Tiger Talk
LeVasseur Elementary School-Parent Newsletter
April 12, 2024
Solar Eclipse
Our third grade students observe the Solar Eclipse.
Third Grade- IAR Testing
Third Grade- State Testing
Our third grade students did a wonderful job concentrating and working carefully on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness test. Students that were absent for a test this week will make it up with Mrs. Lark next week. To celebrate our third grade teachers planned a Glow Day for math, complete with glow bracelets, black lights, disco lighting, and some fun problem solving!
Score with Recycling!
We are down to our final couple weeks with our "SCORE" program with Belson Steel Center Scrap, Inc. As we enter the final stretch, please don't forget to bring in your cans to Belson's! Make sure you mention LeVasseur Elementary School when you get pain and we'll get the points. The final day to bring in cans is April 20th. They will also be having their Earth Day Special that weekend. On Friday April 19th and Saturday, April 20th they will bump up the price of cans in honor of Earth Day. You will also get paid more for your cans. Currently LeVassuer is ranked 11th so let's finish strong! Thank you in advance!
Field Day Parent Volunteers
Noel LeVasseur Field Day
Attention All Parents:
LeVasseur Elementary School will be holding its annual field day on Wednesday, May 29th!! Throughout the day, classes will be going station to station, participating in different field activities and games. Parents, we need your help!!! We are looking for parent volunteers to run each station. You will be working one station with other parent volunteers as each class filters through. This is LeVasseur students’ end of the year celebration, and we want them to be the focus, so siblings are not allowed to attend Field Day. We would need your help for the day starting at 8:30am and ending at 3:15pm. There will be a short informational meeting at 8:30am in the gym. You will also have a lunch break in the middle of the day. We need at least 50 parents to help! If we cannot get enough volunteers, we will have to modify or cancel some of our fun events! Thank you in advance for your help and support!!!
Attention: If you have not been to our school this year please stop by the front office prior to field day to have your ID scanned into our system. It will help make for an easier check-in on the day of. Thanks so much!
Ms. Walker
(815) 929-4523
Student Headphones
This is the time of year that student headphones may be wearing out, broken, or lost. Please touch base with your child to see if they have working headphones and if it is necessary to replace them.
Kindergarten Round-Up
Bourbonnais Elementary School invites you to Kindergarten Round-UP for all incoming 2024-25 BESD 53 Kindergarteners. Please bring your child to Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center at 200 W. John Casey Road from 4:00-6:00 pm on April 17th. You may visit our website to sign up for a screening time to ensure the correct placement for your child: www.besd53.org/kindergarten
Camp Invention
Bourbonnais will host its 15th season of Camp Invention this summer from June 10 -14. Inventors, incoming grades 1st through 6th, will make discoveries, develop new ideas, and invent amazing things each day from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Registration is already half full so please sign up your campers soon if you want them to attend. Go to www.campinvention.org to register them today!
The cost is $270 however, we have scholarships available! If you would like more information about receiving a scholarship, please contact Ann O'Gorman at ogormana@besd53.org. We hope to see your inventor at camp!
Birthday Treats
Just a reminder that per our district health and wellness policy, edible birthday treats are not allowed at school. If you would like for your child to bring in something to share with the class please choose something nonedible ie, pencil, bookmark, eraser, etc.
Parking
Unfortunately, as our staff has grown, our parking lot has not. I know that finding a parking spot, especially at arrival is difficult. Some options are to park on Bethel Avenue and walk up the sidewalk to the crosswalk or to stay in your car, getting in the car rider line to pull up to the island where staff is waiting. Under no circumstances, is parking in a striped zone okay. These striped zones are and extension of the handicapped parking spaces, marked to allow vehicles who are transporting students in wheelchairs the access to get their child in and out of their vehicle. When you park there, you block their access. Officer Andy will be patrolling our parking lot and will be issuing $250 fines to anyone parked in these zones.
Transportation Reminder
Bus Drivers NEEDED!
Student Drop Off
Notes from the Nurse
Commonly asked questions:
When should I keep my child home from school?
Your child should stay home if in the last 24 hours they:
*Had a fever of 100.0 or higher
*Are or were vomiting.
*Are or were experiencing diarrhea that is outside of their normal bowel pattern.
