Fairmount Families Week END Report
09.29.2023
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
This week we held our second fire drill, which was supervised by the fire department. The students and staff did an excellent job exiting the building quickly and safely. The remainder of our scheduled drills will be completed by mid-October.
Parent-Teacher Conference sign-up opened yesterday and will remain open until October 6th at 11:00 a.m. Please see below for instructions on scheduling a time to visit your child(ren)'s teacher in October. As always, feel free to reach out to the office with any questions.
I hope that you are finding the weekly newsletters to be informative and helpful as you plan for the weeks ahead. Each newsletter can also be found on the Fairmount website if you need to reference it a later date.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Fairmount58.
Quick Links:
Conference Sign-Up Now Open
District 58 invites parents and guardians to sign up for fall 2023 parent-teacher conferences using the online PowerPTC conference signup system via PowerPTC.net. The sign-up window is now open and will close Oct. 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Parent-teacher conferences will be held in person. However, families who require a remote option should schedule their conference in PowerPTC and then change the meeting type from “in person” to “video conference.”
Elementary School Conferences will take place:
- Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:45-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:45-8 p.m.
Please view the parent-teacher conference signup guide (para Español: Registro para las reuniones de padres y maestros) to learn how to sign up for a conference using the system, along with other helpful information.
Halloween Celebrations
We are looking forward to celebrating Halloween at school on Tuesday, October 31st. In an effort to support your planning, I wanted to share a few important details ahead of time.
Costumes
All students are invited to wear a costume to school on Tuesday, October 31st. As you prepare your child for this day, please take note of the following costume guidelines:
Costume Guidelines Kindergarten-6th Grade:
Costumes should allow for safe classroom navigation and participation as students will be in their costumes for the whole school day
Costume/Look Alike Weapons of any kind are NOT allowed at school
Costumes should not glorify violence and/or be offensive to any culture/group
Costumes should not impair vision or ability to walk (costume masks will only be allowed during the outdoor parade)
Costumes should allow children to be comfortable in the weather/temperature as students will go outside for recess, as well as the Halloween parade
Parade and Classroom Celebrations
Parents/guardians are welcome to view our outdoor Halloween parade (weather permitting), which will take place at 1:40 p.m. for all students. Parents are welcome to view the parade by standing along the parade route, which will be sent out prior to October 31st. Classroom parties will take place immediately after the parade. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor parade may be canceled and parade spectators will not be allowed in the building for a modified student parade.
Additional information
There will be no food or drink provided or distributed to students during the celebration. This includes any goody bag that students may bring to school to distribute to classmates. If your child would like to bring a “favor” to share with his/her classmates, this must be a non-edible item such as a pencil, stickers, or another small token, and have one for each member of the class. This is, of course, completely optional.
The PTA has coordinated 3-4 parent volunteers for our Halloween classroom celebrations. Specific guidelines related to volunteering have been shared with confirmed volunteers. Please note that parents/guardians who are not confirmed volunteers will not be permitted in the building for the classroom celebrations. All confirmed volunteers will need to check-in outside Door 1 with our office staff and the PTA Room Rep Chair to receive a volunteer/visitor badge.
Thank you for your attention to the above guidelines and details, which will support a safe and eventful Halloween celebration for our students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Safety Drills
Please know that all of the drills above will be announced to students and staff ahead of time, so everyone will be aware of the drill/practice. Additionally, teachers and staff will provide grade-level appropriate follow-up with their classes and ensure students are supported before, during, and after each safety drill.
There are no drills scheduled to take place next week. Our next drill will be held:
Thursday, October 12th - Active Threat Drill
Fairmount PTA
Save the Date: PTA Book Fair 10/12 & 10/18
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The annual Anderson's Book Fair will be at Fairmount Elementary on 10/12 and 10/18 during parent teacher conferences from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Students will preview the book fair during school hours, and parents will have an opportunity to purchase books during parent teacher conferences. Also, on Tuesday, October 17th, students who bring money to school will be able to purchase books if they so choose. As you add books to your home, please consider bringing in your used books and donate them to Andrea's Angels. We will have a bin for collection at the book fair. Thank you for supporting our local bookstore and the Fairmount Elementary PTA.
