St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 is excited to begin planning for the new elementary school day that will be implemented for the 2020-2021 school year.

It is important for us to engage parents and staff members in the process. Included in this message is a link to the new elementary school day page on the District 303 website where you will find a short informational video, a form where you can provide feedback, and a list of frequently asked questions. You may access this page anytime under the About tab on the website.

A group of parents and staff members we are calling the Think Tank will analyze the information gathered on the feedback form and provide input and guidance throughout the process. In addition, their work will be shared with a variety of stakeholder groups in the district. In order for them to begin their work on September 23, we request that you complete the feedback form by September 20.

We appreciate the time that you are taking to view the video and complete the form. Your voice and opinion matter!

Special thanks to our PTO, the many volunteers, and our staff members who freely gave of their time to prepare and host our Davis Richmond Block Party. The Food Trucks provided tasty food that everyone enjoyed. The obstacle course and face painting were a big hit with our students. The most fun was the Dunk Tank! We appreciated our teachers and principals who took a "dunk" to raise funds for the year.

Our students enjoyed playing together and parents had opportunities to renew old friendships and meet new families. What an exciting kick-off to School Year 2019-2020!

Please join us for an informational meeting for new volunteers about Art Volunteers in the Classroom (AVIC) next week!

There will be two dates:

• Wed, Sept 18 @ 9.30am in the Davis Community Room

• Thu, Sep 19 @7pm in the Richmond Art Room

Both meetings will be the same, so please come to whichever suits your schedule best.

Emails were sent out earlier this week to all parents who have already volunteered for AVIC. If you didn’t receive an email, please contact your AVIC Coordinators:

DAVIS: Nicole Sponsler nicolesponsler@comcast.net

RICHMOND: Alisa Sawka aasawka@gmail.com

Still interested in signing up? No problem! AVIC is a program funded through the Davis-Richmond PTO. Six times over the school calendar year, starting in October (they are generally once per month), parents are invited to lead a 45-minute art lesson in their child’s classroom. No teaching experience or creativity is needed – we have lesson plans available if you don’t want to make your own! General art supplies are provided: you just need to give your time and be ready to have some fun. The children love to see you in their classroom and enjoy extra creative time. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc are also welcome to help out!

Hope to see you at the meeting, and we’re looking forward to another year of beauty and creativity!

Davis Primary conducted our final safety drills this week: Lockdown and Fire. Our firemen and police were impressed with how quickly and quietly we followed our safety plans. We want to thank our teachers for the care and sensitivity with which they prepare our children. Outstanding!

We would love to utilize pictures of our students with no names attached to highlight the learning and community opportunities at Davis Primary on our website and the Davis Richmond Facebook Page. However, some parents have indicated “No Pictures,” during original registration, not knowing how they might be used. If you would reconsider, please visit HAC and change your status. Thanks!

When: Richmond 5th Grade Choir meets Thursday afternoons AFTER school

September 19 - May. 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Where: Richmond Intermediate School

To register your 5th grade student CLICK HERE and fill out the form

Contact Mrs. Sharon Lenning - sharon.lenning@d303.org with any questions

As our creative hardworking artists complete work it will be added to their portfolio and you will get an alert, so you can open the app and see their creation!

If you already have an account you are set! If you haven’t ever set up an account please be on the lookout, in your student’s backpack, for their Artsonia access permission slip. This slip contains the unique code for your student and the directions for setting up their Artsonia account. Once you have followed the directions you will be able to see your student’s artwork and share it with family and friends.

Please see letter for items we need in our MAKERSPACE.

Wednesday, September 25

-Richmond Picture Day Re-take

Thursday, September 26

- Watch Dog Sign-up Event from 6:00 - 7:00pm at Davis

Friday, Sept 27

- Penny Wars End

Friday, October 4

- Davis Picture Re-take Day

- STC Kick-A-Thon from 6:00pm at STC East

Wednesday, Oct 2

- PTO Meeting from 7:00 - 8:00 pm at Davis

Friday, Oct 25

- PTO Monster Mash 6:00 - 7:30pm at Richmond