Ferson Creek eNews

Friday, February 9th - D303 String Faculty Recital 7:00 pm @ Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Monday, February 12th - Chess Club

Mon. Feb. 12th - Fri. Feb. 18th - Random Acts of Kindness Week

Tuesday, February 13th - California Pizza Kitchen Restaurant Night

Wednesday, February 14th - Valentine's Day Celebrations 2:00-2:45 pm

Thursday, February 15th - 3rd Grade Music Program 6:00 pm

Wednesday, February 21st - Early Release Day, dismissal at 2:10 pm

Monday, Feb. 26th - ProKids Family Assembly @ 6:00 pm Sponsored by PTO

*Details Below*

Monday, Feb. 26th - Friday, March 22nd - Kindergarten enrollment

Thursday, February 29th - Elementary Conferences - Half Day Dismissal at 11:30 am

Tuesday, March 12th - 1st Grade Music Program 6:00 pm

Thank you all for your patience during dismissal on Wednesday! An unplanned evacuation is never great, but our staff and students did an amazing job. They followed directions and were able to pivot to an unfamiliar dismissal routine. If you were in our car line, I really appreciate your flexibility in navigating the changes. The kids found their silver lining - no backpacks to carry in on Thursday morning!

Each year D303 participates in the 5Essentials Survey. This survey is completed by parents, staff and students in grades 4-11. You can find information regarding the survey here , including the link to complete the survey. We strive for as much participation as possible, so if you can take a few minutes to complete the survey, it would be greatly appreciated. Our 4th and 5th grade students will complete their survey during the day with their classroom teacher. You can find the parent survey here.

For additional information, please visit our D303 5Essentials page.

Yesterday afternoon an email was sent to families providing instructions and links to early registration for After School Enrichment (ASE) 2024! Today a letter with QR codes for the volunteer sign up went home in backpacks. As a reminder, you receive early access to registration when you sign up to volunteer.

Link for volunteering: https://fersoncreekpto.tiny.us/2024ASEVolunteers

Link to register students: (Link will be open Thursday, 2/8 7pm - Monday, 2/12 7am to those that sign up as volunteers and receive the emailed access code. Link will be live and open to the public Monday, 2/12 7am - Friday, 2/16 11:59pm.)

https://fersoncreekpto.tiny.us/2024ASERegistration

This year the Talent Show will be Wednesday, May 8th at 6:00 pm at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles. Sign up will start on April 5th with auditions on Thursday, April 25th. More details to follow!

Elementary Conferences are scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, February 29th. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am and will not be served lunch. These conferences differ from those in October in that they are by request only. Teachers only have a few spots available for these conferences during that afternoon and will let you know if they feel it's a priority to meet. All families should be receiving a note from classroom teachers indicating their preference for a conference or if they feel one is not necessary at this time. On this form parents also have the ability to request a conference. We appreciate your continued partnership in your child's education.

February is our official Love the Bus Month! The yellow school bus is not just an iconic symbol of education, but a true contributor to education! This month….think school buses….love school buses…love our drivers and workers…and love our industry which positively impacts the lives of children nationwide.

Feel free to print and share the fun coloring activity sheet and appreciation cards with your students so they can let their school bus driver know just how much they love the bus!

Happy Love the Bus Month!

Because of our PTO, we are able to have Tim Hannig provide his amazing Pro Kids assembly on Monday, February 26th. During the day we will have a K-2 and 3-5 assembly with a focus on character. He will also be here that evening for a family show at 6:00 pm. The family show is completely different than the day time show but with the same focus. We are so thankful to all that supported the PTO's fundraising allowing us to bring in this entertaining assembly with such a wonderful message. We are excited to have the Pro Kids Show here for the afternoon assemblies and the evening family night!

Valentine's Day parties will take place on Wednesday, February 14th from 2:00-2:45 pm. Students have the opportunity to pass out valentines to their classmates. Candy valentines are allowed, however all candy will be sent home for families to determine what they would like their child to eat. If you are volunteering for the class party, you can access the classroom at 1:45 pm to set up.

Technology can be a wonderful way to keep in touch with family members. However, smartwatches and phones can become quite disruptive to the learning environment when parents are contacting their children throughout the day (and vice versa). The Elementary Student Handbook contains the following language:

Students are extended the privilege of possessing phones/smartwatches on school grounds;

however, their use is limited to after-school dismissal and non-school days. These devices must be in the off position, or not used once the student arrives on campus until the end of the school day.

As we embark on the season of planning for the 2024-2025 school year, an identification process is underway for accelerated placement for next year’s 4th, 5th and 6th graders. Here is some helpful information:

• All 3rd grade students are automatically considered for potential placement in Academically Talented (AT) Math and AT ELA programming. You do not need to request it. However, you can reach out to ask questions about the process anytime using the contact information below.
  
  

• 5th grade students are also automatically considered for potential placement in an additional Accelerated Math Pathway that starts in middle school. This pathway provides for the completion of Algebra before entering high school by allowing students to complete more than one grade level of math in 6th grade and 7th grade.
  
  

• 5th grade students who are currently in our AT programming may be identified for potential placement in the Infinity Gifted Program at the middle school level. These students may take part in additional testing in February. Parents will be informed in advance if additional testing is requested.
  
  

• Families of students who are identified for placement in our AT Math, AT ELA, Infinity Gifted or Accelerated Math programming will be informed by March 1.
  
  

I am happy to talk through questions and explain programming further. Please reach out anytime!

Yvette Stahl, Gifted Coordinator

yvette.stahl@d303.org | 331.228.6166

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois is hosting their winter cookies & cocoa event called Share Your Love of Girl Scouts! Happening on Saturday, February 17th 10:00am-2:00pm at South Elgin Girl Scout Resource Center located at 353 Randall Road South Elgin, IL 60177 (next to the Jewel on the corner of Randall and McDonald).

This is a free bring-a-friend event for anyone interested in joining Girl Scouts! There will be fun cookie related activities, a STEM activity and challenge game, a store discount, incentives for Girl Scouts if their non-member friend joins that day, and more. It is open house style, however we encourage an RSVP using the link on the attached flyers

If there are any questions, please reach out to Beth Stricklin. bethstricklin2013@gmail.com

Thank you!

The Spirit Morning schedule has been updated with dates for second semester. Please come and join us for a morning of welcoming our Ferson students to school. Each month we have a theme to welcome students into their school day. If you are interested in helping bring some excitement to school drop off from 7:40 - 8:00 am, sign up here.

Kristy McKnight, Principal

Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/