Family Update

Monday, September 23: Band Sectional Lessons

Tuesday, September 24: Orchestra Sectional Lessons

Tuesday, September 24: Falcon Flyer Newspaper (lunchtime)

Tuesday, September 24: Be Creative Art (3:30-4:30pm)

Tuesday, September 24: Superintendent Office Hours at Forest Hills (3:00-4:30pm)

Wednesday, September 25: 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (7:30am)

Wednesday, September 25: HALF DAY EARLY DISMISSAL (11:40am and AM Kindergarten attends)

Wednesday, September 25: 5th Grade Field Trip to McClure for Cyber Safety Presentation (10:00am)

Wednesday, September 25: Parent Cyber Safety Presentation at McClure (6:30pm)

Thursday, September 26: BAM Theatre (3:30-4:30pm)

Friday, September 27: Fall Assessment Information Distribution

Monday, September 30: Band Sectional Lessons

Monday, September 30: D101 Board of Education Meeting at McClure (6:15pm)

Tuesday, October 1: Orchestra Sectional Lessons

Tuesday, October 1: Be Creative Art (3:30-4:30pm)

Wednesday, October 2: 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (7:30am)

Wednesday, October 2: FUSION (3:30-5:15pm)

Thursday, October 3: PTA Fun Run (3:30pm)

Thursday, October 3: BAM Theatre (3:30-4:30pm)

Friday, October 4: 2nd Grade Lego Club (8:00am)

Friday, October 4: Sticky Fingers Cooking (3:30-4:30pm)

Week of October 7: Fall Student Climate Survey Window

Friday, October 11: NO SCHOOL--INSTITUTE DAY

Monday, October 14: NO SCHOOL--Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day

Just a reminder that Wednesday is a Half Day Early Dismissal! Students will be dismissed at 11:40am, with AM Kindergarten in attendance this time.

The Forest Hills bus will still run it's usual route. Please ensure your child knows their dismissal plan, as these are the days that confusion often ensues over last minute playdates and afternoon plans. If there is a necessary last minute change, please call the office (708)485-5180 or (708)246-7678 to communicate the information. Teachers are busy with the kids and will likely not see a last minute email message.

We've been busy collecting beginning of the year benchmark assessment information on all students. This information allows us understand our students' present levels of performance so that we can best tailor and differentiate instruction to meet their varying needs.

Additionally, our teams are in the process of reviewing this information to determine which students require academic support or enrichment. Parents of students who are identified for additional supports will be notified by the appropriate staff member.

All parents will receive copies of the Fall assessment information and last Spring's IAR (grades 4 & 5 only) in their child/ren's Friday Folder on Friday, September 27.

Did you know that practicing gratitude can not only positively impact the recipient of your kind words, but also help YOU feel better and live longer?!?! It's true!

In that spirit, I encourage you to take the time to click HERE to share a short message of gratitude to a Forest Hills staff member (or members, if you're feeling really ambitious!). I have the great fortune of seeing how hard everyone works behind the scenes and the care and concern that everyone here shows for our kids everyday. Hopefully, your kiddos feel that love and support and you do too!

I'll also always have a link to the form in my email signature for ease of access and the opportunity to send a kind note whenever the mood strikes. Thanks in advance for taking the time to brighten someone's day!

Everyone loves a good sale! Please see attached flyer detailing a yearbook discount that expires at the end of the month.

Several weeks ago, I shared a stand alone message containing the Parent Technology Guidebook that was created by a fellow group of D101 parents. You can find the link HERE or attached as a PDF below for ease of reference.

As part of our ongoing efforts to reinforce appropriate technology usage and to help keep our kids safe online, McClure Junior High is hosting Karilyn Orr, from the Attorney General's office to speak about cyber safety. We hope to see you there!

Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence (WSFEE) kicked off this week and excited for the 24-25 school year. WSFEE is an all-volunteer non profit organization made up of parents from all four of our District 101 schools. We raise funds through special events and solicitations in the community and allocate those funds to support grants submitted by teachers, administrators, parents, and students. We are always looking for opportunities to support that extend and enhance the quality and depth of education, and provide students with unique learning opportunities. Have questions about us? Have an idea for a grant? Visit www.wsfee.org or follow WSFEE on Instagram (@wsfee_d101)!

We are so excited to announce the inaugural Falcon Leader program at Forest Hills this year! Falcon Leaders are 5th grade volunteers who will be serving the Forest Hills school community through the following ways:

• Door Helpers (Kindergarten-3rd Grade)
• Lunchroom & Recess Helpers (1st-3rd Grade)
• Lunch Bin Helpers
• Classroom Helpers (Kindergarten & 1st Grade math facts and high frequency words)

Starting Monday, students will begin their September/October assignments around the school and growing into their leadership positions. You'll see them sporting their name badges and vests (at arrival) and hopefully, a friendly smile and positive attitude! We're excited to kick things off, watch them shine and help others!