We need volunteers! Please visit sign up genius site at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094BAEAD28AAFF2-44269334-book/131317559#/
For more information about Andrea's Angels visit: https://www.andersonsbookshop.com/andersons-gives-back
PTA Art Appreciation Volunteers Needed!
We are in great need of volunteers specifically for October in the following classes- Remus, Kroll and Swallows. Still plenty of openings throughout the year!
No art experience needed! No teaching experience needed! The presentations are already prepared and the supplies are on-site! Your child will be so excited when you come to class. If you can help out, fill in your name on this document. At this time, we would ask you to sign up for only (1) lesson (if you have multiple students you would like to volunteer for, please start with 1 per grade). If we need more volunteers, we will reach out again. You and the teacher will work together to schedule an agreed upon date for you to come present. Thank you in advance!
Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MR9GAMf2WrA18APT2_jC13pMbgamgG9r4HosrCyUKNA/edit?usp=sharing.
More info here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fi4sN6C_PNILhKeEKl1S0Cx2_sGDZPajK6ZVgKpcnt0/edit?usp=sharing
Save the Date: Trunk or Treat 10/23
WHEN: Monday, October 23rd, 2023.
TIME: 6-7pm.
Please start at the south side of the parking lot. Look for the starting line table. At 6:15pm, the Trunk or Treating line will begin. Please encourage your children to only go through the line once.
LOCATION: Fairmount Parking Lot
Please remember: This event is for Fairmount Families and hosted on school property. Costume/look alike weapons of any kind are not allowed at this event. Costumes and trunks should not glorify violence and/or be offensive to any culture/group.
Please contact Greg & Kelli at programs.fairmount.pta@gmail.com with any questions.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We will need people to volunteer to decorate their trunk and hand out candy. Please use this signup genius link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848A8AD29A6FACE9-44343813-trunk
PTA Fun Lunch: Orders due 10/15
The next PTA Fun Lunch is Friday, October 20th. Food will be provided by Cozzi Corner, and orders are due by Sunday, October 15th. The ordering platform is now open at https://fairmount.h1.hotlunchonline.net/. All meals are still $5.00 each, and you can order for the entire year at once if you choose.
Contact Tiffany Melnyk at tiffanyjoy21@gmail.com with any questions about ordering, forgotten login information, or setting up an account.
PTA Reflections
Calling all Artists! This year's theme for Reflections is "I am Hopeful Because...." Students may enter in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, or Special Artist Division. Students will then compete in their age division: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3- 5), and Middle School (Grades 6-8).
Entries are due to your PTA by Friday, October 27. For more information, visit the Local Council site at https://sites.google.com/view/dupageeastcouncilsite/home or the Illinois PTA Reflections site at https://illinoispta.org/reflections/.
Any questions? Please email us at reflectionsfairmount@gmail.com
Early Dismissal Monday, October 2nd
Monday, October 2nd is our next Professional Learning Monday. All students are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. according to their regular dismissal plan. Please be sure you have made arrangements for your child to be picked up from Fairmount at 2:00 p.m. each Monday.
Teacher Feature
We are so glad you are part of our school community! Whether this is your child's first or seventh year at Fairmount, we wanted to provide a fun way to get to know the many members of our teaching and school staff. We started this section last school year and look forward to continuing it during the 2023-2024 school year. Our teachers and staff have been asked new questions, so you can learn even more about them.
Meet Ms. Erin Meehan
# of Years at Fairmount: 20+ years!
Favorite Movie: The Goonies
Favorite Place to Go/Travel to: the Florida panhandle
Favorite Dessert or Sweet Treat: mint chocolate chip ice cream
A fun or unusual fact about me is... dolphins are my favorite animal and I am a lefty!
Lens into Learning
Talk about Tuesday
Sunshine & Smile
No Grouches Here!
