Bobcat Bulletin

El Sierra School provides all students with a challenging and differentiated education in a safe, nurturing, respectful, diverse, and collaborative school environment.

El Sierra Families,

We had great turnouts for our PTA BINGO night last Friday and our first PTA Meeting this week! We appreciate your partnership! Please consider joining the PTA and supporting the PTA with the Fundraiser called the Treasure Trot. There is plenty of information in this newsletter about doing both. Please remember that the Treasure Trot is a fun obstacle style run that every student can participate in, even if they do not raise money for the fundraiser. Our PTA wants to include everyone, so please plan to attend our Treasure Trot on Friday, September 20th at 4 pm.

Please remember that we will have two safety drills next week. The first one is on Monday with the Downers Grove Police Department. The partnership with the Downers Grove Police Department is very helpful because they observe us during this drill to ensure that in the event that we ever had an intruder at our school, we would be prepared. On Wednesday, we will have our first Fire Drill. I mention all of these drills to you in hopes that you can also talk to your child either before or after the drills to help ease their minds regarding these serious drills. Please reach out to me with any questions regarding school safety.

Thank you!

Jason Lynde, El Sierra Principal

At our most recent PTA Meeting, Mr. Lynde led a presentation regarding school safety in District 58. This is. a presentation that all principals are giving to their PTA this school year. Here is the link for the presentation so that families who were not able to attend the PTA meeting can view it. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Lynde with any questions regarding school safety. Please remember that school safety is everyone's responsibility!

Bring your family to Downers Grove Oktoberfest this weekend! Oktoberfest takes place Friday, Sept. 13 from 3-11 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m.-11p.m. at the train commuter lot, across from the Downers Grove Public Library.

Oktoberfest will feature live music, a Kids Zone (Saturday only) and authentic Oktoberfest food and brew in a traditional German atmosphere. This year's festival headliner is national recording artist G. Love & Special Sauce.

Oktoberfest is the District 58 Education Foundation’s largest fundraiser, and all proceeds will support the foundation’s programs for District 58 students and staff. Click here to buy tickets and learn more information.

To be a success, Oktoberfest relies on volunteers! We still have volunteer spots to fill. Please click here to volunteer. Thank you for your support!

9/16 - Intruder Safety Drill (Police Supervised)

9/18 - Fire Drill (Without DGFD)

9/20 - PTA Treasure Trot Fundraiser (4:30 pm)

9/24 - Fire Drill With DG Fire Department

9/24 - Watch DOGS Pizza Night (6:00 pm) More Information Coming Soon

9/25 - Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) Meeting (6:00 pm)

10/1 - PTA Meeting (6:45 pm) at El Sierra Library

10/8 & 10/10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (5:00 pm - 8:00 pm) More Information Coming Soon

10/14 - No School

10/15 - School Picture Retakes

10/25 - Fun Lunch

- PTA Freaky Friday Family Event (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)

10/31 - Halloween Parade at 1:45 pm & Room Parties

Fathers and Father figures,

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm we will be having our 8th annual ‘Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night’ at our school. You will meet here at the school cafeteria (Door 6 by the playground) at 6:00 pm for FREE pizza. At 6:30 pm we will have a presentation about our WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) Program. WATCH D.O.G.S.® is an innovative program being used by schools across America that helps them to be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have you spend at least one day this year at the school to be a positive male role model and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears.

Dads, granddads, uncles, step-dads and adult brothers . . . this is your chance to have a night out alone with your student(s) in a fun atmosphere at school.

In order to participate, you need to do two things:

1. Fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz5ExxFywQwLHS_uMHEfxeYMyKrbuYQ54-SmUVaN-K_vvBXw/viewform by Tuesday, September 17th saying that you will attend the pizza night so we’ll have an accurate headcount for the food.

2. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you Tuesday, September 24th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.

Return one form per family!

Thank you!

