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Norton Creek Elementary
Monday E-News-April 10th, 2023
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
4/19/23- DPTO Meeting 9:30am
4/24/23- Policy Committee Meeting (Haines Center) 5pm
4/24/23- Business Services Meeting (Haines Center) 5:30pm
4/26/23- Early Release Day-Elementary Schools (School Day ends at 2:10pm)
SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE
Kindergarten thru 5th Grades-
8:00am-3:00pm
Students can be dropped off at 7:45am for the school day. It you arrive before that time please keep your child with you until 7:45 as there is no supervision outside until then.
Our school office is open from 7:30am until 4:00pm on school days.
From The Principal....Tony White
Young kids believe everyone is good. It's why we teach them never to get into a stranger's car. What do we teach them about their classmates, though? This is something my wife and I navigate pretty regularly because just as they do in your home - things happen all the time. Our kindergartner's glasses were broken by a classmate she calls her friend. Our first grader has a friend who evaluates their friendship in percentages ("Today, you are 20% my friend."). What we tell our kids next will determine how they approach situations like these for years to come as we become their inner voices.
If we told them, "Those are bad kids, and you need to stay away from them," that could seemingly fix the issue, but it also could cause our kids to become judgmental. If we tell them to let it go, we could create kids who don't advocate for themselves. There are no easy answers to things like these, and certainly whichever route you choose never feels fully right. (Something we live with daily as parents and guardians!) I would also never pretend that we are parents of the year or have all the answers. We instead asked our daughters how they feel when they're around these kids they call friends, and how they felt when these things happened. Asking questions help our kids process what they're thinking so they can better understand what they're feeling.
As they grow, the more they understand their own feelings, the better they can understand others' feelings and empathize with them. When we say someone is a good person (kid or adult for that matter), what I think we're really saying is, "That's a kind person and they work hard." That's all we can ask for, and when this world we're in causes are kids to grow up perhaps more quickly than we want them to or are ready for, all we can try to do is make sure our kids understand the importance of being kind and working hard. It makes them more trustworthy. The more kids can trust kids, the longer they can maintain that innocence and light. And, boy, wouldn't that be great for us grown-ups of the world to have a bit more of that innocence and light too!
Passover started Wednesday evening, and to our Jewish friends, I wish you a very Happy Passover. To our Christian friends, Easter Sunday is here this weekend, and I wish you a Happy Easter! Have a wonderful weekend, Norton Creek, making memories with your favorite people!
Save The Date-Band Event
Book Donation Drive with all D303 schools-BERNIE’S BOOK BANK DONATION DRIVE
Book Donation Drive with all D303 schools
BERNIE’S BOOK BANK DONATION DRIVE
- The D303 donation drive for Bernie’s Book Bank will be held during April 3-12, 2023 at all D303 schools.
- Please consider bringing in new and gently used children’s books for birth through 6th grade to Norton Creek Elementary or one of the D303 schools during the donation drive.
- Students may place books in the labeled collection bins located in the front hallway.
- D303’s goal for the 2023 donation drive is 20,000 books. Every book will help us reach our goal.
- See the attached informational flyers outlining details of the types of books Bernie's Books will accept
FRIENDLY REMINDERS FROM THE OFFICE
A few reminders to keep the school year going.....
What time can my student arrive to school?
We open the doors at 7:45am for student arrival every morning. Students should not be dropped off before that time as there is no supervision for students. If you arrive before drop off time please keep your child in your car until the appropriate time.
How do I report an absence?.
Absences should be called in by 7:45 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2700 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms.
Even if you notify your child's teacher of an absence via email, we ask that you please still notify the office at nor-office@d303.org. Please note that if your child is sick, they should be fever free and have no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. Of course, you can always email the teacher as well, but you need to formally notify the school of any student absence.
Is your child leaving school early?
