The Simon School Days Newsletter
March 7, 2016
Dear Parents and Families of Simon Elementary:
Well, it’s spring ahead next weekend - March 13. Let’s hope that means spring is really on its way. 2nd trimester report cards are sent home on Friday, March 11.
Spring break will be March 25-April 3 (No School) and April 4 - School Improvement Day (No School).
Right now for the first time in many years, we have not used a snow/weather day for school closing. The last date for students will be May 31 for K-2 students and PreK/Early Childhood will end on May 27.
Reminder about Remind
Instead of placing tons of information into a newsletter, we use a different way to "get the word out". Remind is a free text messaging service that will be used to send daily and/or weekly announcements to you to be informed about what is going on at Simon Elementary. How do you sign up to receive these text messages?
*Enter this number (815) 401-9303 with this message @simon1516
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.
That's it! You will start receiving messages next week.
2016-2017 Countdown to Kindergarten
Will you have a child that turns five years old on or before September 1, 2016? 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.
Kindergarten Pre-enrollment can be done online now!
2016-2017 Preschool Screening
Winnebago CUSD #323 will conduct preschool screenings for the 2015-16 school year on March 16-17. These children may be eligible to attend the Winnebago School District Preschool for the 2016-17 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 16-17.
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.
Changes of Phone Numbers, Addresses, and Unpaid Registration Fees
Parents please make sure you have updated the school office if you have changed your home or cell phone numbers since the beginning of the school year. Also, if you have changed addresses during the school year, please make sure you have given your proof of residency to the district office or your child will not receive a registration packet for the 2016-17 school year. Finally, if you have any outstanding registration fees from this school year, your child will not receive a 2016-17 registration packet. Registration packets are tentatively set to be given out on May 2, 2016.
If you have any questions please call 815.335.2318.
Outstanding Lunch Balances
It is VERY important to keep your child’s lunch accounts up to date. We will not allow students to charge lunches. If you have questions about your account balance, please call Beth Swigart at Simon 335-2318 between 7:15 –3PM.
Also, the last day that Simon will serve breakfast will be Thursday, May 26.
Last Chance to Complete the 5 Essential Survey!
This is a reminder to participate in the parent survey of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. We guarantee that survey responses will never be connected to the identity of you or your child. School reports will only present aggregated information of how parents and students responded as a whole.
A parent survey report will be generated if at least 20 percent of parents respond to the survey. While the parent data will not be made public, the parent report will be made available to Mr. Mandera, Principal and Mr. Bloomquist, Superintendent and will enable them to make considerations based on the responses given by Dorothy Simon Elementary parents. Your participation in the parent survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Again, your identity and individual survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
These research-based reports will be sent to schools and districts in May and will also be included in the State School Report Card, released statewide in the fall.
Please visit the link at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ to take the parent survey at home. The survey window closes on March 11, 2016.
Lost and Found Items
As we wind down the winter season, we have a large collection of coats, sweaters, hats, boots, etc. Students who have lost articles may check the lost and found on the lower level 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
Notes from the Nurse
Erin's Law
On March 7th, a representative from Carrie Lynn Children’s Center was at Simon to present a sexual abuse awareness program for all grade levels. This is in compliance with the Illinois state mandated Erin’s Law. “Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program which teaches students in grades PreK – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult. Please call Carrie Lynn Center with any questions at (815) 319-4150.
Breakfast Note
More and more students are coming to the nurse’s office with complaints of a headache, stomach ache or just feeling tired. Many report not eating breakfast before coming to school.
Children receive many benefits from eating breakfast. Research has shown that eating breakfast can help improve math, reading, and standardized test scores. Breakfast helps children pay attention, perform problem-solving tasks, and improves memory.
Additionally, children who eat breakfast are more likely to behave well in school and get along with their peers than those who do not. Children who eat breakfast are likely to have fewer absences and incidents of tardiness than those who do not. By eating breakfast, students get more of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as calcium, dietary fiber, folate, and protein.
Mornings can be very busy. Having some breakfast bars or a quick breakfast snack handy is helpful on those mornings when things are running late. Starting your students day with breakfast is one of the best ways you can prepare him/her to be successful at school.
PTO Meeting - Tuesday, March 8
The regular PTO meeting will start at 6pm at McNair Library on Tuesday, March 8.
PTO Family Fun Night is scheduled for Friday, March 18 starting at 6pm - McNair Elementary.
First Grade Musical is Coming Soon - March 14
Mrs. Murray's and Mrs. Unger's classes will perform at 6:00pm.
Mrs. Cunningham's and Mrs. Edler's classes will perform at 7:00pm.
Both programs will take place in the Simon Elementary Gymnasium. Come and hear the first grade students perform some fun songs about Simon Elementary, baby dinosaurs, loose teeth, and chocolate bunnies!
Mark Your Calendars - Kids Club 2016-17 Registration Night
No Kids Club during Spring Break
March Calendar Events
If you do have any specific questions about events or functions, please call the school office at 815.335.2318.
- March Calendar