The Simon School Days Newsletter
May 9, 2016
Dear Parents and Families of Simon Elementary:
What a wonderful year it has been! I appreciated all of your smiles and laughs throughout the school year. I wanted to take a moment to tell all of you, “Thank you.”
Thank you to all the volunteers that assisted at Simon Elementary this year. You supplied your time and effort to assist with our children.
Thank you to our wonderful PTO for all that you do. We would not be able to do many of the things we do at school without your support and funding for programs and projects.
Thank you to the parents that helped with classroom celebrations, chaperone field trips, communicate expectations for their child, and assist in the educational process of all our children.
Thank you to all the wonderful staff at Simon Elementary. Your long hours, dedication to the children of Winnebago and professionalism is a model for all educators to follow.
Most of all, thank you to all of the children that we came in contact with this year. We are all very proud of you and we were happy to be part of your lives this year.
I also want say a very special "THANK YOU" for our retiring teachers: Mrs. Benning, Mrs. Cowman, Mrs. Whitney, and Mrs. Kroening. They provided over 100 years of teaching experience at Simon Elementary and the Winnebago School District. They touched the lives of approx. 3,000 students in the Village of Winnebago, Seward, and Rockford. That is amazing to think about the impact that these four wonderful women did.
We look forward to next year and to be working with the families, community members, and of course, the children of the Winnebago School District.
The Simon School office will be closed June 9 until August 7. The office will reopen for the 2016-17 school year on August 8 from 8:00-3:00 Monday-Friday.
2016-17 Registration Information
Student registration packets for the 2016-17 school year were sent home May 2.
Forms need to be completed, secured in an envelope, and returned to your child’s school office by May 13, 2016.
Please note a payment/discount structure is also being implemented beginning May 2.
- $35 discount for Instructional Materials Fees payments (cash, check or online) received on or before May 13, 2016 – send to your child’s school office
- $25 discount for Instructional Materials Fees payments (cash, check or online) received between May 16 and July 31, 2016 – drop in the lockbox in front of McNair Elementary School
- $20 discount for Instructional Materials Fees payments PAID ONLINE on or after August 1, 2016 – checks submitted on or after this date will receive no discount
Students WILL NOT receive a registration packet if there is a question regarding residency or if you have moved to another location in the district and have not verified your new address in the district or unpaid registration fees.
Elementary class lists will be posted on Friday, August 19 at each elementary school.
No student will be placed on a class list if a copy of certified birth certificate and proof of district residency are not on file at your child’s school prior to the start of school on August 24.
End of the Year Events
As we are mapping out the end of the year events for Simon Elementary, May is a very busy month.
Something different this year is that 1st and 2nd Grade will not be having a formal awards day. I have checked with other primary elementary buildings in the area and none of them have an awards program for Grade 1-2.
The structure of the awards programs did not emphasize the individual growth of a student and consistently awarded the higher effort not the growth of students. This is something we will explore in future years.
As classrooms have done in the past, we have done special grade level celebrations such as pizza parties, positive behavior incentives such as snow cone day, and Drop Everything And Read (DEAR Day).
Kindergarten will still have their end of the year program which serves as their musical program for the school year on Wednesday, May 25.
Thank you.
Outstanding Lunch Balances
It is VERY important to keep your child’s lunch accounts up to date. If you have questions about your account balance, please call Beth Swigart at Simon 335-2318 between 7:15 –3PM.
Also, the last day that Simon will serve breakfast will be Thursday, May 26.
Jump Rope for Heart and Field Day
Thank you to everyone who raised money and donated to Jump Rope for Heart this year. Simon Elementary raised over $4500 this year which goes to the American Heart Association. Prizes will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.
Field Days
We can use some more volunteers for EC/PreK/K Monday, May 23 and Grade 1-2 Friday, May 20 Field Days. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Simon office at 815.335.2318. We appreciate all the help we can get!
Volunteers are to meet at 8:45 a.m. in the gym at Dorothy Simon Grade School on Friday, May 20.
Kids Club 2016-17 Registration Night and End of Year Info
Account credits cannot be rolled over from one school year to the next. Please be mindful of your payments.
Kids Club End of the Year Celebration is scheduled for May 31 on the last day of service. Cost is $16 per child. Please remember to send $1-$4 with your child on this day for the ice cream truck.
Final statements will come out May 18. The final 2-weeks of attendance will be assumed based on the previous 2-week schedule. Final payments of service through May 31 are due no later than May 27.
D.rop E.verything A.nd R.ead Day is Thursday, May 26
We will also be swapping some of our "well-loved books" for new ones! Here's how it works. Start thinking about which books you've read and are willing to swap (you may trade up to 5 books)! When you bring a book from home, you will fill out a little slip with your name and teacher's name on it. This slip will be collected then given back to you on DEAR Day. You will then get to pick out one book for each slip you have. An even swap!
Bring your books starting May 9-May 25.
Also, here is a list of popular DEAR titles to read from in the summer. “Drop Everything and Read” Favorite Read-Aloud Titles"
Last Days of Attendance
Simon (PreK/EC) – May 27 will be the last day for children. All materials should be taken home that day or earlier.
Simon (K-2) – Tuesday, May 31 8:05-12:40. Lunch will be served. All school materials should be taken home on May 31 or earlier. Thank you.
May Calendar Events
If you do have any specific questions about events or functions, please call the school office at 815.335.2318.
- May Calendar