KSD140 Connection

With Winter Break just around the corner, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible KSD 140 community. Visiting buildings and seeing our students' enthusiasm for learning has been a highlight of the school year so far. Thank you to our staff, students, and families for everything you’ve done to make this semester a success.

November’s Parent-Teacher Conferences were a huge success, with teachers hosting over 5,300 meetings with parents and guardians regarding their student’s progress and school experiences. Thanks to everyone who participated! Your dedication to supporting our students' growth is inspiring and greatly appreciated.

As a reminder, Winter Break begins with a half-day on Friday, December 20, and runs through Monday, January 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 7, for all students, while staff will return on January 6 for professional development.

On behalf of the Board of Education and the District 140 administrative team, I would like to wish everyone a peaceful and healthy holiday season. May you find time to rest, recharge, and spend quality moments with family and friends over the upcoming weeks. Happy New Year!

Respectfully,

Dr. Dan Callaghan

Superintendent

D140 students and staff are invited to participate in our Countdown to Winter Break spirit days from December 16 through December 20.

• Monday, December 16 - Long Winter’s Nap Day
  Wear pajamas, sweats, or the color green.
• Tuesday, December 17 - Do You Want to Build a Snowman Day?
  Dress like a snowman, wear a snowman shirt, or wear the colors white and black.
• Wednesday, December 18 - Brrr…It’s Cold Outside Day
  Wear your warmest, funniest, fanciest, or ugliest sweater or sweatshirt or the color blue.
• Thursday, December 19 - Fuzzy Flannel Day
  Wear warm and fuzzy flannel clothes today or the color red.
• Friday, December 20 - School Spirit Day
  Let's wrap up the countdown by celebrating our school pride! Wear school spiritwear or your school colors.

As a reminder, D140’s Winter Break begins with a half-day on Friday, December 20, and extends through Monday, January 6. There is a Teacher Institute Day on Monday, January 6. School resumes for students on Tuesday, January 7.

As temperatures drop and winter weather begins, we’d like to take a moment to review our Emergency Closing notification protocols and eLearning Day plan.

If emergency days are needed due to snow or extreme cold, families will receive notification via an email/text message, and an alert will be posted on our District website. KSD 140 also communicates school closure information through the District’s social media accounts and the Emergency Closing Center (ECC). Detailed school closing information can be found here.

If an emergency closing day is needed, the District may elect to use an eLearning Day instead of a traditional “snow day” that has to be made up at the end of the school ye

ar. Please refer to our eLearning Day Overview to review specifics of the plan, including school hours and access to D140’s digital platforms.

Now would be a great time to ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check your contact information and make any necessary changes.

Following the Illinois School Code, the South Cook Intermediate Service Center conducted an annual Health/Life Safety inspection of all D140 facilities in early December. This is the sixth consecutive year of being violation-free in all eight of the district’s buildings.

Operations Coordinator Tony Silic and his staff were commended for their cooperation and assistance with the visit. “Six consecutive years (since FY 20) of being violation-free in all of the buildings is a tremendous accomplishment and speaks to the district’s commitment to safety,” the report stated. “The District 140 community should be very proud of its schools and the positive learning environments they provide to the students and staff.”

We are proud of our schools and grateful for our outstanding operations and maintenance team. Thank you!

Six talented musicians from KSD 140 participated in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Band Festival on Saturday, November 23, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero, IL.

Symphonic Band members Ben B., Emily K., June M., Katherine O., and Ella Mae W. were selected from hundreds of students who auditioned across the Chicagoland area. Additionally, Sreya J. showcased her skills in the orchestra.

From October through December, D140 students and staff participated in schoolwide food, clothing, toy drives, and fundraisers supporting the American Red Cross, Crisis Center for South Suburbia, Orland Township Food Pantry, Tinley Park Food Pantry, Tinley Wish, Treats for Troops, and the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Students also wrote letters to veterans and collected donations for Wreaths Across America.

Thanks to our students, staff, and families for their generous contributions and support. #KirbyONE40

The combined Grissom and Prairie View choruses and the D140 Jazz Band performed at the Tinley Park Holiday Market on Friday, December 6. Thanks to the Village of Tinley Park for including us in their fun weekend of family events!

• Tuesday, December 17 - Winter Chorus Concert - 7:30 pm at Grissom Middle School
• Friday, December 20 - Half-Day Early Dismissal - Elementary schools will be dismissed at 11:10 am, and middle schools will be dismissed at 12 noon.
• Monday, December 23 through Monday, January 6 - No School - Winter Break
• Monday, January 6 - Teacher Institute Day - Staff only - No student attendance
• Tuesday, January 7 - School Resumes
• Thursday, January 9 - Special Olympics Basketball - Regional Qualifier Game - 5:30 pm at Millennium Elementary School
• Friday, January 10 - District Spelling Bee

Kirby School District 140

16931 Grissom Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-6462

Website: ksd140.org

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