Cougar Connection

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe that the first quarter has come to a close! It has been a pleasure watching our students start the year with enthusiasm and seeing how much they've already grown in their learning. This past month has been full of fun and memorable activities, including our Pumpkin Chase and Halloween Parade, and now we're busy preparing for our upcoming Veterans Day Assembly and looking forward to a month focused on gratitude.

Our Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up during the week of November 25th. Sign-up information was sent out last week, so please be sure to secure a time slot if you haven’t already. Conferences are a valuable time for us to connect, share updates on your child’s progress, and discuss ways to support their learning journey.

As we enter this month of gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the support you’ve shown me and our staff as we work together to educate your children. Keller is a special place, and it’s because of our wonderful families that we are able to create such a positive and nurturing environment.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful month ahead!

Warm regards,

Warmest Regards,

Principal Julie M. Simpson

Only a RIGHT TURN is allowed out of the parking lot during the dismissal time. This allows a flow of traffic and makes it safe for all cars and walkers. Please make sure you are only turning RIGHT!

Please note that the parking lot does not open until 7:35 a.m. for parents to drop off students. It is important that the parking lot remains clear for teachers and staff to arrive. Students should not be dropped off to wait outside the school building before 7:35 am. We do not have any staff members on duty until 7:35 a.m. If you need your students to arrive to school before 7:35 am, you can contact Ivy League to set that up with them. Ivy League is available from 6:30 am - 6:30 pm.

Students can begin exiting their cars at 7:40 a.m. and will be let into the building at that time.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Please remember that school starts at 7:55 am. It is very important for students to arrive to school on time to ensure their day is off to a good start. When students arrive late, the class has already started and they feel behind to start their day.

Parent-Teacher Conference Appointment Sign-Up Links Available November 4 - 21

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in all KSD 140 elementary and middle schools on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Both VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON conference time slots are available.

• VIRTUAL Schedule - Monday, November 25 from 1 - 4 p.m.

• IN-PERSON Schedule - Monday, November 25, from 5 - 8 p.m. and Tuesday, November 26 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Beginning Monday, November 4 at 9:00 a.m., appointment sign-up links for Parent-Teacher Conferences will be posted in ParentSquare and emailed to parents/guardians. These links will be open Monday, November 4, through Thursday, November 21.

For additional details, please refer to the Parent-Teacher Conference section of our website.

First Quarter Report Card Available November 8, 2024

First Quarter student report cards will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on Friday, November 8, at 3 p.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.

We will be honoring the veterans in our community at our annual Veterans Day Assembly on November 11th at 9:00 AM. Our students and staff have been working hard to prepare a meaningful program to show our gratitude and respect for their service.

Please have students wear red, white, and blue on Monday for Veterans Day.

If you have a family member who will be joining us, please refer to the information sent home several weeks ago for further details. We look forward to a special morning together.

The 21st annual Remembering Cathy & Alison Toy Drive runs Thursday, November 7, through Thursday, December 19. Please consider donating toys, small gifts, or gift certificates to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, which supports kids and teens fighting cancer.

Donations can be dropped off at any KSD 140 school from November 7 through December 19. For questions or more information, please contact Patti Rose at 708-712-5507 or pattirose17030@gmail.com

We had a fabulous time at our PTO sponsored Trunk or Treat. Thank you to so many families who decorated their cars and for all our students who participated. It was a fun time!!!

November 13th - Avocado Theory give back day.

If you have any questions, please contact the pto at helenkellerpto@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

11/5 No School

11/11 Veterans Day Assembly

11/14 4th Grade Field Trip - Chicago Fire Exibit

11/22 1/2 day dismissal

11/25-26 Parent-Teacher Conferences

11/25 - 11/29 Fall Break

12/20 1/2 Day dismissal

12/23 - 1/6 Winter Break

1/7 Classes Resume

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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