Attention Parents and Guardians of Knoxville 202 students:
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 school year!
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026-2027 school year!
MWES families take a look at the classroom supply lists for Kindergarten through 4th grade. Copies have been shared with local stores, as well. Please note that there is not a supply list for preschool, but preschool students should plan to bring a regular sized backpack to school. Several local organizations including the Salvation Army and local churches do supply give aways. These are publicized online by the individual organizations, so be sure to keep an eye out for these opportunities.
At this time, online registration is not open yet, but a message will be put out when it opens up. In person registration will take place on July 30th at KHS. Those coming to in person registration will still need to complete registration online. Watch for additional information to be shared about this date. Teachers, class lists, grades/report cards, and schedules will not be accessible until the end of July or beginning of August.
MWES pre k screenings will take place on July 1st and July 20th in Galesburg. To schedule an appointment or to ask questions, please email Ashley Hinkle at ahinkle@roe33.net. Students already enrolled in pre k do not need to re screen.
Take a look at the MWES final newsletter for the school year here:
https://app.smore.com/n/79hyz
https://app.smore.com/n/79hyz
Friday, May 29th is the last day of school and is also a 1 hour early out. MWES will have afternoon Pals. Be sure to call the school early with any transportation changes.
The lunch at MWES on Thursday is a ham and cheese sandwich.
Field Day:
Field Day is Tuesday, May 26th. K-2 will be in the morning and 3-4 will be in the afternoon. Don't forget to wear your field day shirt, comfy clothes and shoes that you can play in. I am attaching the volunteer assignment sheet below. We have all volunteer slots filled at this time! Thank you to those that have signed up to help. We have support personnel assisting classrooms, so at this time teachers do not need parent volunteers to travel with students.
Be sure to send a water bottle marked with your child's name, as it will be warm. Students are welcome to wear a hat and sunglasses for field day, too. For students with sun sensitivity, don't forget to apply sunscreen before school.
In the event of inclement weather, field day will be moved to Wednesday. But, the forecast is looking great!
Yearbooks:
Yearbooks will be distributed on Tuesday and or Wednesday at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Breakfast and Lunch Menu:
Tuesday's Breakfast will be a sausage, egg and cheese English muffin. Lunch will be pepperoni pizza. Wednesday's breakfast will be a Poptart and Thursday's lunch will be a chicken patty sandwich. If there are any changes in the menus, we will be sure to communicate that.
Have a great long weekend and see you on Tuesday.
Field Day is Tuesday, May 26th. K-2 will be in the morning and 3-4 will be in the afternoon. Don't forget to wear your field day shirt, comfy clothes and shoes that you can play in. I am attaching the volunteer assignment sheet below. We have all volunteer slots filled at this time! Thank you to those that have signed up to help. We have support personnel assisting classrooms, so at this time teachers do not need parent volunteers to travel with students.
Be sure to send a water bottle marked with your child's name, as it will be warm. Students are welcome to wear a hat and sunglasses for field day, too. For students with sun sensitivity, don't forget to apply sunscreen before school.
In the event of inclement weather, field day will be moved to Wednesday. But, the forecast is looking great!
Yearbooks:
Yearbooks will be distributed on Tuesday and or Wednesday at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Breakfast and Lunch Menu:
Tuesday's Breakfast will be a sausage, egg and cheese English muffin. Lunch will be pepperoni pizza. Wednesday's breakfast will be a Poptart and Thursday's lunch will be a chicken patty sandwich. If there are any changes in the menus, we will be sure to communicate that.
Have a great long weekend and see you on Tuesday.
Congratulations to Mrs. Derham, 4th grade teacher at MWES, who was recognized by ROE 33 today for "making a difference". Mrs. Derham received many shout outs on a recent teacher appreciation post from the ROE. Thank you to the regional office for taking the time to recognize local staff members.
MWES cook's choice breakfast for 5/19/26 is breakfast Hot Pocket and lunch for 5/19/26 is bbq rib on bun, cucumbers, and cheddar Sun Chips. There is no choice of salad for the remainder of the year. PBJ Uncrustables are still available.
MWES families breakfast tomorrow is apple strudel and lunch is beef and bean burrito for cook's choice. Here is the link to the newsletter for this week: https://app.smore.com/n/k0cgj
Mable Woolsey Families:
Awards and Spelling Bee Season...it is that time of the year. To cut down on congestion in the front office and traffic in the halls, we will have parents enter through the gym doors on the south east side of the building. Doors will open 10 minutes before each scheduled event, as there may be classes still going on until this time. There will be a quick sign in station once you enter. Please plan to park in the large gravel lot between the softball field and the building. Note that these doors are on the "backside" of the building. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates:
4th Grade Spelling Bee 5/8/26 @1:30
3rd Grade Spelling Bee 5/15/26 @1:30
2nd Grade Spelling Bee 5/21/26 (contestants announced soon) @1:30
1st Grade Awards 5/28 @ 9:00
2nd Grade Awards 5/28 @ 10:00
3rd Grade Awards 5/28 @ 1:00
4th Grade Awards 5/29 @ 9:00
CC Awards 5/29 @10: 00
Awards and Spelling Bee Season...it is that time of the year. To cut down on congestion in the front office and traffic in the halls, we will have parents enter through the gym doors on the south east side of the building. Doors will open 10 minutes before each scheduled event, as there may be classes still going on until this time. There will be a quick sign in station once you enter. Please plan to park in the large gravel lot between the softball field and the building. Note that these doors are on the "backside" of the building. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates:
4th Grade Spelling Bee 5/8/26 @1:30
3rd Grade Spelling Bee 5/15/26 @1:30
2nd Grade Spelling Bee 5/21/26 (contestants announced soon) @1:30
1st Grade Awards 5/28 @ 9:00
2nd Grade Awards 5/28 @ 10:00
3rd Grade Awards 5/28 @ 1:00
4th Grade Awards 5/29 @ 9:00
CC Awards 5/29 @10: 00
Take a look at the MWES newsletter for the week here: https://app.smore.com/n/7j2qk
Hello,
Please click the link below to view our monthly Outreach Newsletter.
