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.
IMPORTANT: Updated Personal Electronic Device Policy
One of the D101 Handbook updates worth a separate call-out and additional information is that of the Personal Electronic Device Policy. Please read THIS detailed message on the policy change or via the PDF below.
Additionally, please find the updated D101 Acceptable Use Policy HERE or attached as a PDF below. We will send a hard copy of this policy home with students in Friday Folders on Friday, August 23, which will need to be signed both both the parent and student, and returned to school.
We deeply appreciate your partnership and support of this policy change as we strive to keep our classrooms safe and focused on learning.
Are you interested in learning more about navigating the world of technology usage with your child(ren)? If so, please watch next week for a standalone message containing a Parent-to-Parent Guide on this very timely topic!
School Supplies: The Write Stuff and Drop-Off
If you ordered supplies from The Write Stuff--good news! They have been delivered and will be distributed to classrooms for students.
For those who didn't order and plan to bring their own supplies, students may do so on the first day of school. If there are too many and you wish to drop them at the main office on Monday, August 19 or Tuesday, August 20 between 9:00am-3:00pm. Please do not bring them to classrooms, as staff are in meetings and working on final classroom preparations.
Just in case supplies are still on your "TO DO LIST" HERE is the link to the supply lists.
Arrival/Dismissal
South East Entrance (Door #2): Kindergarten and Grade 1
Main Entrance (Door #1): Grades 2 and 3
North East Entrance (Door #6): Grades 4 and 5
ALL students will enter through doors on Central Avenue.
A few important reminders about the arrival/dismissal process:
- Central Ave. is ONE WAY (north to south)
- Please take arrival/dismissal with a "Kiss 'n Go" approach. Parents/caregivers should remain in the vehicle at all times during the process. Should you wish to park and wait at the doors, please do so NORTH of the building on Central or Fair Elms or on 51st Street.
Please find a map HERE for a visual of arrival/dismissal. I appreciate your cooperation with these procedures with the hope of creating the safest experience possible for everyone (especially kids!).
***There may be some parking/traffic changes from the Village of Western Springs around the Forest Hills perimeter that won't be finalized until the week of August 19. Please watch for a stand alone message detailing those changes.
Lunch
11:40-12:00
Grades 1, 2 & 3 eat in the gym
Grades 4 & 5 outside for recess
12:05-12:25
Grades 1, 2 & 3 outside for recess
Grades 4 & 5 eat in the gym
Students are still able to go home for lunch. If your child will be going home for lunch, they will exit and return back to school through the main entrance. Please just communicate that information to classroom teachers and Erin McLaughlin.
OUTSIDE LUNCHES: Please note that while students are welcome to have food from fast food or outside establishments, we ask that you hand deliver them to the table in the foyer and clearly mark them with your child/rens' name(s). Deliveries from Door Dash, Uber Eats, Jimmy John's, etc. are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED, as they create a safety issue with drivers coming to the wrong door and generates much confusion amongst students. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Safety Reminders
School safety is ALWAYS at the forefront of our minds. As such, please note the following safety procedures and expectations.
Entrances: You will notice clear signage on all external doors indicating that ALL visitors (any person who is not a current Forest Hills student or active staff member with a key) MUST enter and check in through the main office. Even if your child spots YOU knocking at the Forest Hills doorway, we explicitly teach all students and reinforce with our staff the need to point to the signage, point to the main office, and NOT open any external doors, even for known/trusted adults, unless they are staff members.
Staff Identification: All District 101 staff members wear lanyards, clearly indicating for students, staff, and all that they are registered members of our D101 staff and thus able to enter/exit buildings and supervise students. All visitors (including parent volunteers in classrooms, in the library, etc.) will need to wear our visitor lanyards at all times within the building.
Visitor Procedures: All visitors will be required to enter through the main office, check in with our Administrative Assistant (Mrs. Erin McLaughlin), and trade their government-issued ID card (Driver’s License) for a “Visitor” lanyard; they will be required to check out again, as well, to return the lanyard and retrieve their ID. This will serve as a visual marker of safety and purpose for any adults not within our D101 staff, so that our students, staff, and community have a clear understanding that any “other” adults are safe and authorized to be within our space.
Visitor Purpose and Destination: We will also ask that visitors to the building remain only in the spaces for which their entry is authorized, without wandering through the building or entering any additional spaces. This will help all of us understand the purpose, role, and need for our volunteers, and to maintain safe entry/exit procedures for all “other” adults.
Again, we appreciate you following these established procedures as we work to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible.
Bus
We are still working with First Student to finalize bus routes and times for this school year. I'll share that information as soon as it is available. If your child will be new to utilizing the bus this year, please reach out to Erin McLaughlin at emclaughlin@d101.org to ensure we can add your child to the list.
Medication Drop Off
If your child will need any medication administered at school, please feel free to drop it off anytime during school hours on Monday, August 19, Tuesday, August 20 or during school hours, beginning Wednesday, August 21. We do need a doctor’s order to administer medication at school. A link to the form can be found HERE.
Right At School
If you would like more information about the Right At School before and after care program, please see the included flyer or visit their website at https://rightatschool.com/.
Currently, the enrollment for RAS is low. (Two students in the AM and four students in the PM.) RAS needs a minimum of ten (10) students in each session to run the program at Forest Hills. If you are planning to enroll, but haven't done so yet, please do soon.
2024-25 School Calendar
Rachel Corrough
Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough
