Friday Focus

• A Message from Marcie
• Weekly Tech Tip
• Reminder: Health Information Due Soon!
  
• Upcoming Safety Exercise
  

• Follow-Up from South Park’s Community Conversations on The Anxious Generation

• 4th & 5th Grade Math Placement Information
  

• This Week in Pictures
  
• News from Early Learners

• Book Fair is NEXT WEEK!
• Purchase an Elsie Mae pie now for Thanksgiving!
• Chicago Wolves game fundraiser-11/17 at 3pm
• Event/party photographers needed!
• and much more...

Thanks for a great week, South Park!

In alignment with the district’s vision to “develop each student to be emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared,” social emotional learning and core content are both important elements of our schools’ work. To help support students' growth in both, we administer an SEL survey to students in grades 3-5 twice annually and assess students in grades 1-5 using the MAP assessment three times per year. (Our kindergarten students will begin taking the MAP assessment later this school year.) Please check your mailboxes for fall results, which should be arriving by today or tomorrow. If you have any questions about these reports, we encourage you to reach out to your child's classroom teacher first.

Happy New Year to all of our families who are observing the jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Marcie

While we encourage everyone to limit time spent on devices, we understand that these tools can foster meaningful connections when used wisely. However, in today’s digital age, it can be difficult to stay informed about the latest apps and trends to ensure your child's online safety. We want to do our part in supporting students and families in the various ways they can implement security settings on their children’s devices and monitor time spent online. What better time to introduce these tech tips than October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Throughout the school year, we will feature practical technology tips in our newsletters, offering fresh ideas for families to use at home developed by our own Student Resource Officer, Lauren Maldonado, and our Innovations Specialist, Maria Galanis.

It is very important that we have the most up-to-date health information for your child. There are some important deadlines coming up soon.

PHYSICALS: All new students, Early Learners, kindergarteners, and 6th graders must have an updated health form on file by October 15th, or they will be excluded from school.

EYE EXAMS: Kindergarteners and new students must have an updated eye exam on file by October 15th, or they will be excluded from school.

DENTAL EXAM: All new students, kindergarteners, 2nd graders, and 6th graders must have an updated dental exam on file by May 15th of this school year.

Get more information by clicking here.

You received an email earlier this week notifying families about our upcoming safety exercise on October 15th. As a reminder:

• Students in grades K-3 will read the book I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared, followed by a discussion with their teacher.

• Students in grades 4-8 will watch a short screencast reviewing the components of ALICE, followed by a discussion on how to respond in various situations.

If you have any questions about ALICE or safety procedures at your child’s school, please contact Dr. John Filippi, Safety Committee Chair, at jfilippi@dps109.org, or reach out to your building principal.

We sincerely thank all the families who participated in our community conversation events centered around the book, The Anxious Generation, on July 31 and October 1. While we didn’t take full attendance at the first event, we estimate that approximately 40 parents and community members attended over the summer, with another 30 joining us this past Tuesday.

During these gatherings, we engaged in a thoughtful group discussion centered on the question:

“How can we, as parents and community members, contribute to a healthier childhood experience for our children?”

Below you'll find the key themes that emerged from the ideas shared by our participants. We encourage you to save or print this list as a source of inspiration for potential changes you can make within your own families.

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for a special screening of Chasing Childhood on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Caruso Middle School auditorium. This feature-length documentary delves into how free play and independence have diminished in children’s lives, replaced by a culture of perfectionism that has contributed to rising rates of anxiety and depression.

In addition, more than 45 parents have already expressed interest in joining a Community Action Group within the South Park community. If you’d like to get involved, please add your information to our interest form by clicking here.

We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support and dedication to improving childhood experiences for the children of South Park. Together, we can make a difference!

District 109 offers all students exposure to a rigorous sequence of mathematical concepts. Teachers and teams consistently review trends in student achievement data, as well as educational research on best practices in math instruction. In fact, many 109 graduates complete Algebra 1 or Geometry before transitioning to Deerfield High School.

In grades K-4, the focus is on mastery of both procedural and conceptual skills in mathematics. Having a strong foundation is vital for all students. Extensions and remediation are available through differentiated instruction in the core classroom. At the conclusion of 4th grade, student data, skills, and learning behaviors are closely analyzed for placement into math pathways (see image here).

The most accelerated pathway, called the Geometry Pathway, prepares students to complete Geometry by the end of 8th grade. This will set them up to enter into Algebra II as a freshman with the potential of Multivariable Calculus as a senior. As you likely suspect, this pathway moves at a much quicker pace and involves both compacting and acceleration of standards. Entrance and retention into the Geometry Pathway is revisited at the conclusion of 5th and 6th grade.

It is most important that students are enrolled in a math course that supports their success. If not enrolled in the Geometry Pathway, all students still have the opportunity to take a sequence of courses that prepares them for Geometry as a freshman and Calculus as a senior.

Evaluation for the Geometry Pathway begins in the month of May. Criteria for entrance into Geometry Pathway has been established based on the profile of students who have seen long-term success in previous years. Criteria for placement is as follows:

• Consistent performance at or above the 95th percentile (nationally) on NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math. Students will begin the spring MAP assessment the week of May 1st.

• If meeting the criteria above, 4th grade students will take a math assessment to show proficiency of 5th grade standards. 5th grade students will take an Algebra Readiness Assessment. This step in the process will occur the week of May 6th.

• Student performance on pre/post assessments, mastery of standards, and habits of success have been historically strong. Students in the Geometry Pathway have typically exceeded expectations on grade-level standards.

In late May or early June, families of students placed in the Geometry pathway will be notified. If you have additional questions about the process, please contact me. You can also reach out to Sarah Hogan (shogan@dps109.org), Math Curriculum Specialist, or Danielle Arnold (darnold@dps109.org), Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction.

As we welcome October, our Early Learners have wrapped up an inspiring artist unit. The full-day preK classrooms explored the works of two remarkable artists, Sevy Marie and Kehinde Wiley, while our three-year-olds delved into the colorful world of Frida Kahlo. The students have thoroughly enjoyed this art journey, discovering the creativity of real artists.

In math, our preK students focused on counting to 10 with purpose and learning more about rhythmic patterns. Meanwhile, the three-year-olds practiced counting to 10 using their bodies, counting fingers and toes in a fun and interactive way. A highlight of the week was the visit from their first-grade buddies, which brought a lot of excitement to the classrooms!

Looking ahead, next week will usher in a new unit centered around the vibrant season of fall, filled with engaging activities and exploration.

Update for PM Families - Picture Retake Day will be on Tuesday, October 22. This is a morning only even that ends at 11:00 AM. If you are interested in having your student come to Picture Retake Day, please be sure to arrive during the event.

• 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.

Wednesday, October 9

• Family Reading Night - 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 8-Thursday, October 10

• PTO Sponsored Book Fair

• No School - Columbus Day

• K-5 Students Early Dismissal 11:40 a.m.
• Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-8:00 p.m. (Sign-Up here)
• Early Learners - Non-attendance Day, Tentative Family Event TBD

• Non-attendance Day for all students
• Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00-11:00 a.m.
  

• Halloween Parade 2:00 p.m. (Livestream available for working families)

2024-25 Music Concert Dates:

• 5th Grade - Wednesday, January 29th @ 6:00

• 4th Grade - Wednesday, February 12th @ 6:00

• 3rd Grade - Wednesday, March 19th @ 6:00

• 2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 12th @ 5:00

• 1st Grade - Wednesday, January 29th @ 5:00

• Kindergarten - Wednesday, March 19 @ 5:00

• Early Learners - Thursday, May 1 @ 5:00