Fulton Family Update

Thank you to everyone who attended the first PTO meeting on Monday and our Curriculum Night on Thursday. We enjoyed the opportunities to meet with you, our families!

There was a great turnout for the first PTO meeting! It was exciting to discuss all of the events coming up this school year--from volunteer opportunities, social opportunities, and fundraising opportunities. It's going to be a fun year for PTO partnerships!

On Thursday, teachers enjoyed presenting about our students' day, learning standards, and ways to stay in close communication with you.

See below for Trunk of Treat plans and all Curriculum Night presentations.

Save the Date--

• September 15th--Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
  
• September 16-18th--MAP Testing Wraps Up
• September 17th--TPFD Fire Safety Visits (PK-2)
• September 18th--Practice Fire Drill
• September 24th--School Pictures
• September 26th--Fire Drill with TPFD
• September 27th--Lockdown Drill with TPPD
• October 1st--Tornado Drill with TP siren
• October 4th--Bus Evacuation Drill
• October 7th--PTO Meeting 4:30 in Media Center
• October 14th--No School--Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day
• October 15th-18th--Scholastic Book Fair
• October 17th--Family Reading Night-Storybook Pumpkin Patch-Spider Challenge
• October 18th--Earthquake Drill
• October 28th--PTO Trunk or Treat 5:30-6:30
• October 31st--1/2 Day Attendance-11:45 Dismissal
• November 1st--No School--Institute Day
• November 4th--Parent-Teacher Conferences 11:00-8:00
• November 5th--No School--Election Day

Flame love,

Mrs. Mitera

Thank you to all who attended Curriculum Night on Thursday. If you were unable to attend, you can find grade level presentations here:

Curriculum Night Presentations by Grade Level

Please complete the feedback form about your experience. There is a question for those unable to attend Curriculum Night, too. Thank you!

Friday afternoon students participated in a highly engaging assembly about rhythms and beats from cultures around the world--Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Everyone--students and staff alike!--had the opportunity to play the drums, shakers, or wood blocks while also dancing and playing in a small parade. Check out the Google folder photos and video clips of the fun. Thank you to the PTO for sharing the cost of the assembly! We appreciate your support in providing fun and engaging opportunities for our students.

School picture day is coming up! All ordering is done online.

We’re so proud of all of our students who are recognized for displaying the characteristics of a model Flame! Keep up the great work!

During the weeks of September 4th through September 18th, students in grades 1-5 will take MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.

MAP Growth tests are unique, and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level. Following each testing period, you will receive a Family Report showing a summary of how your child is performing academically.

We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mitera

Principal

One way for us to create a sense of community, and to get ALL of our Flames involved is to have a monthly photo submission. Each month we will have a theme for families to take pictures and share them with us. We will include some photos in the Fulton Family Update and all of the pictures we receive will be uploaded to our hallway TVs for everyone to see!

Please send us your photos to FultonFlatFlames@district146.org

Thank you again for your patience during arrival and dismissal. It isn't always the fastest process, but we have procedures in place to try to keep safety at the forefront for all. We need EVERYONE to take their time and attend to the signage to stay safe and arrive and depart efficiently.

A few reminders for the front of the school at dismissal:

• Please do not park against a yellow marked curb. Parking nearest the exit over the yellow lines obstructs everyone's view and clearance.
• Please park behind the yellow sign closest to the school. The spaces directly in front are reserved for special transportation needs.
  
• Please adhere to the sign and turn RIGHT out of the driveway during arrival and dismissal. This reduces the chance of crossing oncoming traffic and the potential for an accident.
• Pedestrians crossing the drive to get to their cars should use the crosswalk at the east end of the drive for the safest path.
• Please avoid turning around in our neighbors' driveways and blocking entrances/exits.
• No cell phone use in school zones.

Bus transportation is also available for most students attending Fulton school. Please contact the office if you would like to add your child(ren) to a bus route.

Arrival and Dismissal

Students may be dropped off between 8:40-8:55 A.M. Students will be marked tardy after the 8:55 bell, as they should be in their seats, ready to learn at that time.

*Please do not park in the Administration Center Parking Lot during arrival or dismissal.*

Our primary goal at arrival and dismissal is student safety paired with efficiency.

Arrival:

• All Pre-K and Kindergarten car riders will park in front of the building in the lane closest to the sidewalk to Fulton or on 171st Street to walk the children to the closest staff member or school entrance.

• All Grade 1-5 car riders will be dropped off in back in the turn-around lane.

• This is a flow-through lane with no standing/parking.
• Please use the whole sidewalk to exit the car and go to the nearest door.
• Please do not exit your vehicle to assist your child. Stop, student hops out, and continue driving. **If you need to help your child out of the car, please use the drop off lane in front of the school where you can park and exit your vehicle.**

Dismissal:

• All Pre-K and Kindergarten car riders will park in front of the building in the lane closest to the sidewalk to Fulton or on 171st Street and may meet their child in front of the school.

• All grade 1-5 car riders will be picked up in the back of the school, in the turn-around.

• Please have the name card displayed in dashboard or hold it up to the driver's side window.
• The first car to arrive should pull all the way up to the playground. Others that follow should pull all the way up to the car in front of you when arriving.
• Do not leave a large space between cars.
• Cars will be dismissed in a single file wave.
• Please do not pull out of line to go around the cars in front of you.
• After the first wave of cars is dismissed, the following wave should pull all the way up to the playground, with all others pulling up as far as possible.

• All walkers will be dismissed out the front door (door 1). All bus riders will be dismissed in back (door 13).

Students will be going outside for recess as often as possible. The following are our school/district guidelines.

🔆Hot Weather Conditions: We will switch to indoor recess if the temperature is 100 degrees with heat index or if the grounds are too wet.

⛄Cold Weather Conditions: We will switch to indoor recess if the temperature is below 20 degrees with wind chill, or if our grounds are too icy or wet.

We value the opportunity for students to engage in movement and independent play/socialization. Please watch the weather and be sure to send whatever your child needs to be comfortable playing outside each day.

In order to assure student health and safety, animals are not allowed on school property, except in the case of a service animal accompanying a student or other individual with a documented disability. This rule may be temporarily waived by the building principals in the case of an educational opportunity for students, provided that (a) the animal is appropriately housed, humanely cared for, and properly handled; and (b) students will not be exposed to a dangerous animal in an unhealthy environment.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for all K-5 students for a fee (breakfast $1.50, lunch $3.75). Lunch money may be set up through Pushcoin. Students will receive a debit card to purchase meals through the breakfast/lunch lines. If needed, applications for free and/or reduced fees should be completed. These forms are available in the school office and on the district website. When available, monthly menus will be posted to the district website, https://www.fdmealplanner.com/, and the FD MealPlanner app.

During the first weeks of school, we practice many safety drills including evacuation drills, tornado drills, and a lockdown drill with the police department as required by Illinois School Code. Fire drills are done three times, once with the fire department. Students may also walk to the off-site evacuation location (opt-out forms shared at a later date).

Lockdown drills with students will be communicated with you before and after so you are aware of those procedures, the language used, and the time they'll be conducted.

These drills are crucial to ensure our students and staff follow safety procedures efficiently. Thank you!

Within a couple of weeks, American School Bus will use Bus Bulletin to alert District 146 parents of bus delays and schedule changes.
Bus Bulletin sends parents instant notifications via text message, email, and/or phone call. There is no cost for parents to sign up and receive notifications.
For more information or to sign up for notifications, please visit the Bus Bulletin website.

Attending school regularly is extremely important to your child's academic success. Missing just two days of school a month can lead to a student being considered a chronic absentee. Let's work together this school year to ensure our students are attending school regularly and making the most out of the 2024-2025 school year.

We want to hear from YOU! Please let us know about your experiences at Fulton School so we can work together to improve or keep the good things going!

Our 24-25 PTO Board can't wait to partner with YOU for events like our upcoming Trunk or Treat, Book Fairs, appreciation days, etc.!

President: Melissa Santangelo

Vice President: Megan Combs

Treasurer: Jamie Bellik

Secretary: Melissa Sands

Committee Members: Jennifer Matise, Kimberly Cuervo, and Patty Landeros

Anyone who would like to volunteer in classrooms or at school events must have a background check on file. Please be sure to submit an application here: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/ODQzMzplbi1VUw== If you are unsure whether you have submitted a background check in the past, please contact the office.

The Attendance Line is available 24 hours/7 days a week. Please notify the office of any absence or anticipated late arrival by calling 708-614-4525. Additionally, if your child will have a change in dismissal plans (leaving early, not taking the bus, etc.), please let the office know by 2:00. Informing the office in a timely way makes dismissal run more smoothly for all!

There is an upcoming registration and placement exam event on 9/18 and 9/26, 9:15-12:45pm at the Ad Center for Adult English classes. It is a free program for any community members living within our district boundaries.

Email: mmitera@district146.org
Website: http://fulton.district146.org/
Location: 6601 West 171st Street, Tinley Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-614-4525
Facebook: facebook.com/FultonFlames