Preschool – 6th Grade
Charger News
January 13, 2025
PLEASE READ
Important information about how Illinois Lutheran Schools will contact you in case of a school closing or emergency.
What is SchoolMessenger?
This year, PowerSchool (the software that Illinois Lutheran Schools uses to track student information) began working with a new communication system called SchoolMessenger. SchoolMessenger is the system that we use to contact families in case of a school closing or emergency. Illinois Lutheran Schools uses the student contact information in PowerSchool to send emails, phone calls and text messages through SchoolMessenger.
Text Opt-in Required
SchoolMessenger requires that our ILS families opt-in to receive text messages. Please text “Y” to 67587 if you would like to receive text messages. You will not receive text messages unless you opt-in. We have also given the junior high and high school students the option to include their cell numbers in these alerts.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Katty Van Arnold at kvanarnold@ilhs.org with questions about PowerSchool or SchoolMessenger. Thank you!
School Closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 20
Campuses will be closed and students will have no school on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Hymn of the Week
Each Friday, our students study a different hymn or song as part of their memory treasures and sing it in chapel the following Friday. This week’s hymn is “Christ Begins”. Sing along with one of these recordings as you help your child study!
ILES Spirit Week
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Pajama Day
It’s every student’s dream to be able to just crawl out of bed and come to school. Monday everyone is invited wear their comfy clothes to school for Pajama Day.
Wednesday, Jan. 22: Sports Day
Students are invited to wear the jersey of their favorite sports team. It doesn’t matter which sport or season wear the colors of your favorite team.
Thursday, Jan. 23: Color Day
Students are invited to wear their class color. Let’s make the day vibrant!
- PreK – Orange
- Kinder- Yellow
- 1st- Blue
- 2nd – Red
- 3rd – Purple
- 4th – Green
- 5th – Brown
- 6th – Black
Friday, Jan. 24: Charger Day
Time to wear your Charger gear! You can even dress in our Charger colors, blue and white. Let’s see your Charger spirit.
MAP Testing
Students in grades 2-6 will participate in their second MAP Growth testing on January 23, 28, and 30. These tests are in the areas of math, reading, and English and will be completed on a Chromebook. MAP Growth tests are taken three times a year, and they provide valuable data to help student learning. You can help your children do their best by getting them to bed on time, providing a nutritious breakfast, and encouraging them to take their time and try their best. Your child’s results will be shared with you near the end of the third quarter.
Spelling Bee
Our 4-6 graders will travel to the junior high on Wednesday, January 22, for a 5-8 grade spelling bee (fourth graders come to observe). Teachers will be having classroom bees to determine four spellers from each room to participate in the schoolwide bee. We will let you know if your child is in the competition so that you may come and watch if you’d like.
Please Welcome
Recruitment Director
Colleen Webb joined Illinois Lutheran in 2025 as the Recruitment Director. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in journalism and has worked as a newspaper reporter and assistant editor, and in office administration and project management roles in the construction and environmental consulting sector. In 2020 she joined Faith Unleashed Consulting as a marketing and communications coordinator. She is now excited to promote and share the benefits of a Christian education with other families.
Born and raised in Crete, Colleen is a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church and an Illinois Lutheran alum who married her high school sweet-heart. She has three children, Amelia, Everett and Annalise and is thankful for the opportunity to now send them to ILS where they get to be nurtured daily with God’s word and grow in their talents and knowledge. In her free time, Colleen enjoys gardening, trying new food and soap recipes, hiking, traveling and exploring the off-beaten path with her family.
Social Media Coordinator
Nicole Perry will join our staff as the first ILS Social Media Coordinator. Nicole lives in Crete. In 2010, she graduated from Kankakee Community College with an associate’s degree and is currently attending Western Governors University to obtain her bachelor’s in early childhood education. Nicole and her husband Shaun have three amazing children together. Peyton is a senior at ILHS, Blake is in sixth grade at ILES and their daughter Khloe will be starting kindergarten in the fall at ILES. Nicole enjoys making memories with her family, watching movies, raising chickens and a good cup of coffee.
Family Skate Party
Attention all Charger Families! The Charger Boosters Association will be hosting a Family Skate Party at the Lynwood Sports Center on February 8th from 4:45-7:15 pm. All students, preschool through 12th grade, are invited to attend, along with their immediate families. Skate rental and admission will be covered by the CBA, concessions will be available for purchase. It will be a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Charger families better, and we hope to see you there!
Questions? contact Kyle Wallace – kylewallace85@gmail.com
Winter Sports
Sports Calendar:
Please check the calendar frequently. Sometimes changes will be made to practices and games.
Parent Volunteers:
An important reminder that parents in the following sports are required to volunteer for concessions at least ONE time for winter sports:
- High School Boys Basketball
- High School Girls Basketball
- High School Cheerleading
- 5th – 8th Grade Boys Basketball
- 5th – 8th Grade Cheerleading
Sign up here. There are many spots available to volunteer. Families that do not fulfill their volunteer obligation will be charged a fee at the end of the season ($75 for 5th-8th grade families and $150 for high school families). We appreciate your support!
Sports Update
Week of Jan. 13-18
(Grade School & Jr High)
Monday, January 13
- 3:15 – 4:45 – B boys basketball practice ILES gym
- 4:30, 5:30 – A boys basketball HOME vs. Grant Park (8th grade night)
Tuesday, January 14
- 3:15 – 5:00 – B girls cheerleading ILES gym
- 3:30 – 5:15 – A girls cheerleading ILES gym
- 5:00 – 8th grade boys basketball vs. Momence at Bourbonnais tournament
Wednesday, January 15
- 3:15 – 4:45 – B boys basketball practice ILES gym
- 6:00 – 7th grade boys basketball vs. Peotone at Bourbonnais tournament
Thursday, January 16
- 3:30 – 5:00 – A and B girls volleyball practice
Friday, January 17
- TBD – 7th and 8th grade boys basketball at Bourbonnais tournament
- 3:30 – 5:00 – A and B girls volleyball practice
Saturday, January 18
- TBD – 7th and 8th grade boys basketball at Bourbonnais tournament
- 10:00 – 11:30 – A girls volleyball practice
Mark Your Calendars
- Monday, January 20 – No School, MLK Day
- Wednesday, January 22nd – Grades 5-8 Spelling Bee
- January 23, 28, 30 – ILES MAP Testing (Grades 2-6)
- Sunday, January 26 – Grades 3-4 sing at Trinity, 8 am
- Tuesday, January 28 – Early dismissal – Teacher In-Service
- Wednesday, January 29 – 6th Grade Field Trip – GSU Center for Performing Arts
- February 3-7 – Book Fair
- Tuesday, February 4 – 1st & 2nd Grade Field Trip – GSU Center for Performing Arts
- Friday, February 7 – 6th Grade Shadow Day
Family Devotions
A routine family devotion is essential for the Christian family. This could include reading the Bible, singing, and praying together. Do you need help creating a meaningful family devotional time? Here is a link to daily devotion ideas.