The Patton Post
Friday, 18th August
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Friday, August 18th
We had a great start to the school year!
I want to thank everyone for the patience they exhibited with the new drop off and pickup procedures. I know this is a new system and it will fluctuate here and there with construction so I thank you in advance for all your help and assistance in ensuring our students are safe!
In line with the construction theme, our theme for the year is "Panthers in Progress". We are enjoying watching the construction progress as Patton's expansion takes shape. We wanted to embrace this reality by having all of our panthers focus on their progress. Throughout the year we want our panthers to pause, reflect, and celebrate the progress they are making. We are emphasizing Progress Over Perfection. We want our Panthers to recognize their growth towards a goal and celebrate the progress they are making along their journey.
I hope all of our Panthers came home full of fun stories after their first couple of days and that they are excited for their first full week back at school next week!
Have a great weekend!
Ellie Chin
CURRICULUM NIGHT - Wednesday, August 23rd (NEW POST!)
We cannot wait to see you at Curriculum Night next week! We encourage everyone to walk as parking is extremely limited due to construction. If you must drive, please consider car pooling if possible. The back parking lot to the north of Patton School is reserved for STAFF ONLY. Please do not take any open spots as staff will be arriving at different times throughout the evening based on when they are presenting. Parking spots will be needed throughout the evening.
Please be sure to check the times below so you know when to attend for each grade level. Please go directly to your child's classroom at the scheduled time.
Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades: 6:00 - 6:30pm
Specials Meet and Greet in the Commons: 6:20 - 6:50pm
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades: 6:45 - 7:15pm
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL (NEW POST!)
We greatly appreciate everyone who watched the video and reviewed the slideshow regarding our arrival and dismissal procedures. We know there were some questions, and we are happy to answer them if you need any further clarification. We do, however, encourage you to review the information that has been shared as many parents have reported that the information is clear and easy to follow.
We have prepared information for you in both video and written format. We recommend watching the videos first and referencing the slideshow afterward.
- Kindergarten Parents - Please pay special attention to the slides for Kindergarten
If you have specified that your child/ren will be leaving from DOOR 1 (the main entrance) to walk or bike home, and you plan on meeting them, please wait on the grass near the drop off zone.
We have a lot of children exiting the main door (Door 1) and it can be a challenge if multiple parents are waiting there. This becomes confusing to children who aren't sure if there parents are right at the door or near the bike racks. We would like to ensure that all students can exit quickly and efficiently and have a clear path to the pick-up lane to help our car line move more efficiently. All students will be directed to this area so you can meet them on the grass or near the back sidewalk path.
Please also be mindful of those getting into cars to go home and keep the path near the car line clear at all times.
BIKE, BIKE, BABY.....
Some of you have been asking about where the bike racks are this year! We have space for around 140 bikes on the blacktop, where the CAP parking lot used to be and space for around 60 bikes by Door 10 (the blue triangle door) on Patton Avenue.
If you have let us know that your child will be leaving by either Door 1 (the main door) or Door 10 (the door on Patton Avenue) and will be biking home, please have them secure their bike in the bike rack that correlates with their exit location!
Please do remind your child/ren that they are not allowed to ride their bikes on school property. As soon as they enter the school grounds, they should dismount their bikes and walk them to the appropriate rack.
BIKE RACKS FOR DOOR 1 EXIT (Yellow Circle Door)
BIKE RACKS FOR DOOR 10 EXIT (Blue Triangle Door)
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH - Friday, August 25th - 6-7:30pm (2nd POST!)
Please join us for our annual PTA sponsored back to school bash! This is always a fun time and we can't wait to see what our amazing PTA have in store for us this year! Please note that PTA has decided not to sell drinks at this event and plan accordingly.
TRAFFIC TEAM - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! (NEW POST!)
Our wonderful traffic team is need of all hands on deck this school year for traffic due to construction. If you are available one morning, afternoon, or even to sub any help will be greatly appreciated. Please fill out this form and a member of the team will contact you.
The traffic team will happily offer training to any interested volunteers. Please know that we truly need more volunteers. If you have been looking for a way to get involved, the traffic team would love to have you!
KINDERGARTEN - DROP OFF AND PICKUP (NEW POST!)
Just to clarify for our Kindergarten parents:
AM Kindergarten - dropped of AND picked up on Patton Avenue (DOOR 10 - Blue Triangle)
PM Kindergarten - dropped off at Main Entrance (DOOR 1 - Yellow Circle) picked up from whichever door you specified on the dismissal form.
PM Kindergarten Families - please remember, Kindergarten starts at 12:50pm and there is no outside supervision until 12:40pm.
This year's dismissal is a little different for everyone. It may take a little while before it feels like a smooth process, but we will definitely get there! I am grateful for your patience as we navigate this new system!
ABC/25 at Arlington Ale House - September 20th - 7-8pm (NEW POST!)
