Lester Living
Friday, September 8, 2023
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us on Curriculum Night! We had a great turn out! Lester is so lucky to have such an involved community and we are grateful for you.
As we have done in years past, I am going to start including the "Grateful Form" in the newsletter each week. This provides an opportunity for you to share your appreciation for specific staff members in the building. Please consider taking a moment to share your kind words with someone. It is so appreciated!
In addition to our expectation matrices that we included in our video to families, we are reviewing expectations during our daily announcements. This week, we reviewed hallway expectations which we have included below. We have moved to a daily live video announcement format this year that students seem to really enjoy. It also has been fun for the 6th graders who are co-presenting announcements with me!
As always, there is a lot of information in the newsletter. I appreciate you taking the time to review everything. Please remember that Monday (as always) is a 2:00 pm dismissal day.
Enjoy a fabulous weekend :)
Katie Novosel
Principal
Lauri Smith
Assistant Principal
September Birthday Board
GRATEFUL FORM
HALLWAY EXPECTATIONS
This week during announcements, we reviewed our hallway expectations. Here are the ways that we expect students to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the hallways.
Picture Day
*Please note that if your child goes to gifted on Fridays, he/she will have their picture taken first thing Friday morning before they leave Lester.
***All forms were sent home & you should have also received an email from HR Imaging with order information.
Lester Variety Show Information
Oktoberfest Information
MILK
Fee Waiver Information
If you are interested in consideration of fee waivers, please complete the 2023-24 Application for Waiver of Fees. If you would like to apply for Waiver of Fees, please return completed applications along with 2 copies of check stubs as soon as possible. Thank you!
BAND AND ORCHESTRA
We are so excited to launch a new year in BAND and ORCHESTRA and begin making music together again! We look forward to seeing returning students and also are thrilled to meet the more than 400 beginners who are starting their musical journey this year!
Lessons will be starting at each elementary school the week of Sept. 11th. In the fall, students will also participate in weekly after school rehearsals to prepare for their concerts! Please watch for an email from your student’s orchestra or band teacher with details about lesson and rehearsal schedules. . Click here to meet your band and orchestra teachers - we look forward to seeing you soon!
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. In accordance with Illinois law, failure to comply with these requirements by Oct 15 of the current school year, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met. 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, Kaitlyn Drahos, kdrahos@dg58.org, 630-719-5855, would be happy to assist you in answering questions or connecting you with resources to complete this requirement.
SPOTLIGHT ON LESTER STAFF
All About Don McClelland (Mr. Mac)
All About Elizabeth Moravec
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS AVAILABLE!!!
A Peek into Lester Life:
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Monday, September 11: 2:00 dismissal & Red, White & Blue day for Patriot Day & Fit Boys after school & Fit Girls after school
Tues. Sept 12: Scrabble Club 3:00-3:40 (for those who are registered with Mrs. Freitag)
Wed. Sept 13: Fit Girls after school
Thurs. Sept 14: Fit Boys after school
Fri. Sept 15: School Picture Day & Ed Foundation Oktoberfest & Lester spirit day
Sat. Sept 16: Ed Foundation Oktoberfest
Mon. Sept 18: "Orange" You glad it's Monday!- wear orange day & 2:00 pm dismissal & Fit Boys after school & Fit Girls after school
Tues. Sept 19: Scrabble Club 3:00-3:40 (for those who are registered with Mrs. Freitag)
Wed. Sept 20: Practice Fire Drill
Thurs. Sept 21: Fit Boys/Fit Girls after school
Fri. Sept 22: Fun Run Spirit Day- wear your Fun Run shirt or Lester spirit shirt!
Sun. Sept 24: Lester School Fun Run
Tues. Sept 26: BAM after school- 3:00-4:00 (for those who are registered) & Scrabble Club 3:00-3:40 (for those who are registered with Mrs. Freitag)
Fri. Sept 29: ITP Awareness - wear purple or Lester Spirit Day- wear blue/yellow/spirit wear & 1st PTA Fun Lunch- info to come from PTA soon!
REPEATED ITEMS BELOW:
District 58 Handbook
District 58 annually provides students and families with the Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations.
During the first full week of school, District 58 will send home a letter and receipt with your child. This handbook receipt asks parents/guardians to acknowledge that they and their child reviewed and understood the Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. When you receive the handbook receipt, please sign it and return it either with your child or at Curriculum Night. Handbook receipts are due by your school’s Curriculum Night.
This year’s handbook is only available electronically. If you need a printed copy, please contact your school office, and they can print you a copy.
ABSENCES
Will your child be ABSENT?
This year, we have a Google Form for you to fill out to let our secretaries know when your child will be absent from school. This is an option for you instead of calling or emailing. Our hope is that this will streamline the process for you! We will add this link each week for you in this Newsletter.
DROP OFF/ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
We have 3 official drop off locations.
DROP OFF ZONE #1- Indianapolis Avenue
DROP OFF ZONE #2- through the parking lot off of Indianapolis Avenue
DROP OFF ZONE #3-Lincoln Avenue
*The locations are marked on the map.
There are two options for drop off:
OPTION #1
You drive up to one of the drop off zones, have your child exit the vehicle on the school side of the vehicle, & drive away to keep traffic moving.
Staff members will be on duty to assist until school starts.
OPTION #2
If you want to walk your child to his/her line, we ask that you park on a side street (not Lincoln or Indianapolis). These two streets become congested and we would like to keep traffic moving on these two streets.
PLEASE NOTE:
- We do have staff on duty outside with all grade levels at 8:05 am. These staff members will assist with ensuring your child gets to their class line if you are dropping off through our drop off zones.
- Students need to use the crosswalks when crossing streets. In addition, please be sure to follow all traffic safety guidelines to ensure student safety.
- Please be mindful of student patrols. We ask that you follow their guidance as well.
- 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 in their assigned classroom teacher line location by their assigned door. Students will be directed to enter the building at 8:15 am. Anyone arriving after the lines of students have entered & doors have been closed should enter through Door 1 (front office).
***We appreciate everyone's help and cooperation as we organize safe drop off and pick up procedures for our students. Thank you!
PICK UP/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Students will exit the doors they entered for arrival. Students will be dismissed at 2:00 pm on Mondays & 3:00 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays.
Once outside the building, students will do one of the following:
- Meet FAMILY at a previously designated location on school grounds
- Walk/bike home as they normally would
- Walk to a designated pick-up area for a parent to pick up in a car (Please refrain from parking in these pick up zones for families who will be driving up, picking up students, and driving away)
Please communicate this information to your child(ren) so the Lester staff can assist in guiding students to the family’s pick-up location.
The east blacktop area will be opened up for parent pick-up at dismissal time.
Following daily dismissal at Lester School (2:00 p.m. on Monday and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds after the school hours. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
LESTER PTA FUN RUN!
Mark Your Calendars for Fun Run 2023!
Sunday, September 24th
8:30am
Lester east blacktop
Plus! Post-race family fun at Hummer Park