January 2024 EMSD Newsletter

• AFSCME Cares
• Parent University
• East Moline Students Serving Others
• Glenview Art Club Share their Talents
• EMSD School History - Bowlesburg School
• Screentime & Sleep - Helping Your Child
• School Breakfast and Lunch Menus
• Did You Know?

• January/February Calendar of Events

This winter, one of our local unions provided over $4000 in coats, hats and gloves for the students of the East Moline School District. AFSCME is the union that represents our transportation, custodial, maintenance and grounds employees. They saw a need in the community and surprised the school district by sharing this wonderful gift. This generous donation was made by locals that work in the East Moline School District, Rock Island County, and the East Moline Correctional Center. This is not the first time AFSCME has gone above and beyond for our community.

In the past, they've donated coats, hats, and gloves, as well as holiday food baskets for families in need. We've been fortunate to have them as labor partners in the East Moline School District. They look out for our employees, our students, and the school district. Even more, they look out for our entire community. When asked what what he'd like to see come as a result of the donation, AFSCME Council 31 employee representative Josh Schipp said, "I encourage other local organizations to explore opportunities to give in their communities," and added, "it doesn't take a lot of time but will have a big impact." We are thankful for the generous gift, especially at a time when many families might not have the funds to provide a warm winter coat, hat and gloves.

Thank you, AFSCME Council 31 for being wonderful community partners!

Click the image below to access the Parent University calendar with embedded links to attend each session. Happy learning!

In the East Moline School District, our students have the opportunity to belong to a service club. In the elementary schools, that club is called K-Kids. At Glenview, it is called Builders Club. United Township has the next level, which is called Key Club. These clubs are sponsored by the East Moline Kiwanis Club, an international organization that is committed to service for children and communities. Our students at Bowlesburg, Hillcrest and Glenview are supported by Brian Stombaugh. Bryce Lack, Lindy Slyter, and Erich VonThun support the students at Ridgewood Elementary. Our students learn more about planning and participating in community service projects. Some of the community service projects they've already planned, led and participated in this school year:

• Family Skate Night
• Pizza Fundraiser with Saint Guiseppe's Pizza
• Funds used to pay for holiday gifts for families in the community
• Creating holiday cards and caroling at Illini Restorative Care in Silvis
• Made holiday ornaments, stockings and filled them with goodies for residents of Alure Nursing Home in East Moline
• Created and painted holiday stockings and filled them with goodies for the staff at Bowlesburg Elementary
• Share Night at Culver's in Silvis where students bussed tables, refilled soft drinks, and greeted patrons at the door
• In January, our Builders Club will be making blankets for students going into foster care

In ways large and small, our Builders Club and K-Kids students are making a difference in the East Moline School District community and beyond. However, the biggest change happens within our students as they learn about serving others. Below are some pictures of the fun our students have when giving back to the community.

Our Glenview Art Club has been busy at work this fall! The 5th - 8th grade students who are part of the Glenview Art Club spent two months creating a beautiful new Gator mural to welcome students, families and guests into the south entrance. For years to come, everyone who enters will see the work they've done instilling pride in our school. We are proud of the work our art teacher, Ms. Boyette-Foltz does with our students. We look forward to seeing their talents on display in other parts of our school in the future! Below is a picture of our new mural.

Bowlesburg School was established in 1859, and in 1866, the first schoolhouse was acquired from Samuel Bowles. A wooden school building was constructed in 1938, but the original schoolhouse dated back to 1902 and was relocated to its current location in 1926. Bowlesburg initially had two teachers, Helen Lafferty and Gertrude Kilpatrick. It remained an independent rural district until it merged with District No. 37 in the 1950s.

The school expanded over the years, with a five-room brick building added in 1942, a three-room extension in 1951, and another four-room addition including an office in 1953. A further extension in 1957 added two rooms and a gymnasium with kitchen facilities. Later improvements included locker rooms, a teacher's lounge, a special education suite, a storeroom, and an updated central heating system. Over time, the school has undergone many changes, including no longer serving kindergarten through 8th grade, which made locker rooms unnecessary. By the 1990-1991 school year, 5th graders were no longer part of Bowlesburg.

Samuel Bowles, a pioneer of Hampton Township, built the church, school, and cemetery in the 1870s in an area known as Bowlesburg. While the original school building no longer exists, the newer Bowlesburg Elementary School in Silvis carries on his legacy. The 420 acres Bowles originally purchased in the 1830s were sold in 1945. Deere & Company bought the property later to build its administrative center in 1964 and subsequently its insurance headquarters. The Bowles house became a landmark and was nearly demolished before Deere donated it to the Faith Walk Christian Center in Silvis.

In this hyperconnected age, many of us are tethered to our devices, especially during these colder months. Click the image below to learn more about how to manage screentime to help your student get a good night of sleep.

Jan 11 - GV Winter Concert 7:00-9:00 PM

Jan 12 - End of 2nd Quarter

Jan 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Attendance

Jan 26 - 1/2 Day Early Release (School Improvement Day)

Glenview 11:00AM * Elementary 11:30 AM * Early Childhood No Attendance

Feb 8 - Evening Parent/ Teacher Conferences

Feb 8 - Band Parent Meeting

Feb 9 - Parent/Teacher Conference - No Student Attendance

Feb 16 - Teacher Inservice Day - No Student Attendance

Feb 19 - President's. Day - No Attendance

Feb 24 - QC Solo and Ensemble Festival