Weekly Update

January 24, 2025

Parents,

As the weather gets a bit warmer next week, it looks like we will finally get back outside for recess. Please remember to put your child's name on his/her coat, hat, gloves, etc. When items are labeled, it is much easier to get them back to the kids when they leave them some where.

Friendship Parties are right around the corner. We will have our parties on Thursday, February 13th. These parties will be held in multi-age family groups. If you attend, you will most likely get to meet your child's buddy and see his/her family group. Students will be able to pass out traditional Valentine Day cards in their classrooms. To help keep all of our students safe, we ask that you do not purchase Valentine cards that have food with them. If you would like to help at the Friendship Party, please click below.

Just a reminder, Wednesday is an early release day. School will dismiss at 12:30.

We hope you have a great weekend!

Katie & Chris

Click Here to Volunteer to Help at the Friendship Party

Read, Right and Run Food Drive

Read, Right and Run (an after school group that focuses on students reading, running and doing something for the community) is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Parkway Food Pantry at Northeast Middle School.

The food drive will run from 1/27 - 2/6. On 2/6, the RRR students will be organizing and packing the items to be sent to the food pantry after school. We will be collecting the following items if you feel compelled to donate.

Thank you!

Here is the list from the Parkway Food Pantry website of items that are needed...

Canned tuna and canned chicken
Canned meals (ravioli, beef stew, chicken and dumplings, chili, etc.)
Hearty canned soup
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Dry pasta
Traditional pasta sauce (like Hunt's or DelMonte brand)
Sunbutter or Nutella
Family-sized snacks (peanut butter crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, anything your kids like to snack on)
Poptarts
Individual oatmeal packets
Boxes of cereal
Belvita breakfast biscuits
Granola bars
Canned fruit/Fruit Cups

Papa John's Night

Yearbook Order

You may now order Oak Brook Yearbooks. Please see the form below. If you want to have the yearbook personalized, personalization of a yearbook ends is available until February 1, 2025 but regular sales will be until March 13, 2025.

Don't Miss State of the District

Join us for Parkway’s third annual State of the District event! You will have the opportunity to meet and hear from our next superintendent, Dr. Melissa Schneider. We’ll showcase student performances and dive into the progress we’re making on our Strategic Plan through engaging sessions with district leaders.

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5

Where: Central High Commons

More information can be found on the Parkway website. We look forward to seeing you there!

PTO News

Oak Brook Trivia Night

Click Here to Reserve Your Trivia Night Table

Granting Dreams

Granting Dreams applications are being accepted now. Both electronic and hard copy applications are available for students to use and are available on the Parkway Alumni website (link below). The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, February 14, 2025.

Here’s the link for easy reference:
https://www.parkwayschools.net/domain/1419

Dream Grants are awarded in amounts of up to $250 each and help students access personal learning opportunities outside of school. Some grants are non-monetary and connect students with professionals who offer amazing shadowing experiences in the workplace.

Since beginning the program, the Parkway Alumni Association has awarded over $400,000 in Dream Grants, along with many other valuable resources to Parkway K-12 students. These grants often provide students with opportunities they may not have had without the financial support and connections from the PAA.

Focus on Character

Appreciation

This week we will focus on appreciation. We define appreciation as recognizing that something is valuable or important.

To help kids learn how to show appreciation, we must model it on a consistent basis. We can teach kids appreciation by modeling gratitude, expressing gratitude, and creating a routine for gratitude.

Activities that help teach gratitude include:

Create a gratitude journal
Write a letter to someone who has made an impact on your life
Compliment others
Share gratitude at the dinner table
Create a gratitude jar
Make a family gratitude list
Create a family gratitude journal.

Ultimately the best way to help kids learn to show appreciation is by talking about it and modeling it.

Upcoming Events

Monday, January 27 - Singing Eagles & Sustainability Group

Tuesday, January 28 - Papa John's Pizza night and Book Club first meeting

Wednesday, January 29 - Early Dismissal - school dismisses at 12:30

Thursday, January 30 - Read, Right & Run

Friday, January 31 - Family Paint Night

Monday, February 3 - Singing Eagles

Thursday, February 6 - Read, Right & Run

School District Information

Kindergarten Registration

Do you or someone you know have a student starting kindergarten next year?

Kindergarten registration is available online for the 2025-26 school year. If you do not have internet access or need assistance completing the online application, please call the Parkway Enrollment Hotline at (314) 415-9900.

More information about kindergarten registration can be found here.