The Simon School Days Newsletter
February 6, 2015
Dear Parents and Families of Simon Elementary:
For February being a short month, there is a lot going on at Simon Elementary. With Valentine's Day, STEM night, Mini Cheer, Severson Dells Assemblies, and Parent-Teacher Conferences it is a busy month!
Severson Dells Assemblies
2nd Grade - February 5 (Bats)
1st Grade - February 12 (Owls)
Kindergarten - February 24 (Salamanders)
EC/PreK - February 26 (Unhuggables)
Mini-Cheer Camp
February 9-11; Performance on Friday, February 13
Valentine Parties – February 13
PM Session of Early Childhood/PreK – Grade 2
2:00pm
AM Session of Early Childhood/PreK 10:00
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Night
Monday, February 16 5:30-7:00pm
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, February 26 4:00-7:30pm
Teachers will contact parents that they would like to have conferences with regarding your child's academic performance and/or behavior.
Reminder about Remind
Get important messages via text messaging. By doing the following:
1. Scan the QR Code (next to this article) with your smartphone
2. Enter this number (815) 401-9303 with this message @simon1415
3. Click here for additional directions
By joining the group on Remind, you’re choosing to receive class messages via push notifications, SMS, or email. Don’t worry, your phone number will not be shared with the teacher or anyone else in the group.
2015-2016 Countdown to Kindergarten
Will you have a child that turns five years old on or before September 1, 2015? If the answer is yes, then they will be able to attend kindergarten starting next school year. Here are some things to think about as the next school year approaches.
What immunizations will my child need?
- 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.
Will my child need to have a certified birth certificate?
- Yes, all children need to have a copy of their certified birth certificate on file at school prior to the first day of attendance.
What will the teacher expect my child to be able to do?
- A child entering kindergarten is usually able to walk, run, and climb.
- She should be able to hold and use a pencil, crayons, and scissors.
- She should talk well enough for others to understand what she is saying and know that words can be written as well as spoken. Help her see and hear how objects and sounds may be alike or different.
What group skills does my child need?
- Does your child get along with other children and adults?
- In kindergarten he’ll need to be able to work alone and with others.
- He can be an “old hand” at these skills if you work with him on listening to a story in a group;following rules; and carrying out two or three directions; taking turns, respecting others’ property, and sharing; taking care of his own things, such as his coat; going to the toilet and washing his hands; and finishing his work.
What kinds of knowledge and experience help prepare my child?
- 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. Encourage her curiosity, and help her find answers to her questions.
- Teach her the names of colors and shapes.
- Make sure she knows her full name and how to get to school and back.
What will my local school expect of my child?
Call the school office at 815.335.2318 and ask if there is information on what is expected of students and parents. Kindergarten Pre-enrollment can be done online starting Monday, February 2.2015-2016 Preschool Screening
Winnebago CUSD #323 will conduct preschool screenings for the 2015-16 school year on March 11-12. These children may be eligible to attend the Winnebago School District Preschool for the 2015-16 school year.
The preschool screening is to determine eligibility for our preschool program and for you to have a better understanding of your child's strengths and areas for improvement. We encourage everyone with preschool aged children (ages 3-5) to participate in screening regardless of your interest in the preschool program.
The screening will assess your child’s developmental skills in the following areas: academic concepts, gross and fine motor skills, speech and language, social, behavior, self-help skills, and vision and hearing.
Screening appointments take approximately one hour. Children have to be three years old at the time of the screening on March 11-12.
The screenings will be held at Dorothy Simon Elementary 309 S. Benton St. Winnebago, IL 61088. Please call 815.335.2318 to make an appointment.
School Closing due to Weather Events
Should weather or some other unexpected circumstances 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.
WIFR even offers text messaging of school closings. If you are interested in this option, go to their web site at http://www.wifr.com. 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.
Food Allergy Prevention
Food allergies are a growing concern in schools across America. Millions of children - children who are perfectly healthy and normal in every other way – must watch every single bite they eat, or risk suffering a severe or even life threatening reaction. In fact, food allergies claim over 200 lives and are responsible for over 30,000 emergency room visits each year. A major health issue such as this one needs to be taken very seriously, and it has always been the policy of this school to make the safety and well being of our students our top priority.
We have students at Simon Elementary that have a serious peanut and/or nut allergy - the food allergy that claims more lives each year than any other along with fish and shellfish allergies. Therefore, we are putting the following safety guidelines into effect:
- Birthday and classroom parties are a special time for children, but can be a difficult time for the food-allergic child. Treats should be store bought with the ingredients clearly visible. It would be especially helpful if you could let your child’s teacher know a few days ahead.
- We will try to keep the food at holiday parties to a minimum. As with birthday parties, we must be extremely careful about the ingredients in all of the food items. Please do not enclose candy or other treats with Valentine’s Day cards, as these do not list ingredients on the card given.
- Our school nurse will check all treats in classrooms where a food allergy is present.
This is a learning process for all of us, but we trust that you understand how deeply important it is to respect and adhere to these guidelines. If throughout the course of the year you have any questions or concerns about food-allergy-related issues, please do not hesitate to contact our school nurse or Mr. Mandera.
Snow Rules at Simon Elementary
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. Mandera at 335-2318.
Lost and Found Items
Please put names on all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, etc., so items found can be quickly and easily returned to their owners. Students who find lost articles are asked to bring them to the lost and found areas at Simon. Students who have lost articles may check the lost and found on the lower level under the Principal’s Pride bulletin board before and after school, or at other times with teacher permission. Any articles not claimed at the end of the school year will be given to a charitable organization
A Note From the Nurse
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, head lice, etc.
Erin's Law
In January 2013, Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a new mandate that child sex - abuse education be taught in Illinois schools. With the assistance of The Carrie Lynn Center for Children, students as young as preschoolers will receive age - appropriate sex abuse education. This will include both classroom and grade - level presentations on February 11, 2015.
If you have any questions please call the school office 815.335.2318 and ask to speak with the nurse.
Mark Your Calendars - Kids Club 2015-16 Registration Night
February Calendar Events
If you do have any specific questions about events or functions, please call the school office at 815.335.2318.
- February Calendar