The Porcupine Post

This week, our students have been practicing listening and following directions, learning about different types of homes and where people live, developing social language skills, and exploring the letter D!

On Thursday, we welcomed students from Huntley High School’s Education Pre-Internship program. During Session 2, they visited our classrooms to observe and learn more about child development in an early childhood setting. We love partnering with Huntley High School to provide meaningful learning experiences and help inspire the next generation of educators!

Sincerely,

Dr. Sheryl Pauwels

Mr. Ross's class worked hard learning about letter C! They also had fun playing outside, and exploring sensory play with shaving cream! During Group time, Mrs. Conway taught different calming strategies, such as taking deep breaths

October 20th - ECC Family Fall Night. See below for information

October 23rd - No School ECC ONLY Parent Education Day. See below for information

October 27th - Picture Retake Day

November 9th & 10th - County hearing and vision screening

November 23rd - Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL

November 24th -Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL

November 25th - NO SCHOOL

November 26th - NO SCHOOL

November 27th - NO SCHOOL

Please keep your child at home during an illness to decrease the number of students who are exposed to the illness. Students who have been running a fever (100.4° F or greater) should be kept home fever-free for 24 hours before they return to school unless guidelines from the CDC or IDPH increase this timeframe. Students should also remain at home for 24 hours after vomiting has stopped and the student can tolerate a solid diet, and/or until diarrhea-free for 24 hours. If your child has a rash that you cannot identify, it is recommended that you consult with your healthcare provider. The student should not return to school until the rash has been diagnosed and deemed not contagious.

As the seasons change, please be sure to send in an extra set of weather appropriate clothes (shirt, pants, underwear & socks). Whenever this bag is sent home, please replace the clothing inside and send it back to school ASAP.

Huntley D158 Early Childhood Center

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Strengthening Communication & Parent-Child Relationships Join our team of teachers and therapists as we explore simple ways to build communication skills and memories with your child(ren) during daily activities. From snack to story time, you’ll learn tricks for turning daily activities and play into teachable moments

10:30 am

Cody's Pumpkin Farm 19502 River Road, Marengo

Let's celebrate fall and have fun at Cody's Farm! Fun at Cody's includes: wagon ride, a pumpkin, a petting zoo, and a play area. ECC will cover the cost of our enrolled students. Siblings are $7.50, and this will be paid at the door. Parents are FREE. Upon arrival at the farm, please check in with an ECC staff member. This is a voluntary activity that all families and siblings are welcome to attend, but need to provide their own transportation. Families can bring lunch and stay for the afternoon.

Please arrive and check in before 11:00, as the staff needs to return to school at this time.

RSVP here

Students and staff can dress up on October 30th in costumes. All Fall Parties will take place on this day as well. Your child’s teacher will provide more information if any items or volunteers are needed for this day. The teachers and students will be walking around to different offices in the building to collect fun non-edible items.

We are also having our Costume Parade again! The parade is very short and outside, so parents are invited to come watch.

• Please be mindful that for everyone’s safety, we need the students to remain in line with their class during the parade.

• Please line up in the designated areas to watch the parade. (Please do not block any entrances or exits.)

• The students will walk out of door 5 (into our bus lot) and walk through the bus lot, then walk on the sidewalk in front of ECC and enter the building at Door 3 (car rider door).

• This parade will only be about 10 minutes long.

• Session 1 parade is at 9:45 and Session 2 parade is at 1:00.

• Parking is limited as Chesak and Martin may also have fall celebrations, etc.

All dismissal routines will remain the same. If your child is a car rider, please get into the car rider line after the parade. If your child is a bus rider, we will put them on the bus. If your child does not have a car rider number but you want to take them home with you, please let the teacher know and you will need to park in the lot and then sign them out in the office at dismissal (10:15 or 1:30).

Costume Guidelines:

• Costumes should be worn over clothes, so that students can pull them on/off easily for using the restroom.

• Costumes should be appropriate, should not be violent in nature, and should not include weapons (fake or plastic) or masks that cover the entire face.

• Hair dye, make-up, and minimal face paint must be applied at home (i.e. whiskers and a nose).

Please contact your child’s teacher if you would like to have your child opt out of any of the celebrations and other arrangements will be made.

We look forward to having a fun, safe, and respectful day with your children!

Check out the CMPTA Website to join or check out the upcoming events.

ADHD affects millions of children and youth, impacting executive function, emotional regulation, and daily learning. Behind every challenge, however, is a student with unique strengths, creativity, and potential.

Need Support? We’re Here to Help. Our district is partnered with Care Solace to provide complimentary, confidential mental health care coordination for our students, staff, and their families. Together, we can ensure every student receives the understanding, care, and guidance they need to thrive.

Care Solace offers 24/7/365 support to connect you with verified local providers who accept your insurance (including Medicaid) or offer sliding scale rates, specializing in ADHD and youth mental health.

Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available 24/7/365)
Visit: caresolace.com/huntley

We invite you to join us for our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meeting on October 21, 2026 6:00PM-7:00PM. We look forward to sharing information about the many supports and services available to our families and gathering your feedback.

We hope you can join us!

Virtual Google Meet:https://meet.google.com/uzi-ifsx-ibb

The purpose of SEAC is to create a platform for families to come together, collaborate, learn, and build connections as a dedicated community focused on special education. If your child(ren) has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or if you're simply interested in learning more about the special education services provided within Huntley School District 158, we encourage you to attend these quarterly meetings.

Join us on Monday, November 2 at Martin Elementary for an evening of learning, connection, and family fun! From 6:00–6:30 p.m., our MPAC (Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee) meeting will focus on an overview and discussion of District data. Pizza will be served, and childcare will be provided during the meeting.

Following MPAC, stay for our MPAC-sponsored Family Reading Night from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Families will have an opportunity to enjoy reading activities, explore resources, and learn strategies to support literacy at home.

📍 Martin Elementary, 10920 Reed Road

We hope to see you there!

Huntley School District 158 is excited to once again partner with the Huntley Area Lions Club for the 4th Annual Recycle for Sight Used Eyeglass Collection Drive, taking place at all District 158 schools during the week of October 19-23!

How can you help? Take a few minutes to look through your dresser drawers, closets, and other places where old eyeglasses may be collecting dust. We’re collecting:

• Prescription eyeglasses

• Prescription sunglasses

• Reading eyeglasses

• Empty plastic and metal eyeglass frames

Don’t wear them anymore? Donate them and give them a second chance to help someone else see clearly! And don’t forget to ask your friends, neighbors, and family members to join in, too!

Collection Dates: Monday, October 19 – Friday, October 23

Drop-Off Locations: All District 158 schools and the Administration Office

Let’s come together as a community and surpass our record of 282 pairs of eyeglasses collected!

Every pair makes a difference. Thank you for helping us make a difference, one pair at a time!

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