Fairmount Families Week END Report
10.13.2023
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
Happy Friday, Fairmount Families!
It was wonderful to see so many of you during our first evening of parent-teacher conferences. We are grateful for both your partnership and time and look forward to connecting with many more of you next week on Wednesday evening.
As we welcome fall weather, which can be quite inconsistent, please encourage your children to dress in the needed layers to ensure they are comfortable both indoors as well as during their recess time. This is also a great time to label any jackets, gear and water bottles with your child(ren)'s name to ensure it is returned if found.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lisa Niforatos, Principal
Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Fairmount58.
Quick Links:
Red Ribbon Week 10.23-10.27
Dropping off Supplies
We recognize that students may forget items at home from time to time. We appreciate your support in only dropping off items that are essential for your child to navigate their school day (e.g. forgotten lunch, iPad).
To minimize classroom disruptions, any item or note from home will be dropped off during lunch time. This will help create a stable learning environment for the students in the classroom. Thank you!
Accessing Past Newsletters
Halloween Celebrations
We are looking forward to celebrating Halloween at school on Tuesday, October 31st. In an effort to support your planning, I wanted to share a few important details ahead of time.
Costumes
All students are invited to wear a costume to school on Tuesday, October 31st. As you prepare your child for this day, please take note of the following costume guidelines:
Costume Guidelines Kindergarten-6th Grade:
Costumes should allow for safe classroom navigation and participation as students will be in their costumes for the whole school day
Costume/Look Alike Weapons of any kind are NOT allowed at school
Costumes should not glorify violence and/or be offensive to any culture/group
Costumes should not impair vision or ability to walk (costume masks will only be allowed during the outdoor parade)
Costumes should allow children to be comfortable in the weather/temperature as students will go outside for recess, as well as the Halloween parade
Parade and Classroom Celebrations
Parents/guardians are welcome to view our outdoor Halloween parade (weather permitting), which will take place at 1:40 p.m. for all students. Parents are welcome to view the parade by standing along the parade route, which will be sent out prior to October 31st. Classroom parties will take place immediately after the parade. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor parade may be canceled and parade spectators will not be allowed in the building for a modified student parade.
Additional information
There will be no food or drink provided or distributed to students during the celebration. This includes any goody bag that students may bring to school to distribute to classmates. If your child would like to bring a “favor” to share with his/her classmates, this must be a non-edible item such as a pencil, stickers, or another small token, and have one for each member of the class. This is, of course, completely optional.
The PTA has coordinated 3-4 parent volunteers for our Halloween classroom celebrations. Specific guidelines related to volunteering have been shared with confirmed volunteers. Please note that parents/guardians who are not confirmed volunteers will not be permitted in the building for the classroom celebrations. All confirmed volunteers will need to check-in outside Door 1 with our office staff and the PTA Room Rep Chair to receive a volunteer/visitor badge.
Thank you for your attention to the above guidelines and details, which will support a safe and eventful Halloween celebration for our students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Safety Drills
Please know that all of the drills above will be announced to students and staff ahead of time, so everyone will be aware of the drill/practice. Additionally, teachers and staff will provide grade-level appropriate follow-up with their classes and ensure students are supported before, during, and after each safety drill.
Our next drill will be held:
Tuesday, October 17th - Active Threat Drill with the Downers Grove Police Deparment
Fairmount PTA
Reading Games 2024
The 2024 Reading Games Registration is now open thru Wednesday, November 15th!
Reading Games will be February 24, 2024
The Reading Games is a fun reading competition for District 58 students in grades 3-8. Students read books from the book lists, then face other teams to answer questions about the books they've read. It is a great opportunity for kids to read new books and discuss them with friends. Teams are made up of 5-8 students, and may include students from different grades and schools. However, due to space limitations, participation in the Reading Games is limited only to DG58 students.
