Spartan Weekly

News from Glen Crest Middle School: August 18th, 2024

From the principal

We are so excited to see our students this week!! We appreciate everyone's patience as we have battled through some challenges with PowerSchool, water, and the parking lot over the last few weeks. I'm confident the start of our school year will be a great one!

For supply pick-up days, we are hopeful that our parking lot is finished by Monday, August 19. Please feel free to park in the lot or out front for supply pick up days.

As we begin with students in the building on Wednesday, I want to share our expectations and procedures for drop off and pick up. Many of you were so great about our procedures last year, and we truly appreciate the support.

For this school year, we will have three staff members monitoring drop off in morning and pick up in the afternoon. We will be stressing to our parents who are dropping off to pull down to the end of the hill so that the students in the crosswalk can cross safely. Please do not drop off near the cross walk or at the top of the hill; even if you don't think there are cars behind you, I can assure you there will be. For the safety of our students, we ask that you pull down to the bottom of the hill for drop off.

Another area of focus will be u-turns. This is extremely unsafe for our students, and it is illegal in front of our school. We will be monitoring this with the help of the police from time to time. Please do not do u-turns in front of the school for the safety of our students.

Again, many of our parents were great about these procedures last year. We appreciate the support of our parents in keeping our students safe!

Brett McPherson

Glen Crest Principal

bmcpherson@ccsd89.org

Supply pick-up days

Just a reminder about these rescheduled days:

6th grade supply pick up will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday, August 20. Our 5th grade math students are welcome to come during this time as well. Parents of 5th grade math students can purchase a lock for $8 with cash or check. Sixth grade parents can purchase locks through MySchoolBucks, or at supply pick-up days.

Seventh and 8th grade supply pick-up will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21. 7th and 8th graders should bring their locks with them for supply pick up day.

If parents cannot make their designated time or day, they are welcome to come on the other day if it is better for their schedule.

Supply pick-up days:

Student schedules
PE uniforms
Locks
Health forms
School forms
PTC table
Extra-curricular forms and information
Music Booster table
Walk the building
Find locker/set up locker

Amazing Race for sixth graders: 6-8 p.m. August 19

We will host the Amazing Race here at Glen Crest on Monday, August 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. Drop off begins at 5:50 p.m., and pick up should be no later than 8 p.m. We are excited to work with our incoming 6th graders at the Amazing Race!

PTC Back to School BBQ: 6-7:30 p.m. September 16

Save the date for the Annual Back to School BBQ! We hope to see you Monday, September 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sign up for your meals through MySchoolBucks. Bring your cash for Kona Ice and the ice cream trucks!

Glen Crest t-shirts available for purchase at supply pick up days

We have some Glen Crest t-shirts available for purchase during supply pick up days. The cost is $12. We can accept cash or checks, but not credit cards. We are excited to have our new logo represented on these t-shirts!

2024-25 yearbooks will be ordered online from Lifetouch

We are going to do our yearbook orders a little bit differently this year. Orders will be placed online directly with Lifetouch, which is the company we work with to develop the yearbook. We hope to have this information available for parents on supply pick up days. See the flyer for details.

Glen Crest Curriculum Night: August 27

We will follow the schedule below for our Curriculum Night on August 27.

6-6:30 p.m. Glenbard South High School presentation for 8th grade parents

6:30-7:15 p.m. Open House (no schedule to follow, open house format)

7:20-7:40 p.m. Principal presentation in the upper gym

Our staff will be present from 6:30-7:15 p.m., and classrooms will be open as well.

New Glen Crest Middle School Spartan logo!

Glen Crest Middle School has a new logo!

Prior to this school year, Glen Crest had been using a logo that did not belong to the school. This created both copyright and reproduction issues. Additionally, the previous spartan head was used by several other schools, including two in the local area.

Last school year, Glen Crest held focus-group meetings with students and staff members to identify their preferences for a new logo and the qualities they feel represent the school. That feedback was incorporated into the final design by Dominic Buckner, a recent graduate of Northern Illinois University.

About the logo: The new Glen Crest logo incorporates the classic Spartan helmet with a prominent ’G’ and hidden ‘C’ as part of the Spartan’s helmet. The round, rotational design represents the always-evolving nature of Glen Crest Middle School.

