Summer Update 2

8/7/25

Parents,

Today is our staff’s first day back. Today, tomorrow and next week, they will be working to get classrooms ready and attending professional development sessions. They are excited to see our students back at school on Monday, August 18th.

Please see below for information about arrival and dismissal, attendance procedures, birthday celebrations, forgotten items and school hour information.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Sincerely,

Katie & Chris

See Previous Updates Here

Arrival & Dismissal

Arrival

Students are allowed to go to their classrooms at 7:20. Please do not drop off students before 7:20, as there is no supervision.
Tardy bell rings at 7:35; students are tardy if they arrive in their classroom after 7:35 (if students are dropped off right at 7:35, they will most likely be tardy because they will not get to their classrooms before the tardy bell rings)

Parent Drop Off

Parents drop off in the back of the school starting at 7:20.
Drive to the back of the school and circle the playground.
There are signs asking you to pull forward to the first stop.
The first stop is right by the basketball court.
After dropping your child off, you drive back to the front of the school and exit through the parking lot. Please be sure to stop at the stop sign before the bus circle. Buses entering the circle have the right of way.
If it is after 7:35 and no one is in the back, you must take your child to the front entrance and come in with your child because he/she will need to be signed in at the office.

Bus Riders

The Parkway Transportation Department provides transportation to most Oak Brook students.
Riders should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before their scheduled pick up time.
The bus will drop students off in front of the school where they will be greeted by Oak Brook staff.
There are staff members stationed throughout the school to ensure students arrive to their classrooms safely.

Dismissal

School is dismissed at 2:30 pm.

Parent Pick Up

Parents picking up students should call the office and register for a numbered Oak Brook Hang tag (each family will be assigned a number and receive 2 hang tags with that number)
Beginning at 2:20, parents should drive to the back of the school and wait in their cars (using the same areas as we use in the morning for arrival-as outlined by the map sent home at the beginning of the year)
After 2:20, car riders will not be dismissed out the front doors
Oak Brook staff will dismiss students based on arrival and will only dismiss them to the cars with the correct hang tag number
If students are riding home with another family, a car rider pass will be issued for that day so staff members can insure students ride home with the correct family

Adventure Club

Students who attend Adventure Club will be dismissed directly to Adventure Club
Adventure Club staff will account for all students by taking attendance
If a child normally attends Adventure Club, he/she will be required to attend unless a note is sent from home informing staff of a change in routine

Bus Riders

Teachers will walk students to the buses each afternoon
Students must ride their assigned bus home and get off at their bus stop

Picking Up a Student Early

At times, it is necessary to pick up your student from school before regular dismissal. To ensure the safety of all students, please follow the following procedures.

Notify the teacher ahead of time (if possible).
Please come to the front door and push the button to contact the office. An office staff member will take the information and then bring your child to the vestibule area.

Change in Dismissal Routine

We will send your child home his/her normal way unless we hear from you via email, phone or note. Please take note of the items below:

Notify the office staff and your child’s teacher as soon as possible - and prior to 2:20 pm. Early notification is important as teachers and staff work each day to ensure the safety of all of our students.

Notification may occur in one of the following ways:

Written note sent with your child and given to his/her teacher
Email sent to your child’s teacher and office staff areed1@parkwayschools.net, sphillips@parkwayschools.net
Please make sure you send the email to all of the staff members listed above.
Phone call to the office (314) 415-6550 prior to 2:20
If notification is received late, your child may be dismissed using his/her normal routine. There have been times when we have received notification too late to make the change.
If your child is going home with another family, both students need a note. Please note: Students may not ride buses unless they are assigned to that bus.
While we understand special circumstances arise, arrangements for change in dismissal need to be made before school starts. Students should not plan changes during school time.

School Hours

School hours are 7:35 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Students may enter the building through the back door beginning at 7:20 a.m. and are expected to depart at 2:30 p.m.

Exceptions include those involved in the after-school Adventure Club or extracurricular programming. Buses are provided for all children and using the bus helps reduce traffic congestion.

Although school dismisses at 2:30 pm, Adventure Club is in session until 6:00 pm. To ensure the safety of students who attend Adventure Club, we ask that parents, students and the public avoid using the playground until after 6:00 pm.

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is important for academic growth. While attendance is important, so is being healthy and helping keep everyone else healthy. If your child is ill or shows symptoms as outlined in the student handbook, please keep your child at home and call the school nurse for guidance. If your child is absent, please report the absence by phone to the office. The absence may be called in from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. at 314-415-6576. After 7:30 a.m., please contact the office at 314-415-6550.

For prolonged absences or absences with extenuating circumstances, please contact the principal and teacher as soon as possible so we can support your child and you as much as possible.

Oak Brook operates a Dial Safe program, which means we will call if we have not heard from you. Contact with the district social worker will be made regarding any student with a history of excessive absences or tardies unrelated to documented illnesses.

Forgotten Items

If your child forgets to bring his/her belongings to school, (i.e., lunches, violins, books, etc.), you may drop the item off at school, and we will get it to your child. We ask that you leave it on the table in the vestibule with your child's name on it, and we will pick it up and deliver it. This limits classroom interruptions. We ask all students to check with the office if they have left items at home.

Birthday Celebrations

We realize birthdays are a fun time to celebrate, and we will celebrate at school. In the classroom, students will be able to select an activity from a teacher-created menu of choices. Each grade level will share a menu of choices from which each student will be able to choose on his/her birthday. Each grade level creates its own list for the students to choose from on their birthdays (or ½ birthdays for students who have birthdays when school is not in session).

We ask that no treats, of any kind, be sent to school with your child. If treats are sent to school, they will be sent home with your child.

Upcoming Events

August 13 - Kindergarten Popsicles on the Playground 4:30-5:30

August 14 - 1st-5th Grades Meet the Teacher & Supply Drop Off 4:30-5:30

August 18 - 1st Day of School - 7:35 am (Doors open at 7:20)

September 9 - Spirit Night and Open House (More information will be sent home in August)

Don't Forget About Obee

To help unify our school community during the summer months, we would love to be able to share his summer fun. Obee loves summer fun. Whether you are going to the Cardinal game, the local park or half-way around the world, we would love to see what you and Obee are doing this summer. If you have misplaced Obee, you may download a fresh copy of him below.

Participation is easy

Color Obee any way you would like to do so
Take Obee on your summer adventures
Take your child’s picture with Obee during the adventure
Email your pictures to Dr. Shirley for him to share to the Oak Brook Facebook page
We would love for you to add a phrase about how Obee is demonstrating one of our core values