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Indian Springs School District #109

Six Houses. One Home.

Lyle- October Newsletter 2026

Posted Date: 09/30/26 (01:57 PM)
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Dragon

Lyle News

October 2026

A collection of pumpkins sits near a wooden wagon wheel and hay bales.

From the Principal

Dear Lyle Families,
The school year is flying by! We will close out our first learning quarter on October 21st.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Book Fair and Walk-a-Thon. Both events were a huge success, and we are so grateful for your continued support and involvement. Although the weather forced us to move our Walk-a-Thon indoors and we were disappointed that our families could not join us, our students still had a wonderful time participating and showing their Lyle Dragon spirit. Thank you for helping make these events so successful!
As Halloween approaches, we know many students are excited to celebrate and participate in the fun activities planned at school. While we enjoy the creativity and enthusiasm this time of year brings, I want to remind everyone of an important policy that helps ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
For health and safety reasons, families are asked not to send food, candy, or treats to school for Halloween celebrations. This helps us protect students with food allergies, dietary restrictions, and other health concerns. Even well-intentioned treats can pose risks for some children.
We will celebrate Halloween with fun, non-food activities, including games, crafts, and a costume parade. These alternatives allow every student to enjoy the day safely. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all of our Lyle Dragons.
More details about our Halloween plans are shared below.
In collaboration,
Ms. Nuray Kavustuk
Principal
 

Dates to Remember

8th- Fire Drill (1:00 pm) 
12th- No School: Indigenous People/Columbus Day Observed
19th - CogAT Testing Window Opens (Grades 3-6)
21sr- End of the 1st Grading Period
23rd- Picture Retake Day
28th- Report Cards Issued Online in PowerSchool and Fall Music Concert (Grades K-2)
30th- Halloween Parade @10 am and Early Dismissal Day (11:15 Dismissal)
 
A Red Ribbon Campaign poster featuring a superhero emblem with a cape and the text 'BE A HERO, STAY DRUG FREE'.

Red Ribbon Week: October 26-30

Red Ribbon Week 2026
We are excited to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 26–30! This year’s national theme is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™”
This year’s theme reminds students that being a hero doesn’t require a cape—it means making positive choices, helping others, and having the courage to do what is right. Every student has the power to make a difference in their school, family, and community by choosing healthy and safe behaviors.
Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide campaign that encourages students to make positive, healthy choices and remain drug-free. Throughout the week, Lyle students will participate in fun spirit days, activities, and age-appropriate lessons focused on healthy decision-making, taking care of ourselves and others, and building strong character.
Lyle Dragons Red Ribbon Spirit Week
Monday – “Red-y to Be Drug Free!”
Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week and show your Dragon pride!
Tuesday – “Team Up Against Drugs!”
Heroes work together! Wear your favorite team jersey, shirt, or Lyle spirit wear.
Wednesday – “Heroes Make Healthy Choices!”
Dress like a superhero or everyday hero! Students may also wear a shirt representing someone they consider a hero.
Thursday – “Our Future Is Too Bright for Drugs!”
Wear neon, bright colors, or tie-dye and help light up the halls of Lyle!
Friday – “Say Boo to Drugs!”
Wear your school-appropriate Halloween costume or dress in orange and black.
How Families Can Support Red Ribbon Week
  • Talk with your child about what it means to make healthy, safe, and responsible choices.
  • Encourage participation in our spirit days and Red Ribbon Week activities.
  • Talk about everyday heroes and the ways your child can make a positive difference for others.
  • Model healthy choices at home by demonstrating self-care, positive coping strategies, kindness, and responsible decision-making.
We look forward to a fun and meaningful week as our Lyle Dragons learn that each of us has the power to make a difference and be a hero through the choices we make every day.
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping Lyle remain a safe, healthy, and positive place for all students to learn and grow!
A colorful Red Ribbon Week 2026 poster outlines spirit days from October 26-30 for Lyle Dragons, featuring a dragon mascot and daily themes.
 