The Spartan head is looking forward in a determined manner, representative of the students at Glen Crest. The logo is modern, classic, and evolving – characteristics that students and staff members associate with their school.

The logos are the property of Community Consolidated School District 89 and should not be used without permission of the school principal.

PTC Restaurant Night: 3-9 p.m. August 29

We will be kicking off Glen Crest benefit nights at Skinny Sweet on Thursday, August 29 from 3 to 9 p.m. Please see the flyer for details.

Open positions at Glen Crest Middle School

We are looking to hire lunchroom supervisors and a seventh grade boys volleyball coach for the 2024-25 school year. Boys volleyball take place approximately January through March. Practices are typically after school from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. Games are typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a stipend position.

Lunchroom supervision is an hourly paid position. The hours are 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Lunchroom supervisors help monitor our lunches and recess time for each of the three grade levels.

Email bmcpherson@ccsd89.org if you have any questions.

School supply lists

School supply lists for all CCSD 89 schools are available on the district’s website at www.ccsd89.org/supplies

A few general reminders

Backpacks:

There is no change to our backpack policy. For the last several years, Glen Crest has had the policy of regular backpacks are not allowed. This is due to safety concerns for students and staff. We do allow "string" backpacks for students.

Cell phones:

There is no change to our cell phone policy. Students should not have their cell phone out or on from the time they enter the building through the 2:35 p.m. bell. Students can access their cell phones after the 2:35 p.m. bell. If you need to get in touch with your student about after school plans, you can call our main office at (630) 469-5220 and we will get the message to your student(s).

Earbuds and headphones:

There is no change to this policy. Students should not wear earbuds or headphones in the classroom or hallways at Glen Crest. Teachers can give permission for them to be worn in class, but they should not be worn in the hallways.

Fall sports information

Below is some information on fall sports at Glen Crest. Just a reminder, all students will need a current physical on file before they can practice or tryout for a sport.

Cross country

6th-8th grade. No tryouts. First practice: August 28 (2:45 to 3:25 p.m.)

Girls volleyball

7th grade tryouts: 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. August 28 and 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. August 29

8th grade tryouts: 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. August 28 and 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. August 29

Cross country informational meeting August 27

The cross country team will be having our student-only informational meeting after school in Spartan Hall from 2:40 to 3:25 p.m. to go over everything with all athletes on Tuesday, August 27.

For further information about cross country, we highly encourage all families take a look at our website to see what is needed for your student to join our roster. Link: Glen Crest XC Website

Any questions or concerns, feel free to email coach Bolker at mbolker@ccsd89.org

2024-25 school calendar

The 2024-25 school calendar was approved by the Board of Education. Below are some important dates for 2024-25:

August 19: 6th grade supply pick up day
August 19: Amazing Race 6 p.m. - 6th grade
August 20: Seventh and eighth grade supply pick up
August 21: First day of school
August 27: Curriculum Night 6:30-8 p.m.; 8th grade meeting with Glenbard South 6-6:30 p.m.
August 29: Picture day
September 16: PTC Back to School BBQ
October 10: Parent-teacher conferences - evening
December 21-January 3, 2025: Winter break
February 27, 2025: Parent-teacher conferences - evening
March 31 to April 4 , 2025: Spring break
May 30, 2025: Last day of school (half day), if no emergency days are used
June 2-June 6, 2025: Emergency days

Get your back-to-school answers

Looking for information on the 2024-25 school year? We’ve collected answers to some of the most common questions about calendars, food, transportation, supplies, and more on our back-to-school page: www.ccsd89.org/welcome

2024-25 school year will start for students on August 21

The first day of the 2024-25 school year for students will be Wednesday, August 21. Staff will start the school year with two planning days on August 19 and 20.

