We have had an out-of-this-world start and Trimester 1! Our students have been hard at work and are accomplishing great things. This is due to our super star students and staff, but it is also because of the family partnerships being created and nurtured throughout the school year. Please know how much we appreciate the support of our families! We look forward to seeing all of our families at upcoming conference days Monday, 11/20 and Tuesday, 11/21. The PTA Scholastic Book Fair will be open all day on Monday from 8am-8pm. We hope you will stop by!

Please log-in to Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view your child's report card. A paper copy can be requested from the office at 708-798-3424.

If you have scheduled a virtual parent-teacher conference, please use the support links below if you need assistance joining a MS Teams or Zoom meeting.

How to join a MS Teams Meeting

How to join a Zoom Meeting

The Illinois State Board of Education Department of Public Health has put out a Health Advisory Message regarding a measles outbreak in the north suburbs of Cook County. We’d like to take this opportunity to send out the following reminders:

• If your student is sick, please keep them home and seek treatment as appropriate. Please do not medicate a fever and send them to school.
• See School Nurse Guidance which informs our practices.
• Students with fever/vomiting/diarrhea must be free to these symptoms without medicine for 24 hours before returning to school.
• Please update your students’ emergency contact list to be sure we can reach someone to pick up from school in the case of illness.
• Remain current with immunizations.
• See reminders below regarding healthy habits.
• See District 153 Health Services Webpage for more details.

Ms. Kirk, our librarian, is looking for volunteers. If you can help during these times, please rech out to her directly at laura.kirk@hsd153.org.

Mondays: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Mondays: 2:35 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Tuesdays: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Thursdays: 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Fridays: 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The PTA is keeping the book fair open on Monday if parents want to shop with their students. You can also continue to shop online through 11/22 by following the links below:

Willow: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/willowschool153

Churchill: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/winstonchurchillschool

James Hart: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/jameshartschool153

Note: money added to the e-wallets can not be transferred between schools.

Gift certificates can be purchased for teachers/staff at the book fair Monday!

The PTA also needs volunteers Monday to make it a success. Feel free to sign up below for any time you're available.

Volunteer signup below:

We're using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.

1) To see our SignUp - click the link (below) at the school(s) where you want to volunteer:

Willow: https://signup.com/go/kezdkgy

Churchill: https://signup.com/go/gsKaTqZ

James Hart: https://signup.com/go/LeywgiF

2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.

3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.

Any questions please email erica.vanschaik@homewoodpta.org. Thank you for your help!

Erica Van Schaik, Book Fair Chair

Homewood PTA is participating in the National PTA Reflections Fine Arts Competition. This year's theme is "I am hopeful because..."

Students can submit original works, inspired by this year's theme, in the following categories:

• Dance Choreography
• Music
• Composition
• Film Production
• Literature
• Photography
• Visual Arts

Submissions are due by Friday, Dec. 1 and will be collected from school, or they can also be accepted via email: reflections@homewoodpta.org.

There will be a showcase for all entries on Thursday, Dec. 7, and the top entries in each category will be forwarded for entry into the state competition.

Click here to visit the Illinois Reflections website. For additional information, please contact Meredith Thetford merediththetford@gmail.com or info@homewoodpta.org.