Ferson Creek eNews
May 1, 2020
From the Principal...Kristy McKnight
There's a survey link for both 4th and 5th grade parents and students below. This survey, regarding Remote Learning, will remain open until tomorrow. If you could take a minute to provide your feedback, that would be great.
I am trying something new so that I can hopefully connect with your kids! I created a Flipgrid where I shared something that I'm thankful for during this time of being at home. They can view my first post here. Your child can log-in to Flipgrid with their school email address and create their own short video about gratitude and what they are thankful for. I would love to see their faces and hear what they are thankful for!
My weather app says we are looking at 2 days of 70 degree weather...I'l take it!
Enjoy your weekend,
Kristy McKnight
Returning Student Registration - Now Online!
Returning Student Registration for 2020-2021 has moved to an online format that is now open. In years past, parents completed the necessary paperwork in paper format. This year, all acknowledgments and authorizations are contained in a single electronic, online registration form that will be easily accessible from most electronic devices (computer, Chromebook, and Smartphones).
Parents can sign into the Returning Student Online Registration form using their Home Access Center (HAC) credentials, select individual students, and complete their registration. The form will be located in the Parents/Community menu of the District website.
Registration fees for elementary and middle school are now available in Pushcoin, and billed to reflect the early bird discount of $10.00 if paid by May 22. High School fees will be available in June. For families who may qualify for a fee waiver, and are not directly certified by the state, a 2020-2021 district fee waiver application will be available on the District 303 website in July, accessible from the Parent/Community menu.
Checking In With 4th & 5th Grade Students and Parents
Student Survey on Remote Learning and SEL:
D303 would like each 4th and 5th grade student to participate in a student survey on the topics of remote learning and social emotional learning (SEL). Students in 6th to 12th grade are taking a similar, but different survey.
D303 is partnering with Northern Illinois University to gain insights from students (grade 4 and up) related to remote learning. The first part is a jointly created survey on how remote learning is going in general. The second part contains established questions designed to help the District understand the overall social emotional well-being of students during remote learning.
The survey will close at the end of the day on May 2, 2020.
Please have your child click the link below to fill out the survey. Use the language toggle on the upper right side of the screen to switch between English and Spanish.
Students in 4th and 5th grade click here to fill out a Student Survey on Remote Learning and SEL
All aspects of student information will remain confidential. If you would like additional information on the survey, please contact David Chiszar, Executive Director Assessment & Accountability (david.chiszar@d303.org), or Patti Palagi, Director of Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org). The survey will capture student insights connected to remote learning, social-emotional well being, and coping strategies/supports accessed during this unique time. NIU has established a partnership with D303 through their federal Project Prevent and Address Bullying grant. We are excited to gain additional insights into students' perceptions of remote learning in order to assist us in directing our academic and social-emotional programming.
Parent Feedback on Remote Learning
Along with the student survey we are asking parents a similar set of companion questions on the topic of remote learning. This information, along with student and staff feedback, will be used to help D303 understand, plan, and adjust.
Parents please click here to fill out a Survey for Parents on Remote Learning
Yearbook Update
The Ferson Creek Yearbook printing has been put on “hold” for the year. Unfortunately the printers are down due to the stay at home orders. This gives us an opportunity to work on it some more and print at the beginning of next school year. THERE WILL still be a yearbook, (the yearbook committee will personally deliver to the graduating fifth graders if you can’t make it to the pick up). Online sales are still open through May: https://inter-state.com/YearbookEntry/43057E
(FYI- there was no pre-orders for this at the beginning of the year, only high school and middle school do that)
The good news.. we can include more photos!! Please send Kristi and Ashley any photos of your child e-learning or learning from home with your siblings or pets! We want to include these memories.
Kristi
Ashley
Sending Ferson Creek hugs from your yearbook committee!
Social Emotional Learning
This week's SEL lesson focuses on perspective taking; The ability to look beyond your own point of view, so that you can consider how someone else may think or feel about something. To do this successfully, you must have some understanding of others' thoughts, feelings, motivations, and intentions.” (Socially Skilled Kids, 2020). There are activities embedded in the presentation for students and adults. The five developmental stages of perspective taking; age 3 through 15+ is interesting and helpful to understanding this social-emotional competency.
Social awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
The challenges and uncertainty facing families and children are impactful on overall mental health and well being. We are hopeful the resources shared will be a support to parents/guardians and children. If you have any questions on the information provided or are seeking additional support for yourself or child, please contact Patti Palagi, Director Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org or 331-228-6457).
Fridays During Remote Learning
Optional Friday learning activities can be found on this website: D303 Optional Remote Learning For Students. There are a variety of learning experiences in the areas of math, digital citizenship, English Language Arts, college and career, and STEM available.
Tech Support
- Live Chat will remain available M-F from 8 am - 4 pm
- Phone support is also available at (331) 228-4357. Families should leave a message and expect a timely call back during business hours.
Device Exchange for families will resume, if necessary, at TMS on 4/6. Please use the live chat for device assistance if you have a need. Up to date tech information can be found on the technical support resource page.
D303 Food Service and Meals - Updated!
District 303 is expanding our meal service to include additional school and residential locations beginning on Monday, April 6, 2020. Any student in District 303 is eligible to pick up breakfast and lunch grab and go meals at any of the following locations throughout the week.
Thompson Middle School, 705 W. Main Street
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Monday through Friday
Anderson Elementary School, 35W071 Villa Marie Rd.
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Monday through Friday
Wasco Elementary School, 4N782 School Street, Wasco
10:00 - 10:45 a.m. - Monday through Friday
A District 303 bus will deliver meals to the front of the school
Cumberland Green Cooperative, 1798 Cumberland Green
11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday
A District 303 bus will deliver meals to the office parking lot
Prairie Point Apartments, 1820 Wessel Court
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.- Monday through Friday
A District 303 bus will deliver meals to the park facing the road at the front entrance (Entrance nearest to Randall Road)
The Crossings, 1690 Covington
10:40 - 11:10 a.m. - Monday through Friday
A District 303 bus will deliver meals to the area near the clubhouse
St. Charles Place, 15th Street and Indiana
11:20 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday
A District 303 bus will deliver meals to an area in front of the apartment complex
COVID-19 Updates
Please visit the District 303 website that is designed to answer your questions about e-Learning, assist you with finding community resources, and link you to information from reputable agencies about COVID-19.
Por favor, visite el sitio web del Distrito ya que está diseñado para responder sus preguntas sobre el aprendizaje electrónico (e-Learning), ayudarle a encontrar recursos, y enlazarlo con información de agencias confiables sobre el COVID-19
Ferson Creek Elementary
Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/