Thank you!
https://app.smore.com/n/298ku
Please click the link below to view our monthly Outreach Newsletter.
Thank you!
https://app.smore.com/n/298ku
Don't forget that there is no Pre K on Wednesday, April 29th.
Take a look at the MWES newsletter for the week: https://app.smore.com/n/3u8ge
Just a Friendly Reminder
There will be a retirement Open House on May 8th from 4-6 in the MWES cafeteria. Help us celebrate our 3 honorees.
MWES enjoyed a visit from the Galesburg VNA today. The Silver Seniors group came and read stories in preschool and kindergarten. We look forward to growing this partnership in the future.
Take a look at the MWES newsletter for the week here: https://app.smore.com/n/42wpj
Message from the Superintendent - Part 4
Illinois has historically lacked consistent funding systems to make school building maintenance and replacement as manageable as it should be. While neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana have long had more proactive approaches in place, Illinois has only recently begun to offer alternative funding opportunities.
The Knoxville High School, which opened in 2012, is an example of how multiple funding sources can come together to make a project possible. A state construction grant originally applied for in 1998 rose to the top of the list in 2010 and provided critical funding for the project. That grant contributed approximately $19 million, or about 58% of the total construction cost. Although detailed records are limited, the current junior high building was likely constructed through a similar program in the 1970s. That construction grant program is no longer funded, but it played a significant role in helping districts modernize their school buildings.
Around the same time the new high school was constructed, voters across Knox County approved a 1% sales tax on retail purchases. This tax is collected locally and distributed to school districts based on student enrollment. The Knoxville School District currently receives approximately $80,000 per month from this source. These funds are restricted to facility-related expenses and cannot be used for staffing or curriculum. Since implementation, the district has annually applied approximately $700,000 of these funds toward bond payments, significantly reducing the burden on property taxpayers.
Like most Illinois communities, Knoxville relies heavily on property taxes to fund its schools. At the same time, current taxpayers have carried relatively little of the original construction costs for the district’s existing buildings due to the prior grants and 1% sales tax funds.
So, what does this new construction project mean for Knoxville property taxpayers?
The district has taken several steps to minimize the impact on taxpayers:
Utilizing facility sales tax revenue: The Board remains committed to using these funds to offset what must be levied through property taxes. Currently, about $700,000 of the projected $1.375 million annual payment is covered this way, though that amount may fluctuate year to year.
Securing grant funding: The district has obtained two federal grants totaling $1 million to help reduce the overall cost of the project.
Locking in favorable financing: The district was able to secure a strong interest rate, lowering the total cost of borrowing over time.
For property taxpayers, the combined impact of new borrowing and refinancing existing debt is estimated to result in approximately a $0.50 increase to the tax rate.
It is also important to note that without this project, the district would need to invest approximately $15 million to bring the existing Mable Woolsey School building up to code. In either scenario, the district would incur significant costs and take on additional debt. This project not only modernizes district facilities, but it is also expected to generate long-term savings through improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
Illinois has historically lacked consistent funding systems to make school building maintenance and replacement as manageable as it should be. While neighboring states like Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana have long had more proactive approaches in place, Illinois has only recently begun to offer alternative funding opportunities.
The Knoxville High School, which opened in 2012, is an example of how multiple funding sources can come together to make a project possible. A state construction grant originally applied for in 1998 rose to the top of the list in 2010 and provided critical funding for the project. That grant contributed approximately $19 million, or about 58% of the total construction cost. Although detailed records are limited, the current junior high building was likely constructed through a similar program in the 1970s. That construction grant program is no longer funded, but it played a significant role in helping districts modernize their school buildings.
Around the same time the new high school was constructed, voters across Knox County approved a 1% sales tax on retail purchases. This tax is collected locally and distributed to school districts based on student enrollment. The Knoxville School District currently receives approximately $80,000 per month from this source. These funds are restricted to facility-related expenses and cannot be used for staffing or curriculum. Since implementation, the district has annually applied approximately $700,000 of these funds toward bond payments, significantly reducing the burden on property taxpayers.
Like most Illinois communities, Knoxville relies heavily on property taxes to fund its schools. At the same time, current taxpayers have carried relatively little of the original construction costs for the district’s existing buildings due to the prior grants and 1% sales tax funds.
So, what does this new construction project mean for Knoxville property taxpayers?
The district has taken several steps to minimize the impact on taxpayers:
Utilizing facility sales tax revenue: The Board remains committed to using these funds to offset what must be levied through property taxes. Currently, about $700,000 of the projected $1.375 million annual payment is covered this way, though that amount may fluctuate year to year.
Securing grant funding: The district has obtained two federal grants totaling $1 million to help reduce the overall cost of the project.
Locking in favorable financing: The district was able to secure a strong interest rate, lowering the total cost of borrowing over time.
For property taxpayers, the combined impact of new borrowing and refinancing existing debt is estimated to result in approximately a $0.50 increase to the tax rate.
It is also important to note that without this project, the district would need to invest approximately $15 million to bring the existing Mable Woolsey School building up to code. In either scenario, the district would incur significant costs and take on additional debt. This project not only modernizes district facilities, but it is also expected to generate long-term savings through improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
