The Simon School Days Newsletter
January 16, 2017
Dear Parents and Families of Simon Elementary:
Welcome to a new year. We all hope the break treated your family well. With the New Year comes another beginning for many, but at Simon we are continuing to work on making this school year a great one for your children. Happy New Year!
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?
1. Text the message @g242k to the number 81010. If you’re having trouble with 81010, try texting @g242k to (815) 401-9303.
2. Click here for additional directions
By joining your 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.
School Closing due to Weather Events
Should weather or some other unexpected circumstances require the school to be closed or the students to be dismissed early, the district will be using the School Messenger system and information will be broadcast over radio station WROK (1440 AM) in Rockford or other local radio or television stations. Parents are asked to listen for early school closings during days of bad weather conditions.
When school is dismissed early for emergency reasons, (inclement weather, specific school building problems/situations, etc.) all after school activities at that building are cancelled, unless noted otherwise. Winnebago Kids Club is cancelled in the event of such emergency cancellations of school as well.
2017-2018 Countdown to Kindergarten
Will you have a child that turns five years old on or before September 1, 2017? 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 starting Wednesday, February 1.
Winter Preschool Screening - February 1
The Winnebago School District will hold another preschool screening for children who are ages 3-5 years old on Wednesday, February 1. Appointments will be starting at 8:00am until 11:30am. Appointments will take 1 hour. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call the Simon Office at 815.335.2318. This will be the last prek screening for the 2016-17 school year. 2017-2018 preschool screenings will be held on March 1-2, 2017. Appointments will be available at the end of January.
Lost and Found Items
Please put names on all coats, sweaters, hats, boots, etc., so items found can be quickly and easily returned to their owners. Students who find lost articles are asked to bring them to the lost and found areas at Simon. Students who have lost articles may check the lost and found on the lower level under the Principal’s Pride bulletin board 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
Kitchen and Lunchroom Assistance Needed
The Simon cafeteria counts on daily volunteers to serve lunch. Recently our volunteer pool has become extremely low. We would truly appreciate any parents that are willing to come in and help. Please contact Alicia Glaser to be put on the schedule.
Snow Rules at Simon Elementary
Students should be wearing a workable winter coat, hat, and gloves (mittens). For students to go into the snow, your child needs to wear the following:
- Snow boots
- Snow pants
- Winter coat, gloves (mittens), etc.
If students do not come prepared for the weather conditions, we will limit students to the blacktop areas for recess. Also, it is important that students do not try to slide on the ice patches on the blacktop areas.
Also, it is a good idea to send another set of clothes, especially socks, pants, and shirts to school in case clothes get too wet. The playground can be very wet and muddy in spots.
Finally, please remind your child that snowball throwing is not allowed at Simon Elementary. Students will receive only one warning about this matter. If the incident occurs again, students will miss recess and report to the principal to discuss disciplinary action. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Mandera at 335-2318.
Parent Drop Off in the Morning - Car Riders
1. Keep a single line of traffic when dropping your child off in the morning.
2. Have your child exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle.
3. If you need to assist your child to exit out of the vehicle, please park and walk your child up to the building entrance.
We want to maintain a safe environment in the morning.
REMINDER: School starts at 8:05, the west door locks. If you're running late from 8:05 on, please come to the office and sign your child in. Thank you.
Toys and Electronics at School
With children receiving many new toys and gifts over the holiday season, it is important to keep toys and electronics at home. If children are bringing items for show-n-tell or for special activities that classroom teachers have planned, the items should be kept in book bags or sacks until it is time to show them or use them in class. Items brought which are considered inappropriate ones for showing at school, or which are used in inappropriate ways, or which cause disruption in the classroom, on the bus, or on the playground will be confiscated by the teacher or principal and will be returned only to parents who come to the office to reclaim them. In some cases, the child will be required to call his/her parents to let them know that the item was taken away or disciplinary actions will be taken.
A Note From the Nurse
Recommendations to Parents Regarding Your Ill Child:
Children should stay home if any of the following are present:
- Fever of 100 degrees
- Upset stomach
- Skin rashes or sores, any lesion on the skin that is draining
- Excessive coughing
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Flushed face
- Contagious illness, such as strep throat or chicken pox
**Please keep your child home for 24 hours after symptoms (including fever) are gone. If your child’s temperature can be kept under 100 degrees only by giving him/her acetaminophen or ibuprofen, your child should stay at home. Please report all communicable diseases to the school nurse or the school office. These include: strep throat, chicken pox, scarlet fever, pink eye, mononucleosis, fifths disease, mumps, measles, head lice, etc.
Kids Club Information
If you need a 2016 Childcare Tax form from Kids Club, please contact Erin Freeman through email, freemane@winnebagoschools.org, phone, 815-335-2318, or sign-up for the information at Kids Club sign-out. Forms will be available by January 31, 2017.
There will be an All Service Day on Friday, February 17th. Hours are 7:30am-5pm. Fees: $25/child. Students must bring their own sack lunch. We will provide 2 snacks. Sign-up sheet will go out the first week of February.
There is no school and no Kids Club on Monday, February 20th.
January Calendar Events
If you do have any specific questions about events or functions, please call the school office at 815.335.2318.
- January Calendar