The Porcupine Post

We had a wonderful first full week of school! We are getting to know our new classrooms, routines, and friends.

Just a friendly reminder that all classes have scheduled gross motor time, and we plan to get outside as much as possible! Please make sure your child comes to school wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes that are appropriate for running and playing on the blacktop, grass, and mulch on the playground.

Thank you for helping us make sure our students are ready to move, play, and have fun! 😊

Sincerely,

Dr. Sheryl Pauwels

Smiles, Friends & First-Week Fun

September 7th - No School District Wide

September 10th - Fire Drill

September 12th - Huntley Hootenanny

September 18th - ECC Fun Run

September 22nd - No School ECC ONLY Parent Education Day (information coming soon)

September 29th - ECC Picture Day

🚨 Changes to Your Child’s Dismissal Plan
If you are changing the way your child will be going home for the day, please make sure to call the front office at 847-659-5400. Teachers do not typically check email during the school day, so emailing your child’s teacher may not ensure that the change is received in time. Calling the front office helps us make sure we have the most up-to-date information and that your child gets home safely.

🚌 Bus Route Change Reminder
Please allow up to 72 hours for your student to be routed after a bus change is requested. Thank you for your patience as we work with transportation to make sure your student’s route is updated.

Check out the CMPTA Website for details on all the activities they have planned

This year’s dues:

Parents/Guardians: $12 (less than 3 fancy coffees!)
Staff: $8 (you’re already superheroes—we’re just making it official)

Feeling generous? You can also sponsor a teacher and earn yourself a gold star in kindness!

Becoming a member doesn’t mean you’ll be voluntold to run a carnival (unless you want to—then we love you even more). It just means you’re helping support the school, the students, and all the fun stuff we do!

https://cmpta158.givebacks.com/store to join today and become part of the magic!

Thanks for being the amazing village that helps raise even more amazing kids.

Get ready to show your ECC pride with the new CMPTA School Spirit Wear Collection!

Online ordering closes September 11, so be sure to get your order in!

Click HERE to view the spirt wear collection.

Are you looking for a meaningful way to get involved in our school district? We invite you to consider serving as a representative on our district Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) for the 2026–27 school year.

This year, we are working to strengthen communication and connection between our schools and the district by increasing awareness of the important work of PTAC. We are seeking one parent and one staff representative from each school to attend three meetings during the year and serve as a liaison between their building’s parent group and the district PTAC.

About PTAC
PTAC is a school board-required committee led by the superintendent that meets regularly to review and provide input on key areas, including:

• Student discipline policies and their implementation, including considerations for students with disabilities

• The reciprocal reporting system between the school district and local law enforcement

• School bus safety procedures and how they are reflected in discipline policies

• Policies addressing student behavior, including supports for students at risk of aggressive behavior and bullying

• Guidelines related to the administration of medication at school

Meeting Schedule
All meetings will be held at the District Office from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026

• Tuesday, January 12, 2027

• Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Representatives will be asked to share updates and gather feedback at their school’s parent meetings (such as PTO/PTA or school advisory groups) to ensure two-way communication between the district and each building.

Important Note
While PTAC plays an important advisory role and informs recommendations to the Board of Education, it is not a decision-making body.

Interested in Participating?
Please complete the interest form by Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Your voice matters, and your perspective is essential to this work. We look forward to partnering with you to support our students, staff, and school community.

If you are looking to be involved at the school level rather than the district level, more information on ways to do that will be coming out soon.

The 9th annual Huntley Hootenanny is a 5K “glow” run/walk for adults and kids of all ages sponsored by the Huntley Education Foundation and presented in partnership with the Village of Huntley and Huntley Community School District 158. With nearly 4,000 participants (including 1,700 elementary students last year!) the Huntley Hootenanny is one of Illinois’ largest 5K community events.

The Hootenanny will be held on Saturday, September 12 in downtown Huntley (on the square) from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Race start time is 7:15 p.m.

You won’t want to miss this fun family event!

REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/4xpQ9qQ

Catch a glimpse of the Hootenanny in action! https://youtu.be/qCUO59Ugh6Q

Topic: School Anxiety, Avoidance & Refusal: Symptoms and Interventions

Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6PM - 7PM

Presenter: Jacqueline Rhew, LCPC

Open to all Huntley 158 families

Join via Google Meet

September is Attendance Awareness Month and Huntley 158’s motto is “Your Presence is Your Power.” Every day a student is in school is an opportunity for them to build relationships, learn and access support.

The district is kicking off its first virtual Family Learning Series this year with a presentation by Jacqueline Rhew, a licensed clinical professional counselor, who specializes in school refusal and anxiety in children. The virtual event is free and open to all Huntley 158 families.

Rhew’s presentation will provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies to support their child who may be struggling with school anxiety, avoidance, and school refusal.

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