Carlson Elementary School

Help us do some good with Chipotle! Visit the East Riverside Chipotle on February 16th from 5pm-9pm with this flyer to help us raise money for Carlson! If take out is more your style, you can also order online for pickup using the code FF29NB3.

Happy Monday everyone! Just a reminder that even though the in-person portion of our Book Fair is over, you can still purchase books online to support the school and our PTO!

You can purchase books at: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cliffordpcarlsonelemschool

Come to Our Book Fair! Visit our school's homepage to hear the latest Book Fair news, RSVP for events, sign up to volunteer, and more!

Check out some pictures from our first graders doing a light experiment in their classrooms! They are using flashlights to see how the light reflects off of their little mirrors🪞🔦

What an eventful last week of school before winter break! Here are some of the photos from the past few days, including the staff decorating their spaces, a visit from some pretty important people to judge our decorations, the first graders decorating some gingerbread cookies, and our ridiculously festive teachers and staff! Have a wonderful holiday season Carlson families!

For this week's Class Spotlight, we are taking a look at Mrs. DiPuma's Kindergarten class! These kids ADORE Mrs. DiPuma and are so well behaved whether it's while they are in their class following along their lesson, at lunch eating before going out for recess, or in one of their specialties such as gym! Way to go Mrs. DiPuma's class!

THANK YOU to all of our Carlson friends and families that helped us to honor the veterans in our lives!

We ❤ our veterans!

Starting this week, we will be posting "Classroom Spotlight" where we will be highlighting a different class every Friday! This week's class is Mrs. Nash's Kindergarten class. Over the last few days we got to see them practicing their singing in music, their listening in library, and their basketball dribbling in gym! While in their classroom, they do different small group activities, whether that's working with Mrs. Nash, listening to a book, or working on their writing or math!

Good morning Carlson families! Thursday, November 18th, we will be hosting our first “What’s Going On at Carlson?” listening session over Zoom! The purpose of a Listening Session is to hear the experiences of Carlson’s parents and caregivers to make sure we are serving everyone as best as we can. This month’s listening session will be held at 12 pm, but depending on the feedback that we receive the time may differ going forward. If you’re interested in participating, please email Mr. Logan at [email protected]. Please provide your name and your child’s name in the email. At this time, we are allowing only one participant/request per family. Thank you!

Friday was a BIG day at Carlson! After school, the PTO host Trunk or Treat in our back parking lot featuring some of our favorite teachers and staff! During the day, the kids were looking all comfy and cozy wearing their PJ's to school for Pajama day! Check out some of our favorite pictures from a great day at Carlson Elementary!

Hats OFF to these kiddos that came to school with their hats ON! Check out these photos from Hat day for Red Ribbon Week!

Some people wear pink on Wednesdays. But at Carlson Elementary during Red Ribbon Week, we wear red! Great job everyone!

For Tuesday, it was the Revenge of the Nerds! Take a look at some of our student's outfits for Nerd Day!

The theme on Monday for Red Ribbon Week was cartoon day! Check out some of our awesome students and staff with their super cool cartoon day outfits!

Due to Covid last year, 2 of our teachers didn't get their full fanfare of announcing their retirement. Lucky for us, Mr. Vega and Ms. Rosander came out of retirement to be our music teachers this year. Thank you Mr. Vega and Ms. Rosander for your YEARS of service in RPS205, Carlson, and the music department. Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it!

We ❤️ Our Carlson teachers! Thank you PTO for these awesome signs during teacher appreciation week. Come by Carlson and take a pic in front of our “my teacher is proud of me” sign in our yard

Parents, please look for the school quality survey in your seesaw. This input is so important for us to see the needs of our school from the perspective of parents. We care about what you have to say.

Today was ridiculously festive day at Carlson! We voted and Mr. Rogers won! With a close 2nd from Ms. Shimmins. We miss you all!

Take a look at a story about Carlson on the district VIBE page https://www3.rps205.com/205VIBE/Pages/The-Time-is-Always-Right-to-do-What-is-Right.aspx

'The Time is Always Right to do What is Right' ​Carlson Elementary School chooses a new slogan for their staff T-shirts every year, but this year felt different. Two years ago we believed in the power of yet. Last year we repeated to students "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." But this year, with all of our new challenges in our ...

Meet our new staff member of the day: Mr. Lindsey our School Psychologist

Where are you from? I was born in Maryland but my family moved to Peoria Illinois when I was 3 and grew up there

What is your education background? I went to Bradley University where I started as a music major but ended with a BA in psychology and philosophy. Then I went for my Masters at Western in Macomb Illinois and got a specialist degree in school psychology.

What is something unique about you? I have an identical twin brother that works as a guitar instructor and plays in bands all over the Peoria area.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? The staff, they are very kind. Our “time is always right “ shirts are a close second.

