Parker JHS Newsletter

Thank you for reviewing our important updates and information below:

Fall Play

The PJH Theater Department invites you to attend their 2024 Fall Play, Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye! Showtimes are Friday, October 25th at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 26th at 3 p.m. Tickets will be for sale during all lunch periods, from the main office, or from Mrs. E. Nicotra. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students/seniors if purchased beforehand. Tickets at the door will be $7 and $5, respectively. Students must be accompanied by THEIR PARENT, according to district policy.

School Improvement Day

Scholars will be released early from school on Thursday, October 31st for School Improvement Day. Please reference the schedule in the "Important Dates" section below.

Scholars are permitted to wear costumes on Thursday, October 31st. Please see guidelines in the PBIS section of this Newsletter.

Upcoming Dates - No Classes

Monday, November 4th - Veterans Day Observed. District Closed

Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day. District Closed

Monday, November 25th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00 pm - 8:30 pm).No Classes

Tuesday, November 26th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (8:15 am - 1:30 pm).No Classes

Transportation

School Street is one way for Arrival and Dismissal

• Please assist with maintaining proper traffic safety procedures.

• Braemar Street to School Street to Douglass (Optional right or left turn).

• No Parking on School Street! Please maintain traffic flow and drop off scholars from Braemar Street. NO STOPPING ON SCHOOL STREET!

Flossmoor SD 161 Elementary School Access

Parker JHS scholars are not permitted on FSD 161 Elementary School grounds until classes have been dismissed at 3:30 pm. If scholars are meeting or picking up a sibling, they must adhere to this procedure. Please reiterate this to your children as we strive to maintain safety for all schools of Flossmoor SD 161.

Educationally Yours,

Ursula Parris, Principal

Parker Junior High School

10.21.24

• Fall Play Rehearsal - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - MUR

• 6th/7th Grade Boys BBall Tryouts - 3:05 p.m. - South Gym

• Green Team Meeting - 3:05 p.m. - Room 12

• Knitting and Crochet Club Meeting 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

10.22.24

• Fall Play Rehearsal - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Dungeons & Dragons Club - 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

• 8th Grade Boys BBall Tryouts - 3:05 p.m. - South Gym

• Cheer Practice - 3:30 p.m. - MUR

• Girls Basketball Game Parker vs Obama - 3:30 p.m. - Obama MS

• Jazz Band Practice - 3:05 p.m. - LGI

10.23.24

• Girls Basketball Game Parker vs Brookwood - 3:30 p.m. - Brookwood MS

• Fall Play Rehearsal - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - MUR

10.24.24

• No Classes at H-F

• Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 p.m. - South Gym

• Fall Play Rehearsal - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Anime Club - 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

• Dance Practice -3:05 p.m. - 8th Grade Hallway

• Cheer Practice - 3:30 p.m. - MUR

10.25.24

• No Classes at H-F

• Report Cards Posted in Skyward

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - MUR

• Parker Fall Play Opening Night - 7:00 p.m. - North Gym

10.26.24

• Parker Fall Play Encore Performance - 3:00 p.m. - North Gym

Long Range Construction Plan

The planning work for the Summer 2025 construction work continues. The Board of Education discussed the recent bid opening results and the tentative construction schedule moving forward. As a reminder, Heather Hill and Serena Hills are scheduled for renovation next year and Flossmoor Hills, Western Avenue, and Parker Junior High will follow during the summer of 2026. An overview of the work can be found here and the full presentation can be found at this link. For the 2025-26 school year, we are anticipating starting two weeks later than normal in response to the construction schedule. A draft of the school calendar, created in conjunction with our staff, Homewood Flossmoor High School District 233 and Homewood School District 153, will be discussed with the Board of Education in the coming weeks.

Outdoor Education Program

The Outdoor Education Program for 5th grade students will remain at Irons Oaks moving forward. Other local programs were reviewed and while they offer some different activities, Irons Oaks effectively provides team building and conservation-focused activities. We are proud to partner with a local organization to provide effective and fun learning activities at a reasonable cost point.