Jason Lynde, El Sierra Principal

Padres y figuras paternas,

El martes 24 de septiembre de 2024 de 6:00 pm a 7:00 pm. tendremos nuestra octava "Noche de pizza para papás y niños" anual en nuestra escuela. Se reunirán aquí en la cafetería de la escuela (Puerta 6 por el patio de recreo) a las 6:00 pm para pizza GRATIS. A las 6:30 pm tendremos una presentación sobre nuestro Programa WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Padres de grandes estudiantes). El programa WATCH D.O.G.S.® es un programa innovador que utilizan las escuelas de todo Estados Unidos y que les ayuda a verse afectados positivamente por la participación comprometida de los padres y las figuras paternas en la vida de sus estudiantes. Nuestro objetivo es que pase al menos un día este año en la escuela para ser un modelo masculino positivo y brindar un par de ojos y oídos adicionales.

Papás, abuelos, tíos, padrastros y hermanos adultos. . . esta es su oportunidad de pasar una noche a solas con su(s) estudiante(s) en un ambiente divertido en la escuela.

Para participar hay que hacer dos cosas:

1. Complete este formulario https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz5ExxFywQwLHS_uMHEfxeYMyKrbuYQ54-SmUVaN-K_vvBXw/viewform antes del martes 17 de septiembre indicando que asistirá a la noche de pizza para que tengamos un recuento preciso de la comida.

2. Marque sus calendarios y nos vemos el martes 24 de septiembre de 6:00 a 7:00 pm.

Sinceramente,

Jason Lynde, director de El Sierra

¡Devuelva un formulario por familia!

Parent-teacher conference signups open on Sept. 24 ••

District 58 invites parents and guardians to sign up for fall 2024 parent-teacher conferences using the online PowerPTC conference signup system starting Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. via www.PowerPTC.net.

The sign-up window will close Friday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held in person. However, families who require a remote option should schedule their conference in PowerPTC and then change the meeting type from “in person” to “video conference.”

Conferences will take place on the evenings of Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Please view the parent-teacher conference signup guide (para Español: Registro para las reuniones de padres y maestros) to learn how to sign up for a conference using the system, along with other helpful information.

We continue to see AWESOME traction in our Fall Fundraiser, we have attained 62% of our goal! Huge thanks to all the parents and students driving the momentum. We have 2 weeks left, who can help reach 70% over the weekend? Currently 33% of students have registered, we need approximately 50% or another 60 students to participate by registering and sharing their page. We can do this Bobcats!

**Volunteers needed for the Treasure Trot Fun Run next Friday, September 20th. If you are available to help guide students through the obstacle course please sign up today. Thanks

https://evite.me/w2YfkhEedg

Attention El Sierra families,

Please take a few minutes to fill out the attached google form if you would like your families included in the El Sierra PTA 2024-2025 Directory. Note - you must be a member of the El Sierra PTA to receive a copy of the directory so sign up today!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDq8X5vI_2gw4yL5AfC4m2MuN1x-K1rYHux_zgmSpbX3zNdA/viewform?usp=sf_link

As the year begins, we’ve noticed an increase in students visiting our health offices for insect bites, particularly on the neck, face, and arms. These bites are often red and itchy, and while we can provide Calamine lotion or an ice pack to ease discomfort, other over-the-counter treatments like Benadryl cream or Hydrocortisone require a completed Medication Authorization Form.

Please ensure that these medications are not sent to school with your child unless proper authorization is in place. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your school’s health office.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and healthy.

Please join us in supporting our El Sierra PTA by attending our first restaurant fundraiser of the school year! We will kick off this year with our favorite local family owned restaurant: Cozzi Corner! Cozzi Corner continues to be a community staple and does an amazing job at supporting our school in many ways. Plan to dine in or take it to go Tuesday 9/10-Saturday 9/14. They will donate 20% of all sales back to our PTA. *Don't forget to mention the El Sierra Fundraiser. More information is included in the flier below.

Elementary schools provide pre-ordered boxed lunches for students, through www.MyMealOrder.com. Lunches cost $4.60. Click here to learn more. Elementary boxed lunches will be offered starting the week of Aug. 26. Orders must be submitted by Aug. 22 to receive boxed lunch the week of Aug. 26.

In addition, elementary students may sign up to receive daily milk for $53 (which is 30 cents per day). Families should complete this Elementary Milk Order Form to sign their child up for milk. This is separate from the boxed lunch option. The $53 milk fee will be posted to the student's PushCoin account next month.