*Are diagnosed with a communicable illness that requires antibiotics. For example, strep throat or pink eye. Once they have taken the antibiotic for 24 hours, they can return to school.
*Have a rash of unknown origin and have not been cleared by a doctor.
*Have been instructed by a doctor to stay home.
If my child stays home or is sent home due to an illness, when can they return to school?
Your child may return to school when:
*They are fever free for over 24 hours WITHOUT fever reducing medication.
*They have gone 24 hours without an episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
*If they were placed on an antibiotic, your child may return after they have been taking the antibiotic for 24 hours (usually after 2-3 doses)
These are the general return to school guidelines. This may occasionally vary due to the specific illness your child has been diagnosed with and their individual health history. When in doubt, we always advise to consult your doctor and obtain a note that includes your child's return to school date.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any specific health questions or concerns you may have! I am always here to help! :-)
When do I need to send in a doctor's note?
Your child will need a doctor's note to return to school when:
*Your child has been absent for 5 consecutive days or more.
*Your child was sent home with a suspected communicable illness including but not limited to pink eye, impetigo, strep throat etc.
A doctor's note is required:
*When your child requires special accommodations including but not limited to PE/recess restrictions.
A doctor's note is recommended:
*When your child is absent due to an illness
*When your child is late, leaving early or absent due to a medical appointment.
What are the health requirements for my child?
Health documents need to be turned in no later than October 15th.
Children entering Pre-K:
*Illinois Physical dated within 1 year of the first day of school. PLEASE NOTE: The top of the physical is the parent's responsibility. If it is not completed it will be returned to you to complete and return to school.
*Up to date immunization record OR current medical exemption form completed and signed by guardian AND your child's physician.
Children entering Kindergarten:
*Illinois Physical dated within 1 year of the first day of school. PLEASE NOTE: The top of the physical is the parent's responsibility. If it is not completed it will be returned to you to complete and return to school.
*Up to date immunization record OR current medical exemption form completed and signed by guardian AND your child's physician.
*Dental Exam completed after Dec 15th, 2022
*An eye exam dated within 1 year of the first day of school (Completed by an eye doctor)
Children entering 2nd Grade:
*Dental Exam completed after November 15th, 2022
Can my child take or carry medications at school?
In order to have medication taken at school please consider the following:
No medication can be carried or given/taken at school without an order from your child's doctor this includes but is not limited to tylenol, prescribed medicated creams and cough drops.
*A BESD 53 Medication Authorization Form will need to be completed and signed by a doctor and guardian. You can find a copy of this document on the BESD website under Documents>>For Families>>Student Health Documents. We also have copies available at school. You can pick them up or request that they be sent home with your child.
*If your child will be carrying an inhaler and self administering they will need the self carry section of the Medication Authorization form (page 3) completed and signed.
*Guardians are responsible for providing all medications and supplies to administer.
*No medications are to be sent in with a student, they must be delivered to the office by an adult.
*Guardians may always come to school to administer medication to their child.
*If medication is found, and there is not a doctor's order on file, the medication will be kept in the nurse's office until a guardian can pick it up.
*Your child will need a new order at the beginning of every year as the order expires at the end of the previous school year. If your child needs yearly medication, we advise to plan appointments before the beginning of school when possible.
Reminders:
If your child has any general health concerns or critical health conditions including but not limited to epilepsy, food allergies, diabetes or asthma please contact me and your child's teacher. Also, we ask that you have an action plan in place in case there are any complications during the school day. This will help us to ensure the health and safety of your student. Action plans can be found on the BESD website under Documents>>For Families>>Student Health Documents. We also have copies available at school. You can pick them up or request that they be sent home with your child.
The deadline for health documents (Physicals, Immunization records, medical exemption forms, vision exams and dental exams) is October 15th, 2023. If your student is required to turn in a physical and immunization record and it is not received before October 15th, they may be excluded from school. There is no exclusion for vision and dental exams. If your child is missing any health documents, a letter will be sent home with them and via postal mail in the next couple weeks.
The Mobile Dentist, Smile Illinois will be coming to LeVasseur November 2nd and 3rd. Mark your calendars, more information coming soon!
For your child's age specific immunization requirements, please click link below: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/immunization-requirements-chart-2023-2024-school-year.pdf
I look forward to working with you and getting to know your child this school year. Once again, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns, I am here and happy to help! Here's to a wonderful, fun and HEALTHY school year!