ABC/25 invites parents and community members to an adult only info session at Arlington Ale House (3rd floor of the Metropolis) on Wednesday, September 20th 7-8PM. Come learn how your membership benefits the schools and students and become involved in our rebrand! This is a free to the community event - not a fundraiser. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/6NTsr9zwr29a8MGS9
FORGOTTEN ITEMS (NEW POST!)
We know mornings are busy, breakfast gets eaten, your kids assure you they've packed their backpacks properly and have everything they need....and before you know it, your kiddo is out the door......leaving an important item behind!
If your child forgets their water bottle, lunch, homework, etc. and you drop it off at Patton, you will see bookshelves to the left in the vestibule when you enter. These are labeled for each grade level. Please place your items on the shelf that correlates with the student's grade.
Items should be labeled with your child/ren’s name and teacher. We will call your child down to get these items.
Please encourage responsibility to help us limit the number of interruptions to the classroom during the school day.
LOST AND FOUND (NEW POST!)
Speaking of encouraging responsibility…the first day of school may be the only day that our Lost and Found is empty. Last year, we could have opened a store with all that was left in our Lost and Found. Many hoodies, coats, shoes, water bottles, etc. that were in excellent, like-new, condition were never claimed. We encourage you to label your child’s belongings in case they are lost. If you notice your child comes home without their jacket, we encourage you to remind them to try to locate it right away. We donate often because we cannot house all of the lost items due to space.
MEET OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS! (UPDATED POST!)
Last week we gave you a little sneak peek of our new team members! Here's a bit more info about them! I know they have been made to feel very welcome this week so THANK YOU for helping them settle in!
Chris Staniak - School Nurse
A happy mom of 3 grown up children, a fun fact about Chris is that her daughter works at NASA!
Liz Gabianelli - Multilingual Teacher
Liz lives in the D25 community and has 2 daughters that both go to D25 schools! She joins us from Westgate where she was a First Grade teacher! She is excited to become our new Multilingual Teacher and be part of the Patton team! Some "fun facts" about Liz! She was a D1 cheerleader at Purdue University and cheered at the Rose Bowl when Drew Brees was playing at Purdue. Impressively, she can still do a back flip!
Drew Martin - Psychologist
He is very excited to be part of the Panther family and is looking forward to a great year!
Kristin Dietmeyer - Kindergarten Teacher
A mom of 2 boys, aged 8 and 5 and married to a High School teacher, she is an avid long distance runner and....."fun fact" incoming.....has completed 4 marathons!!
FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION (2nd POST!)
Our Food services team are delighted to welcome you back this school year! Updated menus were posted this week and the Choosi App has been updated! All product nutrition and ingredient information can be found on the AHSD25 Food Services page and all allergy information is available on the Choosi App!
Please see links below for some helpful information
SIGNING STUDENTS IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL (2nd POST!)
Should your child need to enter or leave school during the school day (including for lunch), we ask that you notify the teacher and Patton's office beforehand, via email or phone. When you arrive at school, you will need to sign your child in or sign your child out using the QR code posted on the sign OR the ONLINE FORM. Students are required to be signed in if they arrive at 9:05 or later.
The form should only be filled out when you arrive to pick up/drop off your child. The form "time stamps" your entry and filling it out too soon provides inaccurate attendance information. If you fill out the form before picking up your child, the office will request you to fill it out again so the time accurately reflects when your child was picked up or dropped off. The QR code will be posted outside the main entrance, but many families also find it helpful to bookmark the page for easy access.
ABSENCE PROCEDURES (2nd POST!)
If your child cannot attend school on a specific day, there are two ways to report an absence. Please click HERE to record absence information using our online form, which is located on our school website on the Absence page. You may also call our office to report an absence. When you call our school’s main line at 847-398-4288, you will initially hear an auto attendant. You will be prompted with a few options: press “1” to report the absence; press “2” for the nurse; press “0” or remain on the line for the front office. This procedure not only helps us fulfill necessary attendance obligations as required by Illinois law, but it also helps us to monitor the safety of our students en route to school.
2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR (2nd POST!)
Should you want to print this calendar as well, please click HERE.
PARENT ACADEMY
The District recently launched its new Parent Academy newsletter and page on the website.
The goal of Parent Academy is to provide learning opportunities for parents to better understand ways to support their students’ academic success and personal well-being. We welcome parents and families to engage in various activities and events to explore topics related to mental health, well-being, equity and inclusion, and academics. Please visit the website (www.sd25.org/ParentAcademy) for archived newsletters, further resources and information, or to submit an idea/topic for the next Parent Academy newsletter.
LET'S CELEBRATE!
UPCOMING EVENTS/IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, August 23rd - Curriculum Night
Friday, August 25th - PTA Sponsored: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Monday, September 4th - NO SCHOOL
Friday, September 8th - PTA Sponsored: Kindergarten Family Night
Monday, September 25th - NO SCHOOL
Please be sure to click on the Patton PTA website button above for information about other upcoming events
PATTON ELEMENTARY
Main Line: (847) 398-4288
Fax #: (847) 394-6681
Absence Procedure
Twitter: @AHSD25Patton