5th grade parents--if your child is participating, please complete the Google Form that was included in my standalone message. Thanks!

Our September Student Ownership Attributes are Resilient and Perseverant. We are continuing to help our students build both their individual and collective stamina, as well as to cultivate a growth mindset in students.

Our D101 definition is: Able to continue a task, in spite of being presented with difficulties or limited progress, & recover quickly from setbacks. It's a great way for us to practice using our growth mindsets and keep going when we don't succeed the first time (or second, third and so on!).

Some of the components we'll discuss at the various grade levels are:

• Resilient people never give up! They keep looking for a solution, and keep on trying, even when it’s tough.

• Resilient people work hard to find the next step, to look at the bright side, and to focus on how they can get better.

• Resilient people like to take on a challenge and do hard things.

In order to reinforce these messages, we're utilizing the following books at each grade level:

Kindergarten: Pete the Cat, by Erin Litwin

1st Grade: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell

2nd Grade: After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again), by Dan Santat

3rd Grade: Otis, by Loren Long

4th Grade: Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty

5th Grade: Nothing Stopped Sophie, by Cheryl Bardoe

We're excited to be diving back into our Student Ownership attributes and helping our students grow in these traits!

This summer, the administrative team spent considerable time updating the Elementary School Handbook. Please do spend some time reviewing some of the important information regarding attendance, academics, behavior/discipline, technology, etc. The handbook can be found via the link above or as a PDF below.

One of the D101 Handbook updates worth a separate call-out and additional information is that of the Personal Electronic Device Policy. Please read THIS detailed message on the policy change or via the PDF below.

Additionally, please find the updated D101 Acceptable Use Policy HERE or attached as a PDF below. We will send a hard copy of this policy home with students in Friday Folders on Friday, August 23, which will need to be signed both both the parent and student, and returned to school.

We deeply appreciate your partnership and support of this policy change as we strive to keep our classrooms safe and focused on learning.

Also, hopefully everyone received this morning's stand alone message regarding the Parent Technology Guidebook and takes some time to review it. It really is never too early to start thinking about screen time, cyber safety and all things technology usage.

Please find the 2024-25 calendar HERE (subscribable Google Calendars) attached below.

Imagine how rich you would be if you earned 5 cents every time you said ‘pay attention’ or ‘listen to me’ to your child or learner to get them to engage with you.

Listening is one of the most critical skills for so many aspects of life, but especially for school and following directions at home.

And we often forget that it is actually a very difficult task, especially for neuro-unique children/teens who might require support to understand and advocate for how their brain and body listen best.

So let’s stop expecting them to engage when we tell them to ‘pay attention’ or ‘listen.’ Instead, join us to gain a deeper understanding and learn practical tools to help your neurodivergent child thrive this school year, especially in processing, regulating, and executive functioning.

We are here to help! Our extended LIVE Zoom workshop, ‘Empower Listening and Learning at Home and School: Back to School Edition,’ is back by popular demand on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th, at 9:30 AM PT / 12:30 PM ET, just in time to lay the foundation for a successful school year.

Led by SLP and Social-Emotional coach Elizabeth Sautter and Speech and Language Pathologist Sarah Ward, this workshop will equip you with the tools and mindset to:

• Understand how your child listens best, shifting from whole-body listening to whole-body regulation, that encourages genuine engagement and processing.
• Develop practical strategies to enhance your child's learning & memory skills.
• Create a supportive environment at home and school.
• Build your child's resilience to help them navigate listening and engagement challenges

This workshop is perfect for you if you're a parent or educator seeking support for neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD, autism, LD, 2e, etc.) children in a supportive way to build confidence without insecurity or conformity.

Here's what you'll gain inside of this Workshop:

• Live interactive session with Q&A led by experienced professionals.
• Lifetime access to the recording for future reference.
• Valuable handouts and resources, including the Whole Body Listening Bundle.
• Innovative strategies you can implement immediately to see positive changes.

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your back-to-school worries into a success plan that helps your child or student thrive. Let's work together to create an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment that celebrates neurodiversity.

Click here to register and take the first step towards a more confident and engaged school year.

Thanks to Kate McNabb and Susan Sherlock for spearheading the monthly Fun Lunches! The kids loved their Ledo's this week. :)

Please watch for the next Family Update on Friday, October 4. Have a wonderful weekend!

Rachel

Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough