Friday Focus

• A Message from Marcie
• Halloween Costume Reminders
• Reminder: Info verification due by November 1st!
  
• Weekly Tech Tip
  
• Chasing Childhood
• E-Bike Rules of the Road from the Deerfield Police Department
  
• Trunk or Treat at DHS TONIGHT
• This Week in Pictures
  
• News from Early Learners

• Indoor Recess Game Drive Extended
• Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest Voting Starts Monday!
• Last call for Elsie Mae Pie Orders!
• Join the Fun Fair Planning Committee Meeting on 11/4 at 7:45pm!
• Register for Dad's Night Out 11/7!
• Purchase Wolves Game Tickets by 11/15!
• And much more...

Thanks for a great week, South Park!

We want to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to participate in our parent-teacher conferences yesterday and today. Your involvement and partnership are essential in supporting your child's growth and success.

Next Thursday, we’ll wrap up October with our Halloween celebrations starting at 2:00 p.m. Weather permitting, we’ll lead the students in a school-wide parade, gathering all classrooms before exiting the building. Please be patient, as this may take a little time. Once everyone is ready, we will exit the gym through the southeast doors, walk west to the fire lane, head north behind the school, and then east across the blacktop. We’ll circle the front of the building and return to the gym along the same path. If you stay in place, you’ll get to see your child pass by twice!

Rain or shine, we always livestream the annual Halloween parade. Stay tuned for the link which will be shared out at 1:30 p.m. on Halloween.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Marcie

We want to remind families to be cautious when helping your child select a costume for Halloween. Using another's culture as a Halloween costume can be viewed as insensitive or offensive. In addition, we encourage students to be as inclusive as possible when dressing in group costumes so that students do not feel excluded during the Halloween festivities.

Below are some additional reminders about wearing costumes at school.

• Please do not send students with accessories (e.g witches broom).
  
• Toy weapons are strictly prohibited.
  
• Students should either wear costumes to school all day or have the ability to change into costumes in the classroom. Students will not be permitted to change clothes in the bathrooms.
  
• Masks that cover the face as a costume accessory can be worn during the parade and party, not during class time as it may be a distraction during learning.
  

If you need assistance in providing your child with a Halloween costume, please reach out to Dr. Faust.

Families who are not comfortable sending their child in costume, please reach out to your child's teacher so that we can be sensitive to you or your child's feelings about dressing up for Halloween. We want everyone at South Park to feel comfortable.

Some families still need to complete the quick process of verifying their information for this year. As winter approaches, we want to ensure we have the right contact info on file for you. It's also an easy way to read and acknowledge our handbook and review district opt-out forms.

Please head to Skyward to get started today!

While we encourage everyone to limit time spent on devices, we understand that these tools can foster meaningful connections when used wisely. However, in today’s digital age, it can be difficult to stay informed about the latest apps and trends to ensure your child's online safety. We want to do our part in supporting students and families in the various ways they can implement security settings on their children’s devices and monitor time spent online. What better time to introduce these tech tips than October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Throughout the school year, we will feature practical technology tips in our newsletters, offering fresh ideas for families to use at home developed by our own Student Resource Officer, Lauren Maldonado, and our Innovations Specialist, Maria Galanis.

Trunk or Treat is School Chest’s first event of the year! From 5:00 to 6:30 pm on October 25th, families are invited to show off their best costumes and head over to DHS for unique trick-or-treating and other fun festivities! This event will be at the DHS back parking lot next to the softball fields. All young children and families are welcome! We hope to see you there, no sign-up is necessary! All donations will benefit this year's beneficiary - Mother's Trust Foundation.

Thank You for Joining Us!

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who participated in our Early Learner's Fall Event, BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin)! It was wonderful to see so many of you and to witness the creativity of our students as they decorated their pumpkins. We love these opportunities to come together as a community, and we look forward to many more fun events!

Exploring Nature and Colors

Our three-year-old students had an exciting week learning about the changing colors of leaves! They explored the concept of chlorophyll, discovering how it affects the vibrant hues of autumn. Through hands-on art projects, children continued to learn more about trees and engaged with different leaf textures, making connections to nature and enhancing their fine motor skills. It was delightful to see them immerse themselves in learning while enjoying the beautiful fall season!

Music and Movement in the Four-Year-Old Classrooms

In our four-year-old classrooms, outdoor music with Ms. Woods was a highlight this week! The children enjoyed using a parachute to move leaves up and down to the rhythm, making music a joyful experience. As part of their learning, they also reviewed shapes by creating them using various materials and describing their attributes. As we wrap up our Fall unit, the excitement is building for Halloween! Next week, our play and learning will focus on the holiday and feature the wonderful books of author Yuyi Morales.

Learning About Problems with Grady's Group

In Grady's Group, our focus on social-emotional learning continues as we explored the difference between big and little problems. The children learned that big problems are situations needing significant adult help, such as emergencies, while little problems can often be solved with simple fixes or communication. Through engaging scenarios, students practiced identifying whether problems were big or little. This important distinction helps them navigate their feelings and interactions with peers, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills. We’re proud of their progress and the understanding they’re developing!

Thank you for being a part of our preschool community! We can't wait to see what next week brings!

• 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.

Thursday, October 31

• Halloween Parade 2:00 p.m. (Livestream link will be shared by 1:30 p.m.)

• No School - Election Day

• No School - Veterans Day

• No School - Thanksgiving Break

2024-25 Music Concert Dates:

• 5th Grade - Wednesday, January 29th @ 6:00

• 4th Grade - Wednesday, February 12th @ 6:00

• 3rd Grade - Wednesday, March 19th @ 6:00

• 2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 12th @ 5:00

• 1st Grade - Wednesday, January 29th @ 5:00

• Kindergarten - Wednesday, March 19 @ 5:00

• Early Learners - Thursday, May 1 @ 5:00