Letters from Limestone Walters

Nov. 1st: Pop Your Tab Collection Begins

Nov. 2nd: PTO Meeting @7pm

Nov. 4th: No School! Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences 3pm-8pm

Nov. 5th: No School! Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences 8am-1pm

Nov. 7th: Daylight Savings! Don't forget to set your clocks back

Nov. 11th: Vision & Hearing Screenings*

Nov. 12th: Wheel Spin Day and Vision & Hearing Screenings cont.*

Nov. 23rd: House Shirt Day and House Competition

Nov. 24th-26th: No School! Thanksgiving Break

*Vision and hearing screenings are mandated by Senate Bill 0805, PA 93-054. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.

Nov. 1st: Home Game 5pm vs. Brimfield

Nov. 3rd: Home Game 5pm vs. Hollis

Nov. 11th: Home Game 5pm vs. St. Patrick's

Nov. 15th: Home Game 5pm vs. Christ Lutheran

Nov. 16th: Home Game 5pm vs. Pl. Valley

Nov. 17th: 5pm @ Norwood bus leaves at 4:15pm

Nov. 1st: 5pm @ St. Philomena bus leaves at 4pm

Nov. 8th: Home Game 5pm vs. Norwood

Nov. 9th: 5pm @ Brimfield bus leaves at 4pm

Nov. 11th: 5:30pm @ St. Patrick's bus leads at 4:30pm

Nov. 17th: Home Game 5pm vs. Norwood

Nov. 18th: 5pm @ Parkview bus leaves at 4pm

Nov. 22nd: 5pm @ Hollis bus leaves at 4:15pm

Nov. 23rd: Home Game 5pm vs. Oakgrove

Nov.30th: Home Game 5pm vs. St. Thomas

This month the featured book is We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell.

The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.

Digital Citizenship is more than just a list of things kids shouldn't do on the internet. If we want kids to understand how to use technology to improve their community, to amplify their voice, to distinguish fact from fiction online we have to teach those skills in a virtual space. Using technology to learn is a completely different skill set then just using the technology itself. If you are looking for how you can support your child at home with being smart online, Google offers a free program that includes support for families as well as an interactive game. These resources support kids in feeling safe and confident online. Visit the link here with tips, conversation starters, engagement activities, and an interactive game: https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/families

LaGondola Spaghetti House Community Day was able to raise $250.00 for LW PTO! Please check back here as more information may be added at a later date.

Remember

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Halloween at LW. The costumes were so impressive and creative!

Gratitude

I'm grateful for the excitement I hear when I bring a book with me to lunch.

Goals

I will continue to be present in classrooms and support the technology/curriculum committee on assessing current curriculum needs and support any next steps.

~Stefanie Pitzer, Principal

November, 2021

New Gym!

You may have noticed that our new “remodeled” gym is up and running. The new additions are a new wood floor and new handicap accessible bleachers. Our main baskets can now be swung to the side so they do not interfere with volleyball serving. The court has been widened so a three-pointer can now be shot from the corner! New wall pads have been installed to match the logo in the middle of the court. Funds for this project came from a maintenance grant with the state, health/life safety dollars, and the county facilities sales tax.

CFST

Speaking of the Peoria County Facilities Sales Tax (CFST), last month the district exceeded over a quarter of a million dollars ($254,047.45) in revenue received from this tax. It has been a wonderful resource for us to upgrade our facility and not raise the local tax rate or issue bonds. Past projects that have been funded with the CFST have been air conditioning units in the classrooms, new carpet and tile throughout the school, new camera and security system, and now our gym has been improved. As a reminder, every time you shop in Peoria County you are helping your school – so thank you!!!

Lunch Program

As many of you know, lunch is once again free for ALL families this year. I strongly encourage your family to take advantage of this great opportunity. We are looking to adjust our menu so that we are having more of the lunches that students like the most! Remember – if your son or daughter orders lunch, you are not only helping your own family, but you are helping your school as well!!!

Technology

Each year at Limestone Walters we update our technology and this year was no different. New chrome books in grades 4th through 8th were purchased and we also installed new interactive SMART displays in each classroom. Our website has been updated as well that provides many new ways to communicate. We are excited that this new website can be a much better tool to communicate with families and the community.

Curriculum

Our Technology/Curriculum Committee is in the process of reviewing our current curriculum and the resources that accompany it. That is, we are looking to update our curriculum with new textbooks and/or online options. We are aware that there needs to be balance between textbooks and online resources. Our initial work will be with reading and social studies. As this process unfolds, we will keep everyone informed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. You may reach me by phone at 697-3035 or by email at tdotson@limestonewalters.com.

Remember that the best gift you can give your son or daughter is your time.

Sincerely,

Tim Dotson, Superintendent

Email: spitzer@limestonewalters.com
Website: https://www.limestonewalters.com/
Location: 8223 West Smithville Road, Peoria, IL, USA
Phone: 309-697-3035
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LWrockets316
Twitter: @lwrockets