--Angie Klaff, LPN
LeVasseur Elementary Nurse
State of Illinois Hearing and Vision Technician
American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor
(815) 929-4585 (Nurses Office)
(815) 929-4500 (Main Office)
(815) 351-1839 (Cell)
(815) 839-8074 (Fax)
Dogs on LeVasseur Premises
Car Riders
Attention car rider parents: you may not drop off your child on the island when staff is NOT present. Staff is not on duty until 8:30 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation.
1. Hang your car rider number on your rear-view mirror so that it can be seen easily.
2. Do not cut other cars off in line. The line moves quickly if we all cooperate.
3. Pull all the way forward up to the stop sign if there are no cars in front of you.
4. If you wish to walk your child up to the front door, you must park.
School Lunches
Y Kids- Before and After School Care
Phones and Smart Watches
School Hours
8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Doors open for drop-off at 8:30 a.m.)
Pre-K A.M.- Doors open for drop-off at 8:33 a.m.
Pre-K P.M.- Doors open for drop-off in front of school at 12:45 p.m. Pick-up is at doors 5/6.
* Car rider drop-off students must remain in the car until staff members are present at 8:30 a.m.
Car Rider Instructions
K-3 A.M. Arrival Procedures
- Pull forward until you see the designated staff member who will assist your child in exiting the vehicle.
- Have your child ready to exit from the passenger side.
Thank you for your cooperation!
K-3 P.M. Dismissal Procedures
- Children are never allowed to go to the parking lot unattended by an adult.
- Display your car rider number in the passenger side dashboard or visor.
- Remain in your car and pull forward. Your child will be waiting for you at a designated spot along the "island". Staff members will be with them to assist.
Pre-K Dismissal Procedures
- Pre-K parents should pull up to doors 5/6 where the Pre-K teacher will be waiting with your child.
Transportation Changes
- Send teacher a note or call the office 90 minutes prior to dismissal.
- LeVasseur Office- 815-929-4500
Do not send e-mails or voicemails for teachers regarding transportation changes. Teachers may be absent or unable to check their messages before the end of the day.
Access to Breakfast and Lunch Menu
All menus are posted through September on the following website:
FDPlanner.com
Type in our school name (LeVasseur Elementary)
Choose the month
Breakfast-Lunch provided by Quest
- Lunch - $4.50
- Breakfast- $2.25
- Milk- $0.85
Parents will go through Skyward to add money to students account for school breakfast/lunch. Students will use ID to purchase lunch/breakfast. Cash or check will not be accepted.
Breakfast ends at 8:45 a.m. If your child will be eating breakfast at school, please drop them off in time to eat.
If you feel you qualify for free or reduced meals, please fill out the application. You may fill out this information in Family Access online (Skyward). If you need assistance, please call our office, 815-929-4500.
Wellness Policy
Important Events
April
15-19 IAR Make-Ups
17- Early Dismissal (11:45 am)
Kindergarten Round-Up (4:00-6:00 pm)
23- Board Meeting
24- Secretaries Day
29- PreK Fieldtrip (Exploration Station)
May
3- Third Grade Spring Concert (9:30 am and 2:00 pm)
8-12- Teacher Appreciation Week
10- Third Grade Step Up day to Liberty
13- 17 Spring Benchmarking
23- Last Day of PreSchool
Kindergarten Spring Concert
24- Early Dismissal (1:45 pm)
27- Memorial Day (No School)
29- Field Day
31- Last Day of School
End of 4th Quarter
💡 Reminders
- If your child will be a car rider, please make sure your car rider number is hung on your review mirror. If you do not have a car rider number, please call the office.
- Please notify the office or your child's teacher prior to 2:00 p.m. for any change in end of the day transportation.
- Please help keep our students safe by following all traffic patterns at arrival and dismissal. If you are planning on walking your child to the entrance, use one of our parking spots otherwise you may stay in your car by using the car drop off lane. See map for traffic patterns.
LeVasseur Elementary School
Email: larkc@besd53.org
Website: https://www.besd53.org/o/noel-levasseur
Location: 601 West Bethel Drive, Bourbonnais, IL, USA
Phone: 815-929-4500