Cardinal Chronicles

As we settle into the new school year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for such a positive and energetic start.

To our amazing students, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and hard work. You inspire us daily with your commitment to learning and your kindness to one another. To our supportive parents and guardians, your encouragement and involvement have made all the difference. Whether it’s through your engagement in school activities, support with homework, or simply cheering your child on, your partnership is a vital part of our success as a school community.

This year, we are committed to fostering academic achievement both at school and at home. By working together—whether through setting routines, reading together, or discussing school goals—we can create an environment where every child thrives. We’re here to support you and invite you to join us in making this journey as enriching as possible.

Thank you for your continued dedication and trust in us. Together, let’s make this an exceptional year of learning and growth!

- Mrs. Naik

Book Fair Nov 18 to Nov. 27th

Parent-Teacher Conferences - Nov 26th and 27th

No Student Attendance - Nov 27th

Thanksgiving Break - Nov 28 and Nov 29

Family Math Night - Dec 4th

Holiday Shop - Dec 17 to Dec 19

Winter Wonderland Show - Dec 19

his is a friendly reminder that Parent Conferences are happening this week! We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s progress and goals.

Conference Times:

• Tuesday 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Wednesday 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

If you would prefer a virtual or Zoom conference, please let your child’s teacher know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

While you're here, don’t forget to stop by the Book Fair in the Media Center during conference hours—it’s a great opportunity to pick up some fantastic reads for the whole family!

We also encourage everyone to take a few moments to complete our Mid-Year Survey. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve and grow as a school community.

The food drive was a great success! We collected over 200 items! If you still have items you wish to bring in you may do so on Monday.

The book fair is still open! It will be open all week and during parent conferences. Additionally, or school hub will be open until December 2nd! There are many items that are already gone. Students can purchase those items online.

Parents can set up eWallets to allow family and friends to contribute funds to their student’s account for purchases during the school day. Books can also be purchased with cash or credit card.

We look forward to seeing you at the book fair!

Big news: 34 students have already smashed their 45-minute goal on the Reading Academy! That’s 34 future reading legends (and probably a few snack rewards at home). Way to go, kids! 🎉

Now, let’s talk real motivation. The school with the highest percentage of Reading Academy users gets a trip to Toys R Us AND a $30 gift card to spend. That’s right—books now, toys later. It’s the ultimate win-win!

With the gloomy, cold weather keeping us inside, there’s no better time to turn screen time into reading time. So, grab a blanket, some hot cocoa, and get your student logged into the Reading Academy. The leaderboard is waiting for us to dominate!

Let’s make it happen, Cardinals! Toys R Us glory is just a few pages away.

We’re excited to share how we’re using i-Ready to support academic growth at both home and school! Students in grades 3-5 are expected to log in to their My Path on i-Ready as part of their academic routine. This work is graded and plays an important role in their learning journey.

Just as we’re encouraging our Pre-K to 2nd graders to dive into My Reading Academy, we want to see our 3rd-5th graders engaging with i-Ready regularly at home. There are plenty of exciting incentives to keep them motivated, including:

🎉 Classroom Rewards for reaching their weekly lesson goals.
🏆 Wall of Fame Recognition: Students who complete 100 lessons will have their name and picture featured on our Wall of Fame!
🎁 Grand Prizes: After passing 100 lessons in Math and 100 lessons in ELA, students will receive a special prize to celebrate their hard work.

Thank you for supporting your child in meeting their i-Ready goals. Together, let’s help them succeed and make learning fun, both at school and at home!

Our first volleyball game was last Friday, and while we didn’t come out on top against Highlands, I couldn’t be prouder of our team! The girls stayed focused, played hard, and showed incredible determination throughout the game. Way to go, STEAM Academy Volleyball! 👏🏐

A big shoutout to the boys for bringing the energy and cheering the team on—you made a difference! While volleyball is a girls-only sport, we’d still love to have the boys join us at practices on Mondays and Thursdays and continue to support the team during games on Fridays. Your enthusiasm helps build our school spirit and keeps the momentum strong!

Let’s keep up the great work, both on and off the court, and show everyone what STEAM Academy is made of. Go team!

S.T.E.A.M. Academy offers a variety of enrichment opportunities, and we understand it can be challenging to keep track of schedules and dates. To help families stay informed, Ms. Russell has been updating the website weekly.

The website will feature a dedicated section title "Activities" where families can easily find meeting, practice, and game schedules.

As the cold weather sets in, we want to share a few important reminders to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable:

🧥 Bundle Up: Please make sure students have a hat, jacket, and gloves. Weather permitting, students will still go outside for activities at the teacher’s discretion, as long as the temperature (including wind chill) is above 32 degrees.

🚗 Drop-Off Procedures: If you’re using the car line, please do not leave your vehicle. If you’d like to walk your child to the door, kindly park in the parking lot to avoid delays in the car line.

⏰ Early Dismissals: All early dismissal requests must be called into the front office before 1 PM. After this time, we cannot guarantee the message will reach your child.

📞 Communication: Remember, teachers have limited access to Dojo during the school day. For urgent matters, please call the front office directly to ensure your message is received.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we navigate these chilly months together. Stay warm!

For questions regarding PTO events and information please email steamacademypto@gmail.com

STEAM shirts have arrived! If you have not paid please send money in with your student this week. Shirts will go home with students as payments are received. You can also bring money to this week's PTO meeting.

We are looking for volunteers for our Holiday Shop and other events! If you're interested please email PTO or Mrs. Naik!

It’s that time again, time for you to sign up to "Share Your Genius"! We are inviting our passionate and talented District 144 staff members to lead enrichment classes at our Family Engagement Center (FEC). This program offers a unique chance to share your skills, inspire learners of all ages, and leave a lasting impact on our community.

Program Details:

• Class Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and/ or the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month.
• Start Date: Classes will begin on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
• Supplies: The FEC will provide all necessary supplies for approved classes.
• Eligibility: All facilitators must complete a background check to ensure the safety and well-being of our participants (non-employees only).
• Class Enrollment: A minimum of 10 participants is required for a class to proceed.

Compensation: $45/hr (most classes are scheduled 1–2 hours, once a week).

Why "Share Your Genius"?
This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to:

• Share your skills and passions with the community.
• Inspire learners of all ages.
• Contribute to a vibrant and engaging educational environment.

How to Apply:
If you’re ready to share your talent and make a difference, please complete the application form at the following link:
Share Your Genius Application Form

Application Deadline: November 29, 2024
Notification of Selection: December 6, 2024

We look forward to seeing the amazing ideas and talents you bring to our community. Thank you for considering this opportunity to enrich the lives of our students and families.

🍂 Good Evening, District 144 Families! 🍂

We are excited to invite you to our Annual Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaway at the Family Engagement Center!

📍 Location: 3015 W. 163rd St. (Follow the signs for the Annex in the rear of the building)
📅 Date: Tuesday, November 26th
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

We’re here to help make your holiday season a little brighter by providing Thanksgiving Food Boxes filled with turkeys and delicious sides.

🌟 Important: Items are limited and will be distributed WHILE SUPPLIES LAST—arrive early!

Let’s come together as a community to share in the spirit of giving. We can’t wait to see you there! 🦃🍁

Do you own a small business or want to be a part of school and family engagement events? Reach out to Mrs. Naik

S'mores

Main Office: Ms. Stoxstell

School Website

Location: 3055 W. 163rd Street, Markham, IL, 60428

Phone: 708-985-2401