The Eagle's Nest

Soaring High With the Eagles...

August 18, 2024

Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year! We had a great school opening and we are excited to be back in school. Please be reminded that students begin entering the building at 8:30 daily to prepare for instruction starting at 8:40 a.m.

This week we will begin NWEA testing for students in grades 1 - 5. The assessment results will help to guide our instruction and help teachers to differentiate learning in the classroom.

Have you seen the webinar from the Learning and Instruction Office about Standards Based Grading? As the district transitions to standards based grading/learning, we want to ensure that parents are knowledgeable about the process. Click HERE to learn more about standards based grading.

Please join us for the PTO sponsored Back To School Party at Flossmoor Hills on Thursday, August 22nd at 5:00 p.m. There will be food trucks, inflatables, a dunk tank, DJ and much more!

If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact the main office at 708-647-7100.

Let's connect.....

Email address: emcneil@sd161.org

Office number: 708-647-7100

Welcome New Staff

Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members to Flossmoor Hills! Some are joining us from another school in the district, some are new to the district, and some have spent time here at Flossmoor Hills in a different role. They are excited to work with our students!

Abby Girard - Assistant Principal

Alyssa Betlejeksi- 3rd Grade Teacher

Tyler Wheeler - 5th Grade Teacher

Natalie Salter - Sped Resource Teacher

Corey Kelly - P.E. Teacher

Kenya Vaughn - School Psychologist

Cheryl Gozzi - School Nurse

Michelle Polarek - Preschool Speech Pathologist

Christina Conroy- Preschool Teacher

Krista King - Preschool Teacher

Kimberley Brunson - Preschool Assistant

Natasha Pricthett - Preschool Assistant

Leslie Rios - Preschool Assistant

Mie Golden - Preschool Assistant

Hannah Bovard - Preschool Assistant

Change of Placement

Elizabeth Burman from math specialist to 4th Grade Teacher

Alison Wisnewski - K-5 social worker to Preschool social worker

Important Dates to Remember

Upcoming Dates...

Bus Evacuation Drill

8/20/24 - 9:00 - 11:30

NWEA Benchmark Testing

Grades 1-5 only
August 22nd - August 29th

AIMSweb Benchmark Testing

Grades K-5
September 6th - September 11th

PTO Sponsored Back to School Party at Flossmoor Hills

8/22/24 - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Elementary Open House

8/27/24 - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Family Literacy Night

9/12/24 - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Attendance

Your child's attendance matters to school! If your child will not be in attendance please call the school's absence line at 708-709-7699 ext. 2053. This line is available for messages 24 hours a day. Call the school office at 708-647-7100 if calling after 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence.

The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. If your child arrives to school after 8:45 a.m. they are considered tardy. Tardy students will need to be checked into the office by an adult to ensure that they are counted in the attendance for the day.

Transportation and Dismissal

Bus Routes

Student bus routes are available in Skyward. Log into your Skyward account to check where your child's bus stop is located. If you have any questions regarding bus routes, call Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.

If your child is routed for a bus and will not ride the bus due to you dropping them off or picking them up daily, email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org.

If your child will not ride the bus everyday, the front office needs a schedule for your child. Please email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org AND your child's classroom teacher.

Sign up to receive bus bulletins. You can learn more here.

Dismissal Changes

Parents must call the office or email the administrative assistants by 2:15 p.m. if you need to make a change to your child's dismissal procedure (i.e., not riding the bus, not attending an after school program, etc.). The procedure helps to ensure the safe dismissal for all students.

The office number is 708-647-7100. Our administrative assistants can be contacted at rspotora@sd161.org and nfonseca@sd161.org.

Breakfast, Lunch and Recess Information

Breakfast Time

Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Students eating breakfast should enter the main entry doors (Door A) upon arrival to school.

Grade Level Lunch Times

Kindergarten and 5th Grade - 11:30 a.m. - recess begins at 11:50 a.m.
1st Grade and 3rd Grade - 12:10 p.m. - recess begins at 12:30 p.m.
2nd Grade and 4th Grade - 11:50 a.m. - recess begins at 12:10 p.m.

If you need to drop off lunch to your student after the school day has started, you may utilize the grade level bins on the cart in the foyer. Please label your child's lunch bag.

Reminder: Lunches sent to the school by food delivery services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, etc. are not allowed.

August Breakfast Menu

August Lunch Menu

Log into your child's Skyward account to load money to purchase breakfast and lunch. Please check your child's account regularly.

Traffic and School Bus Safety

Keep in Mind....

Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
Parents and guardians should never board a school bus. The bus company is instructed to call the police if any adult other than school personnel boards the bus. If you have an issue with the bus or driver contact Mrs. McNeil - Dobson.
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
Students will learn bus expectations during the first days of school. Please reinforce at home that students should be seated at all times to be safe.

Visitors during the School Day

All visitors staying in the school building must be scanned in by our administrative assistants using the raptor. You will have to present your driver's license as proof of i.d. Once you have been cleared through the system, you will receive a name badge to wear. No visitors or volunteers will be allowed in the school without being cleared by the system.

Canvas Learning Management System

Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that allows teachers to provide instructional support, class calendars, assignments, and resources for students in a safe online environment. Canvas is an integral part of sharing classroom updates and resources.

If you need support with Canvas, please click here.

Birthday Celebrations in School

If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday in school, please send non edible items to share (i.e., pencils, bubbles, stickers, etc.). We cannot allow students to share outside food/treats in school. Food items will be returned to you.

Standards Based Grading

Classroom Spotlight: 4th grade students creating the social contract

Flossmoor Hills is a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School. All students create social contracts. The social contract is a list of behaviors that students generate and agree to for mutual respect in the classroom. All students in Pre-K through 5th create social contracts.

Neighborhood Happenings

If you would like to share good news happening in the FH neighborhood or share an achievement for your child outside of school, please email me a photo and blurb detailing the event. I will be sure to include it in the weekly newsletter.