The Simon School Days Newsletter
February 8, 2016
Dear Parents and Families of Simon Elementary:
For February being a short month, there is a lot going on at Simon Elementary. With Valentine's Day, STEM night, Severson Dells Assembly, and Parent-Teacher Conferences it is a busy month!
Severson Dells Assembly
EC/PreK - February 25 (Unhuggables)
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Night
Tuesday, February 16 5:30-7:00pm
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, February 25 4:00-7:30pm
Teachers will contact parents that they would like to have conferences with regarding your child's academic performance and/or behavior.
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?
*Enter this number (815) 401-9303 with this message @simon1516
By joining 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.
That's it! You will start receiving messages next week.
Winnebago CUSD #323 has started 2016-2017 Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment!
Kindergarten enrollment is for children who will turn 5 yrs old on or by September 1, 2016. The online form for parents/guardians to complete will be found here on January 29 or at the Simon Elementary office. We will place your information into the new kindergarten enrollment roster for 2016-2017. Parents will receive information regarding residency requirements, screening appointment and registration documents once the Simon Office has entered in your child's information. Residency verification will be done prior to your child's screening and given registration documents.
2016-2017 Preschool Screening
Winnebago CUSD #323 will conduct preschool screenings for the 2016-17 school year on Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17. These children may be eligible to attend the Winnebago School District Preschool for the 2016-17 school year.
The preschool screening is to determine eligibility for our preschool program and for you to have a better understanding of your child's strengths and areas for improvement. We encourage everyone with preschool aged children (ages 3-5) to participate in screening regardless of your interest in the preschool program.
The screening will assess your child’s developmental skills in the following areas: academic concepts, gross and fine motor skills, speech and language, social, behavior, self-help skills, and vision and hearing.
Screening appointments take approximately one hour. Children have to be 3 years old at the time of the screening on either March 16 or March 17.
The screenings will be held at Dorothy Simon Elementary 309 S. Benton St. Winnebago, IL 61088. Please call 815.335-2318 to make an appointment.
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.
WIFR even offers text messaging of school closings. If you are interested in this option, go to their web site at http://www.wifr.com. 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.
Food Allergy Prevention
Food allergies are a growing concern in schools across America. Millions of children - children who are perfectly healthy and normal in every other way – must watch every single bite they eat, or risk suffering a severe or even life threatening reaction. In fact, food allergies claim over 200 lives and are responsible for over 30,000 emergency room visits each year. A major health issue such as this one needs to be taken very seriously, and it has always been the policy of this school to make the safety and well being of our students our top priority.
We have students at Simon Elementary that have a serious peanut and/or nut allergy - the food allergy that claims more lives each year than any other along with fish and shellfish allergies. Therefore, we are putting the following safety guidelines into effect:
- Birthday and classroom parties are a special time for children, but can be a difficult time for the food-allergic child. Treats should be store bought with the ingredients clearly visible. It would be especially helpful if you could let your child’s teacher know a few days ahead.
- We will try to keep the food at holiday parties to a minimum. As with birthday parties, we must be extremely careful about the ingredients in all of the food items. Please do not enclose candy or other treats with Valentine’s Day cards, as these do not list ingredients on the card given.
- Our school nurse will check all treats in classrooms where a food allergy is present.
This is a learning process for all of us, but we trust that you understand how deeply important it is to respect and adhere to these guidelines. If throughout the course of the year you have any questions or concerns about food-allergy-related issues, please do not hesitate to contact our school nurse or Mr. Mandera.
Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Program Forms due Feb 12
The deadline is quickly approaching!
The student reading logs for the Six Flags Six Hour Reading Program will be due soon.
Please submit them to your child’s teacher no later than Friday, February 12th!
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
A Note From the Nurse
Erin's Law
On March 7th & 8th, a representative from Carrie Lynn Children’s Center will be at Simon to present a sexual abuse awareness program for all grade levels. This is in compliance with the Illinois state mandated Erin’s Law. “Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program which teaches students in grades PreK – 12th grade, age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult. Please call Carrie Lynn Center with any questions at (815) 319-4150.
Shoe Drive Fundraiser - Winnebago Fans Club
All types of shoes are accepted - childrens to adults, flip flops to cowboy boots, pumps to athletic shoes - and are in fine condition, "still having life in them".
Shoes with laces should be tied together - those without laces should be rubber banded together.
We have bags and rubber bands for people with lots to donate - contact me if you need a bag or rubber bands.
So, if you are compelled to clean closets this weekend - we will gladly take your castoffs. And, please help us spread the word. Most of us undoubtedly have shoes in our closets that are no longer being worn.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We really appreciate your support! Collections will be done until March 4.
Thanks much!
Jenny Lindgren - Winnebago Fans Club Vice-President
February Calendar Events
If you do have any specific questions about events or functions, please call the school office at 815.335.2318.
- February Calendar