Ferson Creek eNews
February 26, 2021
From the Principal...Kristy McKnight
If you were a part of Ferson last year, you may remember that we began the process of determining a new Ferson motto. This motto is meant to encompass characteristics that we need to exhibit not only to be successful here at Ferson, but also beyond these walls and into the world. With input from students, staff, and parents, we finalized this motto in the winter of 2020. Due to Covid, we were never able to fully roll it out.
This week during morning meetings, students were introduced to the motto. Referred to as the "Ferson Way", we are Kind, Respectful, Learners. In their morning meetings, classes discussed what it means to be kind, respectful and learners. With the student input, we will create common descriptors for each of these components that will help us develop clear expectations across all settings in the building.
What the students are most excited about is the positive reinforcement system that is paired with this motto. As students are observed being Kind, Respectful, Learners, they can earn foxes for their class. The foxes are tallied as a building, so that we can celebrate as a community. Our first goal is to earn 100 foxes so that we can have a school wide dance party!
We are excited to be able to connect all that we do here at Ferson to our new motto. Being Kind, Respectful Learners, and recognizing students for these attributes, will help positively build our Ferson community.
Enjoy your weekend!
Kristy McKnight
New Motto Posters!
Our thermometer to count the total foxes earned.
Here is the ten frame that each class uses for collecting foxes.
We Want your Recipes!
5Essentials Survey - Please take :)
District 303 participates in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey that collects feedback from our students, teachers, and parents. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will give you the opportunity to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness. The responses will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement efforts. All responses are confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
The Parent Survey is currently open and will remain so through April 2 2021. To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey. As part of this communication, we have included graphics of the login page with additional information about how to access the survey. Most notably, make sure you enter Kane County in the box for county even if your home or your child’s school is in DuPage County. This will allow you to correctly select your child’s school.
All District 303 teachers, as well as students in 4th through 12th grades, are being asked to complete this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. Teachers will work with students to assist them with logging in and taking the student survey.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
· Effective Leaders
· Collaborative Teachers
· Involved Families
· Supportive Environments
· Ambitious Instruction
We value your feedback and appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your input.
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or 5essentials@uchicago.edu.
March Book Madness
IAR Mock Testing
Yearbook Photos
We still need Yearbook photos!! Students and families, though this year may look different than previous years, we still want to put together a great yearbook for your family and we need your help!! Please send us any photos you would like to be included. They could be of your child working on a school project, reading their favorite book, artwork, at home during remote school, having fun during an activity or practicing an instrument. Did they make a giant snowman over winter break and want to share it? Send it to us!
Our goal is to collect as many memories as we can for our 2020-2021 yearbook and remember we are still Better Together, even if we are not all under one roof. Additionally, if your children are remote and didn't get their picture taken for the yearbook, we would love to still include them! Please submit your own headshot to our yearbook coordinators.
Please email any photos or questions to Kristi Bruns and Ashley Holdsworth at aholdswo@gmail.com or via wetransfer.com using aholdswo@gmail.com.
*Remember to include the name of your student and grade level.
We appreciate your support!
Kindergarten Registration
The District 303 Kindergarten enrollment process for the 2021-2022 school year will be virtual! Between January 19 and March 12, families will be able to enroll their kindergarten-age children by visiting the Kindergarten Registration & Information page of the District 303 website. On the District 303 website you will find:
The New Student Intake Form (coming January 19, 2021)
The Kindergarten Step-by-Step Guide for registration
Health and Dental exams and immunization information
Contact information for all elementary schools
Information about Full Day and Half Day Kindergarten
Please direct any friends or neighbors with incoming kindergarteners to the D303 website to get all necessary information.
UPCOMING DATES
- Thursday, March 25th - Regular attendance day for students (8:00 am -1:40 pm)
- Friday, March 26th - School Improvement Day, No School for Students
- Monday, March 29th - Friday, April 2nd - Spring Break
Ferson Creek Elementary
Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/