AFC Elementary Monthly Memo

Attendance plays a critical role in your child's academic journey and overall development.

Why is school attendance so important?

Academic Success: Consistent attendance is closely linked to academic achievement. When students attend school regularly, they have more opportunities to engage with the curriculum, participate in class discussions, and seek help from teachers when needed.

Building a Strong Foundation: Many subjects build upon previously learned material. Missing school days can lead to knowledge gaps that can hinder your child's understanding of new concepts.

Social and Emotional Growth: School is not just about academics; it's also a place where children develop social skills, build friendships, and learn how to collaborate with peers. Regular attendance fosters a sense of belonging within the school community.

Preparation for the Future: Punctuality and responsibility are qualities that are highly valued in the real world. Good attendance habits established during childhood can set the stage for success in adulthood.

How can you support your child's attendance?

Set a Routine: Establish a daily routine that includes a consistent bedtime and wake-up time to ensure your child is well-rested and ready for school.

Communicate: If your child is unable to attend school due to illness or other reasons, please notify the school promptly. Open communication with teachers and staff is crucial.

Prioritize Education: Help your child understand the importance of attending school regularly. Discuss the long-term benefits of education and the doors it can open in the future.

Lead by Example: Demonstrate the value of punctuality and commitment by being a positive role model for your child.

Stay Engaged: Be actively involved in your child's education. Attend parent-teacher conferences, stay informed about their progress, and ask questions when needed.

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).

As we look forward to the month of October, I would like to remind families of a few important details...

• Adult playground supervision does not begin until 8:00 AM. Please be sure your child is not on the playground (unattended) before that time.
• Also note, supervision at the Jr/Sr High School for shuttle bus students does not begin until 7:30 AM. It has been reported there have been students there as early as 7:10.
• If there is a transportation change for your child, please do your best to call the main office as soon possible (morning is preferred).

You now have the option to schedule OR reschedule your Parent/Teacher Conference in Skyward. The quick 60-second video below takes you through how to do this step-by-step. You will first need a Family Access account. If you do not have a Family Access Account, please email afcskyward@afcschools.net to request access.

Moving forward this is how we schedule conferences, but if you need assistance please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Wolf in the main office.

Reminder: Parent/Teacher Conferences are October 18th & 19th and we have time slots between 3:30 and 7:30.

Please consider attending this SPOOKY event planned by the AFC PTC. Attending school events promotes a sense of belonging to the school community. Click the buttons below for more information or to sign up.

Click the button below to view Mrs. Chapman's Keeping Connected Newsletter for the month of October.

Most, if not all, students should have received their rented instruments.

Early Bird Schedule

Monday - Brass

Tuesday - Choir

Wednesday - Percussion

Thursday - Choir

Friday - Woodwinds

They gym is a busy place to be! The 4th-6th graders have completed their football unit where we focused on throwing/catching footballs as well as dodging and flag pulling. On to our next adventures in volleyball!

• Kindergarten through 3rd grades have focused on personal space while learning some fun hand clapping/tag games as well as continuing to practice listening and following directions. Lots of catching and throwing activities in the days to come for this group!
• Health classes for the upper grades are learning about our heart muscle, how to strengthen and take care of our hearts along with listening to our heartbeats, getting our blood pressure taken and gaining an understanding of what those numbers tell us about our physical well being.
• The kids have been challenging themselves as we do our quarterly goal setting through the PACER running challenge along with the sit ups and push ups test with a focus on our muscular endurance.

Arrival

8:00 - Student Arrival

8:15 - 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.

2 - 6th Grade Boys Basketball Informational Meeting (ES Cafeteria @ 3:15)

3 - Body Safety Talks - Day 1

4 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

5 - 3rd Grade Field Trip (Stewardship Days), Body Safety Talks - Day 2

6 - School Picture Day, Perfect Pastry Sales Begin

9 - Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL

11 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

13 - Spooky Sprint @ 5:00 PM (ES Field), End of 1st Quarter

16 - AFC Unity Week, Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 PM

17 - Law Enforcement Drill

18 - 2:30 Early Dismissal, Parent/Teacher Conferences

19 - 2:30 Early Dismissal, Parent/Teacher Conferences, 6th BKB @ Polo 4:00 PM

20 - NO SCHOOL

23 - Perfect Pastry Sales End, PTC Meeting @ 6:00 PM

25 - 1:30 Early Dismissal

26 - 6th BKB HOME vs. Oregon 4:00 PM

27 - School Halloween Parties

30 - Fall Scholastic Book Fair Begins, 6th BKB HOME vs. Polo @ 4:00 (Game @ Jr/Sr High School in Jr High Gym)

31 - Happy Halloween, Boo Gram Delivery

November

1 - 1:30 Early Dismissal, Vision & Hearing Screenings, Family Reading Night @ 5:00 PM

2 - 6 BKB @ Oregon 4:00 PM

3 - School Picture Retake Day, Breakfast w/ a Buddy - 7:30 - 8:15 AM, In-Person Book Fair Sales End (online sales continue through November 12th)

Email: jburkitt@afcschools.net
Website: https://www.afcschools.net/
Location: 217 South Elm Street, Franklin Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 456 - 2325