Parker Jr High Newsletter

Thank you for taking the time to review our updates for this week:

Scholar Academic Success

Parker scholars are excelling academically and we are so proud of their achievements. Take a look at our "Falcons Spotlight" section with several PJHS Academic Celebrations.

Parent Advisory Sessions

Parents, we want to hear from you!

We are scheduling Parent Advisory Sessions over the next few months and would appreciate your feedback. Please access our Parent Advisory Session Sign- Up Genius to register for our upcoming session that is scheduled for Thursday, December 21st at 8:00 AM. in the PJHS Media Center. Parent Advisory Sessions will be facilitated by Principal Parris and provide an interactive opportunity for up to 30 Parker Families to engage in dialogue that will promote success of our scholars.

If you are unable to attend our December Session, we are providing additional sessions Wednesday, January 17th and Wednesday, February 28th. Reminder emails will be provided prior to each session with a link to register. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Laurie Schroeder at lschroeder@sd161.org.

Please be sure to follow Parker Facebook for real time updates: https://www.facebook.com/PJHS161

Best Regards,

Ms. Ursula Parris, Principal

Who: Grades 6-8 students

What: NWEA MAP Testing

When: January 9 - January 16, 2024

Your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a computer or tablet January 9 - January 16, 2024. 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 knowledge. 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 where your child is on their learning journey— regardless of whether they are 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 in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly.

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

If there are any questions specific to our upcoming NWEA MAP Testing process or procedures, please contact Mario Ford, Assistant Principal - Testing and Accountability at mford@sd161.org.

February 14, 2024 - Graduation Pictures during Science Classes

Report to Class On Time

“Your child has been late to class twice. Should there be a 3rd tardy, this will result in a 30 minute detention.” –Parents/Guardians, if you receive an email like this from your child’s teacher, please know they are operating by school policy. We want ALL scholars on time for EVERY class. Thank you for your support!

Please see the Dress Code Policy below:

6.20 - School Dress Code We expect all students to be dressed appropriately and comfortably for school each day. Students are expected to be reasonably dressed and prepared to participate in a professional and hard working school environment. Any student whose dress is deemed to be inappropriate will be provided with a shirt or shorts that will appropriately cover the dress code violation. Clothes must be worn in such a way that the genitals, buttocks, stomach, sides, back and chest area are fully covered with opaque fabric. All undergarments must be fully covered. The following apply to all student attire:

a) Shirts must have opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms that extends to the waistband,

b) Pants/sweatpants/shorts/ skirt/dress/leggings must be worn at waist level and in such a way that genitals, buttocks, undergarments are fully covered with opaque fabric, and,

c) Shoes must be worn at all times.

The following guidance is intended to illustrate implementation of the above requirements for students, parents, and school personnel while on school property:

1. Jackets, coats, hats, hoods, gloves, and other forms of outerwear apparel are not to be worn in school. Fleece and sweatshirts may be worn in school as long as a hood is not covering a student’s head.

2. No head covering or cap may be worn in the school unless for religious or health reasons.

3. Only prescription glasses may be worn in school.

4. Attire, earrings, jewelry, pins, or any other type of wearing apparel or accessories that advertise, promote, or depict alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, gangs, weapons, nudity, obscenity, or profanity are not to be worn in school.

5. Students are not permitted to wear or advertise in any manner drug, alcohol, weapons, or any controlled substance paraphernalia.

6. Pajama attire is not to be worn in school, unless given special permission [PBIS reward, etc.]

Mr. Small, 6th Grade Dean

Ms. Bennett, 7th Grade Dean

Mr. Metanias, 8th Grade Dean

• Please continue to encourage your students to wear their ID.

• Our December PBIS Goal is to decrease physical aggression/contact. If we make our goal, scholars will be able to wear pajama bottoms on December 21st. Please encourage our Parker Scholars to continue to make positive decisions.

• The 2nd Quarter Incentive criteria to participate in our Grade Level End of the Quarter activities will include scholars that have NOT been assigned In-School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, and have NOT engaged in Physical Aggression. We are looking forward to celebrating our scholars that are making positive choices.

Boys Volleyball

Try out packets are available on the near the main office. Remember you must have a sports physical on file in order to try out!

Cheer and Dance

Our Falcon cheer and dance teams will perform a Holiday performance during halftime at the home game on Wednesday 12/13.

SPECTATORS

Per South Suburban Junior High School Association (SSJHSA), students MUST be accompanied by THEIR parent/guardian to attend any home or away athletic events in the conference. Parents/guardians MUST remain with their scholar during the entire game.

Athletic Eligibility

For all IESA activities, athletic as well as non-athletic, passing work shall be checked weekly. Eligibility will be applied to the Monday through Saturday following the week that was checked. Students must be passing each subject each week to be eligible. Grades will be pulled every Friday. Emails will be sent to parents/guardians of those scholars who are not passing their classes.

SPORTS PHYSICALS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY OUT, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Transfer/new students to PJH must present a 6th grade physical. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a copy of the physical/immunization forms from previous school records. Out of state transfers must have a physical on the Illinois form.

Medications - The only 2 medications (over the counter or prescription) that a student can have in their possession (including backpack, purses, etc.) is an inhaler or epi-pen with authorization. An epi-pen requires physician and parent authorization on the required forms. An inhaler requires parent authorization on the District form and the inhaler prescription box. Students may not have any over the counter or prescription medications at school at any time without the required district authorization forms.

Action Plans - An annual updated action plan is requested for all students with allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes and other medical conditions.

COVID-19. Please report all positive COVID cases to the Nurse (708- 647-5437).

Homework Help is available Tuesday - Thursday from 2:35 pm-3:05 pm. Please make sure your child has transportation home. Bus Transportation will not be provided.

Email: uparris@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/parker-junior-high

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJHS161
Location: 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, Illinois 60422