Hometown School Newsletter

January 18, 2022

Bencik's Buzz

Bencik's Buzz

Hometown Families:

We hope everyone had a great extended MLK weekend. As a reminder, please contact the office if your child is feeling ill or anyone in the house is having Covid symptoms.


We have moved to the new five day quarantine guidelines adopted by the IDPH and CDC. Students who test positive will quarantine for five days and may return on day six if they are symptom free. Students will be expected to continue to wear their masks during the day. At lunch, students will eat at a separate table to finish the 10 day quarantine. Students who are not regular mask wearers will need to quarantine for the 10 total days. If you have questions about the new guidelines please email abencik@d123.org.

Bencik's Buzz
5Essentials Parent Survey

5Essentials Parent Survey


Students and teachers across Illinois now have the opportunity to participate in the ninth annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. Additionally, your 4th-8th grade student will be asked about their experiences in school to help give school leaders critical student input and help develop future school improvement plans. If you would like to view the student survey questions or opt-out your student please complete the form found at: d123.org/five. You and your student's identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and anonymous. To get started with the survey head to d123.org/five.

5Essentials Parent Survey

Shield Testing

Shield Testing will resume tomorrow for students who are testing. If you would like to add your child to be tested every week, please fill out the form on Skyward. If you were previously testing and would like to opt out, please call the office. If you have questions about what this entails reach out to sbaker@d123.org.

Family Dance Planning Committee

We will host a meeting Wednesday, January 19th at 5:00pm in the staff lounge for volunteers who would like to help plan the family dance that will be held on February 18th. If you cannot make the meeting, but would still like to help make this event special please reach out to Kari Devine at 708-691-3003.

Calling all Careers!!

We are looking for volunteers who would like to share their career with our students in grades 3-5. If you are interested in presenting about your profession, please send the flyer back with your child. The flyer is attached.

Jump Rope for Heart

We have kicked off our Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser. Please see the attached flyer.

Special Olympics

The special olympics will be held at the middle school on January 22nd. The flyer is attached. This is a great event. Please consider attending.

Family Bingo

We are hosting Family Bingo on Friday, January 21st. Come play a few rounds of bingo with your family! Please see the attached flyer.

Shield Parent Portal

If you would like to be able to view Shield Covid results, the attached flyer gives directions on how to set up the parent portal. Please follow directions in the flyer.

Goodies with Grandparents

PTA will be hosting a Goodies with Grandparents event on February 2nd. Please see the attached flyer to sign up. This is an RSVP event.

Lunches

If you bring your child late to school, (after 9am) you must provide a lunch for your child. Our orders are sent over at 9am. We do not have any extra ordered.

Parent University Rescheduled

Our Parent University on vaccinations has been rescheduled. January 27th will be the new date virtually. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Vaccination Cards

If you child is vaccinated, please call the office if you have not uploaded you vaccine card. We can assist with making sure the nurse has the correct information. Directions are also attached. This does allow students not have to quarantine if they are two weeks past the second vaccine.

Winter MAP Testing

Students who missed MAP testing last week, will begin to complete make ups this week. We will be calling grade levels down at a time to test.

Teacher Spotlight: Meet Ms. Sahar Shehaiber

How long and what grades have you taught?

This is my fifteenth year of teaching. I started my teaching career as a substitute teacher in the district. The following school year, I was hired at Hometown School as a fourth grade teacher before being switched to third grade.


If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I love to visit cultural places to learn the history, explore the landmarks, sample the food, and shop the clothes. The top three countries on my bucket list right now are Greece, Turkey, and Egypt.


What is the best thing about working at Hometown?

The best thing about working at Hometown School is, simply put, the people. I consider the staff to be my second family. Everyone is so caring and supportive. Also, the children are what makes coming to work worth it. I love watching their little faces light up when they finally understand something.


What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is chicken, ground beef, shrimp, and steak tacos...Really any kind! I love all of the fresh toppings you could add, like avocados, cilantro, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, etc. I love putting guacamole or sour cream. I love spicing it up sometimes, too.


Who is someone you admire and why?

I admire my parents so much. They were the ones who showed me through example how perseverance and hard work leads to success. When times get tough, they always remind me that it could always be worse and to instead look for the positives. That always helps me to push through, and I always look back and am proud of myself for not giving up just like I am sure my parents look back and are proud of themselves for how far they have come.

Hometown Elementary School

Hometown Elementary School

Hometown Elementary School

8870 S Duffy Ave, Hometown, IL, USA 708-423-7360 d123.org/hometown
Mrs. Bencik's Picture

Principal Hometown School

Mrs. Bencik's Picture

abencik@d123.org 708-423-7360