support at home! From helping to remind your child of library day, to signing planners, and listening to your readers, or reading TO your child... your involvement is essential in their success.

THANK YOU! We appreciate you!

October Calendar Items

October 1: PTA Script Fundraiser orders go home

October 2: Walk-To-School Day; Fire Safety Programs ; K-2 Fire Drill; Recess Running Club

October 3: 3rd Grades to Chamberlain Farm; 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October 4: No School for Students – Teacher Inservice

October 9: Ag in the Classroom; K-2; Recess Running Club; PTA Script Fundraiser orders are due today

October 11: End of 1st Quarter; Recess Running Club

October 14: No School – Columbus Day Holiday

October 15: One-hour Early Dismissal; 2:07 p.m.; Parent-Teacher Conferences; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

October 16: Recess Running Club

October 17: One-hour Early Dismissal; 2:07 p.m.; Parent-Teacher Conferences; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

October 18: Report cards go home; 4th Grade Fall Party; 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.; Recess Running Club

October 23: Recess Running Club

October 25: Mrs. Ade’s Fall Party; 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.; Ms. Everett’s Fall Party; 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.; Recess Running Club

October 29: Mr. Helling’s Fall Party; 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

October 30: School Picture Retake Day; 8:30 a.m.; Recess Running Club

October 31: 3rd Grade Fall Party; 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

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Drop Off Procedures

All buses and vehicles dropping off students drop off students as far south (as close to the playground as possible) as the sidewalk allows on the front side of the building. Students should exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side of the building and use the sidewalk to enter the main entrance.

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Pick Up Procedures

The vehicles in the “car line” will be allowed to enter Southwest driveway once buses exit. Vehicles should pull forward to the end of the front sidewalk. Adults picking up students are asked to remain in their vehicles while students load. Students will be allowed to leave the front entrance once all vehicles have come to a complete stop. All students should enter the vehicles on the sidewalk side of the building. Vehicles should stay in single file when entering and exiting the driveway unless otherwise directed by school personnel.

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Changes in Transportation

If your child has a change in their normal routine for transportation:

Please send a written note to your child(ren)'s teacher informing them of the change.
Indicate on the note the name of anyone other than yourself that may be picking up your child.
If the change happens during the school day, a call needs to be made by 2:00 pm in order to ensure communication and changes get relayed on time.
Do not email transportation changes to your child's teacher as they may not be able to check their email during the school day.

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Safe Snacks

Only items on the District Approved list will be accepted in the classroom. This includes birthday treats, holiday/party treats, treat-bag items and valentine candy.

Food for personal snacks eaten in the classroom must be an item from the snack list. Snacks may be packaged individually at home.

Safe Snack List

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Attendance

According to our policy, if a child has ten (10) days of excused and/or unexcused absences the following may take place:

10 day absence policy letter sent home
Any student who has accumulated ten (10) days of unexcused and/or excused absences per year must obtain a doctor's note for each and every absence over the ten (10) days to be considered excused.

Reminder: Nine (9) total unexcused absences means a student is in direct violation of the Compulsory Attendance Laws of Illinois. Administration reserves the right to contact the Henry County Truant Officer.

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Visiting the School

All visitors need to enter the front doors and check in at the office. Visitors will be required to leave a Photo ID in the office to maintain a record of people in the building. If you are eating lunch with your child, please call the office if you will be in need of a lunch. Please remember, if you are volunteering to work with students, we ask that younger siblings do not attend for safety reasons.

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School Visitor Policy

We recognize that there are times that it is appropriate for parents and guardians to bring siblings to school. These times include lunch with their child(ren), and other school sponsored events where the parent and/or guardian is not responsible for the direct supervision of other children. Siblings should not be brought to school events where the parent and/or guardian is directly responsible for supervision of students. School personnel has the sole authority to ask visitors to leave if they are a distraction to the learning environment.

Visitors MUST check in at the office and leave a form of ID. A visitor badge will be issued and you will receive your ID back when you leave.

We ask that visitors avoid the first and last month of school as those are very busy transition months for our students.

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Holiday Program or School Sponsored Activity Health Policy

Students who are sick, due to illness, that prevents them from attending school for any part of the the day will not be permitted to attend after school events, such as the Christmas Program. Students who are gone from school, due to a doctor's appointment, must submit a doctor's note giving permission for the student to be in attendance.

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Don't be late! Start of School: 8:15 AM.

The start of school is listed as 8:15 AM. This was made for consistency purposes as requested by the superintendent. 8:25 AM will remain our tardy time. Please note, however, that by this time, students are already in class and attendance and lunch-count are being taken. Please make every effort to have your child to school by 8:15 AM to avoid being tardy!

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October Lunch Menu

Southwest Calendar

District 228 Safe Snack List

Geneseo Elementary School Handbook 2019-2020