Free and Reduced Meals and Milk

District 58 provides free and reduced-cost meals and milk to students who qualify and apply. These meals will be provided starting the first day of school.

Please visit District 58's Food Services webpage for more information.

Kindergarten (Perez) - Door 9

Kindergarten (Smith)- Door 10

1st Grade (Lopez, Meyers, Wyatt) - Door 8

2nd Grade (Hietpas & Sinnes) - Door 9

Dual Language 2nd (DeLeon) - Door 2

3rd Grade (Bennett & Claver) - Door 2

Dual Language 3rd & 4th - Door 2 for 3rd Grade & Door 5 for 4th Grade

4th Grade (Clinnin & Iaquinto) - Door 5

5th Grade (Incrocci & Rohlfing) - Door 4

Dual Language 5th & 6th (Blanco) - Door 4 for 5th Grade & Door 3 for 6th Grade

6th Grade (Echevarria & Scanlon) - Door 3

8:15am - 2:00pm (Kindergarten - 6th Grade) on Mondays

8:15am - 3:00pm (Kindergarten - 6th Grade) on Tuesdays - Fridays

Dear District 58 Families,

If your child is a bus rider, you may now access 2024-25 general education bus routes online at www.dg58.org/family-resources/bus-routes or on your PowerSchool parent account (instructions are on the bus route webpage). Families whose children use specialized bus routes will be directly contacted by the bus company/bus driver with their bus pickup and dropoff information starting Monday, Aug. 12.

Taking the bus is an exciting time for students, and we have worked hard to ensure our students are on a bus route and ready to go. However, there may be some students who recently registered or who did not select transportation during enrollment that may not have a bus stop assigned to them. We are working to update our records. If you signed up for general education bus service and your child’s bus stop is either missing or inaccurate on PowerSchool, please do two things:

1. Look at your school’s bus routes and determine the closest stop to your house. Your child should use that stop and will be allowed on the bus.

2. Please email or call your school office and let them know. We will be working with the bus company to update PowerSchool student accounts with the correct bus route and stop.

If your child rides on a specialized bus route and you don’t receive a call from the bus company or bus driver by Wednesday, Aug. 14 by 3 p.m., please contact your case manager or Special Services Secretary Amy Dunbar at adunbar@dg58.org or 630-719-5824.

District 58 requests that students please arrive at their bus stops a few minutes early during the first weeks of school. As bus drivers get acquainted with new routes, it is likely that some routes may run early or late, and we may adjust bus stop times as needed. Any student who arrives late due to a delayed bus will be excused. We appreciate your patience and flexibility!

Sincerely,

District 58

Students may arrive at El Sierra School beginning at 8:05 a.m. each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building beginning at 8:15 am. Anyone arriving after 8:15 a.m. should enter through Door One for an office pass.

Following daily dismissal at El Sierra School (2:00 p.m. on Monday and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students.

Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at the family's discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.

8:05 a.m. Student Arrival (Staff Supervision Begins at 8:05 a.m.)

• Parents who drive their child(ren) to school will follow normal drop-off/pick up procedures (See map below for traffic patterns)

• We will have a crossing guard at the 3rd-6th drop-off on Fairmount Avenue

• Please use the drop-off on Fairmount Ave. for grades 3rd-6th (See map below for traffic pattern)

• Please use the drop-off on Parkview Ave. for grades Kdg - 2nd (See map below for traffic pattern) & be aware that there is NO PARKING between the drop-off location & the first residential driveway
  

• IT IS ILLEGAL TO TURN LEFT FROM FAIRMOUNT AVE ONTO PARKVIEW AVENUE. A SIGN IS POSTED.

• Families with children in multiple grades can choose either drop-off location (See map below for traffic pattern)

• Students who ride the bus, walk, utilize daycare vans, or get dropped off will walk straight to their designated entry door and line up with their classmates until staff open entry doors for students to enter their classroom.

• Families who want to drive and then park to walk their child to school should park on 68th Street near the soccer fields and use the asphalt walkway by the playground.

• There is no parking in the school parking lot for families.