Fill it Friday
FUN Lunch FUN!
Fairmount's MVPs - Celebrating Students
Mark your Calendars!
10.02: Wear Orange! 2:00 p.m. Early Dismissal
10.03: K-2 Author Visit (during school hours); 3:00-3:45 p.m. Run Club (for registered students)
10.04: 6:00 p.m. PTA Meeting
10.05 3:00-3:45 p.m. Run Club (for registered students)
10.06: Falcon Friday! Wear spirit wear or school colors; PTA Fun Lunch
A Look Ahead...
10.09: School is IN session
10.12: Parent-Teacher Conferences (more details soon)
10.18: Parent-Teacher Conferences (more details soon)
2023-2024 School Calendar - Updated
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 22-24, 2023
Winter Break: Dec. 25, 2023 -Jan. 5, 2024
Spring Break: March 25-329, 2024
Last Day of School: Friday, May 24, 2024 (if no emergency days are used)
Below the Line
Health/Physical Examination & Immunization Record due October 15th
As required by law, all new students, as well as students entering grades K, 2, and 6, must receive health examinations and immunizations and submit completed health forms by October 15th. To learn more check out the Health Services page on the District 58 website.
Thank you to many of the families who have already completed and submitted these forms. In accordance with Illinois law, failure to comply with these requirements by Oct 15 of the current school year, or 30 days following registration for first-time registrants, will result in the student's exclusion from school until such requirements have been met. All sections of the child examination form must be completed including the health history, which must be completed by the parent.
District 58 communicates frequently regarding these requirements as it is our hope to avoid school exclusion for all of our students. If you are in need of additional assistance, our school nurse, Susan Donahue (sdonahue@dg58.org) or Jenny Mazur (jmazur@dg58.org), would be happy to assist you in answering questions or connecting you with resources to complete this requirement.
Picture Retakes
Please note that retakes will be held at Fairmount on October 26, 2023 for anyone wishing to retake their photo and/or for any absent students.
Picture Day Link - CLICK HERE
School Code: 20059301
Van Gogh Customer Service: 847-382-2282 X7
Arrival/Dismissal/Carline Reminders
A few important reminders:
If you are choosing to drop off your student (via car), please utilize the car line and do not drop them off on Blodgett.
There are no dogs or other animals allowed on school grounds during arrival, dismissal and/or when on campus during the school day.
To support the flow of the car line, families and students who are arriving or dismissing at Fairmount as walkers are asked to walk behind/around the building to avoid crowding the sidewalk in front of the building.
If you are accessing our Carline, please note the following:
-There is no parking in the carline and we ask that all parents/drivers remain in their vehicle.
-Please do not enter the lot until 8:05 a.m. (Arrival) and 2:55 p.m. (Dismissal).
-All students should exit out the passenger side/curbside of the vehicle. Staff are available to assist with the opening and closing of doors, but cannot assist with safety seats/seatbelts.
-Please see "Below the Line" for additional information regarding the Fairmount Carline.
Safe to Help
- Click here to connect with Safe2Help Illinois. Students can contact Safe2Help Illinois to safely and confidentially report a crisis or threat involving themselves or someone they know. Safe2Help is monitored 24/7 by trained crisis professionals. District 58 staff will receive an alert after the Safe2Help professional provides support. Through Safe2Help, students can report a crisis or threat through the following ways:
- Website: https://app.safe22helpil.com
- Text: SAFE2 (72332)
- Phone: 844-4-SAFEIL (844-472-3345)
- App: "Safe2Help Illinois" app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
- Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com
- Call or text "988" and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will provide 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
- Text “ACT” to 741741: The National Crisis Text line will connect you with free, confidential assistance.
Fairmount Office Contact Information
Lisa Niforatos, Principal lniforatos@dg58.org
Jill DeRango, Secretary jderango@dg58.org
Jill Darrah, Secretary jdarrah@dg58.org
Email: lniforatos@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org/fa/
Location: 6036 Blodgett Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630.719.5830
Twitter: @Fairmount58