The Eagle's Nest

Hello Eagle Families,

We had a great week of learning! Congratulations to Sandy Thompson, our ACE teacher for hosting a successful district spelling bee! We are so proud of both our students for their effort and dedication and making it to the final round. Congratulations to Chimerenma for placing as the runner up!

We also want to congratulate Genevieve and Jordan for being nominated to participate in the Illinois Music Educator's Conference and the All State Choir. They traveled to Peoria this past weekend to join students from across the state to demonstrate their talents in band, orchestra and choir. Thank you to Mr. Burke for supporting our students with this awesome opportunity and to our families for making the drive to Peoria.

February will be a busy month with several student presentations! Please be sure to check the upcoming dates for programs and presentations. Please remember that parents will be required to present a valid i.d. in the main office to gain entry into the school.

Please take a look at the updates in this week's newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Let's connect.....

Email address: emcneil@sd161.org

Office number: 708-647-7100

1. Institute Day / No school for students - February 6th
2. Lincoln's Birthday / No school for students - February 9th
3. Black History Program at PJH at 6:00 p.m. - February 17th

4. Early dismissal for students at 11:40 p.m. - School Improvement Day - February 20th

5. 3rd Grade Wax Museum in gym room at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - February 26th

6. 2nd Grade Wax Museum in gym room at 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. - February 27th

Summer 2026 Construction Projects

The summer of 2026 will bring the 2nd year of the 3 year Long Range Construction Plan for District 161. This coming summer, Parker Junior High School will be the primary focus, with additional renovation work at Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue Schools during the summer of 2027. At the most recent Board meeting, the Board reviewed the bid packages for the following projects:

• Parker Junior High School: HVAC Upgrades, Vestibule / Main Office / Nurse’s Office Reconfiguration, Updated Media Center, Updated Bathrooms, Classroom Lights and Furniture, Ceiling Upgrade, LED Light Installation, and Paint.

• Flossmoor Hills School: Media Center HVAC Upgrades, Building Envelope Renovation [Humidity Remediation].

• Western Avenue School: Media Center / Office HVAC Upgrades.

• Normandy Villa [District Office]: HVAC Upgrades, Ceiling Upgrades, and LED Light Installation.

CyberSecurity Upgrades

To maintain a safe and secure network environment, it is necessary to upgrade our monitoring equipment to more quickly and accurately identify digital threats, including those generated by artificial intelligence. The upgrades include disaster recovery / ransomware service, a new firewall, and a redundant Internet connection.

2026-27 School Calendar

The Board reviewed a draft of the 2026-27 school calendar. In this version, the first day of school, Winter Break, and Spring Break are all aligned with Homewood Flossmoor High School. If approved, next year’s first day of school will be Thursday, August 20th, with the last day of school falling on Friday, June 4, 2027.

Hello Dad Force One Community,

Dad Force One is gearing up for an exciting second half the school year with after-school activities, and we need your help to make it all happen!

Who We Are
Dad Force One is a group of dedicated volunteer fathers committed to supporting and enriching after-school experiences for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. From fun activities to positive role modeling, our goal is to create safe, engaging environments where kids can learn, play, and grow.

What’s Coming Up
We have several upcoming after-school events and activities planned, including games, enrichment programs, and special event days. These experiences rely on the energy, involvement, and support of volunteers like you.

How You Can Help
We’re looking for volunteers to assist with:

• Supervising and supporting after-school activities

• Helping set up and clean up events

• Leading or assisting with games, crafts, or enrichment activities

• Being a positive role model for our students

No special experience is required—just a willingness to help and have fun!

Why Volunteer?

• Make a direct, positive impact on kids in our community

• Spend meaningful time supporting your child’s school

• Connect with other dads and families

• Be part of something that truly makes a difference

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more information, please email Robert Kyler or watch for upcoming sign-up opportunities.

Thank you for supporting Dad Force One and helping us create memorable after-school experiences for our kids. Together, we’re stronger—and a lot more fun!

With appreciation,
Dad Force One Leadership Team

Powered by dads. Driven by community.

Contact Robert Kyler: (312) 572-0194 or mrkyler@gmail.com

Ms. Davis' 3rd grade class is exploring fossils in science. The students record their findings in their Science notebooks. They work with magnifying glasses and practice formulating hypotheses based on their observations.

Parents can access the SD 161 Learning and Instruction webpage for detailed information specific to Standards Based Grading and Year Long Plans for every grade level content.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches:

Cell phones and smart watches should be kept in a safe place—such as a locker (devices should be neither seen nor heard)—and are not to be used during the school day or during on-campus school activities during school hours.

All K-5 students enter the building at 8:30 a.m. daily. The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. and students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Students may arrive on campus at 8:25 a.m. and line up on their playground areas. There is no supervision before 8:25 a.m. Students that arrive before 8:25 a.m. will have to wait on their playgrounds unsupervised. Breakfast will be available in the gym room at 8:25 a.m.

• Pre-K Morning Session: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Pre-K Afternoon Session: 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Bus Routes

• Student bus routes are available in Skyward. Log into your Skyward account to check where your child's bus stop is located. If you have any questions regarding bus routes, call Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.

• If your child is routed for a bus and will not ride the bus due to you dropping them off or picking them up daily, email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org.

• If your child will not ride the bus everyday, the front office needs a schedule for your child. Please email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org AND your child's classroom teacher.

• Sign up to receive bus bulletins. You can learn more here.

Dismissal Changes

• 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.

• The office number is 708-647-7100. Our administrative assistants can be contacted at rspotora@sd161.org and nfonseca@sd161.org.

Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Students eating breakfast should enter the main entry doors (Door A) upon arrival to school.

Grade Level Lunch Times

• Kindergarten and 5th Grade - 11:30 a.m. - recess begins at 11:50 a.m.
• 1st Grade and 3rd Grade - 12:10 p.m. - recess begins at 12:30 p.m.
• 2nd Grade and 4th Grade - 11:50 a.m. - recess begins at 12:10 p.m.

If you need to drop off lunch to your student after the school day has started, you may utilize the grade level bins on the cart in the foyer. Please label your child's lunch bag.

Reminder: Lunches sent to the school by food delivery services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, etc. are not allowed.

1. Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
2. Parents and guardians should never board a school bus. The bus company is instructed to call the police if any adult other than school personnel boards the bus. If you have an issue with the bus or driver contact Mrs. McNeil - Dobson.
3. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
4. Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
5. Students will learn bus expectations during the first days of school. Please reinforce at home that students should be seated at all times to be safe.

All visitors staying in the school building must be scanned in by our administrative assistants using the raptor. You will have to present your driver's license as proof of i.d. Once you have been cleared through the system, you will receive a name badge to wear. No visitors or volunteers will be allowed in the school without being cleared by the system.

If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday in school, please send non edible items to share (i.e., pencils, bubbles, stickers, etc.). We cannot allow students to share outside food/treats in school. Food items will be returned to you.

If you would like to share good news happening in the FH neighborhood or share an achievement for your child outside of school, please email me a photo and blurb detailing the event. I will be sure to include it in the weekly newsletter.

Now introducing a brand-new style for Flossmoor Hills.

https://www.schoolstore.com/cgi/SSCHomePage?asd_number=undefined&userid=undefined

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

emcneil@sd161.org

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal