BG eNews
January 15, 2020
Notes from Mrs. Klueppel...
Please note the following items for your attention:
In 2019-2020, District 303 will continue the system that provides a more equal distribution of PE, Art, Music, SciTech, and/or FLES classes between classes. Therefore, the following “A Day” plans will be put into place:
January 16th: Run the A DAY schedule on a Thursday
(Monday schedule January 13th, Tuesday schedule January 14th, Wednesday schedule 15th, Monday schedule “A DAY” January 16th, Friday schedule January 17th). This means two Monday schedules in one week, but it will compensate for the missed Monday schedules the week before and the week after.
February 18th: Run the A DAY schedule on a Tuesday
(Monday schedule A DAY February 18th, Wednesday schedule February 19th, Thursday schedule February 20th, Friday schedule February 21st)
Reminder: Please be courteous to our Bell Graham neighbors and their property during pick up/drop off time.
Remaining SIP Days: Dismissal is at 11:40 AM:
-5/6/20
We Want your Feedback!
District 303 participates in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey that collects feedback from our students, teachers, and parents. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will enable you to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness. All responses are confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey before February 14, 2020. Thank you.
Jump into a Healthy January with Wellness Council
The Bell-Graham Wellness Council will be sponsoring three open gym nights in January. All students and their families are invited to “Jump into a Healthy January”.
- January 21 there will be “Volleyball”. There will be nets set for “kids” of all ages.
- January 28 there will be our “Dance, Dance” where everyone can get out and learn some new moves as well as dance to old favorites.
The time is from 6:30 – 8:00pm in the Bell-Graham gym.
We hope to see many of our families joining in the fun!
PTO NEWS
DATES TO REMEMBER:
ASE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Jan 21 PTO Meeting 1:30pm, Teacher’s Lounge, see November minutes here
Jan 23 Bingo Night 6:30-8pm, sign up to volunteer here
Jan 24 ASE Registration closes at midnight
Feb 1 Girl Scout Daddy Daughter Dance
Feb 3 ASE Begins, sign up to volunteer here
Feb 7 Book Club 3-4pm
Feb 22 Trivia Night, 6pm
March 14 Cal’s Angels Just Shave It Event
ASE:
The After School Enrichment committee has put together almost 100 classes with 6-8 classes to choose from each day after school in February M-Th. There are no ASE classes on Fridays. Classes cover a variety of topics: art, science, sports, crafts, animals, technology, culinary, and more. Exciting and new this year, we have “Smarty Pants Balloons” coming to share their programs “Big Balloon Odyssey” (Tuesday 2/18) and “Mousetrap” (Thursday 2/13). Check out more info about those programs here. There is a cost for these classes, the money pays the instructor/materials and a small amount goes back to the PTO.
In case you are new to BG, ASE is very popular--the kids love it! If you are not sure what After School Enrichment is all about, please reach out to Heather Trask or a family that has attended Bell-Graham ASE in the past so they can give you more info about this program.
Here are some details:
ASE runs throughout the month of February, on Mondays-Thursdays. This year, it will begin Monday, February 3rd with the last class being held Thursday, February 28th.
Each class is a one-time class. For example, if you sign up for Basketball on Tuesday 2/4, you are signing up for that ONE class for that ONE date. It does NOT repeat on other days.
ASE occurs immediately after school- students will line up in the cafeteria and sign-in with their ASE Class. Teachers will have a list of which classes all their students have signed up for. Kindergarten/1st grade teachers will help guide their students into the right lines.
Pick up is inside the school. You must park and pick up your child from their classroom at 4:15PM. The location of class will be on the TV screen outside the LRC.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW! via community pass.
During registration, please update your child’s Teacher and Grade! Some classes are only open for certain grades.
You may only register a student for one class each day and may not sign up for duplicate classes (i.e. 2 slime-making classes) at this time.
Registration will end FRIDAY- January 24th at Midnight.
BOOK CLUB:
3-5th Graders join us for our next installment of BOOK CLUB on Friday February 7th from 3-4pm!
