January 2026
Happy New Year Charles Reed Families!
We are excited to welcome everyone back as we begin the second half of the school year. Our teachers and staff are refreshed, energized, and ready to continue building on the strong foundation and momentum created during the first semester. We are proud of the growth our students have already shown and look forward to helping them reach even greater successes ahead.
As our students continue to grow academically, socially, and emotionally, we are also reinforcing our schoolwide expectations: Be Safe with body and words, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. These shared expectations help ensure Charles Reed remains a safe, supportive, and positive place for all learners.
Your continued support and partnership are essential to your child’s success and to the ongoing success of Charles Reed Elementary. Thank you for working alongside us—we look forward to a strong and successful second half of the year together.
With Positivity and Gratitude,
Mrs. Lustrup, Ms. Bank, and Ms. Turner
Arrival and Dismissal Concerns:
Recently we have received an increase of concerns regarding the drivers not following the procedures. Please know we have worked with the City of Joliet, Joliet Police Department, PSD202 Transportation, and the Clublands community leaders to develop a safe and efficient procedure. It is imperative that the arrival and dismissal procedures are followed. Here are some important reminders:
ARRIVAL
Students need to be in their seats at 9:05!
Doors open at 8:50am.
CAR RIDERS go to the back of the building for both arrival and dismissal.
Cars with an orange pass are the only front drop off exceptions.
DO NOT DROP OFF STUDENTS ON CLUBLANDS PARKWAY!
The gate shuts at 9:03am, if you are coming at 9:03 your student will not make it to their seat at 9:05- please plan on arriving earlier.
If you are late - an adult MUST come in the building to sign the student in.
DISMISSAL
CAR RIDERS go to the back of the building for both arrival and dismissal.
The back gate opens at 3:25pm.
The dismissal bell rings at 3:40pm.
Students will be sent home their usual procedure UNLESS we receive notification from a guardian before 3:00pm.
The back gate closes at 3:55pm. Be on time to pick up your student.
EVERYONE
FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.
DO NOT BLOCK mailboxes, driveways, and walkways.
DO NOT PARK on CLUBLANDS Parkway.
Plan for success, leave earlier, respect other drivers, have patience, and be safe!
KIDS and SAFETY COME FIRST!
Do not jeopardize safety because you are running late!
January/February Assessment Windows:
ACCESS Testing 1/16- 3/3
OLSAT (2nd Graders and New 3rd, 4th, and 5th) 2/11-2/20
Class Parties - Reminder
*Our next Classroom party is our Spring Party on March 27th. We will not have a school wide Valentine’s Day party however classrooms will be celebrating throughout the day. Teachers will communicate about passing out valentine cards. Classes will enjoy Valentines and friendship activities throughout the day.
Spring Party is on March 27th.
Cold Weather Guidelines
Students will go outside for recess when the wind chill temperature is 20 degrees or above. Please have your child dress appropriately, including such items as hats, boots, gloves, and snow pants.
Precautionary Measures:
Schools should exercise the following precautionary measures if holding recess outdoors:
Precipitation: snow and icy conditions should be evaluated for student safety and attire
Student preparedness: Parents/guardians and principals should ensure that students are properly dressed for outdoor recess during all seasons. During the winter months, students should be reminded to wear coats, gloves (without strings), hats, and boots. (If students wear the Fab 5: jacket, gloves, hat, boots, and snowpants, they will be permitted to play (no throwing) in the snow).
Playground safety: the playground equipment and surface (i.e., icy conditions) should be evaluated to determine whether students can safely play outdoors
***"With or without wind chill" means how cold it feels, whether it is caused by wind chill or not. For example, if the straight temperature reading is 10 degrees or if it's 20 degrees with a wind chill of 10 degrees, recess should be held indoors.
E-Learning Plan
The Board of Education has approved the new E-Learning Plans. They are posted to our website under the parents tab. E-Learning days are used when all students in the district are in a remote learning setting because of an emergency (Snow Day/ Emergency Weather Closure Day). We will be having a “practice day” in school so the students know what Elearning will look like and how to access the Google Classroom and additional resources.
Upcoming Dates:
January
14th: PTA 6:00PM
19th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School
23rd: IFLY with Charles Reed PTA
30th: Popcorn Friday
February
3rd: PTA Family Skate Night
11th: PTA 6:00PM
14th: Valentine’s Day
16th: President’s Day - No School
17th: Ramadan Begins
18th: Ash Wednesday
20th: Popcorn Friday
26th: Family Night 5:30-7:00pm
27th: SIP Day