School Mission:

School Vision:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I have enjoyed my first quarter at Silas Willard. The staff and students here work hard each day, and I am so excited to see the academic and social and emotional growth we can make together this year.

Again, teachers will share report cards at parent teacher conferences. Conferences are being held on October 22nd and October 24th. Please make sure that you reach out to your child's teacher if you have not scheduled yet, or if you forget your time.

Below is the plan for our Red Ribbon Spirit Week at the end of October. For costumes, please remember:

• Costumes must not interfere with learning for the school day
• No masks
• No blood or pretend weapons

This second quarter will go by quickly. Please make sure to check all of the dates below so that you are prepared.

Tips for home during this busy quarter:

1. Keep a consistent bedtime routine and sleep schedule.

2. Get to school on time.

3. Read to your child whenever possible!

We appreciate your partnership with the staff at Silas to make our school community strong.

Sincerely,

Jodi Keever

Principal

ARRIVAL:

There is NO DROP OFF on Freemont in the morning. You need to park and walk your child through the playground gate if you use this entrance to the playground. Please drop off in the circle drive on Fifer, and your child can walk to the playground. You may not leave your car parked on Freemont to bring your child to the playground.

If you have a dog, please drop your child off at the gate so that the dog is not on the playground with other students.

Please do not park until 3:30 or after in the car lane on the west side of the building. This is where 3rd and 4th grade and siblings are picked up. We have deliveries scheduled for before this time, and our staff who travels needs to leave before 3:30.

Please do not pull around cars in the 3/4 pick up lane. Wait until you can pull and exit safely.

A reminder that the playground is CLOSED until 4:00 p.m. so that we can make sure that all students are picked up.

A new tradition has started for PE. One select student from each grade level is picked to be the student of the quarter. This student demonstrates great knowledge and performance of physical education skills and terms. Congratulations to Malikai Anderson (Kindergarten-Fox), Finley Godsil (1st Grade-Lindsay), Hazel Cantu (2nd Grade-Benson), Therena Seke (3rd Grade-Hopping), and Hadyn Sargent (4th Grade-Jennings)

The 1st quarter of the year has come to an end. PE students have had a thrilling time of learning about fitness in ways some could not think of. Table games come to life like a connect 4 relay race, reviewing important fitness vocabulary through multiple parachute activities, interactive warm-ups and beginning the skills of throwing and catching in many head to head games. All while focusing on achieving the goals for their brain, heart and body because in PE a healthy mind and heart, leads to a healthy body. Mr. Miller is so proud to be Silas Willard’s Physical Education Teacher.

Please have your child check the lost and found table this week!

The Character Trait for the month of October is Courage.

Take a look at the "Family Strong" website for more resources for home.

Click below to order!

Reading to your children at home is essential to their education. I have learned a lot myself as a parent from the book linked below. In Jim Trelease's "Read Aloud Handbook" he discusses the benefits, the rewards, and the importance of reading aloud to children of a new generation. In this book there are ideas for how to make time to read to your child at home, and most importantly there is a list by grade level of books to read at home.

I just finished reading this chapter book to my own children at home! They think Clementine is hilarious.

Below is a link from the "Bridges in Mathematics" Curriculum for free learning apps to use at home that match the curriculum. Bridges in Mathematics is for students in grades K-2.

Countdown!

This game is a simple at home version of the TV favorite and can be played with any number of players.

What you need to play:

• 4 ‘large number’ cards with the numbers 25, 50, 75 and 100 on them
• A set of cards with the digits 1-10 on them, with at least two cards for each number.

Step 2: Do the same with the 1 – 10 cards, making sure you have at least 2 cards for each number.

Step 3: Players take turns selecting one of the big number cards or one of the small number cards, until there are 6 cards laid out all together.

Step 4: Someone who is playing the game needs to generate a 3-digit number. This can be by throwing a dice, or selecting cards from a pile of 0 to 9 cards.

Step 5: Once the number has been generated, turn over the six cards and players have to try and get to that total using any of the six number cards and any of the four operations.

Each card can only be used once and the winner is the first person to reach the total, or the player who is closest after a set length of time.

The game can be adapted for younger children, by choosing the numbers on the cards carefully and having them aiming to reach a 2-digit number, rather than a 3-digit number.