Teams will read books and be asked questions from:
Book List 1 (3rd-4th grades): https://www.readinggamesdg58.com/list-1-books
or Book List 2 (5th-8th grades): https://www.readinggamesdg58.com/list-2-books
Team Registration
Completing the team registration form below reserves your spot as a team to compete on Saturday, February 24, 2024. You do not need to identify the students that will be on your team for this registration, so there is time to finalize the team members. Before Winter Break, you will be asked to provide more information about your team, including team name. Each team should plan to have the following overall adult participation:
1 Team Contact – This person would be a contact point for the Reading Games committee over the next several months until the event, and would work with the team to coordinate practices and reading. (This person can fill one of the three volunteer roles on the day of the event, if they wish, but that’s not required.)
1 Adult Team Volunteer - This person will fill a role separate from the team on the day of the event, as a moderator, scorekeeper or other needed role. (This can be the Team Contact or another parent)
2 Adult Team Chaperones – These people will stay with the team on the day of the event to supervise the team. (The Team Contact can fill one of these roles, or both can be filled by other team parents. This is in addition to the separate Team Volunteer listed above and would not be the same person)
Team Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3D1QniMms5cq6T_mmvy9M-eNd8-iFv7MY6-DJm_YLBwca0w/viewform
Individual Registration
If you have a child who would like to participate but does not have a team, you may request a spot using the individual registration form. Although we cannot guarantee a spot on a team, we will do our very best to match children to existing teams, or to assist you in creating a new team.
Individual Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek6i4z-f00mBt3J4iGdeJcRRwG7GVVrMx5AiFqIbXyevta0A/viewform
Question Writers Needed
Calling all book lovers - we need your help! We are in need of volunteers to write questions for the 2024 Reading Games. As a question writer, you will work in pairs to develop a set of 15 questions for a book. You can grab a friend or pick a book and be paired with a partner. Questions are due January 7, 2024.
Link to the 2024 Reading Games Question Writers sign up genius can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F49AFAC2AA4FB6-44339595-2024#/
Any questions related to question writing can be directed to rgquestionwriters@gmail.com
For more information, visit the Reading Games website www.readinggamesdg58.com.
All of this information will also be on our PTA website. https://sites.google.com/view/fairmount58pta/events/reading-games
Volunteer for the PTA for Reading Games We are still in need of a Reading Games Chair for the Fairmount PTA: https://sites.google.com/view/fairmount58pta/volunteer
PTA Book Fair continues...
The book fair will be open again on Wednesday, October 18th during our second evening of Parent Teacher conferences from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Also, on Tuesday, October 17th, students who bring money to school will be able to purchase books if they so choose. As you add books to your home, please consider bringing in your used books and donate them to Andrea's Angels. We will have a bin for collection at the book fair. Thank you for supporting our local bookstore and the Fairmount Elementary PTA.
We need volunteers! Please visit sign up genius site at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094BAEAD28AAFF2-44269334-book/131317559#/
For more information about Andrea's Angels visit: https://www.andersonsbookshop.com/andersons-gives-back
PTA Art Appreciation Volunteers Needed!
Still plenty of openings throughout the year! You may sign up for more than 1 month if you like!
No art experience needed! No teaching experience needed! The presentations are already prepared and the supplies are on site! Your child will be so excited when you come to class. If you can help out, fill in our name on this document. You and the teacher will work together to schedule an agreed upon date for you to come present. Thank you in advance!
Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MR9GAMf2WrA18APT2_jC13pMbgamgG9r4HosrCyUKNA/edit?usp=sharing.
More info here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fi4sN6C_PNILhKeEKl1S0Cx2_sGDZPajK6ZVgKpcnt0/edit?usp=sharing
Save the Date: Trunk or Treat 10/23
WHEN: Monday, October 23rd, 2023
LOCATION: Fairmount Parking Lot
TIME: 6-7pm
Please start at the south side of the parking lot. Look for the starting line table. At 6:15pm, the Trunk or Treating line will begin.
Please remember: This event is for Fairmount Families and hosted on school property. Costume/look alike weapons of any kind are not allowed at this event. Costumes and trunks should not glorify violence and/or be offensive to any culture/group.
Please contact Greg & Kelli at programs.fairmount.pta@gmail.com with any questions. Additional information can also be found on the PTA website.
