Weekly Update 3/11/24-3/15/24
Upcoming Dates
Monday, March 11: St. Baldrick's (2:00-3:00pm)
Monday, March 11: PTA Meeting (7:00 virtual)
Tuesday, March 12: Falcon Flyer (lunchtime)
Tuesday, March 12: Draw & Paint For Life
Wednesday, March 13: 5th Grade AM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (7:30-8:15am)
Wednesday, March 13: 4th Grade PM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (3:45-4:30pm)
Wednesday, March 13: Orchestra Concert at McClure (7:00pm) RESCHEDULED from 2/29.
Wednesday, March 13: FUSION (3:30-5:15pm)
Thursday, March 14: Chess Wizards (lunchtime)
Thursday, March 14: Club Amigos (lunchtime)
Thursday, March 14: BAM Theater (3:30-4:30pm)
Thursday, March 14: Parent/Student Open House (6:30-7:30pm)
Friday, March 15: 2nd Grade Lego Club (8:00-8:30am)
Friday, March 15: Sticky Fingers Cooking (3:30-4:30pm)
Tuesday, March 19: Election Day
Monday, March 25-Monday, April 1: Spring Break--NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 2: SCHOOL RESUMES
Open House
We're all looking forward to next week's Open House. Please join us on Thursday, March 14 from 6:30-7:30. You can find the agenda for the evening HERE . This is a wonderful opportunity to check out your child/ren's hard work, along with some of the other wonderful happenings at Forest Hills. This event is for both adults and kids!
Please plan to enter through the main doors on Central Ave. Doors will open at 6:25pm.
When you enter/exit through the front doors, please peruse the LOST AND FOUND table, as it contains MANY items. Whatever is left after Open House will be donated to Goodwill.
St. Baldrick's Fundraiser
We're excited that our beloved St. Baldrick's fundraiser is almost here! As a reminder, it takes place on Monday, March 11, from 2:00-3:00pm in the Forest Hills gym.
Family members are welcome to be here in person to support their participant. Please plan to check-in in the office upon arrival.
The event will be available for livestream viewing through the link below:
https://youtube.com/live/if6pqoCFmnQ?feature=share
Thank you to all who are participating or who have already donated. It's not too late to do so! Please see the information below.
March Student Ownership Attribute: EMPATHY (Part 2!)
Since we kicked off our Student Ownership Attributes a month earlier this year than we did last year, we had some time to extend our learning and conversation around the attribute of EMPATHY. We're using the book "The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson to reinforce how we can approach one another with empathy and honor everyone's experience and unique story. In the classrooms that I've visited thus far, we've had some wonderful discussions. I encourage you to stop by the bulletin board in the main hallway to take a peek at some of the stories students have shared as a follow-up activity.
Absences/Requested Work
With Spring Break on the horizon, it seems like the right time to communicate expectations around requests for missed work, due to travel or planned absences. Teachers are happy to set aside missed work and can provide it to students upon their return. Lesson planning is a fluid process and is responsive to student needs, therefore, assignments may not be solidified well in advance. (Depending upon the grade level, students may access some assignments via Google Classroom while they're out.) Please hold on requests for work in advance, have students enjoy their break and plan on having them spend a little extra time on school upon their return.
Election Day: Tuesday, March 19
Tuesday, March 19 is a General Election Day in Illinois. Forest Hills (along with all D101 schools) is a polling place, with voting taking place in the gym. Here are a few details to note:
- Voters must enter/exit through the gym door (west side of building by the parking lot)
- We will be vigilant about ensuring voters use the gym door and stay within the gym at all times.
- An officer from the WSPD will be onsite between the hours of 8:00-4:00 to provide security.
- Students will eat lunch in their classrooms due to voting in the gym.
Additionally, in order to help create good CIVIC and GLOBAL CITIZENS, Forest Hills students will be participating in their own ELECTION that day! Students will be casting their vote for their favorite YEARBOOK COVER. Student Council members will overview a bit about elections and voting and then voting will take place for our 23-24 yearbook cover right after announcements.
5Essentials Parent Survey: REMINDER
UPDATE: We only have 55 surveys submitted, which equates to almost 20%. PLEASE, PLEASE take a few minutes to complete this important survey!
Beginning now, students in grades four through twelve, as well as all teachers across Illinois, will be taking the 5Essentials Survey. As required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), this survey is designed and administered by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of each school across our state.
The survey gathers data related to five indicators that are correlated with important student outcomes. These five indicators are Effective Leaders, Collaborative Teachers, Involved Families, Supportive Environments, and Ambitious Instruction.
This survey is designed to gather parental thoughts on the same important factors noted above and the impact they have had on school effectiveness at your child’s school.
The Parent Survey is currently available until March 29, and can be accessed by clicking HERE.
If at least 20 percent of parents at a school complete this survey, a parent supplemental report will be generated. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
While this summary information is included on our School Report Card for general reporting purposes, I do very much value and appreciate your perceptions of Forest Hills and would greatly appreciate it if you all take a few minutes to complete this brief survey.
Upcoming Assessments
Please note there are two upcoming State assessments on the horizon.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA): Students in 5th & 8th grades take this assessment, beginning on Thursday, March 14. This assessment is spread out in testing sessions across three days.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR): Students in 3rd-8th grade take this assessment that assesses ELA and Math standards. This assessment is spread out of the course of six (6) days. Students will begin testing on Thursday, April 4. Classroom teachers will share specific testing schedules once they've been finalized.
Here is what you can do to help support good testing experiences:
- Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast each day.
- Schedule appointments outside of the testing windows. This promotes a positive testing environment and reduces the number of make-up tests, which keeps learning flowing!
Spotlight on Supporters
Please see the attachment below regarding the Quarter 3 Spotlight on Supporters. Without their wonderful support, the D101 Calendar would not be possible.
District Calendar 2024-25
The District 101 Board of Education will officially approve the 2024-25 school calendar at it's January meeting, however, it is "public" as of today. I know a number of families are anxiously awaiting the release as those summer vacation itches are already happening! Please find the calendar attached below.
INFO FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES, BUT STILL RELEVANT...
Culture of Appreciation Reminder
Send a message of gratitude to staff HERE!
Word From WSFEE
In less than 36 hours we completely “Sold Out” to our Casino Night event! https://www.wsfee.org/casino-night-2024/
If you missed your chance to get tickets please join our waitlist here
A huge “Thank You” to everyone that bought tickets!!!
Stay tuned for more WSFEE updates! Coming soon!
Clubs/Activities Sign-Up
Sticky Fingers--Spring Enrollment
2023-24 School Calendar
Watch for Trimester 2 report cards coming home today with students. It's exciting to see everyone's progress so far this year.
Have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to set those clocks ahead an hour on Saturday night before you go to bed!
Rachel
Rachel Corrough
Email: rcorrough@d101.org
Website: www.d101.org
Location: 5020 Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Phone: (708)485-5184
Twitter: @corrough