The Serena Scoop

• 💙 Memorial Day- School Closed

• 🔢 4th Grade Elevate Math Tutoring 7:30-8:30AM
• 🎶 Musical Rehearsals 3:15-4:30PM
• 📣Committee of the Whole Meeting 6:00-7:00pm
  

• 🔢 3rd & 5th Grade Elevate Math Tutoring 7:30-8:30AM (Last Day)
• 🎶Serena Hills Musical Rehearsal 6:00-7:30PM
  

• ⚾ 3rd, 4th and 5th grade to Windy City Thunderbolts Game 9:30am – 1:30pm

• 🔢 4th Grade Elevate Math Tutoring 7:30-8:30AM (Last Day)
  
• 🎶Music Performance Parker at Junior High School 6:00-7:30PM

• 🕵🏻‍♀️Spirit Day! Jersey Day: Wear your favorite sports team jersey or team gear

• 🦒Tuesday June 2nd Field Trip to ZOO K-2nd

• 🎓Thursday June 4th - Kindergarten Farewell at 10AM and 5th Grade at 2:00pm

• Friday June 5th- Step Up Day 9:00-11:00AM (5th Grade Students Only)

• 🎊Friday June 5th Field Day & LAST DAY of SCHOOL 👻

🎈26th Tiago L.

🎈27th Xavier B. & Klaire B.

2026-27 Returning Student Registration

○ Online registration via Family Access in Skyward is open and you should

complete this process as soon as possible.

○ If you are required to prove residency, please click here for instructions on

how to submit your proof of residency.

○ Online registration and residency verification [if required] should be

completed by May 29, 2026.

If you need help with your log in and password, contact the office. 708-647-7300

🏭Experience Survey Results

The results of this year’s Studer Experience Surveys were shared at Monday’s meeting. This report highlights the top 3 and the bottom 3 indicators for the student, parent, and staff groups. This information will now be used to update School Improvement and Department Plans, so that we can maintain our focus on continuous improvement.

🚧Construction Update

This presentation outlines the recent and upcoming work in our Long Range Construction plan. Our 2026 construction plan has increased in both scope and price to address unplanned humidity remediation at Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue Schools. Parker Junior High School will be renovated this summer, with Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue Schools to follow in the summer of 2027. We plan to begin working during Spring Break, with the bulk of the work to be completed this summer.

🏫Parker Junior High Course Catalog

A draft of the PJHS Course Catalog was reviewed. The catalog provides information about the Core and Encore classes offered to students in grades 6-8.

🎒Preschool Expansion

The Board of Education discussed a proposal to add a full day Preschool class at Flossmoor Hills School. The class would serve up to 20 students and would be the only full day Preschool class available in District 161. This topic will return to the Board of Education for discussion on April 27, 2026.

🤓 Superintendent Search Update

The Board of Education recently heard an update from BWP and Associates on the superintendent search process. Specifically, they discussed the leadership profile that was developed using information from the stakeholder survey and the in-person focus groups. Looking forward, the Board of Education intends to begin interviewing candidates in mid-May, with a recommendation for hire coming at the June 15th Board meeting.

District Department Plans

District 161 department leaders presented the tentative Department Plans for the 2026-27 school year. We discuss the initial plans in April, so that changes and adjustments can be made before the building teams begin building their School Improvement Plans in June. Looking forward to the 2026-27 school year, we will be refreshing the Strategic Plan and that process should be completed by March. Once that is done, the district will be on an aligned schedule that will lead to consistent improvement.

Preschool Expansion

For the 2026-27 school year, we will be offering a full-day Preschool classroom at Flossmoor Hills, along with two half-day classrooms. The adjustment is a pilot program that the Board of Education will use to make future decisions regarding Preschool programming. In order to be considered for Preschool services in District 161, your child must complete the screening process and that information can be found here.

Breakfast/Lunch Funds can be added to your child's food account online via Skyward Family Access. Exact cash or check are accepted in the school office.

2025/2026 Fee's

Breakfast $ 1.85 per day

Lunch $3.75 per day

Milk Only $.050

Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available online via Skyward Family Access.

NOTE:

🚫 We do not allow any outside food service delivery such as UberEats, GrubHub DoorDash for students.

Follow us on our Serena Hills PTO Facebook page for updates, events, and school news. Click here to join: Serena Hills PTO Facebook!

The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for the efforts our tremendous staff make to be recognized in a big way and shared among everyone in our district! Our dedicated staff strives to make a positive impact on your child’s learning and life, so it is important to let everyone know of the excellent job that has been done.

Introducing #AboveAndBeyond in D161! Please CLICK HERE to read more about our program and nominate a staff member that has made a positive impact on your child’s or family’s life today...and beyond!

• 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.

Arrival - 8:30AM

Instructional Day - 8:40-3:15PM

• Parents must call the office or email the administrative assistants by 2:15 p.m. if you need to make a change to your child's dismissal procedure (i.e., not riding the bus, not attending an after school program, etc.). The procedure helps to ensure the safe dismissal for all students.

• Serena Hills Office number - (708) 647-7300

Email: ereich@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/serena-hills
Location: 255 Pleasant Drive, Chicago Heights, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 647-7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/district161sh