Fairmount Families Week END Report
09.08.2023
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
Thank you to each and every one of you who joined us at last night's Curriculum Night. We hope this evening provided you with an opportunity to gain a lens into the teaching and learning that will be occurring in your child's classroom this year.
We appreciate your continuous support to assist your child(ren) in adjusting to routines during this first month of school! All of our falcons are doing a fantastic job!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Fairmount58.
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.
This week students and staff will engage in the following:
Wednesday, September 13th - Fire Drill
Band & Orchestra Information
We are so excited to launch a new year in BAND and ORCHESTRA and begin making music together again! We look forward to seeing returning students and also are thrilled to meet the more than 400 beginners who are starting their musical journey this year!
Lessons will be starting at each elementary school the week of Sept. 11th. In the fall, students will also participate in weekly after school rehearsals to prepare for their concerts! Please watch for an email from your student’s orchestra or band teacher with details about lesson and rehearsal schedules. Click here to meet your band and orchestra teachers - we look forward to seeing you soon!
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.
School Expectations
Attendance Form
We are excited to share that you may now utilize our attendance form to report your child(ren)'s absence(s). This is an alternative option to calling the school office either the day of or in advance of the child's absence. This form allows for daily attendance reporting as well as for future/multi-day absence reporting.
Reminder: Picture Day is September 14th
Fairmount Picture Day will be on Thursday, September 14th. Please visit the Van Gogh website below to access additional information related to our upcoming picture day. The school code and company contact information have been provided as well.
Picture Day Link - CLICK HERE
School Code: 20059301
Van Gogh Customer Service: 847-382-2282 X7
Arrival/Dismissal/Carline Reminders
A few important reminders:
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 8:00 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.
Up-to-Date Contact Information
Oktoberfest Volunteers Needed
The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 is gearing up for our 10th Annual Oktoberfest ! As we celebrate a decade of fun, friendship, and supporting our schools, we need YOU to make it the best yet.
Dates: Friday, September 15 & Saturday, September 16
We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers for various shifts across both days. Whether you've got a knack for setting up, serving, or simply bringing smiles, we have a place for you.
Ready to join in the fun? Sign up here: https://bit.ly/45XB4iF
Thank you for your ongoing support! It's the strength of our community that makes events like this so successful. Let's come together and make this Oktoberfest a memorable milestone!
Fairmount PTA
PTA Fun Lunch: Ordering is Now Open!
The PTA is very excited to coordinate Fun Lunch again this year! The ordering platform is now open at https://fairmount.h1.hotlunchonline.net/. (Families new to the school will need to sign up for an account at that same link before ordering).
All meals are still $5.00 each, and you can order for the entire year at once if you choose. Orders are due by Sunday, September 24th for our first Fun Lunch, which will be delivered by Home Run Inn on Friday, September 29th.
Contact Tiffany Melnyk at tiffanyjoy21@gmail.com with any questions about ordering, forgotten login information, or setting up an account.
Volunteers Needed for PTA Fun Lunch
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
PTA Spiritwear Sale
The Fairmount spiritwear sale is going on now through Friday September 15th! Visit the online shop to place your order:
https://fairmount2023spiritwear.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Please reach out to Vicki Epperly (vepperly@gmail.com) if you have any questions. Orders should be delivered the week of October 16th.
Early Dismissal Monday, September 11th
Monday, September 11th 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.
Show your ORANGE!
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 Mrs. Stroud
# of Years at Fairmount: 8 Years
Favorite Movie: While You Were Sleeping
Favorite Place to Go/Travel to: Delavan, WI to our lake place...and the library : )
Favorite Dessert or Sweet Treat: Chocolate Covered Pretzels
A fun or unusual fact about me is... I can do a headstand for about a minute.
Lens into Learning
Meehan's Morning Meeting
Lead the Way
Kinders CAN!
Wonderful Writers
I see DOUBLE!
Seeing STARS!
Fairmount's MVPs - Celebrating Students
Mark your Calendars!
09.11: Patriot Day - wear red, white and/or blue; 2:00 p.m. Early Dismissal
09.13: Fire Drill (drill information above)
09.14: School Picture Day (details above)
09.15: Falcon Friday! Wear spirit wear or school colors (blue, yellow or white)
09.15-09.16: Education Foundation Oktoberfest (Click HERE for more information)
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)
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
Attendance & Change of Dismissal
If your child's dismissal plan will be different (e.g. not taking the bus), please communicate this to both the school secretaries and classroom teacher as promptly as possible. This is especially important for our younger students, so we can support their dismissal process. In the event of a last-minute change (anytime after 11:30 a.m.), we ask that you please call the school office (630-719.5830) as staff members may not check their emails prior to daily dismissal.
Can we reach you via text in an emergency?
If you have not yet opted into the District’s text messaging service, please text “Y” or “yes” to 67587 to ensure that you will receive text messages from District 58 or scan the QR code. Text messages will only be sent rarely and only for critical information such as a school closing.
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.
District 58 Handbook
District 58 annually provides students and families with the Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please 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, we will send home a letter and receipt with your child. This handbook receipt asks parents/guardians to acknowledge that they and their child reviewed and understood the Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. When you receive the handbook receipt, please sign it and return it either with your child or at Curriculum Night. Handbook receipts are due by Fairmount's Curriculum Night, which is Thursday, September 7th.
This year’s handbook is only available electronically. If you need a printed copy, please contact our school office, and we can print you a copy.
Arrival
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 after school hours. We want to ensure the safety of all students.
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.).
Visiting Fairmount School
There are many times throughout the year parents and guests may visit Fairmount during school hours. Please know that all visitors (even when we recognize you) will be asked to do the following prior to entering our school:
Press button to alert office staff
Identify yourself by name and provide the reason for your visit
Upon entry, proceed directly to the office for further direction
District 58 utilizes the Raptor Visitor Management System in all of our schools. This system allows us to screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools and know who is in our building at all times.
Upon entering Fairmount, visitors will be asked to present photo identification, such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. If a parent or guardian for any reason does not have a US government-issued ID, the school staff member can use any form of identification and manually enter the person’s name into the Raptor system. The Raptor system checks the visitor's name and date of birth for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked by the Raptor system. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded and the information is not shared with any outside agency. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who drop off an item in the office/entry vestibule.
The safety of our students is our highest priority and the Raptor visitor management system allows us to quickly identify those that may present a danger to our students. We appreciate your understanding and support in enhancing school safety protocols in our district.
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 (or on school mode) 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.
We appreciate your support in not texting or calling your child during the school day. The office staff will support any needed communication between you and your child throughout the day if/when needed.
Dropping off Items
We recognize that students may forget items at home from time to time. We appreciate your support in only dropping off items that are essential for your child to navigate their school day (e.g. forgotten lunch, iPad).
For your convenience and to ensure the safety of all in the building, any items needing to be dropped off throughout the school day can be left on the table in the entryway vestibule. Please write your child's name and teacher on the item and a staff member will deliver this as soon as possible. Please note: medication of any kind should not be left in the vestibule.
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