Fairmount Families Week END Report
03.01.2024
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
We have reached the end of Trimester Two and the start of March! As we near the wrap up of Winter and beginning of Spring there are many exciting things to look forward to during our last trimester of the 2023-2024 school year. We also recognize that this is typically a busy time for our students and families and appreciate your continued support as we aim to have a Terrific Trimester Three.
Our PTA's annual One School One Book (OSOB) kicks off next week. Please look for an email in your inbox on Monday, March 4th, which will provide an overview of this optional, PTA sponsored activity.
Please see below for information related to registration for the 2024-2025 school year, which is now open.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Fairmount58.
Quick Links:
Information & Reminders
Please register now for the 2024-25 school year
District 58 opened its online registration for returning students for the 2024-25 school year. Parents are asked to please submit their child’s registration by Monday, April 8. To begin, go to https://www.dg58.org/family-resources/registration and click on “Returning Student Application” and follow the prompts in the step-by-step instructions.
District 58 encourages families to register their student(s) promptly, as early registration helps the District determine its hiring, staffing, classroom, and transportation needs for the upcoming school year. While registration is occurring in February, March and April, an invoice won’t be sent until after May 1. Thank you for your help in supporting a smooth transition to the next school year!
If you have technical questions during the registration process, please contact District 58’s Technology Help Desk by filling out a Technology Help Ticket or calling 630-719-2768. For general registration questions, please contact your school office.
New this year, all registration will be conducted online. If families cannot complete the process online, they can call or visit their child’s school and the process can be completed there. District 58’s preschool registration is also open and is accepting applications at www.dg58.org/preschool.
Nominate Outstanding District 58 Staff for Distinguished Service Awards!
The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 is calling for nominations for its annual Distinguished Service Awards program. The award honors exceptional District 58 staff and teachers who have positively impacted the lives of students and the community.
The nomination process seeks individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, positively influence children, demonstrate sustained dedication to education, care for the “whole child,” earn respect from peers and superiors, and serve as role models for fellow employees. To nominate an staff member or teacher, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and complete the Nomination Form by March 29.
Completed forms can be emailed to District58DSA@gmail.com or mailed to DSA Chair Mia Churma at the District 58 Office, 2300 Warrenville Road, Suite 200NE, Downers Grove, IL 60515
The Education Foundation will host the award ceremony at 4 p.m. May 15 at O’Neill Middle School.
5th Grade Illinois Science Assessment
Our 5th graders will be engaging in the Illinois Science Assessment on the following Tuesdays prior to Spring Break:
March 5th
March 12th
March 19th
An individual communication from classroom teachers was sent to all 5th grade parents with additional information.
Please take this survey!
As a friendly reminder, parents are invited to take the District 58 School Environment Survey here. The survey takes just a few minutes yet provides valuable information that guides our school improvement efforts. All responses are anonymous.
In addition, parents are also invited to take the Illinois State Board of Education’s 5Essentials Parent Survey. This survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes. Your identity and survey responses are confidential. Thank you for your time!
Lost and Found
With the frequent changes in weather, our Lost and Found is full! Please encourage your child(ren) to look for any missing any items in the upcoming week. A friendly reminder that our Lost and Found is conveniently located in the entryway vestibule so parents/guardians can access this in the morning before school, during the school day and/or after school.
Summer School Registration is Now Open!
Please click on the link below to access information about DG58 Summer School opportunities:
Kindergarten Information for 2024-2025
Thank you for helping us spread the word to any neighbors who have a child preparing to enter Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. The information linked below was recently emailed to current Fairmount families with future Kindergarteners (based on siblings) as well as those that have contacted our office for information.
Grove Children’s Preschool
Grove Children’s Preschool tuition applications for the 2024-25 school year are opened. (www.dg58.org/preschool). First-priority preschool applications are due Monday, March 11.
Grove Children’s Preschool is located at Henry Puffer School and Indian Trail School (6235 Stonewall Ave.) in Downers Grove. Students attend school five days per week during either a morning or an afternoon session.
School Improvement Focus
Do you know about Dreambox?
