Simon Elementary School Newsletter
January 2018
From the Principal
In my time as an educator, and as an observer of kids in schools since being five years old, one phrase I have heard uttered many a time from numerous individuals is, "I can't." Usually, this is in response to being asked to do a routine learning task. Sometimes, this is stated not because someone truly cannot do it, but rather that he does not want to do it. Sometimes, the person may feel that the task, whatever it is, cannot be done because they do not know how complete it. It can be due to a lack of confidence or as a result of a fear of being wrong (and subsequently judged by peers as being wrong). Sometimes a generalization is formed (i.e. "I just am not a math person!").
I, too, have been in these shoes at various points in my time as a student. There are a few of valuable lessons that we can take away from these scenarios to help kids on their learning journey. #1: We can use successes to build confidence step by step within kids. Confidence comes after having the feeling of being successful. We have to provide opportunities where kids can experience success, and feedback has to be given acknowledging what led to that success so that it can be repeated. #2: At some point, we all have gotten something wrong. That's just a part of the learning process. In most cases, it's not the end of the world. We have to teach kids to embrace errors that they make, learning from them to prevent repeating them in the future. They cannot be the reason for "I can't." #3: We all grow, change, and learn over time. Just because you cannot complete a task right now (2 digit addition, writing a paragraph, etc.) doesn't mean that you will never be able to do it.
Here are three links to resources that expand upon these and help give some ideas of actions you can take to help foster confidence, grit, and growth mindset.
An article about building confidence
2018-2019 Kindergarten Registration
Children turning five years old on or before September 1, 2018 will be able to attend kindergarten during the 2018-2019 school year. Here are some things to think about as the next school year approaches.
What requirements need to be met?
- Immunizations/physical: Before children can start kindergarten in Illinois, they need a physical examination by a doctor or other health care provider. They also need to have all immunizations up-to-date. Be sure to start early so they’re ready for that first day. If you’re not sure what immunizations your children need, talk to their doctor, your local health department, or call the Illinois Public Health Department at 217-782-4977.
- Eye exam: The State of Illinois requires all children, beginning kindergarten or first grade for the first time, or children who are transferring into Illinois from out of state, to have a comprehensive eye examination prior to starting school. The examination must be done by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The results must be submitted to the school by the parents, on a form approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, prior to October 15. The examination may be done within one year prior to beginning school.
- Birth certificate: All children need to have a copy of their certified birth certificate on file at school prior to the first day of attendance.
- Complete the registration process: Parents of all students must complete registration, including proof of residency and filling out all necessary documents.
What will the teacher expect my child to be able to do at the beginning of the year?
You may want to review this list and see if there is anything else you would like to teach your child before those first days of school. Keep in mind that this is just a guideline to help boost your child's success.
- Identify some letters of the alphabet particularly those in their name.
- Grip a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly (using a tripod grasp)
- Use scissors, glue, paint, and other art materials with relative ease
- Write his or her first name using upper- and lowercase letters, if possible
- Rote counts to 10 and counts objects to 10.
- Participate in social activities without conflict
- Classify objects according to their size, shape, and quantity
- Speak using complete sentences
- Able to recognize their first name
- Identify rhyming words or sing a Nursery Rhyme
- Play independently or focus on one activity with a friend for up to ten minutes
- Practices self help skills independently for example; toileting and dressing
- Follow one to two step directions
- Clean up after herself
- Listen to a story without interrupting
- Separate from parents easily
- Ability to work independently or with others
Don’t panic if your child hasn’t nailed everything on the list — she’ll learn a lot in kindergarten. What’s more important is to wean her from relying on you to do things she could do herself, such as zipping her jacket or tying her shoes. Give her the chance to show you what she can do — you might be in for a few surprises!
What kinds of knowledge and experiences can help prepare my child?
- In addition to practicing the above skills, help her learn about the world around her. Take her on interesting trips—to the library or grocery store, on a bus ride, or to a museum or park—and talk with her about what she sees. Provide other experiences such as trips to the library or play dates with other near-age peers. Encourage her curiosity, and help her find answers to her questions.
Kindergarten Pre-enrollment can be completed online starting Wednesday, February 1. After completing the pre-enrollment, you will receive more information about the next steps of the registration process.
Preschool Screening Set for January 31
Kitchen and Lunchroom Assistance Needed
If you would like to help out, please click here.
Once you have signed up, you will receive a confirmation notice as well as a reminder notification two days prior to the date. You can also visit the sign-up by copying the following address into your browser:
Rules for Recess When There's Snow
Students should be wearing a workable winter coat, hat, and gloves (mittens). For students to go into the snow, your child needs to wear the following:
- Snow boots
- Snow pants
- Winter coat, gloves (mittens), etc.
If students do not come prepared for the weather conditions, we will limit students to the blacktop areas for recess. Also, it is important that students do not try to slide on the ice patches on the blacktop areas.
Also, it is a good idea to send another set of clothes, especially socks, pants, and shirts to school in case clothes get too wet. The playground can be very wet and muddy in spots.
Finally, please remind your child that snowball throwing is not allowed at Simon Elementary. Students will receive only one warning about this matter. If the incident occurs again, students will miss recess and report to the principal to discuss disciplinary action. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Hickerson.
If Your Child Experiences Illness
Recommendations to Parents Regarding Your Ill Child:
Children should stay home if any of the following are present:
- Fever of 100 degrees
- Upset stomach
- Skin rashes or sores, any lesion on the skin that is draining
- Excessive coughing
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Flushed face
- Contagious illness, such as strep throat or chicken pox
**Please keep your child home for 24 hours after symptoms (including fever) are gone. If your child’s temperature can be kept under 100 degrees only by giving him/her acetaminophen or ibuprofen, your child should stay at home. Please report all communicable diseases to the school nurse or the school office. These include: strep throat, chicken pox, scarlet fever, pink eye, mononucleosis, fifths disease, mumps, measles, etc.
Kids Club Information
If you need a 2017 childcare tax form from Kids Club, please sign-up on the form at the sign-out desk as soon as possible. Forms will be distributed by January 31, 2018.
No Kids Club services 1/15/18 due to observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Kids Club will provide extended services 1/31/17 for the early release day. Service fees are $16/child.
A Reminder About Drop-off Procedures
Simon Parent Drop Off in the Morning (7:35-8:05) - Car Riders
To ensure safety of our students and to help drop-off move as smoothly as possible for all, it is VERY important that everyone adheres to the morning drop-off procedures listed below,especially during icy and/or snow covered conditions.
1. Keep a single line of traffic when dropping your child off in the morning.
2. Have your child exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle.
3. If you need to assist your child to exit out of the vehicle, please park and walk your child up to the building entrance.
We thank you for you help with this.
REMINDER: School starts at 8:05, and the west door locks at this time. If you arrive after that time, please come to the office and sign your child in for the day.
Get Your Simon/McNair Yearbooks Now!
Lost & Found Items
Please make sure that your child's name is written on a tag inside of all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, etc., so items found can be quickly and easily returned to their owners.
Weather-Related Closings
Should weather or some other unexpected circumstance require the school to be closed or the students to be dismissed early, the district will be using the School Messenger system and information will be broadcast over radio station WROK (1440 AM) in Rockford or other local radio or television stations. Parents are asked to listen for early school closings during days of bad weather conditions.
When school is dismissed early for emergency reasons, (inclement weather, specific school building problems/situations, etc.) all after school activities at that building are cancelled, unless noted otherwise. Winnebago Kids Club is cancelled in the event of such emergency cancellations of school as well.