Security Camera Projects

The Board of Education approved the main security camera project at its recent meeting. The specific report with the cost of the project can be found here. This project will update our camera system to address camera coverage issues, simplify the user interface, and provide more effective, realtime information to first responders. Meetings with the Village of Flossmoor are ongoing regarding additional camera coverage for the Heather Hill Detention Basin and that will return for a Board review at an upcoming meeting.

District 161 is Hiring!

Flossmoor School District 161 is searching for a Special Education paraprofessional to work with our dedicated staff at Western Avenue. In addition, District 161 is always hiring guest teachers who wish to pick up assignments on an as-needed basis when our staff are absent. Please follow this link to learn more and apply!

A dedicated group of fathers committed to enhancing the school community for scholars and families at our school. We believe that active father engagement plays a crucial role in the development and success of our children. Join us in making a difference in our children’s lives and building lasting connections within our community!

Please contact Mr. Mario Ford, Assistant Principal with any questions (mford@sd161.org)

End of Quarter Grade Level Incentive

6.20 School Dress Code

We expect all students to be dressed appropriately and comfortably for school each day. Students are expected to be reasonably dressed and prepared to participate in a professional and hard working school environment. Any student whose dress is deemed to be inappropriate will be provided with a shirt or shorts that will appropriately cover the dress code violation.

Clothes must be worn in such a way that the genitals, buttocks, stomach, sides, back and chest area are fully covered with opaque fabric. All undergarments must be fully covered.

The following apply to all student attire:

a) Shirts must have opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms that extends to the waistband.

b) Pants/sweatpants/shorts/ skirt/dress/leggings must be worn at waist level and in such a way that genitals, buttocks, undergarments are fully covered with opaque fabric.

c) Shoes must be worn at all times.

The following guidance is intended to illustrate implementation of the above requirements for students, parents, and school personnel while on school property:

1. Jackets, coats, hats, hoods, gloves, and other forms of outerwear apparel are not to be worn in school. Fleece and sweatshirts may be worn in school as long as a hood is not covering a student’s head.

2. No head covering or cap may be worn in the school unless for religious or health reasons.

3. Only prescription glasses may be worn in school.

4. Attire, earrings, jewelry, pins, or any other type of wearing apparel or accessories that advertise, promote, or depict alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, gangs, weapons, nudity, obscenity, or profanity are not to be worn in school.

5. Students are not permitted to wear or advertise in any manner drug, alcohol, weapons, or any controlled substance paraphernalia.

6. Pajama attire is not to be worn in school, unless given special permission [PBIS reward, etc.].

Scholars are expected to follow Student Conduct and Dress Code as noted in the Parent Student Handbook. See both sections by accessing the link below (p. 34-39).

Our PBIS Goal of this month is RESPECT. Scholars show respect to others by following the directives of ALL adults, using appropriate voice level & language,

being mindful of others’ personal space, listening when others are speaking, valuing the perspectives of others, and honoring the time of others.

Please talk with your scholars about how they can demonstrate respect to others at school.

View our PBIS goal setting lesson here: PJH25 October PBIS Goal

Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH)

The CKH theme of October is self direct. Scholars who are self-directed lead themselves toward their future goals without influence for others.

October 31, 2024

(School Improvement Day - Early Release)

See Costume Guidelines Below

Be sure to access the Parent Student Handbook for additional Guidelines

Testing

Upcoming NWEA Testing Dates

Winter: December 9 -13, 2024

Spring: April 23 - 30, 2025

Upcoming AIMSWEB Testing Dates

Winter: January 22 - 28, 2025

Spring: May 6 - 12, 2025

Testing Tips

• Get a good night's rest

• Charge Chromebook the night before

• Eat a healthy breakfast

Homework Help is available Tuesday - Thursday from 2:35 pm - 3:05 pm. Please make sure your child has transportation home. Bus Transportation will not be provided.

