Fairmount Families Week END Report
08.19.2022
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
With less than one week away until the start of the 2022-23 school year, I am excited to share with you the first OFFICIAL Week "End" Report for this year.
For those new to our Fairmount community, please look for this weekly communication in your inbox every week "END". We hope this weekly communication will provide your family with a "One Stop Shop" to access all things Fairmount and a lens into learning as we progress in the school year.
In preparation for the start of school next week, please find included within this week's report important information, links and upcoming dates. I recognize that this week's report contains a great deal of information, and thank you in advance for your time and attention to its contents.
On behalf of the Fairmount team, we cannot wait to welcome each and every one of our students next week. As always, please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions. Let's make it a great year!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Fairmount58.
District 58 Handbook
District 58 has published the 2022-23 Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please take time to review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations. During the first full week of school, all families will receive a handbook receipt to sign, acknowledging that they and their child reviewed and understood the handbook. Please sign and return the handbook receipt at Curriculum Night or sooner. Here are the links to this year’s family handbook. If you need a print copy, please contact the school office at 630-719-5830, and we can print you a copy.
Move-In & Meet the Teacher - 08.23.2022
Tuesday, August 23rd will be our Move-In/Meet the Teacher event. All Fairmount Families are invited to come to Fairmount School between 2:45-3:30 p.m. to see their classroom, meet their teacher(s) and “move-in” their supplies. Please plan to have your child attend this event with a parent/guardian/adult.
On the day of this event, and in order to support students becoming familiar with their typical arrival door, we ask that each grade level enters through the following doors:
Door One: Kindergarten
Door Three: 1st & 2nd Grade
Door Four: 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade
If you have children in multiple grades, please plan to enter through your youngest child's door.
If your family cannot attend the Move-In/Meet the Teacher event, please have your child(ren) bring their supplies on the first day of school.
The Fairmount PTA will also have a table outside (front lawn area) from 2:45-3:45 p.m. Please consider stopping by to learn more about PTA membership and volunteer opportunities.
Arrival
*Please note that entrance times may change as students build routines. We have not used our normal entrance procedures in several years, and we recognize that it may take students longer at the start of the school year to be ready to start the school day. The District also recognizes that bus arrival times vary during the first few weeks of school as drivers learn new routes. As students build routines and bus arrival times become more consistent, student entry times may get pushed back. This time will assist our team as we prepare for the school day. Supervision times will remain the same and any changes will be communicated in advance.
Entry Doors for Arrival
Dismissal/After School
Following daily dismissal at Fairmount School (2:00 p.m. on Monday and 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday), all students who are not scheduled to remain in the building must leave the school grounds and check in at their destination as there is no supervision on school grounds. We want to ensure the safety of all students. Students may return to the playground after school hours and/or on the weekends. This will be done at family discretion, as our district playgrounds also function as community parks outside of school hours.
Exit Doors for Dismissal
Important Information Below...
Thank you for your patience, especially during the first weeks of school as everyone adjusts to the arrival and dismissal routine. We appreciate everyone's support to ensure our arrival and dismissal process runs smoothly and safely for all students.
Car Line
Please see the diagram below for car line details. The car line queue will form on Blodgett facing south only. Cars may not enter the car line if traveling north on Blodgett. Cars will begin entering the parking lot (in a single line) at 8:05 a.m. for arrival and 2:50 p.m. for dismissal (1:50 p.m. on Mondays).
The cars should stay within the marked yellow solid lines in the Fairmount lot; cars may not pass one another. There will be four drop zones within the parking lot, and staff will be present to assist. Drivers are asked to follow the prompts of the staff members and pull up to the furthest available drop zone. Students should only exit and enter from the passenger side of the vehicle, and drivers should not exit their vehicles. After unloading at arrival, students will walk to their assigned arrival door.
Cars accessing the car line at dismissal are asked to have the pink "Car Line Sign" visible on the passenger side window to assist with the dismissal process. This sign will be available at the Move-In/Meet the Teacher event and will also be available in the entryway vestibule.
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.
Important Notes:
- The car line should only be used for student drop-off and pick-up. If you would like to walk your child to and from their arrival/dismissal door, please do not use the car line, as parking is not allowed in the school parking lot during arrival or dismissal.
- Parking will not be allowed during the posted times on Blodgett to support our car line as well as student bussing (7:00-9:00 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.).
Phone/Wearable Technology Use
While a student can bring their electronic device (including cell phones and AirPods) to school, all non-district-issued technologies are to be silenced and out of sight throughout the school day. Students are allowed to wear smartwatches, but they are to be silenced during the school day. The district-provided technology will be utilized for students to participate in lessons and complete assignments. Please be sure to go over the expectations with your student as the policy was recently amended.
Bus Routing
Bus routes should be accessible in your child's PowerSchool account by the end of the day on Monday, August 22nd. Please contact Jill Darrah or Jillian DeRango with questions.
Snack/Fruit Break Information
Please make sure your child has a snack each day. Snack breaks should consist of nutritious food choices such as fruits, vegetables, and other portable snacks. This aligns with Policy 6:50. The health and safety of our students are our highest priorities. Therefore certain snacks or foods may be prohibited in your child’s classroom due to food allergies. A daily snack can be provided for students who qualify for free/ reduced lunch.
Lunch Supervisors Needed
Fairmount is in need of lunch supervisors for the 22-23 school year. If you are interested in being considered for a lunch supervisor position at Fairmount School (either on a full-time or substitute basis), please complete this form. Lunch supervisors (who may supervise lunch, recess or both) are paid $15.00 per hour and work from 11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m. Please contact Jill Darrah (jdarrah@dg58.org) or 630-719-5830.
Mark your Calendars!
08.23: Move-In/Meet the Teacher at Fairmount 2:45-3:30 p.m.
08.25: 1st Day of School (Full Day)
08.29: Student Dismissal at 2:00 p.m. (Professional Learning Monday)
A Look Ahead...
09.05: No School - Labor Day
09.14: Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30 p.m.
09.15: School Picture Day (Details coming soon!)
09.16-09.17: Education Foundation Oktoberfest (Click HERE for more information)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-25, 2022
Winter Break: Dec. 19, 2022 -Jan. 2, 2023
Spring Break: March 27-31, 2023
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (if no emergency days are used)
Below the Line
Class Assignments (previously shared)
Class assignments were made available to all Fairmount families on Monday, 8/15. If you have not done so already, please be sure to check your account.
In order to view your child’s schedule, you will need to be able to log into your secure PowerSchool Parent Portal Account. Families can navigate the portal by visiting dg58.powerschool.com and signing in with their username and password. Information about creating a portal account can be found here. If you need assistance, please contact our school office at 630-719-5830 which can help you get signed in.
Meet our Team - 2022-2023
School Supplies
School supply lists can be found on our school website and by clicking HERE.
If you have any questions related to the PTA school supply ordering, please contact Tina Patten at: tinayee123@gmail.com.
Fairmount Office Hours
Our school office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fairmount Office Team:
Jillian DeRango, Secretary jderango@dg58.org
Jill Darrah, Secretary, jdarrah@dg58.org
Lisa Niforatos, Principal, lniforatos@dg58.org
Main Office Number: 630.719.5830
Fairmount Office Contact Information
Lisa Niforatos, Principal lniforatos@dg58.org
Jillian 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