Our winter break will begin on December 23rd and last through January 6th. We are looking forward to finishing our calendar year with our holiday parties on December 22nd.

If your family is looking for vaccinations, please visit vaccines.gov and type in your zip code to find a clinic near you.

We also have a few dress down days coming up, please see the attached flyer for details.

As the weather is changing, please remember to send your children with coats and hats. We will be going out for recess if the weather is 32 degrees or above.

Thank you to the PTA for hosting such a fun event for our families. Families visited six different stations to create different holiday crafts.

Our Holiday Concert was a hit! Thank you to all of the hard work preparing for the beautiful music to entertain all of our families. The performance will be on the district youtube page. Click here to view the concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjGqGTgF3C4

The parent university scheduled this evening will be rescheduled in January.

We will have some holiday dress down days. The flyer is attached.

Fun Pacs came home with students. Fun Pacs feature the kids pictures on some fun things like - Bookmarks, key tags, ruler, book tags etc. $10 each. If you don't want to purchase them, just send them back to school. Please return the money as soon as possible.

Please be cautious as you are dropping off your students in the morning. We have cars coming through the parking lot. Please have your child walk on the sidewalk the entire way and DO NOT cut through the parking lot.

If you would like to be able to view Shield Covid results, the attached flyer gives directions on how to set up the parent portal. Please follow directions in the flyer.

If you bring your child late to school, (after 9am) you must provide a lunch for your child. Our orders are sent over at 9am. We do not have any extra ordered.

We recommend that each family begin to upload their child's vaccination card to Skyward. We have provided directions for doing so. If you have questions, please email or call the office.

Starting when we return from winter break, we will be going back to serving breakfast at 8:10am in the MPR room. The breakfast bags will not be going home with students starting on January 6th. If your child would like to receive breakfast, they should arrive at 8:10am to eat at school.

We will be collecting winter items for a woman's shelter. Please see the flyer for details.

Any school age child may enter the contest for Metra. The flyer is attached with details. Please submit the entries to Mrs. Bencik and she will send them to the location.

Please make sure your child has extra masks with them for the day. We ask that each family pack their child's backpack with additional mask in case theirs breaks or gets dirty.

Every week we will shine a spotlight on one of our own amazing staff members. Meet Mrs. Crystal Strelow

How long and what grades have you taught?

This is my 21st year at Hometown! I started teaching first grade, and then spent nine years as a Reading Recovery and literacy support teacher. Now I’m back teaching first grade!

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Greece. Part of my family was originally from Greece and I have always wanted to visit. I would love to see the beautiful beaches and explore the ancient ruins.

What is the best thing about working at Hometown?

The people! The kids and families are always so sweet and our kids work so hard. Our staff is amazing and more like family with how everyone looks out for each other.

What is your favorite food?

Soup! Just about any kind of soup, especially if it’s creamy. It is the perfect comfort food.

Who is someone you admire and why?

My mom! She truly does everything for everyone without us even asking. She is always there for her kids and grandkids and never complains. My mom is the kindest, most giving person I know!

If you see Ms. Strelow around our school, make sure you say hello!!!

Website: d123.org/hometown
Location: 8870 S Duffy Ave, Hometown, IL, USA
Phone: 708-423-7360
Twitter: @d123hometown

Email: abencik@d123.org
Phone: 708-423-7360
Twitter: @AmandaBencik