Friday Focus
January 13, 2023
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie - Reminder: No School on Monday, 1/16
- MAP Testing Begins Next Week
- Kindergarten and New Student Registration Now Open
- Other Important Info...
Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:
- Bingo Night on 1/29 from 4-5:30
- Bernie’s Book Bank on 2/4 from 12:30-2pm
- Join the Deerfield Parent Network Board
- And much more...
A Message from Marcie 👩🏻💻
Happy New Year, South Park!
Returning after Winter Break can be challenging for students, so we spent much of our week reviewing school-wide expectations to help our students acclimate to being back in school. Our students have done an excellent job following our Penguin Principles of being respectful, responsible, helpful, and safe.
New years bring new ideas so this year we introduced something new to our students during morning announcements called "Word of the Week," as a way to expose students to unfamiliar, interesting words. The research on reading has taught us that when we expose students to new words, they have a greater likelihood of developing an understanding of the new word, experimenting with the word, and identifying it when they read. This is certainly something that all parents can do when speaking with their children at home. Consider using new words with your children and helping them notice new words that they have never used before. Our word this week was "initiate."
Finally, as we head into the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, we want to let families know that we spoke to students today about Dr. King's legacy of leading our country toward racial justice and equality. Students also learned that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is often celebrated by volunteering and taking part in community service. If your family is interested in a service opportunity on Monday, consider attending an event such as the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Recreation Center of Highland Park. Click here to learn more.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Marcie
MAP Testing Begins Next Week
We begin the winter administration of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test in Math and Reading for students in grades K-5 next week on Tuesday, January 17th. The winter MAP testing window will run for three weeks.
Below is the MAP schedule for South Park. Specific schedule information will be shared by your child's teacher.
Winter MAP Schedule
Kindergarten and New Student Registration 2023-24 Now Open!
Our staffing decisions are based on the number of fully registered students, so the earlier we know who is coming, the better we can plan!
Just go to www.dps109.org/kindy to learn how to begin the process. Please reach out to our registrar, Rosa Castillo (rcastillo@dps109.org), with any questions.
Our 4th and 5th Graders Enjoyed a Special Music Concert Performed by Caruso Band, Choir, and Orchestra Students
Other Important Information ⚠️
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Parents who park in the front circle should wait until 3:10 p.m. to do so.
- Dismissal is at 3:25 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We dismiss at 2:25 on Wednesdays.
- Our practice is to let kids go outside if the temperature/wind chill is 10 degrees or warmer and it is not raining or snowing too hard.
Important Dates 📅
Monday, January 16
- Legal Holiday - No School
- Legal Holiday - No School
- Institute Day - No School
- Legal Holiday - No School
- Spring Break - No School
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 8- South Park Winter Book-tacular 6:00-7:30
- South Park Showcase 5:00-7:00
MUSIC CONCERTS:
- 5th Grade - Wednesday, January 25 @ 6:30
- 4th Grade - Wednesday, February 15th @ 6:30
- 3rd Grade - Wednesday, March 8th @ 6:30
- 2nd Grade - Wednesday, February 15th @ 5:30
- 1st Grade - Wednesday, March 8th @ 5:30
- Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 26 @ 6:30