Friday Focus
March 1, 2024
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie
- Kids Heart Challenge Wellness Week
- West Side Classic - March 13th from 4:00-5:00
- Save the Date for VIP Day (May 2nd and 3rd)
- SEL Tools and Strategies for Families
- 5Essentials Survey
Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:
- Yearbooks on sale now!
- West Side Classic 3/13
- and much more...
A Message from Marcie
Thanks for a great week, South Park!
Our students enjoyed some spring-like weather earlier this week as well as the excitement of Leap Day yesterday! It was such a fun way for the students to wrap up the busy month of February! There is a lot in store during the month of March as we make our way toward Spring Break. Please take a moment to read through this newsletter to hear about some of the upcoming events for our school.
A reminder that we will not have school on Monday in honor of Casimir Pulaski Day. We look forward to seeing our students back to school on Tuesday.
Enjoy the long weekend!
-Marcie
Kids Heart Challenge Wellness Week
South Park students will participate in the Kids Heart Challenge Wellness Week next week in our PE classes. We will be sending packets home with information about how families can sign up for health resources and hands-on kid-friendly CPR information.
If you choose to raise funds for kids with special hearts, please note that those donations are due on March 15h. Click here for more information about the Kids Heart Challenge Program.
Join Us for the West Side Classic Next Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 PM
In Case You Missed It...Save the Date for VIP Day!
More information will be coming soon, but please save the date for our first ever VIP Day! Each student will be able to invite a 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!
SEL Tools and Strategies for Families (2nd Posting)
At our recent SEL event for families, we shared a handout with tools and strategies for families to use at home with their children. We have a few hard copies left in the office for anyone who wants to stop by and pick one up. We are also including a digital version in the link below for families to screenshot on their phones in case you want to use these tools on the go! We hope you find them helpful!
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 📅
Monday, March 4
- No School - Casimir Pulaski Day
- 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