Bobcat Bulletin
December 2, 2022
El Sierra School provides all students with a challenging and differentiated education in a safe, nurturing, respectful, diverse, and collaborative school environment.
Principal's Corner
El Sierra Families,
The month of December is here! This is an exciting month at El Sierra because students get to enjoy many events! We are bringing back our "Winter Sing Along" where all students and staff will sing festive winter songs in the gym on 12/12. We will have our Winter Parties on 12/16. Additionally, our PTA will host our Breakfast With Santa event on Saturday, December 10th. Be on the lookout for more information from the PTA regarding Breakfast With Santa!
We are also extremely excited about our new basketball hoops that were installed over the Thanksgiving break. Not only do the new hoops look great, but they also lower down to 8 feet so more of our younger students will get to use them in gym class and during Park District practices. The new hoops were purchased from our PTA!
Thank you!
Jason Lynde, El Sierra Principal
New Hoops!
Bobcat Badges!
Dual Language Kindergarten
Kindergarten Math
1st Grade Word Wall
2nd Grade Math
3rd Grade Math
4th Grade Time
E-Learning Packet Information
On Friday, December 2, your child will bring home a packet of printed-out materials in a big envelope. This packet is intended to be used in the event that we have an “Emergency Learning” day without internet access at home. Please keep this packet in a safe place at home so that it can be easily accessed during an “E-Learning” day without internet access.
In the event that we have an “E-Learning” day due to weather, the preferred mode of instruction will be for teachers to provide instruction through the iPad via Google Meet. Each classroom has practiced using this format. Because we realize that due to weather or other circumstances, internet access might not be available to all families, we are sending home these paper packets. Our school district will alert all families if/when there is an “E-Learning” day.
4th Grade Math
5th Grade Math
6th Grade Social Studies
Health Office Information
As we approach the holidays, we are experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses such as RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19 in our communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the timing of flu activity has varied more than usual. It is unclear how COVID-19 activity will affect the timing and duration of flu activity in the future. (CDC Guidance).
As the health office and school secretaries track the various illnesses in our school community, it would be helpful to have the following information when you call 630-719-5825 (or email Michelle Junkas [mjunkas@dg58.org] and Candist Martinez [cmartinez@dg58.org]) your child into the attendance line. The more information we receive will eliminate the need for us to call you for more details.
your child’s first and last name;
the child’s grade and teacher;
the reason for the absence, including all symptoms such as fever, cough, achiness, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, and/or headache;
please state if your child is absent due to vacation or a non-illness;
please include any testing that was done with the results such as,
home COVID tests that were negative or positive for Influenza A.
Please complete a home COVID test if your child has ANY one of the following symptoms: fever of 100.4 or greater, new cough, sore throat, bad headache, shortness of breath, vomiting OR diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell.
3rd Grade Spotlight
Third grade went on a fishing expedition in hands-on science activity to learn about how living in a group provides greater protection to individual members of a species.
Looking Ahead...
12/8 - Lou Malnati's Pizza Fundraiser (See PTA Flyer Below)
12/9 - Bobcat Friday (Wear Bobcat Gear or Yellow & Blue)
12/10 - PTA Breakfast With Santa Event & Book Fair (8:30 am - 10:30 am)
12/12 - PJ Day & Winter Sing-Along In The Gym
12/16 - Holiday Sweater/Green & Red Day
12/16 - PTA Winter Parties
12/19 - 1/2 - Winter Break
1/3 - School Resumes
November Math Puzzle Winners!
Science Fair Registration Is Open!
Registration for the 41st Annual District 58 Science Fair is open now through Friday, December 16. The Science Fair will be held Saturday, January 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at O’Neill Middle School. The fair is open to all District 58 students in grades 1-6 who attend District 58 schools.
Use this link to register your child(ren) today
or visit the District 58 website to get project ideas and to learn more about the Science Fair.Lou Malnati's Give Back Night on December 8th
Mark your Calendars for Lou Malnati's Give Back Night on Thursday, December 8th (4-9pm). The El Sierra PTA will receive 20% of total sales for those mentioning this fundraiser so please tell your friends and family!
Use code FUNDESPTAD22 for online and app ordering. The fundraiser is only valid at the Downers Grove location (440 W 75th St.) Take the night off from cooking and raise money for our school!
Penguin Patch Holiday Shop Is Coming 12/15 & 12/16
This month we are excited to welcome back Penguin Patch Holiday Shop! On December 15 & 16 all classes will have a chance to shop during their assigned times. There will not be a lunchtime sale available this year. Each student will be sent home with a flyer with the class shopping time and money envelope next week. Should you be interested in helping set up shop and assisting our young shoppers - contact Jen Abraham jennifercabraham@gmail.com
Winter Weather Reminder (Repeated Information)
If students want to play in the snow at recess, they must wear snow boots, snow pants, gloves/mittens, and a winter coat. Students who do not have all of those items will play on the blacktop during recess. For families in need of winter clothing, please reach out to our social worker, Lynn Enright at lenright@dg58.org.
Snack Reminder (Repeated Information)
Watch DOGS During Recess! (Repeated Information)
If you are interested in being an El Sierra Watch DOG for a Wednesday time slot of either 8:00 am - 12:10 pm or 11:25 am - 3:00 pm, please contact Michelle Junkas (mjunkas@dg58.org) in our office to sign up for a time. We are all booked until 2/22/23 but are in need of ten of our time slots to be filled in the spring. I'm confident that we will get these time spots filled, but want to make sure any dad/significant male role model of El Sierra students are given the chance to sign up. Please contact Mr. Lynde (jlynde@dg58.org) with any questions about the program.
Cold/Flu Season is Here (Repeated Information)
Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. 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 a cough
· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
· Headache
Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:
· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)
· Vomiting (even once)
· Diarrhea
· Chills
· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
· Shortness of breath
· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose
To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage 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 sick
The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.
Birthday Treat Information (Repeated Information)
Food Deliveries For Students (Repeated Information)
No Dogs Allowed On School Property (Repeated Information)
El Sierra Spirit Wear
Contact Information
Email: jlynde@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/es
Location: 6835 Fairmount Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 719-5825
Twitter: @PrincipalLynde