What's Happening At The Hive!

• Monday, 1/26: REMOTE E-LEARNING DAY! Due to inclement weather
• Tuesday, 1/27: 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Homewood Science Center

• Thursday, 1/29: 6:00 pm District 161 Spelling Bee at Parker Jr. High, 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, IL
• Tuesday, 2/3: 6:00 pm Heather Hill 4th & 5th Grade Instrument Fair
• Wednesday, 2/4; 6:30 pm Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee Meeting at Serena Hills School, 255 Pleasant Drive, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

• Friday, 2/6: NO SCHOOL: Teacher's Institute Day
• Monday, 2/9: NO SCHOOL: Lincoln's Birthday: District Closed
• Thursday, 2/12: 6:30 pm STEAM Night at Parker Jr. High School, 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, IL (see flyer below!)

Tomorrow, Monday, 1/26/26, is an Emergency Remote E-Learning Day due to inclement weather! Students should login to their teacher's Zoom links shared on their Canvas pages, as well as the Google Doc that will be shared again in the morning from Mrs. Humm.

We had a great turnout at our Day of Service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last Monday! Thank you so much to all participants that came out to make lunches for South Suburban PADS, as well as tie blankets for Project Kennedy. We are so grateful to our partnership with You Matter 2 to support these amazing local charities!

A HUGE shout-out to our phenomenal Reading Specialist Team for organizing a great Family Literacy Night last week! So much fun was had at "The Carnival" to support reading. Thank you to all family members that came out in the cold weather and continue to support reading. Thank you, also, to all participating staff members--it was a great night because of your help and support. A great time was had by all!

Attention families of girls in grades 3-5! Are you ready to have fun, build confidence, and work toward an exciting goal? Girls on the Run kicks off this March, and we’d love for you to be part of the team! It’s more than just running—it’s about making friends, feeling strong, and discovering how amazing you are. Most information can be found in the attached flyers, including sign-up. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:45 starting the week of March 2. For more information, please feel free to contact Ms. W. via email swisniewski@sd161.org!

District Scorecard

As a school district, we are continually analyzing data and measuring our overall progress. After previously identifying academic goals for the school district, the Board of Education approved a scorecard which we will use to track our progress as a school community. The report about the scorecard can be found here and this link will take you to the live document. The metrics are current and over the next couple of months, the site will be populated with our department plans and strategies.

Flossmoor Hills Envelope Bid

We are making progress in our effort to solve the humidity issues at Flossmoor Hills. After conducting multiple tests at the school and working with forensic engineers, architects, and construction managers, the Board of Education approved a construction plan to effectively seal the building to solve the issues with outside air impacting our internal pipes and humidity. This link will take you to the plans to address the work. At the Board meeting on January 26, 2026, we will recommend the approval of the bids and final work plan for Flossmoor Hills. We anticipate beginning the external work at the school over Spring Break, so that the project can be completed by the middle of July.

2026-2027 Staffing Plan

As we approach the registration window for next school year, the Board of Education approved initial staffing plans for the upcoming school year. In the report, kindergarten class sizes are projections based on our 5-year enrollment history. The class sizes for grades 1-5 represent actual students moving from one grade level to another. In the plan, an additional elementary teaching position was also approved which can be used if enrollment or class sizes spike at a particular school.

Preschool Expansion

Jackie Janicke, our Director of Special Education, presented 3 options for expanding the Preschool programming in District 161. There are 3 main options: 1) hosting classrooms at Flossmoor Hills and Serena Hills, 2) renovating Normandy Villa School [current District Office], and 3) building an addition at Flossmoor Hills School. After the presentation, the Board of Education redirected the report to the Finance Committee to discuss long-term funding options and potential challenges. The complete presentation can be found here.

Financial Audit

On an annual basis, District 161's finances are audited to ensure accuracy, effective stewardship, and proper financial protocols. District 161 received a “clean audit,” meaning our financial statements are accurate, we comply with applicable accounting standards, and we have reliable controls in place to ensure proper financial management. This link will take you to the audit documents for District 161.

Tax Levy

At the December meeting, the 2025 tax levy was approved. This link will take you to the initial presentation on the tax levy options that were discussed. You can find the approved recommendation with the specific dollar amounts here.

We are working hard in the classroom both academically and with social-emotional learning (SEL)! One of the tools we use to support learning in SEL is our Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) Program. Through CKH, we work to build relationships with all students to support safe learning environments. As part of our process, we ask families for feedback to let us know how we are doing. Please take time to complete this short 14 question CKH Survey. We use these results to determine areas of celebration and opportunity for growth. Your feedback matters to us! We have extended this survey to get more family responses!

