Lester Living
Friday, September 29, 2023
The week started out with a bang with our 14th Annual PTA Fun Run! Shout out to all of the volunteers who made this possible. Our school appreciates all the PTA does for our students. The event was such a great community event and it was nice to see so many of our families come out!
Information about upcoming drills is included below. In addition, during October's PTA meeting, there will be a presentation about our district's safety plans and steps being taken to keep our schools safe.
The arrival and dismissal have been flowing on most days (except for rainy days which is to be expected). For families who park in the east parking lot during pick up, please be sure that you are watching for children walking in the lot. We talk to students about using sidewalks and walking in safe places however to get to their cars, students are walking through the lot. Additionally, children should not be leaving school and running to the playground without adult supervision. If you choose to take your child to the playground after school, please be sure your child(ren) are watching for traffic as they are leaving school with you. Also a reminder that children should be going home and checking in with their adults every day after school. Thank you for helping us keep kids safe.
Thank you for all you do!
Enjoy a fabulous weekend :)
Katie Novosel
Principal
Lauri Smith
Assistant Principal
INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:
SAFETY DRILLS COMING UP...
District 58 schools practice a variety of safety drills throughout the year to ensure everyone is prepared if an emergency occurs. The safety drills include: fire drills, tornado/severe weather drills, bus evacuation drills and active threat drills. Drills are designed to educate and prepare students. Schools take precautions to avoid scaring students during drills.
Next week, we will have our second fire drill with the Downers Grove Fire Dept. Then in a couple of weeks, we will hold the ALICE drill (Active Threat Drill) with the Downers Grove Police Department. For more information on ALICE, you can visit: LINK HERE. In addition, there will be a brief presentation at the next PTA meeting about District 58 safety measures and protocols on Wed. October 26 at 6:30 pm.
Lost & Found: Please check for your lost items by the front office!
DATES TO REMEMBER:
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!
Mon. Oct 2: Early Dismissal 2:00 & "Orange" you glad it's Monday (wear orange!)
Tues. Oct 3: 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) & Run Club 3:00-3:40 (for those who are registered)
Thurs. Oct 5: Language Labs 3:00-4:00 (for those who are registered) & Run Club 3:00-3:40 (for those who are registered)
Fri. Oct 6: Fire Drill with DGFD & Lester Spirit Day
Mon. Oct 9: "Orange" you glad it's Monday (wear orange!) & 2:00 Dismissal
Thurs. Oct 12: Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00
Fri. Oct 13: PTA Fun Lunch & Lester Spirit Day
Mon. Oct 16: Active Threat Drill with DGPD & Conference sign up window closes & "Orange" you glad it's Monday (wear orange!) & 2:00 Dismissal
Wed. Oct 18: Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00
Fri. Oct 20: Lester Spirit Day- wear blue/yellow/spirit wear
WAY TO GO, Aug/Sept Students & Classes SPOTTED being GOOD!!!
SPOTLIGHT ON LESTER STAFF
A Peek into Lester Life:
REPEATED ITEMS BELOW:
Parent/Teacher Conference Information
District 58 invites parents and guardians to sign up for fall 2023 parent-teacher conferences using the online PowerPTC conference signup system starting 11 a.m. Sept. 28, 2023 via PowerPTC.net.
The sign-up window will close Oct. 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held in person. However, families who require a remote option should schedule their conference in PowerPTC and then change the meeting type from “in person” to “video conference.”
Conferences will take place:
- Preschool through sixth-grade conferences:
- Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:45-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:45-8 p.m.
- Middle school conferences:
- Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Please view the parent-teacher conference signup guide (para Español: Registro para las reuniones de padres y maestros) to learn how to sign up for a conference using the system, along with other helpful information.
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.
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.
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