See link for all of the details. The book to be discussed is Code 7 by Bryan R Johnson.
BINGO NIGHT:
BINGO Night is coming up at the end of the month on Thursday, January 23, from 6:30-8:00. This is always a fun family event that kids and parents enjoy each year. Bingo cards will be sold for a $1 each at the door on bingo night. New this year... refreshments will be available for purchase. If you have any new or like new toys that you would like to donate for bingo prizes, there is a bin in the office where you can drop them off. Thank you so much for your support. We really appreciate it! Sign up to volunteer here
5th Graders ONLY sign up to be a caller here
TRIVIA NIGHT:
Parent Trivia Night will be held on Saturday February 22nd at the St. Charles Moose Lodge. This is a 21+ event. Doors will open at 6pm for a social hour. Trivia will begin at 7pm.
The cost is $30 per person in advance and $35 at the door. Registration will open next week. Teams will consist of 4 - 10 players. Light appetizers are included. There will be a cash only bar as well. There will be Raffle Baskets as well a a Silent Auction. Lots of exciting items up for grabs!!
NEW THIS YEAR - Prizes will be given for best team costume and table decor!! Give your team an awesome name and dress to impress. Come at 6pm to decorate your table with your theme!! (This is optional.)
Mulligans will be available for purchase as well as the opportunity to put a member of an opposing team in “Time Out” for a round. Credit cards accepted (except for bar purchases).
If you have any questions, or would like to donate an item to our Silent Auction or Raffle Baskets, please contact Kate Bennett at kate.bennett82@yahoo.com
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT D303’S LONGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAY?
Consider attending one or both of the following meetings, they are open to the public:
Jan 21 5:30pm at the District Administration Building: Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting
Jan 23 6-7pm Thompson Middle School LRC: Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting
Music Reminder
Our upcoming 1st and 3rd Grade SINGs on Thursday, March 12th.
- 1st Grade will start at 6:00 pm.
- 3rd Grade will start at 7:00 pm.
Yearbook Information
From the Nurse...
The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us! Recently, the nurses in District 303 have been caring for a number of students experiencing fevers and other cold-like symptoms. We are also aware that some students are absent from school because they have been diagnosed with the flu and other influenza-like symptoms. During the months of October through April, each school in District 303 tracks influenza activity in cooperation with the Kane County Health Department. We consult with their staff to determine whether influenza activity in a school warrant additional follow up and, at this time, no additional interventions are needed. Preventative measures remain the most effective way to reduce the spread of influenza.
Students who present to the Health Office with a fever and/or feeling poorly are sent home. To prevent widespread flu in school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
CONSIDER KEEPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
Headache
Mild stomach ache
DEFINITELY KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
Fever (greater than 100 degrees)
Vomiting (even once)
Diarrhea
Chills
General malaise or feelings of fatigue
Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
TO HELP PREVENT THE FLU AND OTHER COLDS, teach your children good hygiene habits:
Wash hands frequently
Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill
Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" and for a minimum of 24 hours. A child who has started antibiotics needs to be on the medication for 24 hours before he/she is considered non-contagious and able to return to school. Keeping your ill child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom!
Thank you in advance for helping make this year at school as healthy as possible.
Attendance Line
Absences should be called in before 8:40 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2100 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name, their teachers name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms (headache, vomiting, etc.).
Helpful Links
Bell Graham Elementary School
Website: bellgraham.d303.org
Location: 4N505 Fox Mill Blvd St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 331-228-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/BellGrahamElementary
Twitter: @BellGrahamD303
CUSD 303 News
Middle School Transfer Requests
Families who wish to submit Middle School Transfer requests may do so beginning February 3. The request form will be available on the District 303 website through February 28. Families must complete a separate form for each student they want transferred. Requests are granted based on space available so siblings are not guaranteed placement. A written decision will be communicated to families before spring break.
Once the request is approved, a student may remain at that middle school throughout his or her middle school career, as long as the student resides in District 303.
Families of students granted permission to attend a school outside of their assigned attendance are responsible for their own transportation.
Students will return to their assigned attendance area high school regardless of the middle school attended.