Please remind scholars to utilize the 3 Ring Binders and Tab Dividers for their classes. Parker teachers are providing lessons to help our scholars with organization and these tools are required for academic success of our scholars.

• Entrance and Exit - Parker Staff will be available to escort scholars to Grade Level Entrance

  • 6th Grade Scholars - Door B

  • 7th Grade Scholars - Door G

  • 8th Grade Scholars - Door J

  
  

• School Street is one way for Arrival and Dismissal

  • Braemar Street to School Street to Douglass (Optional right or left turn)

  • No Parking on School Street. Please maintain traffic flow and drop off scholars from Braemar Street!

  
  

• Transportation

• Bus information is available in Skyward for families. If you have any transportation questions, please contact Ms. Wanda Alexander at 708-647-7001.
• Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled pick up time on the first day of school.

Girls Basketball

Our Lady Falcons pounded Chicago Heights on Tuesday, 10/15/24. The 7th grade team won 38-0 and our 8th grade team won 54-23! On Wednesday, 10/16/24, the girls played our cross town rival James Hart. The 7th grade girls lost 21-19 after a nail biting game, but the 8th grade girls humbled them with a score of 55-21! Their next game is on Tuesday 10/22/24 against Obama. Good luck ladies!!!

Cross Country

Congratulations to Coach Garland, Coach Damiani, Coach Bratlien and all of the runners on a great season!

Boys Basketball

6-7th grade tryouts will begin 10/21/24. 8th grade tryouts begin 10/22/24. You MUST have a sports physical on file in order to try out for the team.

Scholars be sure to check the Media Center Canvas page for additional announcements!

There is a fee for admittance to all home games.

$2 for Adults

$1 for All Students and Seniors

Kids 5 and under FREE

Cash only please, no cards are accepted!

SSJHSA conference rule: ALL Scholars MUST be accompanied by THEIR PARENT in order to attend any home games. Parents must stay with their scholar for the duration of the game. If the parent leaves the game, so does the scholar.

Eligibility for all activities is pulled every Friday. Per IESA guideline 2.043 For all IESA activities, athletic as well as non-athletic, passing work shall be checked weekly. Eligibility will be applied to the Monday through Saturday following the week that was checked. Students must be passing each subject each week to be eligible. Parents will receive an email if their scholar is failing a class.

Parker Junior High School will be a phone-free space. Scholars will be required to use the Yondr Pouch while in school. All scholars have been issued a Yondr pouch and are expected to place their cell phone inside the Yondr pouch every day upon arriving to school.

Transfer/new students to PJH must present a 6th grade physical. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a copy of the physical/immunization forms from previous school records. Out of state transfers must have a physical on the Illinois form.

Medications - The only 2 medications (over the counter or prescription) that a student can have in their possession (including backpack, purses, etc.) is an inhaler or epi-pen with authorization. An epi-pen requires physician and parent authorization on the required forms. An inhaler requires parent authorization on the District form and the inhaler prescription box. Students may not have any over the counter or prescription medications at school at any time without the required district authorization forms.

Action Plans - An annual updated action plan is requested for all students with allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes and other medical conditions.

This is asthma season with weeds and the fall coming, from now until probably mid November a lot of asthma issues coming up. So keep taking allergy meds daily if you take them. Use your inhaler if you need it, drink plenty of water.

Bug bites- we have been seeing a lot of bug bites at the urgent aids. Usually bites are from mosquitoes or some type of mite that is out there. So be mindful at dawn and dusk times those are when those bugs like to come out. If you’re outside, wear appropriate clothing or use appropriate sprays.

Step by Step training video for families regarding "My School Menus" can be found here: https://vimeo.com/395170590

Email: uparris@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/parker-junior-high
Location: 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, Illinois 60422