AFC Elementary Monthly Memo

Welcome back to another exciting school year at AFC Elementary School!

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break. As we prepare to embark on this new academic year, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to both our returning families and those joining us for the first time. The start of a new school year is always filled with anticipation, enthusiasm, and opportunities for growth.

Our dedicated team has been working hard to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for our students. We are excited to introduce new programs and enhance our existing ones to ensure that each child receives the support and encouragement they need to succeed. Our goal is to foster a love of learning and to help every student achieve their full potential.

To our students: We believe in your potential and are here to support you every step of the way. Remember, every day is a new opportunity to learn, to explore, and to grow. Embrace the challenges, ask questions, and most importantly, have fun!

To our parents and guardians: Your involvement and support are crucial to your child’s success. We encourage you to stay engaged with your child’s learning journey, communicate with us, and participate in the various activities and events we have planned throughout the year.

Together, as a community, we can make this school year memorable and successful. Let’s work together to make AFC Elementary School a place where every student can LEARN, GROW, & THRIVE.

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the school year!

Warm Regards,

Jenah Burkitt, Principal

AFC Elementary School

13 - After-School Program Orientation Meeting 6:00 PM

14 - Popsicles w/ the Principal 5:30 PM

19 - Teacher's Institute, BoE Meeting 7:00 PM

20 - Teacher's Institute, Back to School Night 4:00 - 6:00 PM

21 - First Day of Student Attendance, 2:30 Early Dismissal

23 - PTC - Kindergarten Ice Cream Social 5:00 PM

27 - 6 VB Pecatonica (AFC Jr/Sr High School) 4:00 PM

28 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

29 - 6 VB Oregon (AFC Jr/Sr High School) 4:00 PM

Please join us to kick off the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday, August 20th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM we will be hosting Back to School Open House. Students will be able to meet their teachers and drop off their school supplies. AFC's wonderful team of specials teachers (PE, Art, Music, Band/Choir, & Library) will be in their classrooms ready to meet/visit with students and families.

AFC Elementary School: 7:30 - 8:30

AFC Jr/Sr High School: 7:30 - 8:00

Students who ride the shuttle from the Jr/Sr High School to the Elementary School in the morning may eat breakfast at the Jr/Sr High School prior to boarding their bus. If they do not get breakfast there, they will still be able to get breakfast at the Elementary School.

ALL students eating breakfast at the Elementary School should enter through Door 1.

Mary Flaherty - Early Childhood Special Education

Ann DuBois - 3rd Grade (new position)

Christine Wolf - 5th Grade Teacher (new position)

Amber Dimmig - Reading Specialist (new position)

Abbie Janicke - Math Specialist (new position)

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.

Dear Families,

We are thankful for you being part of our school community! The world is changing quickly and

we want to do everything we can to help students be successful in school and life.

We are excited to tell you that we will be using a program called PurposeFull People this year.

This program teaches skills that will help students be successful in school and in life.

We believe that students should have safe, predictable places to learn where they feel included.

Students should have healthy and helpful connections with teachers and classmates. They

should also experience learning that will help them tackle challenges inside and outside of

school. PurposeFullPeople is more than a set of lessons - it is a partnership between schools

and families to create a place where students feel like they belong and learn skills that will help

them be the best they can be!

Purposefull People has three main goals for students: Be Kind, Be Strong, and Be Well.

Be Kind: Social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership.

• These skills are taught alongside Empathy, Respect, & Cooperation

Be Strong: Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals.

• These skills are taught alongside Responsibility, Courage, & Perseverance

Be Well: Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.

• These skills are taught alongside Gratitude, Honesty, & Creativity

This year, you’ll be invited to join the fun! We will send letters home about the skills and

strengths being taught each month. Each letter will include some ways to build these skills at

home, discussion starters, and fun challenges you can try with your family.

The path forward is full of growth! We cannot wait to partner with you in this work...

• To teach students how to build strong friendships
• To work together to solve problems, big and small
• To grow skills for life
• To become PurposeFull People

With Gratitude,

Amanda Chapman, LCSW

K-2 Parents! Please remember to provide a paint shirt for your young artist. Mrs. Coffman suggests a long-sleeved t-shirt that is simply a little big for your youngster. These have cuffed sleeves and are easy for kids to put on by themselves. Aprons and short sleeves do not cover their arms and plastic does not hold up well. Kids will start painting September 3rd. If they do not have a paint shirt - THEY STILL PAINT!

Hello 5th and 6th Grade Families!

NEW BAND STUDENT INFORMATION

Band and Choir will be introduced to 5th and 6th grade students during PE early this September. If your student is interested in joining band class, they will sign up to test instruments during their PE time. If your student decides to join band class, please check your email and voicemail for contact from Ms. Daly to make an instrument rental appointment for September 19, 2024.

NEW CHOIR STUDENT INFORMATION

If your student is interested in joining choir class, they will have two opportunities to try it out before making their final decision on September 19, 2024.

RETURNING BAND STUDENT INFORMATION

For returning band students, regular pull-out lessons from P.E. will start back up in late September. If you have found any issues with your student's instrument, please bring it in before September 19, 2024 so that it can be sent in for repairs before lessons begin.

RETURNING CHOIR STUDENT INFORMATION

For returning choir students, please attend the two choir try out days during PE time to begin your participation this year.

Please contact Ms. Daly at mdaly@afcschools.net with any questions you may have.

We are very excited to be bringing Accelerated Reader back this year. Over the summer, all books in the library were labeled with an AR sticker (see image to the right). ATOS is a measure of readability—in other words, a readability formula designed to guide students to appropriate-level books. ATOS takes into account the most important predictors of text complexity—average sentence length, average word length, and word difficulty level. The results are provided in a grade-level scale that is easy to use and understand.

Each student will be given a recommended independent reading level after fall benchmark testing. This is the level in which the student can comfortably read independently. Students will NOT be discouraged from checking out books above or below their level. However, we would recommend the student receive help at home if they bring a book home above their independent reading level.

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/