March is here, and before we know it, we will be beginning our summer months. The end of the school year brings excitement with many school wide events, family nights, and celebrations. In classrooms, teachers will continue high quality instruction in to insure that our students our ready for the next grade level. In March, we will wrap up our state assessments. In April, students will take the final NWEA MAP scores which will be shared with you by the end of the school year.

Parents, please take 10 minutes and complete the 5 Essentials Survey. The information in the survey will help me as the building principal make positive change for our students. I value feedback, and this type of feedback is essential. The link is below.

https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

Enjoy your wonderful weekend!

Mr. Jeff Moore, Principal

3/4: NO SCHOOL- Casimir Pulaski Day

3/5: Field Trip to Library K-3rd/ 3rd-5th IAR Rally

3/6: IAR Testing Begins

3/10:Daylight Savings Time

3/14: Spring Pictures

3/15: IAR Testing Completes/IAR Celebration/ Wear Green

3/17: St. Patrick's Day

3/19: Science Testing Begins for 5th Grade

3/22: Early Dismissal/PBIS Celebration

3/25-3/29: Spring Break- NO SCHOOL

Students can wear green on March 15th to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

We are hiring 1 lunch monitor to supervise our students and support the building for the remainder of the school year. The hours are 10:30-12:30. If interested please apply online.

https://www.sd104.us/page/employment

Students are doing a fantastic job completing the IAR Assessment. This assessment continue through March 15th. 3 more tests to go!

Students in grades 3rd and 4th will take three assessments in Math and three assessments on reading. These are all computer based.

Students in 5th grade will take three assessments in Math and two in reading.

5th grade students will be testing in science the wee of March 19th. There are three assessments.

Permission slips went home for the state mandated Erin's Presentation. Please complete permission slip and return to school.

During the week of March 18th-22nd, School District 104 will celebrate Respect Week. This week is dedicated to learning about various disabilities, respecting each other, and committing to remain respectful of everyone’s differences. Please see the flyer below.

Hello Walker Families,

Spring is almost here but don't put away your child's winter wear just yet. Please have your child prepared for outdoor activities such as recess and PE.

Registration packets will be coming home next week. If your child will be entering kindergarten, 2nd grade or 6th grade, please make the necessary physician appointments as soon as possible. Don't wait! All required medical forms are due before the first day of the 24-25 school year.

The Loyola Pediatric Mobile Unit will be visiting Heritage Middle school on Tuesday April 9th. Families who do not have private health insurance are encouraged to sign up and take part in student school physicals with immunizations along with other services. Please contact Walker's main office to make an appointment.

Also, cold and flu season is not over. Refer to the attached letter of when to keep your child at home as well as how to inspect your child's hair for possible lice. This should be done frequently throughout the school year.

As always, our goal is to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

https://www.sd104.us/page/health-services

Bianca Vazquez MSN, RN, PEL-CSN

District 104 School Nurse

Walker Elementary

708-458-7150

Ext: 7301

Grounding techniques are mental exercises to help redirect thoughts away from negative feelings.

The 5-4-3-2-1 exercise is a simple and effective technique that children of all ages may benefit from. All you have to do is activate your senses and count backward from 5 to identify each of the following:

5 things you can hear

4 things you can see

3 things you can touch

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

In gratitude,

Mr. Chris Hofer

chofer@sd104.us

To celebrate Read Across America, Walker Elementary partnered with the Bedford Park Library. Students were engaged in lessons focused on literacy at the Bedford Park Library. Thank you, Mrs. Deanna, Ms. Kelly, and the Bedford Park Library for welcoming us!

Walker students celebrated by “leaping into friendship” with a PBIS Rockstar Glow Party sponsored by Vulcan! Students worked hard all month by using appropriate language throughout the day! Great job Bulldogs!

Every Monday, Walker School has Student Recognition Rallies. This is a time the entire school is together and we recognize the hard work of our school community. We will celebrate both academic and social emotional achievements.

Those students who were recognized on February 26th are below. Great job students!

Starting February 5th, students and teachers will be participating in pilot programs for a new reading series. The district reviews curricular resources and updates to ensure students are receiving current and appropriate instruction. Benchmark Advance 2.0 and Wonders are the programs being field tested across Walker, Walsh, and Wharton. A recommendation for adoption will be made later this spring. Please reach out if you any questions. Thanks.

Please reference the E-Learning Plan below if you have any questions regarding eLearning.

In summary, students will independently work on assignments on SeeSaw provided by the students teachers. Assignments, should be completed that day by 3PM. If assignment's are not completed, that student will be marked absent. If a student does complete their assignments at a later time but no later than 7:50 AM on the day after returning to school, the attendance will be modified to present.

Please reach out to the teacher via SeeSaw and building principal if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Just a reminder, no birthday treats are allowed. Treats are limited to all school celebration parties. Please see school policy if you have any questions.

Arrival

Students are to be dropped off no earlier than 7:30 AM at door 1 (8:30 on Wednesdays). Breakfast is served from 7:30-& 7:50 AM. Please do not park on 78th Ave.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 2:50 each day.

Kindergarten-1st- New office area.

2nd-3rd- Door 1

4th-5th Grade will exit from door 5 (adjacent to playground)

Please use the link below to register for the bus and view transportation schedules.

https://www.sd104.us/page/transportation

Please use the link below for all breakfast/lunch menus.

Please us the link below for parent resources and information regarding our district.