Freedom Families,

What an amazing week we have had! It has been wonderful to see our students back in classrooms, fully engaged in learning and reconnecting with their classmates. The energy and enthusiasm they bring each day are truly inspiring!

As we progress into the semester, we want to share some important updates based on our review of the recent Winter MAP data. This analysis has highlighted the need for our students to consistently practice their math and reading skills to continue their growth and success.

To address this, we are excited to announce a new homework policy designed to help students strengthen these essential skills. Beginning soon, students will use their iPads and designated apps to practice math and reading at home on a daily basis. This approach will provide targeted and interactive learning opportunities tailored to their individual needs.

We understand the importance of clear communication and will be sending more detailed information about this new homework policy later this week. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the tools and support they need to excel academically.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can help our students reach their full potential.

Have a great week!

Enrique Ojeda – Principal – eojeda1@bsd100.org

Brian Conant- Assistant Principal - bconant@bsd100.org

1/20-No School

1/21- Half Day-11:15 Dismissal

1/23- 8th Grade Promotion Pictures

1/24- End of 2nd Quarter

2/4- Late Start

As was recently shared in a previous Patriot Post, we have created a year long program called Kindness Through Connection at Freedom Middle School, with various interventions, programs and activities occurring throughout the year related to that theme. So far this year students and staff have done an amazing job nominating classmates and staff that they believe represent kindness. Anyone that has been nominated for a kind act was recognized with a locker tag "caught being kind thumbs-up." Both those that were recognized, as well as the person doing the recognizing were entered into a raffle, which allowed three students per group, per grade level, and three staff members to choose items from our Kindness Kart during lunch. Over the past two weeks we have asked staff members to nominate students in their classes that they see going over and above to demonstrate kindness to others. In the week and a half program we had 129 teacher generated submissions. Of those 129 submissions we randomly selected ten students per grade to participate in a pizza party that will take place this coming Monday during their lunch period. We are so grateful for all of the teachers that participated in this special initiative, as well as for the students exhibiting kindness through the school and community. This brings our total number submissions for the Caught Being Kind Challenge to 753 nominations!

Last Wednesday, Ms. Durczak's 7th and 8th grade Social Justice classes went on a field trip to Feed My Starving Children. FMSC is a non-profit organization devoted to eradicating world hunger. Throughout the day, our students and chaperones sorted, weighed and packaged food to send to malnourished people in various countries. We are so proud of our Freedom students for partaking in this work! Thank you also to the 9 chaperones that came with us! We hope that you have lasting memories that continue to inspire your future work.

Itzel is an incredibly kind and hardworking student. She is always eager to participate in class and will be the first to volunteer to share an answer. She helps those around her without being asked and always makes those around her feel welcome and accepted. She goes above and beyond with all her assignments and always accepts the feedback she is given. I am very thankful to have her in my class.

Mahily is new to Freedom this year and has already added so much positivity and kindness to our school community. She is an extremely hard worker and she takes pride in her classwork. She always has a smile on her face and a kind word to share with her peers. We are so lucky to have her!

When I try to find examples of someone with integrity and perseverance its Leilani. Leilani definitely has struggled in 8th grade Social Studies at the start of the year but that hasn't stopped her. She has continued to work extremely hard, make best use of the advantages she receives and has shown incredible success. Her presentation and her questions based on life in the Roaring 20's have been some of the best in all of my classes. She comes to class happy, cheerful and she is just a great addition to the classroom.

Jay is a leader and role model in class. He always participates to the best of his abilities and pushes himself to always be better. Jay also demonstrates excellent sportsmanship, includes others, and competes respectfully. He brings great energy and positivity to class every day!

I nominate Victoria, because she is a student who does and says the right thing ALWAYS! She is very polite, kind and has great manners. Anytime I engage in discussion with Victoria, she is super positive and intelligent. I check in daily with all of my students, and there has never been a time where I ask her how she is doing; she always asks how I am when we finish our conversation. Finally, when having a conversation about her upcoming weekend she told me she was traveling...jokingly, I said bring me something back. She brought me back a little token/gift from her trip. I was blown away with her kindness! Thank you Victoria for being such a great student!

Karol is a great leader with her class and participates at a very high level in all activities both fitness and sport related. He is very responsible and well behaved in class. She exhibits great athleticism and tries her best in all activities. She is a pleasure to have in class.

Awarded to each athlete for their effort, attitude, and performance in practices and games for that month

Please consider joining the PTSA at Freedom Middle School. The PTSA is a membership based advocacy association that builds community between schools and families. Join today to have your voice heard! The PTSA is for everyone! Parents, guardians, students, and teachers are all welcome to join. No commitment is required! If you want to volunteer, that’s great, but your support as a member is enough. Studies have shown that students who attend schools with a PTSA have higher rates of academic success, and the more members in the PTSA, the higher the overall success!

Por favor considere unirse al PTSA en Freedom Middle School. El PTSA es una asociación de apoyo con base de miembros que crea comunidad entre las escuelas y las familias. ¡Únase hoy para que su voz sea escuchada! ¡El PTSA es para todos! Los padres, los guardianes, los estudiantes, y los maestros son todos bienvenidos a unirse. No se requiere ningún compromiso. Si usted quiere ser voluntario, eso es genial, pero su apoyo como miembro es suficiente. ¡Los estudios han demostrado que Los estudiantes que asisten a escuelas con un PTSA tienen mayores probabilidades de éxito académico, y cuantos más miembros en el PTSA, mayor será el éxito en general!

Students will wear P.E. uniforms beginning August 29th. P.E. uniforms are for sale in the Freedom Office.

Los estudiantes comenzarán a usar P.E. uniformes el 29 de agosto .Los uniformes de educación física están a la venta en la Oficina de Freedom.

• PE Shirt/Camisa de educación física - $10
• PE Shorts/Pantalones cortos de educación física- $15
• Sweatshirt with no hood/Sudadera sin capucha - $20
• Sweatpants/Pantalones deportivos- $20

Please use the Stop!t App to report bulling anonymously. Students can use it to report behaviors they see in person or online.

Utilice la aplicación Stop!t para denunciar el acoso de forma anónima. Los estudiantes pueden usarlo para informar los comportamientos que ven en persona o en línea.

Email: eojeda1@bsd100.org
Website: freedom.bsd100.org
Location: 3016 Ridgeland Avenue, Berwyn, IL, United States
Phone: 708-795-5800
Facebook: facebook.com/freedomD100
Twitter: @freedomD100