Also, if you will be picking up your child early or taking your child out for an appointment, please let our front office know as early in the day as possible by calling the main number at 331-228-2700 or email at nor-office@d303.org. This can be very helpful should a pick-up time be when the child is in specials or at lunch. Kids can be indoors as well as outdoors depending on their schedule and it can take a few extra minutes to locate and get the child down to the office for an early pickup if they are not in their classroom.
What if my child has a change in dismissal/transportation?
Please let the school know as early as possible if there is a occasional change to your child dismissal by emailing nor-office@d303.org and your child's teacher or call the office directly at 331-228-2701. If it is after 12pm please call the office directly so that we can ensure your child gets the notification of changes. Dismissal time can be very hectic and to help ensure a smooth dismissal, getting any transportation changes for students early is very helpful. Simply call the school office or email at nor-office@d303.org and let them know.
Will your child arrive late to school?
If your child is arriving after 8:00am please walk them into the school and sign them in.
Note: Save our school number in your contacts. Norton Creek Elementary: (331) 228-2700.
PREARRANGED ABSENCES
Students must apply for the privilege of using prearranged absence days through the principal’s office.
This completed form must be turned in at least (2) school days prior to the requested absence to the main office.
The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to (5) days of excused absence per year
for the following types of absences:
Participation in regional and/or national contests or awards
Family vacation—qualified by the phrase “accompanied by parent”
Special religious events
MESSAGE FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Illinois State law requires that all Kindergarten & 2nd Grade students will have an oral health examination. You may have already completed this requirement. If you have not, a licensed dentist must perform the dental exam and he/she shall sign and date the report form. This exam is due by May 15th of the school year.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.
Forms can be found at:
If you have any questions, please contact the Health Office at 331-228-3004
LRC MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
ORGANIC LIFE
LUNCH SCHEDULES
LUNCH SCHEDULES:
2nd Grade:11:00-11:20
5th Grade: 11:20-11:40
Kindergarten: 11:40-12:00
RISE Students: 11:40-12:00
1st Grade: 12:00-12:20
3rd Grade: 12:20-12:40
4th Grade: 12:40-1:00
If your student forgets their lunch please email the classroom teacher and drop off at the main office. Please label with the students full name.
Summer Strings Camp
St. Charles North Summer Camps
PTO NEWS
We are in the homestretch of this school year and it is jam packed with PTO fun! Don't forget that today, April 7th, is the last day to order custom pages for your yearbook.
Upcoming Events:
DQ Cakes for sale! April 5--28
One School One Book Launch - Monday, April 24
Basket Raffle and Bingo - Friday April 28, 4:30p-7:30
Teacher Appreciation Week! - May 1-5 (sign up on the PTO website to help!)
PTO Meeting - Tuesday May 2, 5:30pm
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
Dear Parents,
The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us! Recently, the nurses in District 303 have been caring for a number of students experiencing fevers and other cold-like symptoms. We are also aware that some students are absent from school because they have been diagnosed with the flu and other respiratory illnesses. During the months of October through April, each school in District 303 tracks influenza activity in cooperation with the Kane County Health Department. We consult with their staff to determine whether influenza activity in a school warrants additional follow up and, at this time, no additional interventions are needed. Preventative measures remain the most effective way to reduce the spread of influenza and other viral illnesses.
Students who present to the Health Office with a fever and/or feeling poorly are sent home. To prevent widespread illness in school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
CONSIDER KEEPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep or COVID)
Headache
Mild stomach ache
DEFINITELY KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
Fever (greater than 100 degrees)
Vomiting (even once)
Diarrhea
Chills
General malaise or feelings of fatigue
Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
TO HELP PREVENT THE FLU AND OTHER COLDS, teach your children good hygiene habits:
Wash hands frequently
Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill
Colds and viruses are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" and for a minimum of 24 hours. A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on medication for at least 24 hours before he/she is considered non-contagious and able to return to school. Keeping your ill child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom!
Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible.
Sincerely,
Brittany Jensen BSN RN, PEL-CSN
Virginia Wicinski BSN RN
Cathy Leone BSN RN
Norton Creek Nurses