Thanks for a great week, South Park!

The gorgeous weather today ended our week on a high note, but it also sent a signal that summer is on its way. Though the school year is quickly winding down, our students continue to learn and grow in our classrooms. This week, all grade levels began their first week of MAP testing, and next week, we will finish testing for the spring. A reminder that this is one data point in time and not to put too much pressure on your child regarding their performance. We have many other indicators that we use to determine student growth at South Park.

Our word of the week was "contribution," which opened the door for conversations about ways in which students can contribute to their school or the broader community. Consider encouraging your child to either share their contributions with you or ways that they can make their own contributions in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend!

-Marcie

Hello, 3rd grade families!

Over the past few weeks, your child has been able to learn all about an exciting opportunity available to them in 4th grade - joining our band and orchestra family! They have seen performances from our middle school band and orchestra ensembles and met with instrumental music staff and student ambassadors to hear and learn about each instrument available for them to try out and select this spring. We encourage all families to talk about this opportunity with their third grader and to check out our instrumental music website to learn more about each instrument and watch past performances of our programs.

Additionally, all third grade families are invited to attend our virtual instrumental music open house on Monday, May 15th at 6:30 PM. During the webinar, we will discuss all facets of the band and orchestra program (which your child will register for this May), and there will also be time for us to answer many of the questions you have. Your child is welcome to attend the webinar as well, as we will have a number of performances by members of the middle school band and orchestra.

Please save this Zoom link to access the webinar! If you are unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and made available for viewing the following day. Please direct any questions you may have to eim@dps109.org and one of our directors will be in touch.

We hope to see you there!

-The DPS 109 Instrumental Music Team

This session focused on the following topics:

• Seeing challenging behavior through the lens of emotional regulation.

• Seeing mis-behavior as stress-behavior

• Helping children develop self-regulation skills

• Every hard moment is a teaching opportunity

You can find recordings for other PPS 109 sessions by clicking below:

• Understanding Development (4/6)

• Participating In The Process In A Meaningful Way (4/13)

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Parents who park in the front circle should wait until 3:10 p.m. to do so.
• Dismissal is at 3:25 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We dismiss at 2:25 on Wednesdays.
• Our practice is to let kids go outside if the temperature/wind chill is 10 degrees or warmer and it is not raining or snowing too hard.
  

Tuesday, April 11-Friday, April 14

• Illinois Assessment of Readiness - Grades 3-5

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• South Park Showcase 5:00-7:00

• Field Day/Helping Hands Day

UPCOMING MUSIC CONCERTS:

• Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 26 @ 6:30

Link to District 109 Calendar