Weekly Update 8/21/23-8/25/23
Dear Forest Hills Families,
As with the start of every new school year, it will take some time for everyone to get back into the swing of things and establish familiar routines. We will spend the first part of the school year building classroom communities, learning procedures and expectations and rebuilding our collective stamina (ie. "go slow" so we can "go fast"). We're ready to get to work and move even further towards our sense of school "normalcy" of learning, growth and fun and grateful to partner with you as a part of this process!
Upcoming Dates
Monday, August 21: New Family Information Night (6:30-7:15pm)
Wednesday, August 23: First Day of School (FULL DAY!)Friday, August 25: PTA Welcome Back Social (5:00-6:30pm)
Thursday, August 31: Curriculum Night (6:00-7:30pm)
Monday, September 4: NO SCHOOL--LABOR DAY
Week of September 11: Fall MAP Window Opens (grades 2-5)
Wednesday, September 13: School Pictures
Back-to-School Hub
New Family Information Night
We will overview some of the basics that are hopefully helpful to know as you begin your time at Forest Hills. The PTA will also be on hand to share information about their partnership with us at Forest Hills and how they help make it the best place ever! :)
The information is geared toward parents and isn't necessarily an event for kids. I realize that often childcare can be an issue, so children can certainly attend, however, it is more of a "sit and get" and not something kids would categorize as fun.
We're looking forward to seeing our new folks there!
Curriculum Night
Note: This is a grown-ups only event.
Thursday, Aug 31, 2023, 06:00 PM
Forest Hills School, Central Avenue, Western Springs, IL, USA
Smart Watches/Gizmos
We know that many of our students come to school with gadgets, including phones and Smart Watches. While these are helpful tools for communication outside of school, within the school day we expect our students to remain focused on learning. Smart Watches are allowed at school, but can only be used in their non-interactive capacity as a simple clock.
To ensure that our learning environment is Respectful, Responsible, and Safe for all students, we do not allow Smart Watch use in the building or on the grounds between 8:30am line-up and 3:30pm dismissal (except for use as a clock/timer); this mirrors our expectations for cell phone use.
We know that many students use their Smart Watches to communicate a need home to their parents/guardians; instead, we emphasize with our students the need to communicate via the trusted adults on site to help them navigate situations with peers, health issues, or other concerns. We also note that when devices are used in school, it is often a parent who is the one calling or texting their child; please don’t be that person. Should you need to reach your child, please contact the teacher or the main office to help us emphasize the value of connecting with our trusted adults.
If a student is observed using their Smart Watch at school other than as a simple watch, we will take the following progressive steps:
For a first instance, the staff member will remind the student that devices are not to be used at school.
For a second instance, the staff member will ask the student to put the device in their backpack/locker.
For a third instance, the staff member will take the device to the office for the duration of the day; parents will be contacted for device pick-up and to problem-solve as partners to eliminate usage at school.
If this pattern is repeated, students, parents, and the principal will work together to problem-solve around the situation.
Thank you for helping keep our focus on learning!
Bus--New Information
Families of students who will be utilizing First Student bus transportation to/from school should have received an email from Erin McLaughlin yesterday containing the bus schedule.
If you did not receive that message and your child will be riding the bus, you are in need of bus transportation or you have any questions about the bus, please reach out to Erin (emclaughlin@d101.org).
School Supplies--REMINDER!
If you did not order a kit, HERE is a link to the supply lists. Anyone who did not order kits and has supplies to bring in may have their child bring them on the first day of school or drop them at the main office on August 21 & 22. Please do not plan to bring them down to classrooms as staff will be busy preparing for students arrival on Wednesday.
Orchestra Update
This summer we began a search for an Orchestra Director following the resignation of Mrs. Stacey Block. We had a number of good candidates and believed we had found our match. After a late August resignation from our hire, we began our search for a director anew.
It gives me great pleasure to announce the hiring of Ms. Hannah Andrews as our Orchestra Director.
Our interview committee was truly impressed with Ms. Andrews. Despite the added pressure of interviewing in late August, it was immediately apparent that Ms. Andrews is someone who, at any time of year, is a high quality teacher who matches the practices and philosophy of excellent education that we require in D101.
Ms. Andrews has taught for the last four years in a position very similar to ours in Joliet. She has taught fourth through eighth grade orchestra and led district orchestral groups, all while traveling between buildings. She brings an enthusiasm for fostering musical skills and appreciation in students, and is excited to get to know our kids.
