Patriot Pulse
September Edition
Hello Grissom Families.
We are off to a terrific start in the 2026-27 school year. Students have quickly acclimated to our school procedures, and they are building positive connections with staff and one another.
Friday PBIS Assembly & Lunch Times
We are looking forward to a fun-filled all-school PBIS assembly this coming Friday afternoon. Student lunch times will be adjusted due to the assembly schedule. 8th grade will eat at 10:28 AM, 6th grade at 11:03 AM, and 7th grade at 11:38 AM. A ParentSquare message will be sent directly to families the day before the assembly noting these adjusted times.
Open House Follow-Up
Thank you to all who attended our Open House last week. We are grateful for your participation and partnership in your child's education. Information from grade-level and principal-led presentations given at Open House was shared with all parents via ParentSquare following the event. Be sure to look for those postings if you did not initially see them.
MAP & IAR/ISA Scores
Students recently completed fall MAP testing sessions. Students did a terrific job preparing and giving their best effort during testing. Both 2026 Fall MAP and 2026 IAR & ISA reports from last spring will be sent home with students within the next week-and-a-half.
Upcoming Safety Drills
We will conduct the following safety drills at Grissom in the course of the next several weeks.
Tuesday, September 8th - Practice Fire Drill - Afternoon
Friday, September 18th - Supervised Fire Drill w/TPFD - Afternoon
Monday, October 5th - Lockdown Drill w/TPPD - Afternoon
Attendance Matters!
As we settle into the school year, we want to remind families of the important role that regular attendance plays in student success. Each day at Grissom provides valuable opportunities for students to learn, connect with their teachers and classmates, and stay on track academically.
We understand that illnesses and other circumstances may occasionally require a student to miss school. Whenever possible, however, we encourage families to prioritize daily and on-time attendance. Even a few missed days can make it more difficult for students to keep pace with classroom learning.
Thank you for partnering with us to help ensure our students are at school, ready to learn, and making the most of every day!
See below for more important information and details of upcoming events in this month's Pulse!
With gratitude,
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh
Principal
What Does Belonging Look Like in D140?
As we begin the school year, D140 is launching You Matter. We All Belong., a yearlong effort to strengthen the sense of belonging across our schools.
Throughout the year, you'll receive short monthly messages that focus on simple ways we can work together to help every child feel connected, valued, and supported.
Research consistently shows that students thrive when they know they belong. We appreciate your partnership in creating welcoming school communities where every student can succeed.
Together, we can make sure every child knows: You Matter. We All Belong.
Patriot Day - September 11
Students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Friday, September 11, in observance of Patriot Day.
Save the Date! National Walk & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 7
D140 families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together on Wednesday, October 7, in celebration of National Walk & Roll to School Day.
Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration
Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration will be held on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, at Grissom Middle School. The schedule is as follows:
Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Wednesday, September 16:
Fernway Park Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Bannes Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Millennium Elementary from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Thursday, September 17:
Helen Keller Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
McAulffe Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Make-up time from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
If you cannot attend at your school's suggested time, you may attend any of the other schools’ times listed above or the make-up time on Thursday evening. Please arrive at the scheduled start time for these sessions. All sessions take place at Grissom Middle School. If you have any questions regarding Beginning Band Registration, please email your child's band director. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Stay Connected with ParentSquare!
KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.
Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 pm
Communicate in your preferred language
Direct message teachers and staff
Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more, all from your desktop or mobile device
We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.
For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).
PTO: Volunteers Needed! Hot Lunch Days
Grissom Families,
Hot lunch starts this month and we can’t wait!
We can’t run this program without you! Sign up to volunteer below!
Tuesday Volunteers:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084EACAC23A4F8C70-64815067-tuesday?useFullSite=false
Wednesday Volunteers:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EACAC23A4F8C70-65017805-wednesday
Friday Volunteers:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084EACAC23A4F8C70-64815626-friday?useFullSite=false
Key Dates in September 2026
IMPORTANT September dates to mark on your calendar:
Friday, September 4th
Grissom All School PBIS Assembly - during school hours
Monday, September 7th
Labor Day - No School
Tuesday, September 8th
Practice Fire Drill - Afternoon
Friday, September 18th
Supervised Fire Drill w/TPFD - Afternoon
Wednesday, September 23rd
Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM at KSD 140 Administration Building
Thursday, September 28th
Band Parent Meeting - 7 PM at Grissom
Health and Wellness
D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
Keep in Touch!
#KirbyONE40 #EveryChildEveryDay
Respectfully,
Mr. Michael Rumbaugh - Principal
Mrs. Theresa Blackwell - Assistant Principal
Virgil I. Grissom Middle School
Principal Michael Rumbaugh- mirumbaugh@ksd140.org
Website: ksd140.org/grissom
Location: 17000 South 80th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL, 60477
Phone: 708-429-3030