We have seen an increase in unsafe driving behaviors around arrival and dismissal. We have also had complaints from HH families and community members about these concerns. Please remember the following:

1. All children need to be dropped off by pulling up to the curb on the SCHOOL side of the street. There is NO double parking. Letting students out between cars or in the street is unsafe.
2. There is NO standing, stopping, or parking on the opposite side of the street.
3. There are NO three point turns in the school zone.
4. Please do not use neighbors' driveways to turn around. Let's be good neighbors!
5. Please do not pull in front of the driveway coming into the school parking lot to drop students off. This creates a back-up on the street and blocks the lot for buses and 3rd part transportation.
6. Traffic is getting backed up on Lawrence Crescent and Mac Heath Crescent. There is no parking on the north side of Mac Heath Crescent. This bottlenecks the street.

If you are approached by a staff member and/or crossing guard to follow these rules, please understand we are doing our best for everyone's safety. Please help us keep all children, staff, and community members safe by following these rules of the road!

We want to remind everyone about our policy regarding outdoor play and safety. For the comfort and well-being of our students, children will remain inside during the following weather conditions:

1. Rain
2. Temperature below 20 degrees F
3. Wind chill of 10 degrees F or below
4. Icy conditions
5. Extremely high winds

Please make sure your child is dressed warmly with a coat, hat, gloves, and other appropriate layers to ensure they stay comfortable and safe. We also recommend dressing in layers for the classroom to manage any fluctuations in heat. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep all children safe and prepared for the elements.

We are working on setting reading goals and challenges! We are a community of readers at Heather Hill and we are working on getting all children excited to read and share their reading with others. Please see the attached parent letter that was sent home in an email. Help your child to log their reading minutes and work towards our school-wide goal!

The Capturing Kids Hearts character trait for month of January is Respect--Honor You, Honor Me.

What is Respect?

Respect is the willingness and ability to act professionally and thoughtfully with ourselves and others. Leaders can deal respectfully with opposition and provide space for both dignity and differences to coexist.

PBIS - Cool Tool for the month of January is Watching While Walking.

Cool Tool Description: At Heather Hill School, we follow the Watching While Walking Cool Tool when walking in school. This means we use walking feet in all school classrooms and hallways. We stay on the right side of the hallway near or on the blue line. Stay on the right side of the hallway, especially when walking around a corner to avoid walking into someone else. We walk in a single file line. Stay distanced from the person in front of you and behind you. Remember to watch your space bubble. We keep our eyes forward, our mouths silent, and our hands by our sides. Keep your hands and body off the hallway walls and bulletin boards. We keep negative thoughts to ourselves and control our bodies. If we follow these expectations, we are being respectful, responsible, and safe while walking in school.

We are working towards our goals of increasing student attendance to increase learning goals! We are working towards a goal of at least 93% attendance each week. Of course we encourage parents to keep children home if they are sick. Students should stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides. Please consult a medical professional as needed for other symptoms including cough, vomiting, etc.

Click here to access our school’s virtual backpack. This page is intended to provide information on resources and activities that may be of interest to our students and families.

• 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.

• The 30 day grace period for free and reduced lunch has expired. If parents have not either been confirmed by the state for SNAP/TANF or Medicaid status or have not completed a new free/reduced lunch application in Skyward, their lunch status may be back to paid. Complete a lunch form in Skyward to correct your status!

This school year, our students will participate in the Neptune Navigate Digital Citizenship curriculum. Each module is designed to be engaging and informative, taking 30 minutes or less to complete. Our goal is to ensure that students learn how to be safe and smart online and understand the importance of building a positive digital reputation.

January's theme is: Digital Footprint, Digital Reputation (see family letter below!)

Do you have used children's clothes in good condition? We are looking for donations for our nurse's office. These donations will help provide a change of clothes when needed due to accidents, etc. We are looking for all types of clothing: shorts, pants, shirts, underwear, socks, even shoes. The stretchier the materials, the better. Please bring bags labeled for donations to the office. We appreciate your help!

Our Staff Recognition Program, Above and Beyond, is designed to spotlight our staff members in all that they do for our students and community. Each school and department has the opportunity to nominate a staff member who exemplifies the characteristics and professional traits that exemplify our standards of excellence. Please use this form to nominate a staff member today!

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

A few friendly reminders about arrival and dismissal:

• Our parking lot is closed to personal vehicles during arrival and dismissal
• The parking lot may only be used by buses and 3rd party transportation during arrival/dismissal
• Please do not engage in 3 point turns in the school zone
• Please do no block driveways--either school driveways or homes near HH
• Do not drop off children on the opposite side of the street of the school
• All street crossings must occur at the cross-walks
• By law, there is no cell phone usage in a school zone

Let's keep everyone safe by following the rules of the road!

Flossmoor SD161 is working with a new Food Service Company! Please see the flyer on who they are and what they have to offer.

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