

AFC Elementary Monthly Memo
December 2023

Principal's Message
It is hard to believe we are already entering the spring season, and I hope this message is finding you all in good health and high spirits.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting happenings planned for the remainder of the school year which include:
- Spring Book Fair - April 15th
- Breakfast with a Buddy - April 19th
- National Volunteer Week - April 22nd
- PTC's Family "Funk" Night - April 26th
- AFC Elementary's Specials Showcase - May 2nd
- Field Trips
- Staff Appreciation Week
- 5th & 6th Grade Band & Choir Concert - May 16th
I would also like to remind you of the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with our school staff. Your insights, questions, and feedback are invaluable in helping us provide the best possible learning experiences for your children. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any concerns or suggestions you may have.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we will continue to nurture a learning community where every child can learn, grow, and, thrive.
Warmest Regards,
Jenah Burkitt, Principal
AFC Elementary School
April Important Dates
1 - Easter Monday - NO SCHOOL
2 - School Resumes
3 - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, 1:30 Early Dismissal
4 - School Librarian Appreciation Day
8 - ISA Testing Begins (5th Grade ONLY)
10 - 1:30 Early Dismissal
12 - ISA Testing Ends
15 - Spring Book Fair Begins, Board of Education Meeting 7:00 PM
17 - 1:30 Early Dismissal
19 - Breakfast with a Buddy 7:30 AM
22 - National Volunteer Week, PTC Meeting 6:00 PM
24 - National Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day, 1:30 Early Dismissal
26 - PTC's Family "Funk" Night 5:30 PM
Digital Lunch Menu
đź’› Bookworm Vending Machine đź–¤
We are very excited about the newest addition to our school cafeteria. Students can earn a coin to get a book in a number of ways. Teachers can hand them out when they see students going above and beyond to show "The Raider Way" or they can be purchased in our "Loot Lagoon" with their "Raider Riches." The books students get from the vending machine are theirs to keep. It is our hope that students will build robust at-home libraries to increase the presence of literacy at home.
Thank you to our PTC for making this possible for our students! ❤️
#ReadingRaiders
May Event
Registration, Lunch, & Sports Fees
Mrs. Wolf has sent Statement of Account letters to families who have a registration, lunch, and/or sports fee balance. Phone calls have also been made to make arrangements for these fees to be paid.
If you have not already, please contact Mrs. Wolf to either make a payment or make arrangements to take care of your balance.
We appreciate your timely cooperation with this matter.
A Note From Mrs. Chapman
5th/6th Band & Choir
Weeks of April 15 – May 17
Full Early Bird Band – All band students must attend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Early Bird Rehearsals to prepare for our Spring Concert.
May 2 - Specials Showcase
A small group of band and choir students were chosen to perform for 4th grade students and families at this event. This will help to promote our concert and the band information night on May 9th.
Attire is to be determined.
May 16 - Spring Concert
Performance starts at 7:00pm at the AFC High School Gym
Attire is Sunday Best
Physical Education
What a month it has been in the gym! March was our “Kids Heart Challenge” (a.k.a.Jump Rope for Heart). Throughout the month the students were doing various activities learning about their hearts. They had the opportunity to complete Finn's challenge where they learned how to do hands only CPR, understand the signs of a stroke, and various ways to keep our hearts healthy. While doing all of these things, we also raised money for the American Heart Association to help with heart research, spread the word, and possibly help people in need of heart surgery. Overall we raised close to $6000 - it is amazing what we can do when we all work together! Of course we ended the event by learning how to jump rope, do tricks, and get our hearts pumping for those less fortunate!
K- 6th grade all tried their version of hockey. It went incredibly well as all ages learned the basics of the game and how to play safely. Students learned to dribble and control a hockey puck while attempting to score a goal. The younger classes played various relay races and fun games using the hockey equipment. The older classes learned many of the rules, positions, and even got to play an actual full on game by the end of the unit!
Arrival & Dismissal Times
Arrival
8:00 - Student Arrival8:15 - Students Enter Building/Classrooms (First Bell)
8:30 - Classes Begin (Second/Tardy Bell)
Please note, there will not be adult supervision on the playground prior to 8:00 AM.
Dismissal
3:15 - Bus Students Dismissed (First Bell)
3:17 - Pick-Up/Walkers Dismissed (Second Bell)
Please note, there will not be adult supervision on the playground after 3:25 PM. Students who have not been picked up by 3:25 will be brought to the main office.
AFC Attendance Policy
As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:
Excessive tardies or absences may be referred to the Lee/Ogle/Whiteside Regional Office of Education’s Attendance Support Program for assistance. A student may be referred to the Attendance Support Program after four (4) unexcused and nine (9) excused absences during the previous 180 days of school attendance. If a student misses three (3) consecutive days, they must bring in a physician’s note for the absences to be considered excused. Also, after nine (9) absences per school year, to excuse each absence thereafter, a physician’s note will be required within 24 hours of the student’s return to school. While seeking a medical excuse, the student’s parent or guardian must still comply with absence notification procedures. Students are permitted to return to school while a physician’s note is being obtained, assuming the student has been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free for 24 hours (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications).
Exclusions Due to Illness
We encourage attendance everyday as there is a strong link between attendance and academic achievement. Students must be present to learn. We trust parents and guardians will use their best judgement in deciding if their child(ren) are well enough to be present in school.
As a friendly reminder, per our AFC Student Handbook:
Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD #275 will exclude students based on typically qualifying symptoms such as: fever of 100.4 or higher (fever must be below 100.4 without fever-reducing medications), vomiting, and diarrhea. Students may return when the student is fever-free/symptom-free for 24 hours without medication.
Please refer to our Student Handbook (linked at the bottom of this memo) for additional information regarding school attendance.
Important Links
Ashton-Franklin Center Elementary School
Jenah Burkitt, Principal
Email: jburkitt@afcschools.net
Address: 217 South Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 456-2325
Website: https://www.afcschools.net/