Cougar Connection

Dear Keller Families,

We are excited for the start of a new school year in just a few short days.

This Cougar Connection entails important information about our NEW arrival and dismissal plan. Please see the maps below and also please watch the video explaining how it will run!

To kick-off the new school year, we will be hosting a Welcome Back Event, Popsicles with the Principal, on Wednesday, August 14th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM by the playground. This will be a wonderful opportunity for us to meet, for students to reconnect with friends, and to kick-off the school year.

I am excited about partnering with all of you and seeing your children grow academically and socially this school year.

Warmest Regards,

Principal Julie M. Simpson

Bus riders will be dismissed first and the lane closest to the school needs to remain clear for all buses. Once bus riders are loaded, they will be dismissed.

• Parents NEED to remain in their cars. They will be guided in the parking lot in lanes. We will fill the first car lane first and continue on to lanes two and three. Parents NEED to remain in their cars and the students will be brought out to them.
• When you arrive in the parking lot and are parked in line, please turn your car off. Please place your car tag with your child's name and grade, that you will receive at Open House, on the right side of the car in the door window. Staff members will come by and write down the names so they know where to bring each child.
• If you do not have your car tag, you need to wait in the line, go around and park, and enter the building and show an ID in the front office.
• If you carpool and need more car tags, please request some from the front office.
  Each child will receive two car tags at Open House.
• This is a safety and security issue and we will enforce this policy.
• Parents should NOT park on Everdon. Parents should NOT get out of their cars and walk up to the building.

• Walkers will be dismissed from the back of the building.
• If students live in front of the building, they will walk along the sidewalk to the front of the building and will only be allowed to cross at the crosswalk with the crossing guard.
• If students live in the back of the building, they will walk on the black top to the sidewalk and proceed on the sidewalk to their home.

ALL students will enter the FRONT of the school. Students will be let in the building at 7:45 AM.

Students should not hang out in the back of the school or on the playground in the morning.

Being on TIME to School:

• Being on time to school is very IMPORTANT! The School day begins promptly at 7:55 AM! The doors will close in the front and if you arrive late, you will need to park and walk your student in and sign them in, in the office. Classes start at 7:55 AM. You don't want you child to miss out on an important part of their day.

Bus:

• Students will be dropped off in the front of the building.
  
  

Walkers:

• ALL walkers need to come to the front of the building and enter through the main doors.
  
  

Car Riders:

• Car riders will be dropped off in the zone area in the front of the building and must exit the right side of the car. Parents should not get out of their cars. There will be staff members there to assist them into the building. At 7:55, school begins! All staff members will be in the building and in their classrooms at this time.

Mrs. Simpson will be handling out popsicles and a special treat, the park will be available to run around and play with friends, Chick-Fil-A food truck will be there for PURCHASE, and we will have a tie dye station. Bring a shirt and tie-dye it for $5. Pay now or bring cash the day of. https://tiedyeshirts.cheddarup.com

Keller’s Kindergarten Roundup is Thursday, August 15, from 9:00 - 10:00 am.

This is a special time for students and their families to meet their principal and teachers and to find out everything they'll need to know for the first day of school. This is a special day for only our Kindergarten students and parents.

Please join us!

Please come out to our Open House on August 20th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm where you can meet your teacher, see the school, drop off your supplies, and get information about the school year from our PTO.

Important August dates to mark on your calendar:

• Please contact your school office if you need assistance with your parent portal.
• Wednesday, August 14 - Popsicles with the Principal @ Keller playground 6:00 - 7:30 pm
• Thursday, August 15 - Keller Kindergarten Roundup will be held from 9:00 am - 10:00 am at Keller Elementary.
• Thursday, August 15 - The Board of Education Meeting will be held at the administration building at 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, August 20 - Open House K-5 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 21—First Day of School for All Students (EC - 8): Elementary school students will attend from 7:55 am to 2:25 pm.

The entire school year calendar can be viewed on our website at 2024-25 School Year Calendar.

Supply lists for all D140 schools can be found on our website at ksd140.org/supply-list

KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.

• Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device

We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.

For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).

Helen Keller Elementary School

7846 W. 163rd Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-2144

Website: ksd140.org/keller

Connect with Us on Facebook and Instagram!