The Falcon's Nest

Dear Fernway Families,

As we head into October, our theme is Every Day Matters, a simple reminder of how important each school day is for our students. Being at school, arriving on time, and staying engaged throughout the day all make a difference. Every lesson, conversation, activity, and opportunity to connect with classmates and staff helps our students grow, and we truly appreciate our families’ partnerships in making consistent attendance a priority.

There is also a lot to be excited about at Fernway! Since last month, we have continued making great progress with our renovations, and we are thrilled to be opening up multiple offices and rooms, along with our new and improved Media Center. It has been exciting to watch these spaces come together and begin welcoming students and staff.

Earlier this week, we also completed a successful fire drill with the Orland Park Fire Department. Our students and staff did an excellent job following procedures and helping the drill run smoothly.

October is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month at Fernway. Our PTO has several events planned for our school community, and we also want families to mark their calendars for Picture Day on October 22. Be sure to check out the information below so you don’t miss anything!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Fernway. We’re looking forward to a great October!

Sincerely,

John Conley

Every Student Has a Story

Every child brings unique experiences, talents, and dreams into our schools.

Thank you for trusting us with your child's story. By working together, we can better support each student's growth and help every child feel connected to their school community.

Remember: You Matter. We All Belong.

A Look at What’s New in Our Classrooms

Now that we’re into October, students and staff are settling into several learning, reporting, and technology updates across District 140.

Here are a few changes families may notice:

More consistency in curriculum and assessments across schools
Updated ELA and Math assessments in grades 3–8
An enhanced GATE program for grades 3–5
Trimester report cards
Online gradebook access for grades 3–5
New laptops for sixth-grade students
Google Meet replacing Zoom
ClassLink replacing Clever

These updates support consistent, high-quality learning experiences for all students. For more information, please revisit the District’s August 12 Back-to-School Updates: Learning, Reporting, and Technology message.

October 7 is National Walk & Roll to School Day!

Gather your family, put on your walking shoes or biking gear, and join us in celebrating National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

D140 families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together using the walking routes linked below.

Fernway Elementary

We hope that by encouraging participation in this event, more students will choose to walk or bike to school regularly.

Also, be sure to see the information below regarding the Ground for Good Coffee Truck the Fernway PTO will be providing that morning!

Celebrate Unity Day by Wearing Orange on October 21

Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 21, to show they care about safe and supportive schools and communities. This is the day when everyone can come together and send one large ORANGE message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

KSD 140 Celebrates Red Ribbon Week October 26 - 30

During Red Ribbon Week, schools across the nation join together to promote a drug-free lifestyle and encourage students to make positive, healthy choices. It is an ideal way for communities to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse.

Monday, October 26: “Red-y to Be Drug Free"

Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week.

“Let’s start strong and show our commitment to living drug-free!”

Tuesday, October 27: “Team Up in Our Colors”

Wear school colors to show we stand united.

“When we stand together in school spirit, we’re stronger than drugs!”

Wednesday, October 28: “Wake Up Drug Free”

Wear pajamas or the color blue.

“Dream big, live drug-free!”

Thursday, October 29: “Bright Futures Ahead”

Wear neon, bright colors, or sparkly school gear.

“Your future shines when you say no to drugs!”

Friday, October 30: “Say BOO to Drugs”

Wear a Halloween costume, school spirit wear, or school colors.

“Scare away drugs this Halloween - be drug-free and proud!”

National Walk & Roll to School Day

Wednesday, October 7

Families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together. Ground for Good Coffee Truck will also be on-site, with a portion of sales benefiting the Fernway PTO. The truck will be on the west side of 88th Avenue between O’Brien and 167th and is intended for walk-up service.

Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 16 from 5:00–6:00 p.m. in the Fernway parking lot off O’Brien Drive.

Join us for trick-or-treating, games, prizes for decorated trunks, food, coffee, and plenty of Halloween fun. Candy donations will be collected October 5–16 and can be dropped off in the candy monsters located in the hallway near the main office.

Tattoo the Teacher Fundraiser

October 5–16.

Students can purchase temporary tattoos for Fernway staff members for $1, $3, or $5. Staff will wear the selected tattoos to school on Friday, October 20. Families can pay online using the flyer QR code or send cash to school.

Mark Your Calendar

2026 Dates:

Friday, October 2 - PTO Hot Lunch: Pops
Monday, October 5 - PTO Hot Lunch: Hienies
October 5 - October 16 - PTO's Tattoo a Teacher Fundraiser
Wednesday, October 7 - PTO Treat Day: Popcorn
Monday, October 12 - Columbus Day: NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, October 14 - PTO Treat Day: Frosted
Thursday, October 15 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 PM at District Administration Center
Friday, October 16 - PTO Hot Lunch: Raising Canes
Friday, October 16 - PTO's Trunk or Treat: 5:00-6:00 PM in O'Brien Parking Lot
Wednesday, October 21 - Unity Day
Thursday, October 22 - Picture Day
Friday, October 23 - PTO Hot Lunch: Jet's
Monday, October 26 - PTO Hot Lunch: Culver's
October 26 - October 30 - Red Ribbon Week
Thursday, October 29 - PTO Hot Lunch: Chick-fil-A

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.