What's Happening At The Hive!

• Tuesday, 9/8:
• Picture day at Heather Hill!
• 6:30 pm: Beginning Band Sign-up for 5th Graders (via Zoom, see flyers below)
• Wednesday, 9/9:
• 5:00-9:00 pm: Beginning Orchestra Sign-up for 4th/5th Graders at Parker Jr. High, 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, IL 60422
  
• Thursday, 9/10:
• Bus safety drills for all students K-5
• Author Visit for 1st-3rd Grades: John Schu
• Friday, 9/11:
• 25th Anniversary of 9/11
• Tornado safety drill for students and staff
• Monday, 9/14: 6:00 pm Board of Education Meeting at 41 E. Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights, IL
• Tuesday, 9/15:
• 6:00-7:30 pm Open House at Heather Hill (and all SD161 Elementary Schools!)
• HH PTO Fundraiser: Poppin' Popcorn begins and runs through 10/2! (Flyers will be sent home next week with more details.)
• Hispanic Heritage Month begins!
• Wednesday, 9/16: 6:00-7:30 pm Parker Jr. High Open House
• Friday, 9/18: NO SCHOOL: Teacher Institute Day
• Monday, 9/21: NO SCHOOL: Yom Kippur

We are continuing to focus on learning routines and expectations and are seeing great success! Students are transitioning well through the hallways and referencing their classroom social contracts to discuss how behaviors are supporting learning. Please continue to reinforce these at home so we can partner together for success for all students!

This week we complete NWEA assessments in reading and math for 1st-5th grades, as well as Aimsweb for Kindergarten and 1st grades. Our teams use this information to determine the best ways to support students in standards mastery throughout the year, as well as to monitor growth and progress. Families will be mailed assessment results after the window is closed so you can see how your child compares to their peers across the nation. If you have any questions about these assessments, please reach out to your child's teacher!

Last week staff celebrated National College Colors Day to show their alumni pride! This week, we have picture day, and 5th graders have a chance to sign-up for band or orchestra, and 4th graders can sign-up for orchestra. Please see the flyers below to get involved in our excellent SD161 music program!

Did you know that September is National School Attendance Awareness Month? We know it's critical for scholars to be in school each day for learning when healthy. We will be sharing attendance tips, celebrating high attendance rates per class, and also sending letters home about the importance of school. Please see the information below from Attendance Works and the National Association of School Nurses.

• Students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and students who are new to the District must provide proof of the required Illinois State physical examination and immunizations.
• All required health documentation must be submitted by October 15, 2026 to the school nurse. Students who have not met these requirements by this date will be excluded from school beginning October 15, 2026, in accordance with Illinois requirements, until the necessary documentation is received.
• Please note: A sports physical does not meet the Illinois school physical examination requirement.

We are so excited to work with Anderson's Book Shop to welcome author John Schu! First through third graders will get an opportunity to hear about perseverance, expressing ideas, and the writing process. Families can optionally choose to purchase a signed copy of the books below. This will be sent home as a flyer. We can't wait to welcome Mr. Schu!

Monday - Friday

• 8:30 am - 8:40 am - Arrival (Doors will close at 8:40 am!)
• 8:40 am - 3:15 pm - Instructional Day
• 3:15 pm - Dismissal

Half day dismissal (half days on District calendar) - 11:40 am

Since the start of school was delayed by a week, the 2026-27 school calendar will be updated by a committee of stakeholders. These committee members will provide suggestions to the Board of Education on ways to update the calendar to reflect make-up days. Please know this calendar, while out of date, still holds some important benchmarks.

• Signing up for District 161’s text message alerts is quick and easy. Simply text the word “YES” to 67587 from the cell phone on which you wish to receive text messages. Please make sure that your cell phone number is up-to-date in Skyward. If you need to update your phone number, please contact the office at your child’s school. Click here for more information.

• Registrarse para recibir alertas de mensajes de texto del Distrito 161 es rápido y fácil. Simplemente envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra "YES" al 67587 desde el teléfono celular en el que desea recibir mensajes de texto. Asegúrese de que su número de teléfono celular esté actualizado en Skyward. Si necesita actualizar su número de teléfono, comuníquese con la oficina de la escuela de su hijo. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.

Drop-Off Information

• Students who are dropped off, or take the bus to school, will enter through Door C starting at 8:30 am.

• Our parking lot is closed to visitors between the hours of 8:30 am-9:30 am and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm.

• Students who arrive after 8:40 am must be signed in at the front office through Door A only, and will be marked tardy and issued a tardy pass.

• Tardies become part of the student attendance record.

• Double-parking on the street is prohibited.

• Making a three-point turn in the middle of the street during arrival and dismissal is prohibited.

Bus Information

• Bus information is available in Skyward. If you do not see your student’s' pick-up time please contact Wanda Alexander at the District office at agonzales@sd161.org.

• Students will proceed to their assigned bus seats. Unless students have a sibling, they will be assigned their own seats.

Pick-Up/Dismissal Information

• Students that are picked up by car or walk home will be dismissed from Door F (Near the Intermediate Playground).

• When picking a child up by a car, please line up on Lawrence Crescent.

• A staff member will be at the pickup spot to assist students in the pickup procedure.

• Our drive/parking lot is closed to private vehicles from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

• Please do NOT park in Heather Hill’s parking lot to pick up your child.

• If accommodations need to be made for pick-up with an adult with limited mobility, please contact the office so that we may make the appropriate arrangements.

• Students that remain on the playground after 3:20 p.m. will be brought to the office, and parents/guardians will be contacted.

• For students that are left beyond the school day repeatedly, a meeting will be required with the Principal, Mrs. Humm, to discuss child-care arrangements.

Early Dismissal

• If your child requires early dismissal, please send a written note to the school or call it in at (708) 647-7200.

• Students will be called down to the office upon your arrival.

Change in Dismissal

• If your child needs a change in their normal dismissal routine:

• Please send a written note to the school or call it in at (708) 647-7200.

• All calls must be received BEFORE 2:00 pm.

• Any changes made after 2:00 pm are not guaranteed as our staff needs time to communicate and change plans.

Capturing Kids Hearts is a character-building program that focuses on strengthening and building relationships. Our August and September focus is "Empathy: Connect with Heart."

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) establishes programs and systems to provide proactive and universal supports to all students. PBIS also helps us build additional supports for students who need more learning in SEL to be successful. Our PBIS focuses for August and September are Way to Play and Way to Learn.

If your child will be receiving breakfast or lunch and they have any allergies, a form detailing their dietary needs must be submitted to the school nurse. It will be shared with the food service company and alternative foods will be available to meet a student’s needs. This form is available in the front office.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE PTO?

If you would like to participate in the PTO or have any questions please email them at heatherhillhornets@gmail.com.

Also, Please click on this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/2466905720251155 to join our Heather Hill Families page.

The Flossmoor Public Library has incredible events and programs coming up for children of all ages! View the calendar and sign up for the library newsletter at https://www.flossmoorlibrary.org.

Email: chumm@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/heather-hill
Location: 1439 Lawrence Crescent, Flossmoor, IL, USA
Phone: 708-647-7200
Facebook: facebook.com/gohornets161