Everyday students can earn "Wildcat Way Tickets" for following our building expectations. On Fridays, tickets are pulled from each grade level for a small prize. Thank you for following building expectations!

Volunteer in CUSD #205! We need you!
Galesburg CUSD #205 welcomes community members, parents, and caregivers to participate in our school programs. We welcome you to our school and thank you for your willingness to partner with us in providing an excellent educational program for our students.
Board Policy 6:250-The Board of Education encourages the use of resource persons and volunteers to: (1) increase students' educational attainment; (2) provide enrichment experiences for students; (3) increase the effective utilization of staff time and skills; (4) give more individual attention to students; and (5) promote greater community involvement.
Volunteer Opportunities:

• Interact and build relationships with students during lunch and recess
• Work with athletic teams and coaches
• Read to a class or work with a small group of students
• Provide support to the Marching Streaks
• Tutor students
• Share career experiences

CUSD #205 is actively seeking volunteers to assist in our schools. Volunteer guidelines are established for the benefit and safety of all students and staff.
All adult volunteer applicants, including field trip chaperones, must complete the online application and wait for clearance prior to volunteering or chaperoning. Please click the button below to begin the application process. The application needs to be completed accurately and in its entirety. You will be asked to renew this clearance annually.
CUSD #205 Volunteer Interest Form
Volunteer Requirements:

• Complete volunteer application
• Pass background screenings

You will be contacted after your application is submitted and reviewed. If you have questions, please contact Amy Pickrel, apickrel@galesburg205.org, 309-973-2118.

Quarter 1: August 8 - October 11, 2024

Quarter 2: October 14 - December 20, 2024

Quarter 3: January 6 - March 14, 2025

Quarter 4: March 17 - May 21, 2025*

*unless emergency days are needed

How do we grade at the elementary level? We use a standards-based report card instead of a report card with letter grades. Elementary report cards are issued at the end of each grading period. They are intended to give an evaluation of the scholastic achievement and work habits of each child. Parents should examine all cards carefully since each child is rated not only on academic progress, but also progress in development of social attitudes and work habits.

We use a 4,3,2,1 system to assess a student's mastery of standards.

4 = Exceeding State and District Standards

3 = Meeting State and District Standards

2 = Approaching State and District Standards

1 = Not Meeting State and District Standards

Our district takes student attendance very seriously and we are committed to seeing that every child is at school unless there is an excused reason for absence or tardiness. Studies have shown that when students are consistently at school they are more likely to achieve their dreams.

What Parents and Students Can Do:

• Ensure children arrive to school on time.

• When absent, be sure to make up missed work.

• Communicate with school and seek support when needed.

• Call when your child is absent from school or unavoidably late ASAP at 309-973-2016.

• Know attendance is required on early dismissal days.

• Return to school after appointments.

• Plan appointments outside of school day.

• Call within one hour of the start of school or send a note within 48 hours of the return to school.

• For minor health issues—come to school.

Please call the Silas Willard Front Office to let us know of any absences. 309-973-2015

Steps taken if you do not make contact with the school:

1. Automated Call: Parents/Guardians will receive an automated call stating your child is not in attendance.

2. School Call: The school secretary or outreach worker will follow up with the family IF the family does not call the school after the automated call.

3. Unexcused Absence: The absence will be recorded as "unexcused" if no contact can be made with the family.

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• No phone call/email to explain a student's absence
• Returning to school after 3 consecutive days of absence with no doctor's note.
• Oversleeping
• Transportation issues

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Illness
• Medical appointment
• Observation of a religious holiday
• Death in the family/funeral service
• Family Emergency

Mrs. Keever, Principal

Mrs. Roberts, Dean of Students

Mrs. Miller, Secretary

Mrs. Prater, Secretary

Mrs. Bernardi, Outreach

Mrs. DeJaynes, Nurse

Mrs. Stinson, Family Engagement Specialist

Email: jkeever@galesburg205.org

Website: https://silas.galesburg205.org/o/swes

Location: 460 Fifer St, Galesburg, IL 61401

Phone: (309) 973-2015

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silaswillardelemschool

Instagram: @205SilasWildcats

#silaswildcats

#thisis205