View the 2024-25 calendar here: www.ccsd89.org/2425calendar

School schedules, teacher assignments are now available on PowerSchool

Families can log in to their student’s PowerSchool account to see their teacher assignments and school schedules. You can find out more information about logging onto PowerSchool here. Families new to the school district were sent a letter in the U.S. Mail with their PowerSchool log-on information. More info: https://bit.ly/4fOepKH

School supply lists available online

School supply lists for all CCSD 89 schools are available on the district’s website at www.ccsd89.org/supplies

School fee invoices were sent via email on August 7

On Wednesday, August 7, all CCSD 89 families were emailed an invoice from MySchoolBucks requesting payment for 2024-25 school fees. The invoice came from “do-not-reply@myschoolbucks.com”. As a reminder, school fees were not paid during registration. Families can also pay for optional items (such as gym clothes, lockers, and recorders) through MySchoolBucks. You will need to log in to MySchoolBucks directly to pay your fees. Read more: https://bit.ly/46JlFn5

Reminder: Keep clear of school construction areas

Access to some CCSD 89 buildings is still limited this summer due to the ongoing construction projects. See the list of scheduled and completed construction here: www.ccsd89.org/24construction

Families should avoid the school’s playground equipment when construction crews are actively working, including on the weekends. Read more: https://bit.ly/3vht66D

GPS Parent Series: How to help your kids start the school year strong

The GPS Parent Series hosts free presentations with insights on students and parenting. You can see the full schedule of 2024-25 speakers at: www.gpsparentseries.org

The next speaker is developmental psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman, author of “The 5 Principles of Parenting”. At noon and 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, Pressman will discuss strategies for parents to help their children start the school year strong. Learn more: https://gpsparentseries.org/events/aliza-pressman/

Know which health forms your student needs

Students entering preschool, kindergarten or sixth grade, as well as students who are new to CCSD 89, must have a current certificate of child health exam and updated immunization record on file. All Illinois children entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grades are required to have a dental exam. An eye exam is required for children enrolling in kindergarten and students new to Illinois. Additionally, Glen Crest students who want to try out for athletics have a pre-participation form filled out by a doctor. Go to the CCSD 89 health page for more information: www.ccsd89.org/health

Learn about low-cost dental and immunization resources: www.ccsd89.org/Page/534

Before- and after-school care available through YMCA, park district

CCSD 89 partners with the B.R. Ryall YMCA (Saf e 'n Sou n d) and the Butterfield Park District (R e cKids) to provide before- and after-school programs for students at CCSD 89 elementary schools. More information: www.ccsd89.org/beforeafter

Families should contact the Butterfield Park District and B.R. Ryall YMCA directly with questions about those programs.

Save a life! Community invited to donate blood August 28 at Glen Crest

There are still open spots for the community blood drive that will be held 2 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, at Glen Crest Middle School. Sign up to donate: https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5607325

More info: www.ccsd89.org/blood

Families can find menus, nutrition info online

Lunch menus for all CCSD 89 schools will be available using the links at www.ccsd89.org/lunch Once you have opened a lunch calendar, clicking on any menu item will pull up nutritional information.

Families can call school’s main number to report an absence

When school starts, parents who need to report their student’s absence can call the school’s general number then press 1. To reach the nurse, press 2. The main office can be reached by pressing 3.

Labeling items brought to school

Articles of clothing, boots, tennis shoes, backpacks and lunch boxes should be marked with the child’s name and grade or room number so they may be returned if lost. A lost-and-found box is located at each school. Found articles should be brought in immediately and children should check this box as soon as they lose an item. Parents are encouraged to occasionally go through the lost-and-found.

Need tech support for your student’s school computer?

Families that need support for iPad or Chromebook issues should use the district’s online help system. Enter your contact information and some details about the problem at: https://bit.ly/89techsupport

Students, families can report crises and threats through Safe2Help

Students and families can confidentially call, email, or text the Safe2Help tip line to report bullying, threats, or classmates in crisis. Students or families can call (844) 4-SAFE-IL, (which is 844-472-3345); text SAFE2 (which is 72332); email Help@Safe2HelpIL.com; or submit tips through the online form. Safe2Help submissions are monitored every hour of every day. More info: https://bit.ly/3BPxObO

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 19-20: Teacher Institute days

August 19: Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m.

August 21: First day of 2024-25 school year for students

August 22: Parent Series: Helping kids start strong, noon and 7 p.m.

August 26: Parent Series: Body language to boost confidence, noon and 7 p.m.

August 27: Parent Series: How to raise a health gamer, noon and 7 p.m.

August 28: Blood drive at Glen Crest, 2-6:30 p.m.

August 28: Parent Series: Anxiety in young children, noon and 7 p.m.

September 2: No school (Labor Day)

September 4: Parent Series: Becoming the parent you want to be, noon and 7 p.m.

September 7: Board of Education workshop (tentative), 8 a.m.