PTA Fun Lunch: Orders due 10/15
The next PTA Fun Lunch is Friday, October 20th. Food will be provided by Cozzi Corner, and orders are due by Sunday, October 15th. The ordering platform is now open at https://fairmount.h1.hotlunchonline.net/. All meals are still $5.00 each, and you can order for the entire year at once if you choose.
Contact Tiffany Melnyk at tiffanyjoy21@gmail.com with any questions about ordering, forgotten login information, or setting up an account.
PTA Reflections
Calling all Artists! This year's theme for Reflections is "I am Hopeful Because...." Students may enter in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, or Special Artist Division. Students will then compete in their age division: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3- 5), and Middle School (Grades 6-8).
Entries are due to your PTA by Friday, October 27. For more information, visit the Local Council site at https://sites.google.com/view/dupageeastcouncilsite/home or the Illinois PTA Reflections site at https://illinoispta.org/reflections/.
Any questions? Please email us at reflectionsfairmount@gmail.com
Early Dismissal Monday, October 9th
Monday, October 16th 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.
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. Georgi Beck
# of Years at Fairmount: 4 Years
Favorite Movie: Spirited Away
Favorite Place to Go/Travel to: Chicago Riverwalk
Favorite Dessert or Sweet Treat: Ben N Jerry's Ice Cream
A fun or unusual fact about me is... Besides my Bachelors I also have a minor in Psychology!
Lens into Learning
Out and About
Awesome Ambassadors
Marvelous Math
Owl Pellet Dissection in 5th grade
Fill it Friday
We love "Fill it Fridays!" It is a wonderful time for students to come together to our school-wide accomplishments. During the month of October we are working together to earn a school-wide BINGO game. We are so proud of our students for showing Respectful, Responsible and Safe behaviors.
Fairmount's MVPs - Celebrating Students
Mark your Calendars!
10.16: Wear Orange! 2:00 p.m. Early Dismissal
10.17: Intruder/Active Threat Drill with the Downers Grove Police Department; 3:00-3:45 p.m. Run Club (for registered students); 3:00-4:00 p.m. Bricks for Kids (for registered students)
10.18: Parent Teacher Conferences; PTA Book Fair open during conferences 5:00-8:00 p.m.
10:20: Falcon Friday! Wear spirit wear or school colors
A Look Ahead...
10.26: Picture Retake Day
11.11: PTA Trivia Night
11.22-11.24: Thanksgiving Break
2023-2024 School Calendar - Updated
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 22-24, 2023
Winter Break: Dec. 25, 2023 -Jan. 5, 2024
Spring Break: March 25-329, 2024
Last Day of School: Friday, May 24, 2024 (if no emergency days are used)
Below the Line
Student Council Elections
Congratulations to our elected officers:
Co-Presidents: Molly Aitken & Oscar Larsen
Vice-President: Jake DeGraff
Co-Secretaries: JJ Nagy
Treasurer: Hailey Epperly & Hannah Stapleton
Picture Retakes
Please note that retakes will be held at Fairmount on October 26, 2023 for anyone wishing to retake their photo and/or for any absent students.
Picture Day Link - CLICK HERE
School Code: 20059301
Van Gogh Customer Service: 847-382-2282 X7
Arrival/Dismissal/Carline Reminders
A few important reminders:
If you are choosing to drop off your student (via car), please utilize the car line and do not drop them off on Blodgett.
There are no dogs or other animals allowed on school grounds during arrival, dismissal and/or when on campus during the school day.
To support the flow of the car line, families and students who are arriving or dismissing at Fairmount as walkers are asked to walk behind/around the building to avoid crowding the sidewalk in front of the building.
If you are accessing our Carline, please note the following:
-There is no parking in the carline and we ask that all parents/drivers remain in their vehicle.
-Please do not enter the lot until 8:05 a.m. (Arrival) and 2:55 p.m. (Dismissal).
-All students should exit out the passenger side/curbside of the vehicle. Staff are available to assist with the opening and closing of doors, but cannot assist with safety seats/seatbelts.
-Please see "Below the Line" for additional information regarding the Fairmount Carline.
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
Jill Darrah, Secretary jdarrah@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