Halloween Celebration Information

Friday, October 3oth
We are excited to celebrate Halloween at Lyle! Please review the details below to help the day run smoothly and safely.
Parade
  • Our annual Halloween Parade will begin at 10:00 AM.
  • Students will exit through the front doors and walk around the perimeter of the school.
  • Families are welcome to attend and should watch from the grassy area.
  • If the weather does not allow, the parade will be canceled. Families will be notified that morning if there is a cancellation.
Classroom Parties
  • Classroom parties will follow the parade.
  • Only confirmed room parents are permitted to enter the building to assist with parties.
  • Younger siblings are not permitted at classroom parties.
  • All room parents must bring a valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID.
  • IDs will be scanned through the Raptor security system before entry is allowed.
  • Anyone without a valid ID will not be permitted into the classroom.
  • If you are unsure whether you are a room parent, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Dismissal on October 30th
  • Early dismissal is scheduled district-wide.
  • All students will be released at 11:15 AM.
Food & Treats Policy
  • No food or candy is allowed for Halloween or classroom celebrations.
  • If food or candy is brought in, it will be sent back home.
  • Families are encouraged to send non-edible items (such as stickers, pencils, and erasers) instead.
Costume Guidelines
  • Students may come to school in costume since it is a half-day.
  • Costumes should be appropriate, promote positive attitudes, and reflect good taste.
  • The following are not permitted:
  • Props or accessories that resemble weapons (toy guns, knives, spears, bows/arrows, etc.).
  • Costumes that emphasize violence, guns, or weapons.
  • Masks that cover the eyes, mouth, or pose a safety hazard.
  • Please note: The Lyle administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of costumes.
We look forward to a fun, safe, and memorable Halloween celebration with our Lyle Dragons!
 

Picture Retake Day:Friday, October 23, 2026

REMINDER
Absentee & Retake Picture Day is on: 

ABSENTEE & NEW STUDENTS: 
Please visit our website at www.ordervgil.com and click on “before picture day.” Then, enter code 20041902 to place an order. 

RETAKE STUDENTS: 
If you purchased a picture package and are unhappy with your photo, please bring the package to the camera on retake day, and we will print the original order with the new image. Please be aware that the retake photo REPLACES the original image. 

Forget to Order the Original Photo? 
Please visit our website at www.ordervgil.com and click on After Picture Day. Enter your child’s Ticket Code. If you need assistance, please call the customer service number below. 

Van Gogh 
Always wear a smile! 
Van Gogh School Photographers, Inc. 
401 Cornell Ave. *BArirington *Illinois, 60010 
847-382-2282 Ext. 7 
 

K-2: Fall Music Concert

Greetings, Parents or Guardians,


This year, the Kindergarten, First, and Second-grade classes will showcase their singing voices at the Fall Music Concert! It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to teach such wonderful children the joys of singing songs and performing. There will be several exciting musical examples for you to enjoy.


Lyle Elementary School would like to request your child’s attendance on the concert night. The concert will take place on Wednesday, October 28th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The location will be at Wilkins Junior High School in the large cafeteria. Students must come dressed wearing black or blue pants/skirts and any red, green, white, blue, orange, or black shirt by 5:45 pm. This will give us enough time to ensure the concert starts promptly at 6:00 pm.

Thank you very much. We all look forward to sharing this special night of music and fun with you!


Your Partner in Education,

Mr. John Olsen
Music Teacher
 

CogAT Testing- Grade 3-6

Our 3rd–6th-grade students will be taking the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) during the testing window that opened on October 19th. Teachers will notify families of the specific date your child will take the test.
The CogAT measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three areas:
  • Verbal: Assesses reasoning skills, flexibility, and fluency.
  • Quantitative: Measures understanding of basic quantitative concepts and relationships essential for learning mathematics.
  • Nonverbal: Uses geometric shapes and figures to see how students identify patterns and relationships.
Each area is reported with a separate score, and a composite reasoning score is also provided. The CogAT reflects developed abilities and the strategies students use to learn and solve problems—it is not a test of innate intelligence. Reasoning abilities, as measured by the CogAT, strongly correlate with learning and problem-solving both in and out of school.
The test is multiple-choice, and more information about CogAT testing can be found by clicking the link below.
CogAT Testing
 

Second Step – October Focus: Emotion Management

This month, our students are learning essential skills to help them understand and manage their emotions. Lessons will focus on:
  • Naming Emotions – Learning how to recognize and put words to what we’re feeling.
  • Same & Different Feelings – Noticing that people can experience the same situation in different ways.
  • Purpose of Emotions – Understanding that emotions give us information and help us respond to the world around us.
  • Managing Emotions – Practicing healthy ways to calm down and make good choices when feelings get strong.
Families can support at home by:
  • Ask your child to name their feelings throughout the day (“How are you feeling right now?”).
  • Talking about times when your family members feel different emotions in the same situation.
  • Modeling strategies you use to calm down (deep breathing, taking a break, talking it out).
At Lyle, these skills connect directly to our Dragon of the Week recognition! Each week, we celebrate students who model positive choices and demonstrate the social-emotional skills we’re learning, like managing feelings in healthy ways. By practicing these strategies, students not only grow personally but also have the chance to be recognized as a Dragon of the Week.