Cougar Connection

Dear Helen Keller Elementary Families,

As we officially head into summer break on Thursday, I want to take a moment to congratulate all of our students on a year filled with hard work, growth, and achievement. We are so proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and we hope they enjoy a summer filled with fun, rest, and new experiences. Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and trust. None of it would have been possible without our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families.

To help students stay sharp and maintain the progress they’ve made this year, we’ve prepared a Summer Learning Packet. Inside, you’ll find activities and resources designed to keep minds engaged throughout the summer months. These tasks are meant to be manageable and enjoyable — just enough to help students retain their skills and feel confident when they return in the fall. Our hope is that students will continue to explore, ask questions, and develop a love for learning even outside the classroom. PLEASE LOOK IN YOUR CHILD'S BACKPACK FOR THE SUMMER PACKETS! They were sent home yesterday!

A few quick notes about the packet: (K - 4th Grade)

• It is optional but strongly encouraged.
• Students who return their completed packets at the start of the new school year will receive Cougar Bucks! These can be used to purchase items from our new school store in the fall - The Cougar Corner!
• We also encourage students to read daily — anything that sparks their interest! Check out the Summer Reading Challenge at the Tinley Park Public Library. Information Found HERE!

IPADs for GRADES 1, 2, and 3: A few quick notes about the IPAD:

• These are KSD140 owned and managed devices and should be used for school purposes only.
• Apps are intended to be used for additional practice for 10-15 minutes per day.
• Apps students may utilize for the summer for practice include:
  • SuccessMaker: Savvas Math
    • Click the Clever App
    • Click on Savvas EasyBridge
    • On the right side of the screen, click on Successmaker
  • IXL Learning
    • Click the Clever App
    • Click on IXL
  • On top click LEARNING, SKILL PLAN, and NWEA MAP SKILLS PLAN (Reading and Math are avaliable)

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We wish you a safe, relaxing, and memorable summer, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in August!

Important dates for the 2025–2026 school year:

• Popsicles with the Principal: Wednesday, August 6, 2025: 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM
• Open House: Tuesday, August 12, 2025: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 13, 2025: 7:55 AM
• School Supplies List: Helen Keller Elementary School Website (CLICK HERE)

We’ll be sending out additional updates later in the summer, so please keep an eye on ParentSquare!

Wishing you a joyful, restful, and safe summer!

Warmly,
Mrs. Julie Simpson

Fourth-quarter student report cards will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Thursday, June 5, at 11:15 a.m. Please follow the steps outlined below.

How to Access Student Report Cards

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

2. Select Documents in your Message Center

3. Click 24-25 School Name under Report Card, and a pop-up window displaying your student’s report card will open in a new browser. If you cannot view your student’s report card, please ensure pop-up windows are enabled in your web browser.

Please call your school office if you need assistance accessing your Parent Portal.

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped make Springfest a success! 🎉
We couldn’t have done it without you. Your time, energy, and support made the day so special for our students and families.

A huge thank you to our incredible PTO for your organization and for everything you do for the students and staff at Keller. We are so grateful! 💙

Please take a moment to review our 2025-26 School Year Calendar and note key changes to our usual schedule due to tentative renovations planned for Summer 2026. These adjustments will help ensure that important facility updates can be completed efficiently while minimizing disruptions to student learning.

Key dates for the upcoming school year include:

• Wednesday, August 6 - Middle School Student/Parent Walkthrough at D140 middle schools from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

• Monday, August 11 - Kindergarten Roundup from 9:00 - 10:00 am at D140 elementary schools

• Tuesday, August 12 - Elementary Open House from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

• Tuesday, August 12 - Teacher Institute Day

• Wednesday, August 13 - First day of student attendance for all grades

• Monday, August 18 - Middle School Open House from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

• Friday, December 19, 2025 (Half-Day) - Monday, January 5, 2026 - Winter Break. Teachers will return for an Institute Day on Monday, January 5, 2026. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

• Friday, March 20 - Friday, March 27, 2026 - Spring Break. Classes resume on Monday, March 30, 2026.

• Friday, May 22, 2026 - Last student attendance day (Half-Day), if no emergency days are used.

As always, we appreciate your support and flexibility as we plan for the future of our schools!

• Grades 1 - 3, 5 - 7: Students will take home their iPad, charging block, and charging cord for the summer. Please remember to send these items back to school with your student on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The iPad should be used for school purposes only.

• If a student has a damaged iPad or is missing charging blocks/cables, please keep in mind these replacement and repair costs: $75 for a damaged iPad, $19 for a missing charging block, and $19 for a missing charging cable.

If you need additional information, please don't hesitate to contact your school office.

KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.

• Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device

We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.

For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Times may be uncertain, but rest assured, we are here for you and your family. As we forge ahead together, please know we have resources to help. Do not hesitate to reach out to your Social/Emotional leaders at Keller:

School Counselor

Erin Kennedy

ekennedy@ksd140.org

School Social Worker

Maureen Hegji

mhegji@ksd140.org

Helen Keller Elementary School

7846 W. 163rd Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-2144

Website: ksd140.org/keller

Principal Julie M. Simpson. jsimpson@ksd140.org

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