The Fairview Connection
APRIL 14, 2023
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL OPHUS
Dear Fairview Families,
It has been an emotional week here at Fairview. Thank you again to all families who made donations, sent cards, or emailed kind words this week as we continue to mourn the loss of Amelia. I know her family was very appreciative of the kindness shown by members of the Fairview community this week. One of the best things about Fairview is the way people support one another in our school community. It is a privilege to serve as the principal in such a remarkable school community, and I thank you again for your ongoing support!
Special thanks to all families who attended our Student Council Movie Night this week. We appreciate your participation and all of the cereal boxes you donated as part of this event. Thanks to fourth grade teacher and Student Council sponsor, Tina Sakoufakis, for organizing this fun event for our families. As we head into the weekend, take a moment to read below for some updates related to the weeks ahead. Click here for this past week’s edition of the FES News, which includes information about our Cereal Effect service project. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Dan Ophus
Fairview Principal
5th Grade Musical: We are so excited to be hosting the 5th grade musical, Space Pirates, next week! Each homeroom class will have its own performance on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday at 6:00 pm or 7:15 pm. We welcome families to come and enjoy a show in support of our 5th grade students. For 5th grade families, please refer to Mrs. Happ’s communication regarding start times and volunteer opportunities.
The Cereal Effect: We are excited to continue “The Cereal Effect” service project next week. Thanks to all who have already donated! The Mount Prospect Food Pantry has notified us that, at this time of year, they often see a slowdown in food donations for families in our community who need food. One of the items that they need most is cereal. Students are encouraged to bring in cereal boxes to support families in our community, which is a great way to show others that kindness matters at Fairview School. There are two reasons why we are calling this project “The Cereal Effect.” The first is because this project will positively affect people in our community. If each class gathers 20 boxes, we can donate 460 boxes to give to people in need, which would account for approximately 3,680 meals. The second reason relates to the domino activity we have planned with the cereal boxes on Friday, April 21st (watch the FES news at the link above for more information). This collection will end on Thursday, April 20th. Click here for the flyer that went home with students last week. We hope you are able to participate!
Parent Feedback for Next School Year: As we get closer to the end of the year, the Fairview staff will complete the sectioning process for next school year. This process consists of teachers carefully analyzing student needs and creating balanced class lists for the following school year. There are several factors that are considered when creating balanced class lists. Students are placed so that they have a cluster of other peers with them that learn at their same academic levels to ensure an appropriate peer group exists for small group instruction. Teachers carefully consider the types of supports that each student needs when generating balanced class lists as well. Once each grade level team has created class lists that are balanced and make sense from an instructional standpoint, I carefully analyze each list and assign a homeroom teacher. I may make a small number of changes to the teacher created lists if needed. I’d like to invite you as parents to take a part in this process, as you know your child best. If you’d like to share your feelings about the learning environment that will best suit your child’s learning needs, please fill out the form found at this link. DO NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUEST TEACHERS BY NAME. Such requests will not be honored. Rather than stating the teacher you want, provide me with information about your son or daughter and how you feel they learn most effectively. I will read through every feedback form I receive carefully and take your input into account when making final teacher assignments. Please submit this form no later than Friday, May 5th. If you have more than one child who will attend Fairview next school year, please fill out the form separately for each child.
April Falcons Read - School Window Poetry Walk: To celebrate poetry month, the Fairview staff wanted to create a way for families to get out and enjoy the changing weather while being involved with school. Starting Monday, April 17th families are welcome to walk around the outside of our building to view the variety of poems we have posted and decorated by students on our exterior windows. Feel free to stop by Fairview with your family for this window poetry walk anytime between Monday and the end of April. We hope you enjoy it!
Portrait of a Graduate Community Focus Groups: District 57 invites parents and guardians to participate in a focus group to provide valuable feedback on the Portrait of a Graduate initiative. Participants will meet with a small group of community members and a focus group facilitator. Focus groups are scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th, and Wednesday, April 19th. Additional slots are now available and will be first come, first serve. If you are interested in participating please click here to register for a time.
Capannari’s Coolest School Contest: Fairview's date for the annual Capannari's Coolest School Contest is coming up on Tuesday, April 25th. This is a fundraiser for the PTO where we receive a percentage of all sales on our assigned date. Click here for more details. This year, they are bringing back celebrity scoopers for the first time since before the pandemic. This is where staff is invited to scoop ice cream and connect with the families that attend. See this link for more information on who is planning to help out as a celebrity scooper for your planning purposes.
Dress Code: As the weather is getting warmer, now is a good time for parents to review our D57 dress code found in our district handbook. Please click on this link and refer to the section entitled “Parent/Community Information.” From there, you’ll find a link to the dress code. Thank you for your help!
Please contact Julie Manis (jmanis@d57.org) or Cindy Buell (cbuell@d57.org) if you need assistance with language translation of any of the flyers that appear in the newsletter.
Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of multiple books including The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Baby Monkey Private Eye will be visiting Fairview on Monday, May 1st to share his new book Big Tree. His books are a combination of written story and pencil illustrations. Brian has also illustrated multiple books and book covers in conjunction with other authors.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Big Tree click here for the order form. Brian will be signing the books for students while he is here also.
STUDENT SIGN-IN/SIGN-OUT PROCEDURE
DID YOUR STUDENT'S END OF DAY TRAVEL PLANS CHANGE AT THE LAST MINUTE?
FAIRVIEW FOLDERS
PTO READ-A-WAY PROGRAM
Click on the graphic for April's reading log calendar. Please remember to write your name and your teacher's name on the completed log when you turn it in at the beginning of May.
This is the last month to participate in this program. Thank you to Mrs. Patterson for organizing this for our students.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, 4/15 - Education Foundation Spring Gala, 6:30 p.m., Old Orchard Country Club
Tuesday, 4/18 - Mr. Lindgren's class performs "Space Pirates" - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 4/18 - Mr. Costello's class performs "Space Pirates" - 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, 4/19 - Ms. Spenner's class performs "Space Pirates" - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 4/19 - Mr. McGovern's class performs "Space Pirates" - 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, 4/20 - Mrs. Noll's class performs "Space Pirates" - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, 4/20 - Ms. Picciola's class performs "Space Pirates" - 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, 4/20 - Board of Education meeting, 7:00 p.m., Fairview LRC
Friday, 4/21 - Half day - students dismissed at 11:50 a.m.
NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT & COMMUNITY
DISTRICT 57 EDUCATION FOUNDATION SPRING GALA
LOVE FOR LINDA SCHOLARSHIP
KEEP THE FRONT OFFICE INFORMED
If you email your student's teacher regarding vacation plans, end of day transportation plans, illness, doctor appointments, etc., please include the front office staff in your communication.
Also, please contact Fairview School’s office if your home/cell phone number, emergency contact numbers, or email address have changed.
If you have moved, please immediately contact the front office so we can update your student's records.
Chris Trezise, 847-394-7320, ext. 4001 - ctrezise@d57.org
Carolyn Young, 847-394-7320, ext. 4000 - cyoung@d57.org
Contact Us
Una Durkan, Assistant Principal / udurkan@d57.org / extension 4006
Office: 847-394-7320/Fax: 847-394-7328
Website: d57.org/fairviewelementaryschool_home
Location: 300 N. Fairview Ave., Mount Prospect, IL
Twitter: @fairview_d57