Jane Stenson Weekly Roar 9-26-25

Posted Date: 9/26/25 (1:27 PM)

Stenson Weekly Roar

September 26, 2025

Exterior view of Jane Stenson School on a sunny day, with a brick facade and a blue sky.

A group of students examines books laid out on a table in a classroom.

Stenson Spotlight

Ms. Vale's 5th grade class had a fun learning experience with our AIM Specialist, Ms. Sarangan, using a picture book called "Zoom" that has no words, just pictures! The class was divided into two teams, and each student received multiple pictures from the book.

Students had to describe their pictures to their teammates, then work together to put all the pictures in the right order to tell a story. What made this especially challenging was that each picture shows the same scene from different distances, like zooming in and out with a camera, so students had to figure out how all these different perspectives connected to create one complete story.

Children sit on the floor, looking at books and pictures in a classroom setting.

This activity helped students practice critical thinking as they analyzed the pictures, communication as they shared their ideas clearly, and collaboration as they worked together even when they disagreed about the order.

Afterward, students reflected on what worked well and what was challenging about working as a team. The students learned that everyone sees things differently, and when you put everyone's ideas together, you get a much better understanding of the whole picture!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Fall Parent Teacher Conference sign up is open!

Families have received a post from your classroom teacher with information on how to sign up for a conference through Parent Square.

Conferences with a Specials teacher are optional and are available for specific grade levels. Specials teachers will send a post with sign up information to the grade levels below:

Kindergarten -2nd Grade: Art, Music, Library
3rd-5th Grade: PE and Science

Conferences will be on:

Thursday, October 9th: 4:30-8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 10th: 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

If you need help with signing up for conferences, please contact Michelle Smith in the Main Office.

Erin's Law Information

In 2013, Illinois passed Erin’s Law (House Bill 6193), which requires all schools to provide age-appropriate lessons on sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. These lessons are designed to help children learn how to stay safe and protect themselves.

Victor Pacini, author, motivational speaker and founder of Childhood Victories, will be assisting our schools in implementing this mandate. The Childhood Victories’ program is developmentally appropriate, interactive, and aligned with learning standards. The focus of this presentation is to teach children basic skills to keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The concepts that will be discussed are:

• Distinguishing safe from unsafe touches,

• Safety rules at home and school

• Saying “NO”

• Safe/Unsafe Secrets

• It’s not the child’s fault if someone touches him or her

• Telling a trusted adult

Childhood Victories speakers will be presenting at our schools. The dates for the student presentations at Stenson is on Monday, October 6, 2025.

We will be hosting a parent informational evening with Childhood Victories to preview the information that will be shared with the students and answer any questions. The parent

event will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 6pm- virtually.

Here is the google meets link information:

Childhood Victories Presentation

Monday, September 29 · 6:00 – 7:00pm

Time zone: America/Chicago

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: Google Meets Link

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 508-556-4420‬ PIN: ‪895 795 545‬#

Requests to Opt-Out: If you prefer that your child opt-out of this prevention education

session, please complete the curriculum objection form.

Expanding Inclusive Meal Options in Skokie School District 68

Skokie School District 68 is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, including addressing the diverse nutritional and dietary needs within our community.

At the August 21, 2025, Board of Education meeting, the District shared an update on our ongoing collaboration with Organic Life, our food service provider, to explore the addition of Halal and Kosher meal options.

To begin this effort thoughtfully and sustainably, the following options will be added to our menu on a two-times-per-month rotation:

Halal Chicken: [Brand: Midamar Halal Chicken Breast and Gordon Choice Whole Grain Bun ]
Kosher Hot Dog and Bun: [Brands: Hebrews Kosher Beef Hot Dogs and Gordon Choice Whole Grain Buns]

Meals are prepared separately in accordance with strict food safety and religious guidelines, in partnership with Organic Life.

All students will have the opportunity to request these meals during the building lunch counts submission. A full evaluation of this pilot program will be conducted, including participation rates, cost-per-meal analysis, and student feedback. This data will help inform future decisions on menu expansion and operational planning.

We are proud to take this step toward better serving the diverse needs of our students and appreciate the partnership of our families.

Any additional questions about the food program, please email Ms. Kenya Austin, Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations, CSBO, at kaustin@skokie68.org.

A lion holds a clock, promoting on-time arrival at Stenson school.

Attendance is Key to Success!

It is very important that students arrive for school on time, everyday, in order for their day to begin smoothly and to avoid the least amount of interruptions for the classroom.

ABSENT FROM SCHOOL: If your child will be absent, you must report the absence including the reason for the absence. If your child has a medical appointment and will come in late or leave early from school, we ask that you report that information as well. Absences or early/late arrivals due to appointments may be communicated through the Parent Portal or you may call the Attendance Line at (847) 676-7396.

TARDY TO SCHOOL: If your child is late to school, you must escort your child into the main entrance and sign them into school for the day. The sign in sheet will also include the reason for the tardiness. Please note that you will be asked to sign your child in late beginning at 8:40 a.m.