With the timing of the school year as it is, we expect Ms. Andrews to begin in late August or early September. As she begins, she’ll reach out to you directly to introduce herself.
REMINDERS...
School Hours
Student supervision begins at 8:25, so please do not have students arrive at school prior to that time. Also, when students arrive at school, they should report to their line-up location, and not play unsupervised at the parks.
Arrival/Dismissal
South East Entrance (Door #2): Kindergarten and Grade 1
Main Entrance (Door #1): Grades 2 and 3
North East Entrance (Door #6): Grades 4 and 5
ALL students will enter through doors on Central Avenue.
A few important reminders about the arrival/dismissal process:
- Central Ave. is ONE WAY (north to south)
- Please take arrival/dismissal with a "Kiss 'n Go" approach. Parents/caregivers should remain in the vehicle at all times during the process. Should you wish to park and wait at the doors, please do so NORTH of the building on Central or Fair Elms or on 51st Street.
Please find a map HERE for a visual of arrival/dismissal. I appreciate your cooperation with these procedures with the hope of creating the safest experience possible for everyone (especially kids!).
Lunch
11:40-12:00
Grades 1 & 2 eat in the gym
Grades 3, 4, 5 outside for recess
12:05-12:25
Grades 1 & 2 outside for recess
Grades 3, 4, 5 eat in the gym
Students are still able to go home for lunch. If your child will be going home for lunch, they will exit and return back to school through the main entrance. Please just communicate that information to classroom teachers and Erin McLaughlin.
Lunch Supervisors--UPDATE!
We're so grateful to those parents who volunteer their time (or opt to officially join the FH Lunch Staff!) to help ensure we can provide a safe and comfortable lunch experience for everyone. We are still very much in need of lunch supervision on THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
If you are interested in volunteering for lunch supervision, please email Alexis Cheff (asorto@hotmail.com) She will happily work with you on any type of time you are able to give.
If you are interested in being paid for lunch supervision, please also email Alexis Cheff (asorto@hotmail.com), but also include me on the message, so that I can assist in facilitating those next steps.
Safety Reminders
For all returning families, you likely recall that we implemented some new safety/security procedures at the start of last school year, which remain in place this year as well. New and veteran families, please read the following information carefully and we appreciate your partnership in maintaining a safe school environment for everyone.
Entrances: You will notice clear signage on all external doors indicating that ALL visitors (any person who is not a current Forest Hills student or active staff member with a key) MUST enter and check in through the main office. Even if your child spots YOU knocking at the Forest Hills doorway, we explicitly teach all students and reinforce with our staff the need to point to the signage, point to the main office, and NOT open any external doors, even for known/trusted adults, unless they are staff members.
Staff Identification: All District 101 staff members will wear lanyards, clearly indicating for students, staff, and all that they are registered members of our D101 staff and thus able to enter/exit buildings and supervise students. All visitors (including parent volunteers in classrooms, in the library, etc.) will need to wear our visitor lanyards at all times within the building.
Visitor Procedures: All visitors will be required to enter through the main office, check in with our Administrative Assistant (Mrs. Erin McLaughlin), and trade their government-issued ID card (Driver’s License) for a “Visitor” lanyard; they will be required to check out again, as well, to return the lanyard and retrieve their ID. This will serve as a visual marker of safety and purpose for any adults not within our D101 staff, so that our students, staff, and community have a clear understanding that any “other” adults are safe and authorized to be within our space.
Visitor Purpose and Destination: We will also ask that visitors to the building remain only in the spaces for which their entry is authorized, without wandering through the building or entering any additional spaces. This will help all of us understand the purpose, role, and need for our volunteers, and to maintain safe entry/exit procedures for all “other” adults.
Again, we appreciate you following these established procedures as we work to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible.
Medication Drop Off
If your child will need any medication administered at school, please feel free to drop it off anytime during school hours on Monday, August 21, Tuesday, August 22 or during school hours, beginning Wednesday, August 23. We do need a doctor’s order to administer medication at school. A link to the form can be found HERE.
Right At School
If you would like more information about the Right At School before and after care program, please see the included flyer or visit their website at https://rightatschool.com/.
2023-24 School Calendar
All of us at Forest Hills are looking forward to a phenomenal year!
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