February-

2/13/23- School Board Meeting at Haines(6pm)

2/13/23- Art Club

2/15/23- Chess Club

2/16/23- Parent University-Virtual(6pm)

2/20/23- President's Day- No School

2/21/23- Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting at Haines(5:30pm)

2/22/23- Early Release For Elementary/Dismissal at 2:10pm

2/22/23- Wellness Club

Kindergarten thru 5th Grades-

8:00am-3:00pm

Students can be dropped off at 7:45am for the school day. It you arrive before that time please keep your child with you until 7:45 as there is no supervision outside until then.

Our school office is open from 7:30am until 4:00pm on school days.

A few reminders to keep the school year going.....

What time can my student arrive to school?

We open the doors at 7:45am for student arrival every morning. Students should not be dropped off before that time as there is no supervision for students. If you arrive before drop off time please keep your child in your car until the appropriate time.

How do I report an absence?.

Absences should be called in by 7:45 AM if your child will be absent for any portion of the day. The number is 331-228-2701 and has voicemail. You can call during the evening or overnight and leave a message. Please leave your child’s name and the reason why your child is out. If they are ill, please indicate their symptoms.

Even if you notify your child's teacher of an absence via email, we ask that you please still notify the office at nor-office@d303.org. Please note that if your child is sick, they should be fever free and have no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school. Of course, you can always email the teacher as well, but you need to formally notify the school of any student absence.

Is your child leaving school early?

Also, if you will be picking up your child early or taking your child out for an appointment, please let our front office know as early in the day as possible by calling the main number at 331-228-2700 or email at nor-office@d303.org. This can be very helpful should a pick-up time be when the child is in specials or at lunch. Kids can be indoors as well as outdoors depending on their schedule and it can take a few extra minutes to locate and get the child down to the office for an early pickup if they are not in their classroom.

What if my child has a change in dismissal/transportation?

Please let the school know as early as possible if there is a occasional change to your child dismissal by emailing nor-office@d303.org and your child's teacher or call the office directly at 331-228-2701. If it is after 12pm please call the office directly so that we can ensure your child gets the notification of changes. Dismissal time can be very hectic and to help ensure a smooth dismissal, getting any transportation changes for students early is very helpful. Simply call the school office or email at nor-office@d303.org and let them know.

Will your child arrive late to school?

If your child is arriving after 8:00am please walk them into the school and sign them in.

Note: Save our school number in your contacts. Norton Creek Elementary: (331) 228-2700.

Students must apply for the privilege of using prearranged absence days through the principal’s office.

This completed form must be turned in at least (2) school days prior to the requested absence to the main office.

The building principal or designee has the authority to grant up to (5) days of excused absence per year

for the following types of absences:

 Participation in regional and/or national contests or awards

 Family vacation—qualified by the phrase “accompanied by parent”

 Special religious events

Society tells us having a lot of money, the finest clothes, lavish vacations, the latest and greatest technology, and a crew of people working under us are measures of success. All of those things are great, but the most successful people in life are kind. They take the time to show everyone around them that they care about them. They don't put themselves first. They value relationships - not what the relationship can do for them, but just the beauty of interpersonal relationships. My greatest worry in 2023 is that we as a society have undervalued kindness for too long as trait unnecessary for success - as opposed to setting it as the marker for true success.

This is where we as the team of adults who care about our Eagles come in. As a school, community, and each individual family, we set the tone for teaching our little people what is truly important in life. We worry so much about the world being a mean place (and it certainly can be!), that we underestimate the power we have in making the world kinder today and tomorrow one person at a time.

Next week is not only Valentine's Day for those who celebrate, but also Random Acts of Kindness Week. We will be marking the occasion here at Norton Creek, and you can see below in the ENews for more information on the fun ways we'll be doing that. Just as we say with Mother's Day, every day can be a Random Acts of Kindness Day and every week can be a Random Acts of Kindness Week...we just have to get in the habit of being kind. Cleaning up a mess I didn't make, helping someone with a chore that isn't really my favorite, saying hello, asking how people are doing, holding the door for the next person, and other small but selfless acts. As parents to three young children, some of these are definitely areas my wife and I work on with our kids daily ("But, I didn't make the mess." "Do you think Mom and I did?"). It's hard because it's not natural for children to think of others first. Developmentally, they're at the egocentric stage of their journey. Our aim is to respect where they are developmentally but to highlight moments where they can and do think of others' feelings and needs.

We appreciate everything you do as parents to set the stage for a kinder, more empathetic school everyday. Teaching empathy to children is one of our greatest responsibilities to them and to the future. Here at Norton Creek, we're not going to pretend this work is easy, but it is truly our pleasure and honor to do so. W

Have a wonderful weekend making memories with your favorite people, Norton Creek!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

To keep our brains active and ready to learn each day, you are encouraged to pack a healthy snack for your child each day.

Please ensure that your students arrive to school daily with snacks for snack time.

Dear Parents,

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 respiratory illnesses. 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 warrants 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 and other viral illnesses.

Students who present to the Health Office with a fever and/or feeling poorly are sent home. To prevent widespread illness 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 or COVID)

• 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 and viruses 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 medication for at least 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.

Sincerely,

Brittany Jensen BSN RN, PEL-CSN

Virginia Wicinski BSN RN

Cathy Leone BSN RN

Norton Creek Nurses

Illinois State law requires that all Kindergarten & 2nd Grade students will have an oral health examination. You may have already completed this requirement. If you have not, a licensed dentist must perform the dental exam and he/she shall sign and date the report form. This exam is due by May 15th of the school year.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.

Forms can be found at:

Dental Exam Form

Dental Exam Waiver Form

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Office at 331-228-3004

The weather has officially changed and we are asking that you please make sure your student has the appropriate items to be outside for recess(coat/hat/gloves/scarf). It gets windy and cold in the back of the building. Please make sure your student also has snow gear(snow pants/snow boots) which is required to be able to be in the snow at recess. Please plan on an outside recess daily. You can send your child with the items daily in a bag so that they will be all set for the snow.

Check out the October edition of the district LRC Community Newsletter! This newsletter is designed to share information on literacy-based special events and programs in our area as well as promote a joy for reading and technology in the homes of D303 families.

Please remember to add money to your child(s) Pushcoin account in order to be able to purchase a lunch or a breakfast. Breakfast and lunch will not be free this year and will incur a fee daily. Norton Creek will be open at 7:45am on school days for breakfast. Please call the office with any questions.

LUNCH SCHEDULES:

2nd Grade:11:00-11:20

5th Grade: 11:20-11:40

Kindergarten: 11:40-12:00

RISE Students: 11:40-12:00

1st Grade: 12:00-12:20

3rd Grade: 12:20-12:40

4th Grade: 12:40-1:00

If your student forgets their lunch please email the classroom teacher and drop off at the main office. Please label with the students full name.

Thanks for all that attended our PTO meeting this week! If you didn't hear already, we spent roughly $20k last month on student enrichments including updated indoor recess supplies, PE equipment, a wellness room for NC staff, in school field trips and more!

Cougars Reading Club has begun! Forms have been sent home and hopefully your child has been encouraged to read more at home. We hope everyone earns their free Cougars ticket for May 20th.

5th grade parents - we need pictures! Please send to nc5thgradefarewell@gmail.com for their end of year party.

Upcoming events:

Eagles Eat Out at Portillos- Feb 16, 5-8p

Spring Book Fair- March 6-9

PTO meeting - Friday March 10th, 9:30a

Family Science Night - Friday March 10th, 5 - 7p