Lester Living
Friday, September 15, 2023
We have had a busy week this week! Students are getting into routines and learning so much! We are proud of our students for working hard and practicing expected behaviors. This week during morning announcements, we discussed expectations of being respectful, responsible, and safe in the lunchroom. Our school lunchroom matrix is included below for your reference.
Thank you for following our pick up and drop off procedures. We have noticed that people are parking in the pick up zones (white boxes) during dismissal. Please remember that these boxes are for quick pick up and moving. If you would like to park, please do so outside of those boxes. We really appreciate your help with this. I have included the map again below for your reference.
As always, thank you for reviewing all of the information in our newsletter. We know it is a lot of information and we appreciate your time.
Enjoy a fabulous weekend :)
Katie Novosel
Principal
Lauri Smith
Assistant Principal
September Birthday Board
GRATEFUL FORM
LUNCHROOM EXPECTATIONS
This week during announcements, we reviewed our lunchroom expectations. Here are the ways that we expect students to be respectful, responsible, and safe in the lunchroom.
Fire Drill
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 first drill which is a Fire Drill.
FUN LUNCH ORDERING SEPT/OCT OPEN!!!!!
Patriot Day Remembrance
Monday is the anniversary of September 11, 2001, a significant day in our nation’s history. September 11th has been designated Patriot Day by our President. On this day, the President requests that the American flag be flown at half-mast at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M.
In accordance with the President’s request, flags throughout District 58 will be flown at half-mast on Monday and students will be invited to observe a brief moment of silence. Although the events of September 11, 2001 are not directly taught in k-8 school curriculum, we encourage parents to discuss this significant event in our nation’s history with our children to the extent and depth you believe is developmentally appropriate for your child(ren). Additionally, this is a wonderful opportunity to encourage our children to look for opportunities to be courageous, selfless and loving and, if possible, to say thank you to those who work so hard to keep us well and safe.
One reason we remember September 11th is that we want to preserve the memory of the victims who lost their lives and those who died in service to others. Another reason to remember is to honor the courageous service of our firefighters, police officers, paramedics and military. In the face of this disaster, we saw courage: firefighters, police officers, and paramedics rushed to help. We saw selflessness: strangers helped strangers. We saw love: people from around the world sent cards, supplies, and comfort.
This is an opportunity to turn something negative into a positive activity by honoring the good work of others and by doing good works ourselves. Today, look for opportunities to be courageous, selfless, and loving, and if possible, say thank you to those who work so hard to keep us well and safe.
PTA Reflections Information
SPOTLIGHT ON LESTER STAFF
All About Christina Forzley
All About Joanne Steichmann
Free Health Clinic Resource
A Peek into Lester Life:
DATES TO REMEMBER:
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.
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