The Falcon's Nest

Dear Fernway Families,

November is here, and we have plenty to celebrate and look forward to at Fernway. First, I'm excited to share that Fernway has officially earned an "Exemplary" designation on the 2026 Illinois School Report Card! This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects the hard work of our students, teachers, and staff, along with the continued support of our families. Congratulations to our entire Fernway community on this well-deserved recognition!

We also have a lot to look forward to this month. On Wednesday, November 11, at 9:00 AM, we will host our annual Veterans Day Celebration.We invite veterans, active military members, and their accompanying family members to join us as we recognize and honor those who have served our country. Our fourth- and fifth-grade choir members will also perform, and their families are welcome to attend. Please note that attendance is limited to veterans, active military members, their accompanying family members, and families of participating choir students. Those eligible to attend are asked to complete the registration form by Friday, November 6.

Our renovations continue to make great progress as well. This month, we anticipate opening our new main office, main entrance, nurse's office, conference rooms, and several additional renovated areas. We appreciate everyone's continued patience and flexibility as we get closer to completing these improvements.

November also brings Parent-Teacher Conferences, which are a great opportunity to connect with your child's teacher and discuss their progress. Conference sign-ups will be available through ParentSquare beginning Monday, November 2, at 9:00 AM. Conferences will take place November 23 and 24, with both virtual and in-person options available. Additional information can be found on the District's Parent-Teacher Conference webpage.

Finally, be sure to mark your calendars for Picture Retake Day on Wednesday, November 4, and our Scholastic Book Fair, which begins Monday, November 9. There is plenty happening at Fernway, so please check out the information below for additional details and reminders.

Lastly, I want to thank our Fernway families for your continued support and partnership. We have a lot to be thankful for, and I'm looking forward to another great month!

Sincerely,

John Conley

Celebrating Our School’s Success!

I’m excited to share that Fernway earned an EXEMPLARY Profile of Performance on the 2025-26 Illinois School Report Card. I’m incredibly proud of our students and staff for the hard work they put in each day, and grateful to our families for the support and partnership you provide along the way.

This recognition is an important milestone, and we look forward to building on this progress as we continue helping every student learn, grow, and succeed.

The Words We Use Shape Culture

Children learn about kindness and respect by watching the adults around them.

The conversations we have at home and at school help shape how children see themselves and others. When we model empathy, encouragement, and respectful communication, we help build a stronger school community.

Thank you for partnering with us in creating a culture where every child feels valued.

Remember: You Matter. We All Belong.

Parent-Teacher Conference Appointment Sign-Up Links Available November 2 - 19

Families can begin scheduling Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 2, at 9:00 AM. Appointment sign-up links will be shared through ParentSquare and will remain available through Thursday, November 19.

Conferences will be offered both virtually through Google Meet and in person:

Google Meet: Monday, November 23, from 1 - 4 pm
In person: Monday, November 23, from 5 - 8 pm and Tuesday, November 24, from 8 am - 3 pm

For more information, visit the Parent-Teacher Conference section of the District website.

First Trimester Reports Issued Friday, November 20

First-trimester report cards will be available on Friday, November 20. Families will receive them directly through ParentSquare and can also view them in their Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

How to Access Student Report Cards in Infinite Campus:

Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Select Documents in the menu.
Click 26-27 School Name under Report Card, and a pop-up window displaying your student’s report card will open in a new browser. If you cannot view your student’s report card, please ensure pop-up windows are enabled in your web browser.

If you need assistance accessing your portal or viewing grades, please contact your school office.

Parent-Teacher Conferences and Fall Break - November 23 - 27

During our Fall Break, there is NO SCHOOL Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27.

Parent-teacher conferences are on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24. School resumes on Monday, November 30.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fernway Honors Our Veterans

Dear Fernway Families,

Please join us on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Fernway school commons as we honor veterans and those currently serving in the military.
Veterans, service members, and their accompanying family members are welcome. Our fourth- and fifth-grade choir members will perform, and their families are also invited.

Please complete the Registration Form by Friday, November 6. Complete one form per family and include each attending guest’s full name and date of birth to help expedite check-in. You may register one guest or continue adding guests. Please do not register Fernway students who will already be at school.

If you are not listed as an emergency contact in our system (Infinite Campus), please bring a valid driver’s license or state ID.

Help us create our veterans photo display! If you would like to share photos of your veterans for our gym display, please send them to school. Write your family name on the back of each photo so we can return it to you.

Thank you for helping us celebrate and honor those who have served.

Scholastic Book Fair: November 9–13

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Fernway November 9–13! Students will have the opportunity to shop for books during their classroom's scheduled Book Fair time. Teachers will share their class schedules, so be sure to check their newsletters for details. Families can also set up a Scholastic eWallet, allowing students to shop without bringing cash. Please note that cash and eWallet are the only accepted payment methods, and 10.5% sales tax will be added to all purchases. Every purchase helps support our school, and we look forward to another great Book Fair!

Fernway PTO Updates

Our Fernway PTO has some exciting things coming up! The Winter Wonder Shop will take place on December 3 and 4, giving students an opportunity to shop for holiday gifts. More information will be shared as the dates approach.

Additionally, Trimester 2 hot lunch and treat ordering will open soon for December, January, and February. Be on the lookout for additional details and ordering information from the PTO!

Mark Your Calendar

2026 Dates:

Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day: NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 4 - Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, November 4 - PTO Treat Day: Popcorn
Friday, November 6 - PTO Hot Lunch: Hienie's
November 9 - November 13 - Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day Celebration @ 9:00 AM (Invite Only)
Wednesday, November 11 - PTO Treat Day: Cookies
Friday, November 13 - PTO Hot Lunch: Portillo's
Monday, November 16 - Teachers' Institute Day: NO SCHOOL
Thursday, November 19 - PTO Hot Lunch: Chick-fil-A
Thursday, November 19 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 PM at District Administration Center
November 23 - November 27 - Fall Break: NO SCHOOL
Monday, November 23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, November 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
Monday, November 30 - Fall Break Ends: SCHOOL RESUMES
Monday, November 30 - PTO Hot Lunch: Jet's

Keep Connected Falcons

Keep connected with fellow Falcons by checking out any of these web pages.

Fernway Facebook Page

Fernway PTO

Fernway Instagram Page

Fernway School Website

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.