Happy Friday, Lil Steamer Families!

February 21, 2025

From the Desk of: Principal Hoese

Lil Steamer Families --

It finally looks like we are nearing the end of the dread of winter this week with warmer temperatures on the horizon for next week! Please remind your children to dress in layers, as mornings may still be cool, but afternoons will allow our students the opportunity for some sunshine at recess.

With the sunshine returning, it's also a great time to students' clothing to make sure their names are written on them. Our lost and found looks bins look like museums of forgotten fashion. But, we’re looking forward to enjoying the beautiful weather with lots of learning and play!

JAGH

From the Desk of: AP Parsons

Mrs. Vanzuiden put together another round of March Book Madness for our Little Steamers this year! Elementary students will kick-off the week Monday afternoon by reading with the high school basketball players!

Please send your students to school in their favorite team colors or jerseys!

March Book Madness

The students will be participating in the March Madness Book Tournament. They will be hearing two books each day and voting on their favorite books. If you would like to join along here is the tournament bracket. Feel free to find the books on video on-line and have your own tournament at home. Here is the bracket.

Not Yet vs Wings of an Eagle

Magic Ramen vs The Boy Who Said Wow

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao vs Amah Faraway

More Than Words vs Zuni and the Memory Jar

Harold Iceberg Melts Down vs The Book That Almost Rhymed

I Do Not Eat Children vs Dear Unicorn

The Yellow Bus vs I'm Sorry You Got Mad

Spaceman vs I Lived Inside a Whale

From the Desk of: Counselor Meumann

Children need high quality time with parents and caregivers as it will have a positive effect on them as they grow. Here are some tips for spending high quality time with your children:

Have a daily “connect” time with your child. Do this face-to-face, if possible; but if this isn’t an option, create a routine for doing so in other ways, such as leaving a note in your child’s lunch bag, posting a note by his/her toothbrush, or writing an encouraging saying on a shared whiteboard in the house.
Create a special ritual for you and your child—something that can be done every day. For example, let your child choose and read one book with you at bedtime.
Tell your child you love him/her every day. Tell him/her how important they are to you and how they make you feel.

Morning Announcement Guests

Sawyer S., Haddie H., and Hazel W. were guests on the morning announcements!

FES PTO Corner

Holiday Shop Success!

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Holiday Shop! We had total sales of $9,135, with inventory costs $3,532, supplies of $1,202. After expenses, our net sales totaled $4,401. We had approximately 40 students that were invited to the Polar Bear Cub Club. This club continue spreading holiday cheer by making sure every student was able to enjoy and Shop at our Polar Bear Patch.

Donuts with Grown-Ups – March 18-21

Join us in the FES Gym from 7:30-8:00 AM for our annual Donuts with Grown-Ups event! Each day is designated for a House, but if your schedule doesn’t allow, feel free to attend on a different day:

- Tuesday: Bridge House

- Wednesday: River House

- Thursday: Anchor House

- Friday: Wheel House

Gift a Lucky Duck!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun surprise! PTO is offering the chance to send a Lucky Duck to students, delivered at school. Flyers will be sent home soon, and orders are due by the end of the day on March 14. You can also place orders at our Family Fun Night table on March 10.

Approved PTO Action Items

- Crayons for Miss Maloney’s 2nd grade classroom

- Circa 21 2nd Grade Field Trip Funding: PTO approved $9 per student, reducing parent costs to only $5 per ticket. In addition we approved to cover the complete ticket cost for teachers attending the trip.

- April Change Drive: Help us fund a new laminator or poster printer for FES—watch for details in the flyer!

- Field Day Support: PTO will provide water drinking stations and donate bubbles for the event

- Preschool Donations: Bubble blowers and sandbox toys were donated from extra Holiday Shop inventory

PTO Elections – Get Involved!

Interested in joining PTO leadership? Elections are coming up! Attend our next PTO meeting on March 4 at 7 PM in the FES Conference Room to be placed on the ballot or to nominate someone.

As always, feel free to reach out to us on Facebook at Fulton PTO, by email at fultonelempto@gmail.com, or contact a board member:

Lynne Coffey – President
Abra Richards – Vice President & Media Manager
Danielle Wilkins – Secretary
Tarah Manon – Treasurer

Thank you for your continued support of FES and our PTO initiatives!

Preschool Screenings - Call to set up a Screening for March 12 or April 9!

Kindergarten Round Up Scheduled for Feb. 18 & Mar. 12

4th Grade Field Trip- Symphony Day!

Fourth grade parents- make sure you have signed and returned the permission slip for your student to attend Symphony Day with us next Thursday! Students will also need to bring a sack lunch and drink.

Here's a copy of the permission slip with info if you need it! ~Mrs. Anton :)

Symphony Day Permission Slip

Winter Fun Day at Rock Creek Marina in Camanche, Iowa

Come and have fun and see Mrs. Pannell!!

Baseball and Softball Sign Ups!

Freezin' for a Reason 5K Run/Walk on March 8!

Scholastic Book Fair at Fulton Elementary - Dates and Times!

NEW Positions Available!

Starting pay is $18/hour. AM/PM Route. Up to 4 hours per day.

Paid holidays, sick, personal and bereavement time, and insurance available as well as participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Come join River Bend's excellent team of transportation professionals! All of our vehicles are well maintained, newer models and are all parked indoors.

No CDL? No problem! Paid training is provided (terms apply.)

Email Transportation Director Taylor Whitney at twhitney@riverbendschools.net to apply.

Capturing Kids Hearts February Family Newsletter

Be sure to read through the conversation starters at the bottom of the newsletter for great ways to discuss how to be a kind student. Kindness is our January monthly character trait!