Friday Focus
March 15, 2024
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie
- Thanks for Coming to the West Side Classic
- Save the Date - South Park Fine Arts Night - April 18th
- Illinois Assessment of Readiness
- Dates for our 5th Grade Families
- VIP Day Info - 2nd Posting
- 5 Essentials Survey
Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:
- Order your yearbook by 3/22!
- PTO Meeting, 3/20 at 9am!
- and much more...
A Message from Marcie
South Park families,
I am pleased to inform you that Stephanie Mackey was approved by our Board of Education last night as the next assistant principal of South Park Elementary School and Coordinator for Early Learners beginning July 1st.
Ms. Mackey began her career in District 109 as a 2nd grade teacher at Wilmot Elementary School before joining the South Park team as an instructional coach in 2021. Ms. Mackey's leadership throughout our building, the relationships she has cultivated with our staff, and the bridges she has already built between our Early Learners team and the rest of our building made her the ideal candidate for this position.
Earlier this week, Matt Zidron accepted the position of Assistant Director of Preschool & District Services in Glenview School District 34 for the coming school year. I thank Mr. Zidron for all of his work here at South Park and I know he is committed to ensuring that we have a strong finish to the school year.
It's hard to believe that we are almost at Spring Break! We look forward to seeing many of you at parent-teacher conferences next week on Thursday, March 21st and Friday, March 22.
Enjoy the weekend!
Marcie
Thanks for Coming to the West Side Classic!
Thank you to all of the South Park students and families who came out to cheer on the South Park staff in the West Side Classic! Caruso took home the trophy, but the big winner of the day was the Bounce Children's Foundation. Together, we raised over $2,700 to help transform the lives of critically ill children and their families! Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Illinois Assessment of Readiness
3rd-5th Grade Parents and Guardians,
Students across the district in grades 3 through 8 will be participating in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in English/Language Arts & Mathematics between April 2nd and April 19th.
This state assessment helps us understand how students are growing academically year to year, while also providing an achievement comparison to grade-level peers across the state. By measuring both mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards and the College and Career Ready benchmarks of the PSAT and SAT, the IAR is also designed to help prepare students for success in high school and beyond. The overall performance of each school, by grade, also impacts our designation, which is reported on the Illinois School Report Card.
All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at South Park will be testing in the morning from April 8-12. There will also be an additional test on the afternoon of April 12. Your child’s teacher will be in touch with you regarding the specific dates/times of the test sessions.
If you have questions about the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, please reach out to Dr. Faust. As always, we encourage our students to do their best and appreciate your continued partnership.
Important Dates from Caruso for 5th Grader Families
World Language Information Night: April 3rd 6:30-7:00pm: Please join us on Zoom (Link will be sent directly home prior to the event) where members of the World Language Team will share about our various course offerings. Following this Zoom meeting information, including a copy of the presentation, will be sent home to all families. Also, included will be a form to submit your student's language choice for middle school. These will be due by April 22nd at 8am.
Incoming 6th Grade Family Night: April 16th 6:30-7:30pm: Please join us in person at Caruso for this ADULTS ONLY night. We will be going over what you need to know about Caruso to support your students during the upcoming school year!
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Coffee: May 16th 9:00-9:40am: Please join us in person at Caruso for this ADULTS ONLY coffee. This is an opportunity to meet with the principal during the school day, take a brief tour of the school and have your general questions answered. Please RSVP by calling the Caruso Office at 847-945-8430. Space is limited.
Fly Up Day: June 4th 1:30-2:30pm: Students will come with their 5th grade classes to visit Caruso! This will give them a chance to meet teachers, see the school, and learn what it means to be a Blue Jay!
Locker Day: August 14th 1:00-4:00pm: All Caruso students are invited with their families to come walk their schedules and drop supplies off at their lockers. Teachers will not be present on this day.
First Day of School: August 19th 8:00-11:00am: Students will attend a half day of school and will be dismissed at 11:00am!
6th Grade Social Bash: August 23rd 3:00-4:00pm: Immediately following school, all 6th Grade students will be invited to a fun after school social!
VIP Day Info - 2nd Posting
Dear South Park Families,
This morning we shared information via email about RSVPing for our very first VIP (Very Important Penguin) Day which will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 and Friday, May 3, 2024.
Each student will be able to invite one special guest (parent, grandparent, or other important person) to visit the classroom for thirty minutes to participate in a fun activity and see our school!
Please note that all VIPs should be at least 16-years-old so that they can be screened through our visitor management system.
VIP Day Details:
Please RSVP before Friday, April 19, 2024 to sign up for VIP Day. You can RSVP by completing the form in Dr. Faust's email (send this morning) or by clicking on the appropriate link below for your child's grade level.
You will need to fill out the RSVP form for each child who will have a VIP
VIPs MUST have a DRIVER’S LICENSE or STATE ID. We cannot let you in without it.
We recommend that VIPs stop by the South Park office prior to VIP Day
(Monday 4/29, Tuesday 4/30, or Wednesday 5/1) to have their IDs scanned through the school’s visitor management system. VIPs can have their IDs scanned the day of the event, but they will need to wait in line and they may risk the chance of being late.ONLY VIPs who have signed up in advance will be allowed to attend.
The VIP should arrive through the school's front center doors at least 10 minutes before the grade's specific time to sign in.
If your VIP cannot make the event or changes need to be made to who is coming as a VIP, please contact your child’s teacher prior to their assigned date so we know who to expect or we can make arrangements to ensure all students have a special person available!
RSVP LINKS FOR THURSDAY, MAY 2
RSVP LINKS FOR FRIDAY, MAY 3
5 Essentials Survey
Dear Parents/Guardians of Deerfield 109 students,
Again this year, parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, it allows you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Your responses also help guide district improvement.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
To take the Parent Survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. Your identity and responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
In addition to parents, 4th through 8th grade students will also be responding to this survey. Per school board policy 7:15, you may opt your child out of any survey. If you would not like your child to participate in the 5Essentials Survey, please contact Dr. Faust.
Other Important Information ⚠️
- All visitors to South Park School MUST bring a valid driver's license or state ID card to the main office before entering into the building. Beginning this year, we will collect IDs during your visit and return it to you as you leave.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, you need to call or email us by 9:00 that morning. ** Call 847-945-5895, ext. 2103 and leave a message OR ** Email Nurse Nora Moskos.
- Please follow our morning procedures, and drop your children off at their regular grade level doors. If you choose to drive through the front circle at arrival, kindly stay in your car when you drop off to help us reduce morning congestion.
- K-5 drop-off is between 8:35-8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will need to enter through the front door of the school, as all other doors will be locked.
- Dismissal for all Kindy and 1st-grade walkers and car riders will take place at their grade level door.
- Early Learners drop-off/pick-up info can be found here.
- When parking in our Birchwood parking lot, please remember that our preschoolers are dropped off and picked up by the west end (closest to the school). Sometimes, their parents' cars can block a parked car from exiting for a few minutes. To avoid that, we suggest that you park closer to Birchwood Avenue.
Important Dates 📅
Thursday, March 21
- Early Release at 11:40 a.m.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- Non-Attendance Day for Students
- Parent Teacher Conferences from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Spring Break
- School Resumes
Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3
- VIP Day
Fine Arts Night:
Thursday, April 18th - 4:00-5:30
Upcoming Music Concert Dates:
- Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 10 @ 6:00
- Early Learners - Wednesday, April 10 @ 5:00