Weekly Update 3/18/24-3/22/24
Upcoming Dates
Monday, March 18: D101 Board of Education Meeting (6:15pm)
Tuesday, March 19: Election Day
Tuesday, March 19: Draw & Paint For Life
Wednesday, March 20: 5th Grade AM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (7:30-8:15am)
Wednesday, March 20: PTA Variety Show (lunchtime)
Wednesday, March 20: 4th Grade PM Band & Orchestra Rehearsal at McClure (3:45-4:30pm)
Wednesday, March 20: FUSION (3:30-5:15pm)
Thursday, March 21: Chess Wizards (lunchtime)
Thursday, March 21: BAM Theater (3:30-4:30pm)
Friday, March 22: 2nd Grade Lego Club (8:00-8:30am)
Friday, March 22: Sticky Fingers Cooking (3:30-4:30pm)
Monday, March 25-Monday, April 1: Spring Break--NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 2: SCHOOL RESUMES
Thursday, April 4-Friday, April 12: Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Testing--Grades 3, 4, 5
Wednesday, April 24: Half Day Early Dismissal (11:40am) (AM Kindergarten attends)
Thursday, April 25: PTA Fitness Fest (1:00-3:15pm)
Thursday, April 25: Devorah Heitner: Navigating the Digital World Parent Presentation at McClure (6:30pm)
IMPORTANT: Lunch In Classrooms
Please note that students will be eating lunch in their classrooms on TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY next week. The gym will be utilized for the Election on Tuesday and they'll be eating in their classrooms on Wednesday before heading into the gym to watch the Variety Show. Therefore, PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD WITH A NUT FREE LUNCH ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. Students who bring nuts in their lunches have to eat in the hallway, and that poses an additional supervision issue. For everyone's safety, NUT FREE LUNCHES ARE REQUIRED.
PTA Variety Show
It's almost time for some of our Forest Hills Falcons to show off their talents in this year's Variety Show. The show takes place on Wednesday, March 20, during lunch. As noted above, students will eat lunch in their classrooms and then transition into the gym to watch the performance.
The intended audience is the student body and the gym is not large enough to accommodate outside guests--parents, grandparents or other loved ones. (It is already tight in there with all of the students, staff and lunch supervisors!) The only parents who are able to be present for the performance are the two (2) designated parents who are assisting with the act(s). The show will be LIVE STREAMED and RECORDED for everyone to see and share with others who would like to watch.
Please don't put us in the situation of having to turn away additional/outside guests. It's like the book I read to the students upon our return from winter break..."What If Everybody Did That?" We really appreciate everyone respecting this situation.
Here is the link to watch the show:
INFO FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES, BUT STILL RELEVANT...
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.
St. Baldrick's Fundraiser
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!
Register NOW for the Annual WS-OTSC Circle of Friendship Party
Who: All D101 and Off the Street Club students, Grades K-5
Where: The Corral - LTHS South Campus, 4940 Willow Springs Road
When: Saturday, April 27th, 12:30-3:30 PM
Why: The Circle of Friendship Party is an afternoon of brotherhood between D101 and OTSC kids. WS students will pair up with a buddy from OTSC to form a new friendship while enjoying games, DJ Maximus, pizza, cotton candy and more!
Learn more about the event and REGISTER HERE!
We are also in need of volunteers to make this event run smoothly - please register using the links below:
Adult Volunteers Register HERE
High School Volunteers Register HERE
Junior High Volunteer Register HERE
Last but not least, we are collecting donations for Off the Street Club's Camp Closet. OTSC has a summer camp located in Wheaton, IL, and most kids do not have the means to arrive at camp with the essentials (think sheets, swim suits, sunscreen, etc.). Therefore, the club hosts a “Camp Closet” where the kids can go shop for items needed for camp.
CLICK HERE for the OTSC Camp Closet Amazon Wish list.
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.
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
It was great seeing so many of you at last night's Open House. Have a wonderful weekend!
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