LRC Community Newsletter
Winter
Upcoming Special Events & Programs
D303 kindergarten through third-grade students and teachers are busy reading the Monarch Book Award Nominees. Each school will cast its vote for its favorite nominee and wait with bated breath for the Illinois Monarch Award winner to be announced in April.
March Book Madness 2023 is just around the corner. All ten D303 elementary schools will vote each week to determine which Be Here, Be You, Belong themed picture books move on to the elite eight, the final four, and finally the championship. The Sweet Sixteen books will be revealed on February 27th, and the champion will be announced on March 24th.
The North LRC is welcoming four Vietnam Veterans to come and speak with all of our US History classes on March 3.
February 2023
- Elementary students throughout the district were provided access to a Martin Luther King Jr. choice board to extend their learning about an American great.
- D303 middle schools celebrated Love your Library Month! Students at Thompson and Wredling were invited to the library to make Valentine-themed crafts! SCPL middle school librarian, Darcy Tatlock came and made sugary, sweet hot cocoa bombs with the students as well!
- The North LRC worked with Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s office to make Valentine’s Day cards for veterans.
Wasco Elementary School’s Family Literacy Event was a huge success! On February 9th Wasco students and families gathered for an evening of engaging read alouds, fun word games, and interesting conversations.
Wasco educators hosted families in classrooms with three carefully designed literacy activities that not only supported literacy development, but also guaranteed smiles. All family members were welcome! Participants enjoyed the following via three activity rotations:
● Engaging in a Read Aloud and Solving Secret Messages
● Growing Your Brain with Word Games
● Connecting Through Conversation
A drawing was held for take-home door prizes to continue the learning fun at home! Below are some pictures from the event.
January 2023
Wild Rose Elementary hosted two authors:
Kekla Magoon and John Schu. Kekla Magoon spoke to our 4th and 5th grade students about her writing. She talked about her most recent book, Chester Keene Cracks the Code, and how her life has influenced her writing. Ms. Magoon also took time to sign copies of her book and talk with the students one on one.
- John Schu arrived to much fanfare and spoke to all students K-5. He gifted the staff and students over 80 books, most were his latest publication, This is a School. The students and the staff were mesmerized by the energy with which Mr. Schu presents to the children. His focus was on the love of books and connecting with books that fill your heart. He was so generous with his time. He visited a classroom where each child received an autographed copy as well as a personal interaction with a “real author.”
Mrs. Solomon, WR Principal, welcoming the 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders to the presentation with Mr. Schu.
What’s on your lanyard? Intermediate students at Munhall can be seen accessorizing with this year’s hot new item - A Bluestem Button. After reading a Bluestem Award Nominee students complete a synopsis of the book, then create a button that expresses the theme of the book. Students can create their design either by hand, using Canva a graphic design tool or selecting a premade design.
EC & Elementary Family Resources
Middle & High School Family Resources
High School January Book Club at the St. Charles Public Library. Click HERE to register online. This month we will be reading “Game Changer” By: Neal Schusterman Pizza and Drinks Provided!
November-December 2022
On November 4, Wasco hosted Bluestem Nominee author Kate Hannigan. Kate has published over 11 books in historical fiction genre and graphic novel format. Each classroom prepared for her visit with a shared reading of The Great Chicago Fire. During her visit, she met with each grade level to share her research and writing process. She emphasized the importance of never giving up on a dream. To exhibit her perseverance, she shared a laminated scroll of rejection letters from publishers and the students were in awe that she never gave up! Students enjoyed a short Q & A after her presentation as well as having their books autographed.
EC & Elementary Family Resources
Looking for that just right book to help grow your young reader’s love of literacy? Penguin Random House launched Brightly, an online resource that features book recommendations from small and large publishing houses. The site includes reading tips for children of every age and development, seasonal lists, essays from authors, read alouds, and much more.
Podcasts and audiobooks are a wonderful way to develop listening skills, connect to a story, and learn something new. Listening to a podcast can also be a fun, shared family activity. Kids Listen is one resource to find podcasts worthy of tuning in. Kids Listen is a non-profit organization made up of podcasters, parents and teachers advocating for high quality children’s audio. They provide a vast index of podcasts for young and growing ears alike. Consider pursuing their selection, there is something for everyone to hear.
Middle & High School Family Resources
The Thompson and Wredling LRCs, in partnership with the St. Charles Public Library, hosted a Holiday Make & Take event for students. They used buttons, ribbons, stickers, glitter, and metallic markers to decorate the festive gift tags for their family and friends. Both schools look forward to their next Make & Take event with the public library coming up in February!
District 303
Email: justask@d303.org
Website: https://district.d303.org/
Location: 201 South 7th Street, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StCharlesDistrict303
Twitter: @StCharlesD303