Lester Living
Friday, September 30, 2022
As we welcome October, we will focus on safety at Lester School. Students will try to be "Spotted" being safe on the playground, in the lunchroom, in the hallways, and in the classroom! Check out what students said about being safe below!
As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, today our school held an active threat drill (also called lockdown drill). Like other safety drills, we hold this drill to prepare our students and staff for the unlikely event of an active threat in our school.
In a true emergency, we consider an “active threat” to be any occasion in which a perceived dangerous intruder enters the school.
Please know that ahead of this drill, teachers and staff clearly communicated to students that this would be a practice drill. Our goal with our drills is to educate and prepare students in a safe, supportive and non-threatening environment.
I am pleased to report that students did an excellent job during today’s drill! Please take a moment to talk to your child today about today’s drill. If you have any questions about our safety drills, please do not hesitate to contact me.
As always, thank you for your attention to the newsletter. We appreciate you taking the time to review all of this information.
Enjoy a wonderful weekend :)
Katie Novosel
Principal
Lauri Smith
Assistant Principal
OCTOBER IS HERE!!!
SO proud of all of our individual Leopards & classes of Leopards who were "Spotted" this month
Arrival/Dismissal
Students may arrive at Lester School beginning at 8:05 a.m. each day when adult supervision begins. In order to assist with a timely and safe arrival process, the school playground will be closed before school. Upon arrival, students should line up by their assigned door. Students lined up with their classes will be directed to enter the building at 8:15 am. Anyone arriving after 8:15 a.m. should enter through Door One for an office pass.
GRATEFUL FORM
Would you like to thank a staff member? We have had some families reach out to ask best ways to show their appreciation for staff. We have created a form as an avenue for you! Please feel free to fill out this form and we will share your gratitude with them. I will include this form weekly as an opportunity for you throughout the year. We are grateful for you and all you do! :)
A Sneak Peak into Lester Life
PTA FUN RUN WAS A SUCCESS!
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Monday, October 3: "Orange" You Glad it's Monday - wear orange to promote positivity & Early Dismissal 2:00 pm
- Tuesday, October 4: BAM Theater 3:00-4:00 (for those who registered)
- Wednesday, October 5: DGN Wrestling Clinic (East Blacktop) 3:30
- Thursday, October 6: Language Labs 3:00-4:00 (for those who registered)
- Friday, October 7: Lester Spirit Day- wear your Lester gear or blue/yellow & PTA Fun Lunch
- Monday, October 10: NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, October 11: BAM Theater 3:00-4:00 (for those who registered)
- Wednesday, October 12: Bus Evacuation Drill
- Thursday, October 13: Language Labs 3:00-4:00 (for those who registered)
- Friday, October 14: Lester Spirit Day- wear your Lester gear or blue/yellow
District News
District 58 School Board Governance Recognition
District 58’s Board of Education is one of only 33 Illinois school boards to earn this year’s School Board Governance Recognition from the Illinois Association of School Boards.
This recognition is given to school boards that model behaviors that lead to excellence in local school governance to support quality public education.
Congratulations, District 58 Board of Education! Our Board has accomplished a lot in the past couple of years, all while leading District 58 through a pandemic.
Click here to learn more about this recognition, including some of the reasons our School Board earned it.
District 58 Referendum
District 58 will place a proposal on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot to issue $179 million in bonds to improve District 58’s facilities. To learn more about the District 58 referendum, please visit www.dg58.org/referendum.
This website contains helpful information, including the District’s Master Facility Plan, frequently asked questions, ballot language, voter information, tax impact, facility presentation and videos and much more. If you have any questions about the referendum not answered on the website, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Please know, as a school district, we can provide factual information about a referendum, but we cannot advocate for or against it.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
People's Resource Center
REPEATED INFORMATION BELOW:
Medicaid & Handbook confirmation Signatures
- You have received the Medicaid form for signatures for each of your children in District 58. ALL families were given these forms to sign.
- Questions/Not sure if you want to sign this? Please see more information linked here: MEDICAID INFO HERE
- Handbook receipt: This form is confirming that you received the District 58 Handbook.
- Please return these signed forms by curriculum night to your child's teacher.
- Thank you!
Health/Physical Examination & Immunization Record due October 15th
As required by law, all new students, as well as students entering grades K, 2 and 6, must receive health examinations and immunizations and submit completed health forms by October 15th. To learn more check out the Health Services page on the District 58 website.
Thank you to many of the families who have already completed and submitted these forms. If you have not already scheduled your appointment this is a good time to plan ahead! Failure to comply with these requirements by the end of the day on Oct 15, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met according to Illinois law. All sections of the child examination form must be completed including the health history, which must be completed by the parent.
District 58 communicates frequently regarding these requirements as it is our hope to avoid school exclusion for all of our students. If you are in need of additional assistance, our school nurse, Karen Scarpelli (630) 719-5855, would be happy to assist you in accessing resources or assisting in removing other barriers to completing this requirement.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL INFORMATION
LARGER PDF VERSION LINKED BELOW
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
While a student can bring their electronic device (including cell phones and AirPods) to school, all non-district-issued technologies are to be silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. Students are allowed to wear smartwatches, but they are to be silenced during the school day. The district-provided technology will be utilized for students to participate in lessons and complete assignments. Please be sure to go over the expectations with your student as the policy was recently amended.
Fruit/Snack Break
Please make sure your child has a snack each day. Snack breaks should consist of nutritious food choices such as fruits, vegetables, and other portable snacks. This aligns with Policy 6:50. The health and safety of our students are our highest priorities. Therefore certain snacks or foods may be prohibited in your child’s classroom due to food allergies. A daily snack can be provided for students who qualify for free/ reduced lunch.
PTA will be coordinating a spirit wear makeover! More information on spirit wear to come!!!!!
PTA Annual Fun Run Information Linked Below!
2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR
2022-2023 CALENDAR DETAILS
The Board of Education approved the 2022-23 school year calendar. Calendar highlights include:
- Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-25, 2022
- Winter Break: Dec. 19, 2022 -Jan. 2, 2023
- Spring Break: March 27-31, 2023
- Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (if no emergency days are used)