• Students should arrive no earlier than 8:05 am because staff supervision begins at that time

• Our playground, fields, and blacktop areas will not be used before school.

3:00 p.m. Student Dismissal

• Walkers will exit their classrooms through the door they entered the building in the morning

• We will have a crossing guard at the 3rd-6th grade pick-up on Fairmount Ave.

• Please use the pick-up area on Fairmount Ave. for grades 3rd-6th (See map below for traffic pattern)

• Please use the pick-up area on Parkview Ave. for grades Kdg - 2nd (See map below for traffic pattern)

• Families with children in multiple grades can choose either pick-up location (See map below for traffic pattern)

• For everyone's safety, we ask that families do NOT turn onto Parkview Ave. from Fairmount Ave. (Instead, drive down to Claremont Ave and turn onto Parkview... See map below for traffic pattern)

• Primary teachers will stay with their students until their family member picks them up/makes eye contact/hand waive to release the student

• Bus riders will line up in the designated areas in their correct bus line (two lines on the primary side and two lines on the intermediate side)

• Daycare students will line up in the gym in their designated areas and will be escorted to their daycare vans in the front of the building by El Sierra staff members

• Dual Language students using Kids Cab will line up in the gym in their designated areas, and then be escorted out the front doors to the Kids Cab vans by El Sierra staff

• El Sierra staff members will supervise each area

• Please alert the El Sierra Office (630-719-5825) if your child will go home differently than normal (i.e. a grandparent is picking up/they are not taking the bus, or walking instead of getting picked up, etc. )

For families who drive their child(ren) to school, and then want to walk their child onto school grounds, we ask that you park on 68th Street by the soccer field, and use the asphalt path to walk to your child's designated area. By not parking on Fairmount Avenue and Parkview Avenue, we have a much safer drop-off and pick-up area. Please see the map below:

For all students, there is a 20-minute lunch period and a 20-minute recess period. These times occur between 11:20 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. Lunch will take place in the gym/cafeteria.

All students will have a 15-minute recess time and a healthy snack break during their school day.

Please make sure your child has a snack each day. Snack breaks should consist of nutritious food choices such as fruits, vegetables, and other portable snacks. This aligns with District Policy 6:50. The health and safety of our students are our highest priorities. Therefore certain snacks or foods may be prohibited in your child’s classroom due to food allergies. A daily snack can be provided for students who qualify for free/ reduced lunch.

As required by law, all new students, as well as students entering grades K, 2, and 6, must receive health examinations and immunizations and submit completed health forms by October 15th. To learn more check out the Health Services page on the District 58 website.

Thank you to many of the families who have already completed and submitted these forms. In accordance with Illinois law, failure to comply with these requirements by Oct 15 of the current school year, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met. All sections of the child examination form must be completed including the health history, which must be filled out by the parent.

District 58 communicates frequently regarding these requirements as it is our hope to avoid school exclusion for all of our students. If you are in need of additional assistance, our school nurse, Stacie Davis (sdavis@dg58.org) or Amie Rickert (arickert@dg58.org) , would be happy to assist you in answering questions or connecting you with resources to complete this requirement.

Please be sure that the office staff at El Sierra has your family's emergency contact information. In the event of an emergency, it is best to have two contacts. Please contact our secretaries (Beth, emcintosh&dg58.org, or Sarah (shutchison@dg58.org) with this information.

District 58 annually provides students and families with the Schools of 58 Handbook for families (English) or (Spanish) . Please review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations.

During the first full week of school, District 58 will send home a letter and receipt with your child. This handbook receipt asks parents/guardians to acknowledge that they and their child reviewed and understood the Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. When you receive the handbook receipt, please sign it and return it either with your child or at Curriculum Night. Handbook receipts are due by El Sierra’s Curriculum Night on August 28th.

This year’s handbook is only available electronically. If you need a printed copy, please contact our school office, and they can print you a copy.

View the District 58 Calendar 2024-25 for important district dates, including breaks, holidays, parent-teacher conference days, and more.

Email: jlynde@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/es
Location: 6835 Fairmount Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 719-5825
Twitter: @PrincipalLynde