Holiday Concerts!
Perhaps you noticed the plural CONCERTS in the title above!?!? We are excited to share that this year, there will be TWO Holiday Concerts at Forest Hills. There will be performances from 9:30-10:30am and 1:30-2:30pm. Loved ones are welcome to attend either concert that works better for your schedule. The performance will also be recorded and shared with families.
We're hopeful that the dual performances allow for a less crowded gym and better viewing experience for all. We can't wait to share some holiday cheer with all of you!
Calling All 4th & 5th Grade Scientists!
The D101 Science Expo will be here before we know it! It is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. from 8:45am-12:00pm.
There is an informational meeting for prospective participants on Tuesday, December 10 during lunch recess in the library. Mrs. Corcoran and Mrs. Filice will overview the Expo requirements and provide students with all of the information they'll need to participate. Permission slips are due on Wednesday, December 18.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Jenny Corcoran (jcorcoran@d101.org).
PTA Turkey Shoot Reminder
Tuesday, November 19 Kindergarten-2nd grade
Wednesday, November 20: 3rd-5th grades
Location: Forest Hills Gym
Details:
- Please click HERE to register your child for the Turkey Shoot.
- An adult must be present on site to supervise your child during the event.
- Please meet your child in the hallway outside the gym immediately after school on the designated day.
- As soon as students are done shooting, they will depart with their adult.
- There will be winners from each grade level. (1st place = Turkey from Casey's, 2nd place = BB's gift certificate)
- Prizes will be handed out on Thursday, November 21.
Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Up
Everyone should have received a stand alone message on Friday, October 25 regarding Parent-Teacher Conferences, which take place on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26. Monday's conferences are held IN PERSON and Tuesday's conferences are VIRTUAL. We hope this mix of "in person" and "virtual" options meets everyone's need.
Please be respectful of this time that is set aside for this purpose and not ask to schedule conferences outside of this designated time. These requests put staff in an awkward position and take them away from planning, grading, collaborating and all of the other professional responsibilities that come with the job. :)
The window for P/T Conference sign-up opens on Wednesday, November 6.
November Student Ownership Attribute: Collaboration
I'm looking forward to spending time in each of the classrooms this month, as we continue our Student Attributes with students and staff. Together, we’re learning what it means to be “collaborative”!
Our D101 definition of COLLABORATIVE is: collaborative people are able to work together to produce or create something, and to work with someone else on a project or to solve a problem.
Some of the components we discussed at the various grade levels were:
Collaboration is all around us - in our partner work, our group work, team sports, families, EVERYWHERE!
Collaboration helps us put together strengths and skills from different people - we are stronger when we think and work together!
Collaborative people are open to ideas and often learn new things and have great experiences working in new ways.
We’ve discussed these talking points in connection with the following grade level texts:
Kindergarten: The Little Red Fort, by Brenda Maier
1st Grade: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann
2nd Grade: Up the Creek, by Nicholas Oldland
3rd Grade: The Little Red Pen, by Janet Stevens
4th Grade: Boxitects, by Kim Smith
5th Grade: Someone Builds the Dream, by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Lang
Although this is our collective focus for the month of November, we’ll always be practicing being COLLABORATIVE throughout the year, and will be using these skills as a part of our December focus – being a GLOBAL CITIZEN! Stay tuned for more information about GLOBAL CITIZENS next month!
Notes of Appreciation
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!
IMPORTANT: Updated D101 Elementary Handbook
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.
2024-25 School Calendar
Word From WSFEE
On Wednesday night, D101 hosted its FIRST EVER Special Olympics basketball game at McClure! The home-opener brought a packed house to cheer on the Bulldogs. This basketball game is part of a Special Olympics program hosted by D101. A recent WSFEE grant has enabled the school district to adopt the program, which provides sports training and competitions for children with
intellectual disabilities, enhancing their social interaction, physical fitness, courage, and overall
well-being. This will serve as the foundation for D101 to continue building this valuable program for our students for years to come.
Rachel Corrough
Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough
