Friday Focus
December 1, 2023
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie
- How to Raise Successful Kids
- 109 Gives Back Holiday Gift Drive
- Important Dates
- Feed My Starving Children
- Village of Deerfield Toy Drive
- And much more...
A Message from Marcie
Thanks for a great week, South Park!
We had a great week back after Thanksgiving Break! This morning, we announced the winner of the Yearbook Cover Contest. Congratulations to Leah in Mrs. McCormick's 5th grade class! We were very impressed by all of the beautiful and creative designs submitted by students across our school!
With just a few short weeks until Winter Break, we have many things to look forward to. Next week on Wednesday, December 6th, we will be visited by the Deerfield High School Choraliers to hear their holiday music concert. We also look forward to our first music performance of the year which will be performed by the 5th grade class on December 13th. Students will have an opportunity to see the performance during the school day, before the 5th graders perform for their families in the evening.
Enjoy the weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone back to school on Monday!
-Marcie
How to Raise Successful Kids
Reflecting on the Deerfield Parent Network Presentation from 11/30
Last night, I was heartened to see several South Park parents in the audience at Deerfield High School as we were mesmerized by the brilliance of Julie Lythcott-Haim, author of the New York Times best-selling book, How To Raise an Adult.
If you have not read this book, I urge you to get a copy or download the audiobook. As a mom of a 5th grader and two teens, I can honestly say that this book has given me some of the best parenting advice I have received to date.
If reading an entire book does not seem like something you have time to add to your already busy life, consider listening (and sharing) the TED Talk below. Yes, our South Park students are only in elementary school, but there are so many nuggets of wisdom shared that we can all begin integrating into our lives starting now.
109 Gives Back Holiday Gift Drive -- 1 Week Left!
Just one week left to help with the gift drive to help members of our own community!
Sign up now to make someone’s holiday a little bit brighter!
Gifts can be dropped off in our front foyer!
Please make sure gifts are not wrapped
Please make sure gifts are labeled with the themed family name (example: Candy Cane family)
If you are bringing gift cards, we ask that you bring them to the school’s front office.
Gifts can also be shipped directly to Wilmot Elementary School at 795 Wilmot Road in Deerfield care of Eileen Brett.
Thank you for helping ensure that our neighbors have a wonderful holiday season!
Other Important Information ⚠️
- All visitors to South Park School MUST bring a valid driver's license or state ID card to the main office before entering into the building. Beginning this year, we will collect IDs during your visit and return it to you as you leave.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, you need to call or email us by 9:00 that morning. ** Call 847-945-5895, ext. 2103 and leave a message OR ** Email Nurse Nora Moskos.
- Please follow our morning procedures, and drop your children off at their regular grade level doors. If you choose to drive through the front circle at arrival, kindly stay in your car when you drop off to help us reduce morning congestion.
- K-5 drop-off is between 8:35-8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will need to enter through the front door of the school, as all other doors will be locked.
- Dismissal for all Kindy and 1st-grade walkers and car riders will take place at their grade level door.
- Early Learners drop-off/pick-up info can be found here.
- When parking in our Birchwood parking lot, please remember that our preschoolers are dropped off and picked up by the west end (closest to the school). Sometimes, their parents' cars can block a parked car from exiting for a few minutes. To avoid that, we suggest that you park closer to Birchwood Avenue.
Important Dates 📅
Wednesday, November 22-Friday, November 24
- No School - Thanksgiving Break
- Winter Break
Tuesday, January 9
- School Resumes
Monday, January 15
- No School - MLK Day
- No School - Teacher Institute Day
- No School - Presidents Day
- No School - Casimir Pulaski Day
- Early Release at 11:40 a.m.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- Non-Attendance Day for Students
- Parent Teacher Conferences from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Spring Break
- School Resumes
Music Concert Dates:
- 5th Grade - Wednesday, December 13th @ 6:00
- 4th Grade - Thursday, February 8th @ 6:00
- 3rd Grade - Thursday, January 25th @ 6:00
- 2nd Grade - Thursday, February 8th @ 5:00
- 1st Grade - Thursday, January 25th @ 5:00
- Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 10 @ 6:00
- Early Learners - Wednesday, April 10 @ 5:00