Friday Focus

• A Message from Marcie
• Winter Assessment Mailing Info
  
• SEL Parent Night - Don't miss the recording!
• 5Essentials Survey
  

Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:

• Chipotle Fundraiser 2/21
• Skate Night 2/25
• Yearbooks on Sale NOW
• And much more...

Thanks for a great week, South Park!

Our students really enjoyed celebrating Valentine's Day with their classes yesterday afternoon. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers for their time, energy, and thoughtful planning to make our class parties a success!

A reminder that we do not have school tomorrow (Friday) due to a teacher institute day or on Monday in observance of Presidents' Day. We look forward to seeing our students back on Tuesday, February 20th.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

-Marcie

Our winter assessment mailing will be arriving in your mailbox very soon. You can expect to receive SEL survey results (grades 3-5) as well as the NWEA MAP results (grades K-5). In alignment with the district’s vision to “develop each student to be emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared,” our district is committed to supporting our students' social emotional development as well as their academic growth.

In elementary students, social-emotional learning and academic growth are deeply intertwined. Research consistently demonstrates that fostering emotional intelligence, empathy, and social skills not only enhances students' ability to manage emotions and form positive relationships but also significantly boosts their academic performance. When students feel safe, supported, and connected within their learning environment, they are more engaged, motivated, and receptive to learning. Moreover, skills such as self-regulation, perseverance, and effective communication cultivated through social-emotional learning directly contribute to academic success by enabling students to focus, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively in their academic pursuits. Thus, nurturing social-emotional competencies is not only essential for students' overall well-being but also fundamental to their academic achievement and long-term success.

When reviewing your child's winter assessment data, we ask families of students in grades 3-5 to consider this connection. Our teachers are eager to partner with families to help our students grow in both domains.

Dear Parents/Guardians of Deerfield 109 students,

Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders

• Collaborative Teachers

• Involved Families

• Supportive Environments

• Ambitious Instruction

To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact Dr. Faust.

• All visitors to South Park School MUST bring a valid driver's license or state ID card to the main office before entering into the building. Beginning this year, we will collect IDs during your visit and return it to you as you leave.
• If your child is going to be absent from school, you need to call or email us by 9:00 that morning. ** Call 847-945-5895, ext. 2103 and leave a message OR ** Email Nurse Nora Moskos.
• Please follow our morning procedures, and drop your children off at their regular grade level doors. If you choose to drive through the front circle at arrival, kindly stay in your car when you drop off to help us reduce morning congestion.
• K-5 drop-off is between 8:35-8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will need to enter through the front door of the school, as all other doors will be locked.
• Dismissal for all Kindy and 1st-grade walkers and car riders will take place at their grade level door.
  
• Early Learners drop-off/pick-up info can be found here.
• When parking in our Birchwood parking lot, please remember that our preschoolers are dropped off and picked up by the west end (closest to the school). Sometimes, their parents' cars can block a parked car from exiting for a few minutes. To avoid that, we suggest that you park closer to Birchwood Avenue.

Friday, February 16

• No School - Teacher Institute Day

• No School - Presidents Day

• No School - Casimir Pulaski Day

• Early Release at 11:40 a.m.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences - 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.

• Non-Attendance Day for Students
• Parent Teacher Conferences from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

• Spring Break

• School Resumes

Fine Arts Night:

Thursday, April 18th - 4:00-5:30

Upcoming Music Concert Dates:

• Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 10 @ 6:00
  
• Early Learners - Wednesday, April 10 @ 5:00