Cougar Connection

Dear Keller Families,

Our students are well into the swing of things for the school year, and it's been wonderful to watch them grow and thrive in our community. Our Cougar Expectations—Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be a Caring Cougar—are woven into everything we do, helping to shape a positive and supportive learning environment. It's great to see students fully engaged in their learning and working hard each day.

With the arrival of Fall, we're excited to share some fun and engaging activities coming up! Please take a moment to read through the important information below so you don’t miss out on any of the upcoming events.

Thank you for your continued support!

Warmest Regards,

Principal Julie M. Simpson

Dismissal CAR RIDERS:

We kindly ask that you do not arrive in the parking lot until 1:50 p.m. each day to avoid blocking traffic for others coming and going. Also, when exiting the parking lot in the afternoon, PLEASE turn RIGHT only!

Please continue to ensure you have your car tags displayed. If you do not have your car tag, you will need to park, come into the office, and show your ID for pickup.

Picking your child up for an early dismissal:

If you are picking your child up for an early dismissal, they need to be picked up before 2:00. After 2:00, you will need to wait in our dismissal line. Please make sure you call ahead to the office. Thank you.

Change in your regular dismissal:

If there is a change in your regular dismissal, please make sure you contact the school. If your child is absent, left early, or staying for a club after school, please do not put their car tag up in your car. Car riders are in the gym and walkers are in the classrooms until dismissal. We need to make sure where to send the students at the end of the day. If you have any questions, please call the office.

Please note that the parking lot does not open until 7:35 a.m. to allow space for parents to drop off students. It is important that the parking lot remains clear for teachers and staff to arrive. Students should not be dropped off to wait outside the school building before 7:35 am. We do not have any staff members on duty until 7:35 a.m. If you need your students to arrive to school before 7:35 am, you can contact Ivy League to set that up with them. Ivy League is available from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm.

Students can begin exiting their cars at 7:40 a.m. and will be let into the building at that time.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

We know from time to time, you are in a hurry and don't have time to pack a lunch and need to order a lunch for your child. Please make sure that if you have a delivery to the school, it has the students name on the delivery and grade. Also, we can not accept any open drinks with lunches. Also, please make sure you are aware of the time that your child eats lunch so they don't miss out eating with their class. If you have any questions, please make sure you call the office.

I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of ensuring your child arrives at school on time each day. School begins promptly at 7:55 AM, and being punctual plays a critical role in your child’s success, both academically and socially.

When students arrive late, they miss out on important morning routines that help them transition smoothly into their school day. These routines set the tone for learning, helping students feel organized, focused, and ready to engage. Starting the day with their peers also allows them to build strong relationships and reinforces a sense of community.

Daily attendance is equally essential. Each school day is packed with valuable learning experiences, and even missing small portions of it can impact your child’s progress. Consistent attendance ensures that your child doesn’t fall behind and is prepared to tackle new concepts with confidence.

We understand that occasional absences or delays are sometimes unavoidable, but we encourage you to make every effort to ensure your child arrives at school by 7:55 AM each day. Together, we can help them build habits that lead to lifelong success.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

If you have not completed the form that you have received and read the Parent/Student Handbook, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you.

Here is the form

Parent/Student Handbook

Gather your family, put on your walking shoes or biking gear, and celebrate National Walk & Roll to School Day with us on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

D140 families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together using our Safe Route to School guides linked below.

• Keller Elementary

Our hope is that by encouraging participation in this event, more students will choose to walk or bike to school on a regular basis.

For pedestrian and bike safety information, please check out these tips from the Tinley Park Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 16, to show they care about safe and supportive schools and communities. This is the day when everyone can come together and send one large ORANGE message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

During Red Ribbon Week, schools across the nation join together to promote a drug-free lifestyle and encourage students to make positive, healthy choices. It is an ideal way for communities to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse.

• Monday, October 21: “Proud to be drug-free!”

See how much red you can wear from head to toe.

• Tuesday, October 22: “Outshine drugs!”

Wear neon or the color yellow.

• Wednesday, October 23: “Give drugs the boot!”

Wear a western outfit, a flannel, or the color green. Yee haw!

• Thursday, October 24: “Put drugs to sleep!”

Wear pajamas or the color blue.

• Friday, October 25: “Our school chooses to be drug-free!”

Wear your school shirt or school colors.

The Orland Township Food Pantry is hosting a Scare Away Hunger Food Drive during the month of October. Please consider donating some much-needed food items from this list: apple sauce, boxed potatoes, broth, cake mix, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned beans )black, kidney, garbanzo), canned veggies, cereal, jello, pudding, ramen, soup, stuffing.

Donations can be dropped off at any KSD 140 school from Tuesday, October 1, through Thursday, October 31. For questions or more information, please contact Orland Township at 708-403-4222.

Affy Tapples orders are due 10/13/24. $2.75 each and we are selling plain, peanut, sprinkles, or double chocolate. Pickup is October 22 and 23.

Hot Lunch orders due 10/16/24. https://hot-lunch-2024-2025-2nd-quarter.cheddarup.com

Also volunteer sign ups are up (no more than 3 times).. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAEA82DA0F85-51828199-2024#/

Keller's Annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 25th. Tickets are available for purchase. https://2024-trunk-or-treat-keller.cheddarup.com
If you would like to register your car or help with this event, please sign up here. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAEA82DA0F85-51943120-halloween#/

Mother/Son Event is scheduled and tickets are for sale until November 1. This event will take place at Gizmos on November 9th from 10am to 1pm.

https://2024-mother-son-gizmo-event.cheddarup.com

If you have any questions, please contact the pto at helenkellerpto@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

10/9 Walk and Roll to School

10/14 No School - Columbus Day

10/16 Unity Day

10/23 Kindergarten Parent Night. (More information to come)

10/21- 10/25 Red Ribbon Week

10/25 First Quarter Ends

10/25 Trunk or Treat

10/28 Pumpkin Chase Run - In School

10/31 Halloween Parade 9:00 - 9:30 Halloween Parties 9:30 - 10:30 (More information to come)

10/31 Half Day Dismissal

11/5 No School

11/11 Veteran's Day

KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.

• Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device

We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.

For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Times may be uncertain, but rest assured, we are here for you and your family. As we forge ahead together, please know we have resources to help. Do not hesitate to reach out to your Social/Emotional leaders at Keller:

School Counselor

Erin Kennedy

ekennedy@ksd140.org

School Social Worker

Maureen Hegji

mhegji@ksd140.org

Crisis & Support Hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

24/7 free & confidential support & crisis resources

Crisis Textline: text HOME to 741741

24/7 text message support for those in crisis.

Between Friends: 1-800-603-HELP (1-800-603-4357)

24/7 domestic violence crisis line

Call 4 Calm: Text “TALK” or “HABLAR” to 552-020

Free Emotional Support Text Line

Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-888-293-2080

24/7 Chicago rape hotline for survivors of sexual violence & their significant others

Illinois Warm Line: 1-866-359-7953

Peer & Family mental health support by phone, weekdays M-F 9 AM-5 PM

NAMI Chicago local resources & referral helpline: 312-563-0445

Compassionate support & personalized referrals M-F 9 AM-5 PM, Sat 9-1

If you or someone you love is experiencing an immediate, life-threatening mental health crisis, call 911, clearly state that the individual is experiencing a mental health emergency, and ask that a Critical Incident Team officer responds to the situation. A Critical Incident Team officer is trained in handling psychiatric emergencies.

Helen Keller Elementary School

7846 W. 163rd Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-2144

Website: ksd140.org/keller

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