This year our school improvement goal is focused on utilizing the Bridges curriculum and tailored small group instruction. Dreambox is an app that your child can access through their Clever account to continue working on this goal at home. Please encourage your child to access this individualized math tool at home. We understand that it can be challenging not to assist your child while they are working at home, but it is important that this application is used independently in order for your child to receive the appropriate support and instruction.
Numbers & Operations
Additionally, this year at Fairmount we are targeting improvement in Numbers & Operations in mathematics at all grade levels. A key part to this focus is looking at the delivery of small group instruction to meet the needs of all students. The photos below capture students collaborating in both pairs and small groups.
Fairmount PTA
Fairmount PTA
Fairmount is lucky to have a very active PTA. We encourage all parents/guardians to join the PTA. Please see the the PTA website for detailed information related to membership, events, and to subscribe to the weekly Falcon Flyer. We also encourage you to visit the events page on the PTA website to view all upcoming and ongoing events hosted by the PTA. As always, thank you to our wonderful PTA!
March Fun Lunch Information
March will feature TWO Fun Lunches. The first will be provided by Al's on Friday, March 8th (order deadline Sunday, March 3rd). The second will be Home Run Inn on Friday, March 22nd (order deadline Sunday, March 17th). Order, as always, at https://fairmount.h1.hotlunchonline.net for these or any future lunches.
Contact Tiffany Melnyk at tiffanyjoy21@gmail.com with any questions.
PTA Spiritwear Spring Sale
The Spring Spirit Wear sale has started. Head over to the webstore to place your order: 2024 Spring Spiritwear - Fairmount | Complete Image Apparel, LLC | powered by OrderMyGear (itemorder.com)
Orders are due by March 15th with delivery is expected the week of April 15th. A portion of all sales comes back to the PTA. Should you have any questions, please contact Vicki Epperly (Vepperly@gmail.com)
Teacher Feature
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. Mattie Garrison
# of Years at Fairmount: 3 Years
Favorite Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Favorite Place to Go/Travel to: Anywhere warm and that has a beach!
Favorite Dessert or Sweet Treat: Cheesecake
A fun or unusual fact about me is... I coach cheerleading at O'Neill Middle School!
Lens into Learning
Talk about Tuesday
Reading Games
Shout-out to all of the Fairmount Falcons who participated in the DG58 Reading Games!
Hands-On!
6th grade enjoyed some hands-on learning during their Cow Eye Dissection!
Fairmount MVPs - Celebrating Students
Calendar & Important Dates
Early Dismissal Monday, March 4th
Monday, March 4th 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.
Mark your Calendars!
03.04: Happy Monday! One School One Book Spirit Day - Mismatch Day (see above)
03.05: 5th Grade Illinois Sign Language Club for Registered Students 3:00-3:45 p.m.; Yearbook Editor's Meeting 3:00-3:45 p.m.
03.06: Kindergarten Round-Up 6:00-7:00; PTA Meeting 7:30 p.m.
03.07: 3:00-3:45 p.m. Grade 2 Mindful Club for Registered Students
03.08: Falcon Friday - Wear School Colors or Spiritwear!
A Look Ahead...
03.25-03.29: Spring Break: School and Office Closed
05.27: Memorial Day - No School!
05.29: Last Day for Students (Half Day)
2023-2024 School Calendar - Updated
Spring Break: March 25-29, 2024
Last Day of School: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 (if no additional emergency days are used)
Below the Line: Repeated Information
Below the Line
Welcome Andrea Laama!
Please join me in welcoming Andrea Laama to the Fairmount Office team! We appreciate your continued patience and flexibility as we support Andrea in starting her knew role at Fairmount. Please include Andrea (alaama@dg58.org) in your communications to the front office along with Jillian DeRango (jderango@dg58.org).
Referral GPS
District 58 strives to create a culture of well-being for students, parents, staff and community. To further support this endeavor, the District has invested in an additional support service through ReferralGPS.
ReferralGPS is a service providing assistance to our community in finding local mental health and substance use-related treatment resources. The service compliments the District’s existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS assists families in triage and appointment setting.
School district staff and families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options
Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/DG58 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously
The platform has the ability to filter by mental health concern, clinician gender/specialty, location, and insurance acceptance. The service is available for all types of private and public insurance options including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, and families that are uninsured or underinsured.
ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
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
Andrea Laama, Secretary alaama@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