Fairmount Families Week END Report
03.22.2024
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
It was a wonderful week of learning along with our Acts of Kindness Week!
In addition to our 5th graders wrapping up their Illinois Science Assessment, we also had much to celebrate with our School-Wide Spring movie along with our culminating activity for One School One Book - BINGO!
As we head into Spring Break, I would like to thank each and every one of our families for their continued partnership. Whether you are traveling, staying home or a little bit of both, I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Fairmount58.
Quick Links:
Information & Reminders
Helping Children Grow Award
Congratulations to 5th Graders, Thanu Sri and Jeanette, who were recognized by the Grove Foundation and awarded the Helping Children Grow Award. We are so proud of the hard work, kindness and perseverance these two falcons show in and out of the classroom.
Spring Break Reminder
A friendly reminder that Fairmount School and office are closed during Spring Break. The office will reopen when school resumes on Monday, April 1st.
Solar Eclipse (previously shared in Communicate 58)
On Monday, April 8, 2024, District 58 will be along the path of a solar eclipse. Locally, this will be experienced as a partial eclipse, occurring during our regular school dismissal time, 2:00 pm for elementary schools and 2:10 pm for middle schools. There will be no changes to the regularly scheduled instructional day.
While this is a rare and exciting phenomenon, it presents a risk of eye injury to everyone, including children who may not understand the dangers of looking directly in the direction of the sun. The timing of the eclipse, when children are transitioning home, requires coordination in explaining to students they should not at any time be looking at the sun without appropriate eye protection. As students are dismissed staff will be reminding students about the importance of not looking directly into the sun.
If you choose to send properly certified protective eyewear to school with your child(ren), we will allow them to put on the glasses when they exit the building. Due to the timing of the partial eclipse occurring at dismissal, there will be no viewing events at any of the schools.
Construction begins in District 58
Construction begins at many District 58 schools over spring break. To keep parents apprised of construction progress, updates will be provided on our website here, including progress dashboards of our middle schools.
If you’d like to learn more about spring break work in the District, click here.
IAR Testing
IAR testing for 3rd-6th grade students will begin on Tuesday, April 2nd. Please see below for information related to when your child's grade is scheduled to test each day.
Tuesday, April 2nd: 3rd-6th Grade ELA Assessment
Wednesday, April 3rd: 3rd, 5th and 6th ELA Assessment
Thursday, April 4th: 3rd, 5th and 6th Math Assessment; 4th ELA Assessment
Friday, April 5th: 3rd-6th Grade Math Assessment
Please read this letter from Assistant Superintendent Liz Ehrhart about these tests and ways to help support your student.
Kids Heart Challenge
Kids Heart Challenge is HERE!
Fairmount Families, Have you signed up for Kids Heart Challenge yet? Our students will feel good by doing good, knowing they made a difference for kids just like them!
• Start by downloading the Kids Heart Challenge APP or click this link HERE to sign up
• Complete Finn’s Missions: learn TWO lifesaving skills as a family TONIGHT!
• Become a Heart Hero: Send emails/e-cards on the website or texts via the
app to invite friends and family asking for support.
PLUS If 145 students sign up for Kids Heart Challenge AND if Fairmount raises $8,500 by Friday April 5, Mr Zieman will be duct taped to the wall.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or download the Kids Heart Challenge App!
Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association!
Contact Mr. Zieman rzieman@dg58.org with questions.
Please register now for the 2024-25 school year
A friendly reminder that District 58's online registration is open for the 2024-2025 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.
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.
24/7 Varsity Tutors
Did you know that the Downers Grove Grade School District has partnered with the DuPage County ROE to offer all students free homework assistance? This support is already available on your child's device. Simply navigate to Clever and select the Varsity Tutor app. It's that simple!
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 has been emailed to current Fairmount families with future Kindergarteners (based on siblings) as well as those that have contacted our office for information.
Welcome to Kindergarten 2024-2025 - UPDATED!
1st and 2nd Grade Music Performance
Our 1st and 2nd Grade music performance will be held on Thursday April 18th at 6:00 p.m. 1st and 2nd grade families received a communication from Mr. Williams in February with additional details. If you have additional questions regarding this upcoming performance, please contact Mr. Williams at josephwilliams@dg58.org.
Save the Date - Spring & End of the Year Events
More information to come on all of the following, but please Save the Date for these Spring and End of the Year events at Fairmount.
Fairmount Open House 2024
Fairmount Open House will be on Thursday, April 25th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This year, our PTA will be hosting a STEAM Night during Open House hours in the gym. This will be a wonderful evening to visit your child's classroom, see other learning spaces AND check-out STEM Night!
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!
April Fun Lunch
The next Fun Lunch will be provided by Cozzi Corner on Friday, April 12th (order deadline Sunday, April 7th). Order at https://fairmount.h1.hotlunchonline.net and contact Tiffany Melnyk at tiffanyjoy21@gmail.com with any questions.
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. Laama
# of Years at Fairmount: 1 Month!
Favorite Movie: Monsters, Inc.
Favorite Place to Go/Travel to: ANYWHERE warm with a lake, fishing and my family OR Sephora - without the family :)
Favorite Dessert or Sweet Treat: Anything chocolate!
A fun or unusual fact about me is... I can't whistle.
Lens into Learning
Talk about Tuesday
Money Matters
I Wanna Iguana
Fairmount MVPs - Celebrating Students (and Staff!)
Young Authors
We are so proud of all of the students who participated in Young Authors.
Congratulations to the following winners:
Kindergarten: Brielle M.
1st Grade: Lyla N.
2nd Grade: Vivian H.
3rd Grade: Gracyn N. and Sydney D.
4th Grade: Rowan N.
5th Grade: Nora D.
6th Grade: Edith Z.
School Winner: Sophie D. - 4th Grade
Calendar & Important Dates
Early Dismissal Monday, April 1st
Monday, April 1st 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!
03.25-03.29: Spring Break: School and Office Closed
IAR Testing 3rd-6th Grade (see above for details)
04.01: Happy Monday! Wear Orange!
04.03: Chess Wizards for Registered Students; 3:00 p.m. Student Council Meeting; 7:00 p.m. PTA Meeting via Zoom
04.05: Falcon Friday - Wear School Colors or Spiritwear
A Look Ahead...
04.18: 1st and 2nd Grade Music Performance at Fairmount
05.27: Memorial Day - No School!
05.28: Save the Date: 2024 FIeld Day
05.29: Last Day for Students (Half Day); Grade 6 Clap-Out
2023-2024 School Calendar - Updated
Last Day of School: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 (if no additional emergency days are used)
Below the Line: Repeated Information
Below the Line
Lost and Found
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.
We encourage families and students to check-out the Lost and Found prior to Spring Break. We will be donating any unclaimed or unmarked items to a local charity at the end of next week.
PTA BINGO Night
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.
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!
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