Welcome to Carlson Mr. Lindsey!

Our students and staff are doing amazing work on What I Need Wednesday. Students are having enrichment time with LEGO stem instruction, hands on math time and reading intervention to name a few. Ask your student what they do on Wednesdays!

New staff of the day: Our Monday and Tuesday Music teacher Ms. Rosander

Where are you from? Monroe, Wisconsin

What is your background? Ba and Med in Music education

What is something unique about you? I grew up on a dairy farm

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? Nice people to work with- both staff and students!

We’re so happy you joined us Ms. Rosander!

New staff member of the day: Time to meet our new Occupational Therapist Ms. Beckman.

Where are you from? I am from Hayward Wisconsin

What is your education background? I went to St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. I have a bachelors in psychology and a masters in occupational therapy.

What is something unique about you? I have experience in outpatient pediatrics and inpatient rehab before working at schools and my favorite sport is volleyball.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? My favorite thing about Carlson is how friendly and welcoming the staff has been. I also have really enjoyed working with all of my students.

New staff member of the day: Ms. Loofboro our Art teacher.

Where are you from? I grew up in Rockton

What is your education background? I was a classroom teacher for 13 years, 7years as a 3rd grade and 5years as a 4th grade

What is something unique about you? I’m just a regular person who loves her family and strives to raise good kids and contributing members of society.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? We have such a positive climate. I like that I get to connect with other specials teachers too.

We are so happy you are a part of Carlson Ms. Loofboro!

New staff member of the day: Ms. Bucher our .5 title 1 teacher who is with us every morning working with intervention groups.

Where are you from? I have lived in Rockford my entire life

I graduated from Eastern Illinois, I have a masters and trained in reading recovery.

What is something unique about you? I have 3 teenage sons.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? I love the students at Carlson, I look forward to seeing them everyday!

We are so happy you are here Ms. Bucher!

New staff member of the day: Our full time nurse Meggie Shanks.

Where are you from? Rockford Illinois

What is your education background? I’m an Olivet Nazarene University grad. I started my nursing career at Mercy as an Intensive Care Unit and still help out there in my spare time!
What is something unique about you? I’ve traveled to Haiti 7 times since 2014. I go to this small village way up in the mountains-it’s beautiful! My husband and I hope to visit again next year!
What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? Carlson has a fantastic team that I am so thankful to be a part of! Despite new challenges that have altered daily routines, the staff and students have shown great flexibility and willingness to joyfully embrace changes that support a healthy school environment.

We are so happy you are part of our team Ms. Shanks!

New staff member of the day: Ms. Henke our Social Worker.

Where are you from? Loves park Illinois

What’s your background? I have a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Social work with a specialization in school social work.

What is something unique about you? I have a large extended family which includes 9 siblings.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? I have felt very welcomed by the staff and have enjoyed getting to know some of our wonderful students and families.

We are so happy you have joined us at Carlson Ms. Henke!

New staff member of the day: Ms. Campbell our other kindergarten self contained autism teacher.

Where are you from? Genoa, Illinois

What is your educational background? I have a Masters in education and a bachelors in health science.

What is something unique about you? I was a dental hygienist for 5 years.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? Everyone is so nice and welcoming!

We’re so happy to have you here at Carlson Ms. Campbell!

Time to meet another new staff member: Ms. Dunn one of our self-contained kindergarten autism teachers.

Where are you from? Andover Illinois

What is your education background? I have a special education license with pe and kinesiology.

What is something unique about you? I was a sergeant for 9yrs and a professional dancer for a basketball team.

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? I love the staff!

We are so happy you’re here Ms. Dunn!

New staff member of the day:Let’s meet Ms. Palmeri our 2nd grade remote teacher.

Where are you from? Stillman Valley

What is your education background? I was homeschooled until 4th grade and then I attended Carlson! I am an Niu grad with an early childhood through 2nd grade license with an esl endorsement and special education endorsement for EC.

What is something unique about you? I have a twin sister who is also an educator!

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? I love my Yellow wall!

We are so happy to have you here at Carlson Ms. Palmeri!

Because we have so many new faces here at Carlson, we will be introducing a new staff member everyday!

Let’s meet Ms. Muck our afternoon Resource teacher!

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Belvidere, but I live with my husband and daughters on our farm in Caledonia now.

What is your education background? I started teaching in 1991, when my twin daughters were born I stayed home with them. This is my 6th year back in the classroom and so happy to be at Carlson.

What is something unique about you? During the day I wear dresses but on the weekends I get very dirty helping on the farm!

What is your favorite thing about Carlson so far? My students! We’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but I’m so proud of how willing they are work hard and learn!

We are so happy to have you at Carlson Ms. Muck!