Hometown School Newsletter

September 28, 2021

Bencik's Buzz

It is hard to believe October begins next week. A huge thank you to our PTA for all of the planning and preparation for the Masquerade Ball. The decorations, company, and music were all outstanding. I am sure all of the young ladies had a magical time with their dads.


On Thursday, September 30th we will hold a SEL Parent University. The program will focus on understanding the Second Step curriculum taught to your children, vocabulary used, as well as strategies to use. We hope you can join us.


As we begin October, the first week will be our safety week. Students will participate in different safety drills throughout the week including fire, tornado, shelter in place and lockdown. Have conversations at home with your child about what to do in emergency situations.

Shield Testing

Tomorrow we will begin COVID-19 SHIELD testing at Hometown only for those that have already completed the OPT-IN form and signed their student up in Skyward Family Access.


The SHIELD Illinois program is a quick, simple, and non-invasive COVID-19 screening test. Students that have opted-in to the program will provide a small amount of saliva that is tested at a professional lab. Results of the test are then provided to families and our school district within the days following. The program offers students the opportunity to reduce or waive quarantine requirements in the event of close contact with a positive case or if the student demonstrates symptoms. You can opt-in to the program at any time by accessing Online Forms in Skyward Family Access. More information about the SHIELD Illinois program can be found at: d123.org/shield-illinois-testing-program

PTA Meeting

We will have a PTA meeting on October 7th at 6pm. During this meeting, we will hold the library focus group for the renovations that will start this summer. If you could join us to give input, we would greatly appreciate it.

Masks

Please make sure your students are bringing their masks to school everyday and there is an extra one in the student's backpack in case theirs gets dirty or needs to be changed.

Title One Parent Compact

If you have not turned in the parent compact, please do so as soon as possible. These were due on September 24th.

Cheesecake orders

Students will be coming home with a fundraiser for cheesecakes. Orders are due to the office on Wednesday, October 5th. Orders will be picked up on Wednesday, October 26th. If you have questions, please call the office.

SEL Parent University

Please view the attached flyer for a parent university that will be held at Hometown to give parents strategies to help their children during emotional situations.

Quarantining Students

If your child has any signs or symptoms of not feeling well, we encourage you to keep them home and monitor the case. As students are testing positive for covid please notify the school, we are looking at cases individually and contact tracing accordingly. In the event your child will need to quarantine, the school will reach out. Per the guidelines, students will need to quarantine if they are directly exposed without a mask, for more than fifteen minutes within a six foot distance.

Party Money

Please submit your party money to the homeroom teacher for our three parties for the year. Please see the flyer below.

Spooktacular Event

This event was a hit last year! We will hosting the event again this year. Please read the flyers for the spooktacular event taking place on October 23rd. Sign up links are noted or donate candy. Check out some of last year's displays.


Amazon wish list


https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RCWQ82UW7AQO/?ref_=lol_ov_le

Sign up to do a display or trunk display.


https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080D4CA8AA2AA64-spooktacularhttps://


Signing up for monetary donations towards the Spooktacular .

olhmsptsa.memberhub.com/store


Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Rebecca Malone

Meet Our Staff

Every week we will shine a spotlight on one of our own amazing staff members. Meet Mrs. Rebecca Malone. Mrs. Malone is working this year as our Literacy Support Teacher (LST) and our Math Support Teacher (MST).


How long and what grades have you taught?

This is my 9th year in D123, and my second year teaching full time. I have taught every grade level from pre-k to 8th grade! I was an informal science educator for 10 years prior to having my children, and worked for the New England Aquarium in Boston and Brookfield Zoo here in Illinois, as an education program coordinator and a curriculum writer.


If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would travel to Italy. My great grandparents immigrated from Italy over 100 years ago and my grandmother always wanted to visit their homes, but never got the chance. I would love to take my family to see some of the places we came from.


What is the best thing about working at Hometown?

The people! This is one of the most welcoming, supportive, cohesive groups of people I have ever worked with, and it makes coming to work each day an absolute joy!


What is your favorite food?

I love seafood! Lobster is my favorite, but I eat almost any kind of fish!


Who is someone you admire and why?

My mom. She is one of the kindest, strongest and most selfless people I know, and I try to be like her every day.


If you see Mrs. Malone around our school make sure you say hello!!!

Hometown Elementary School

Hometown Elementary School

Hometown Elementary School

8870 S Duffy Ave, Hometown, IL, USA 708-423-7360 d123.org/hometown
Mrs. Bencik's Picture

Principal Hometown School

Mrs. Bencik's Picture

abencik@d123.org 708-423-7360