The Patriot Post

Dear Freedom Families,

This past week marked the end of our first quarter! As we begin a new quarter, we encourage parents and guardians to take some time to talk with your students about how the first quarter went. Celebrate their successes, reflect on areas for growth, and check to see if there are any missing assignments or assessments they need to make up. Our goal is for every student's grade to accurately reflect their understanding and learning, and we appreciate your support in helping them take ownership of their academic progress.

Preparing for Quarter 2: Please have your student review their schedule on Sunday evening so they are prepared for any changes when they arrive at school on Monday. As a reminder, Quarter 2 will bring a new schedule. A letter with information about these changes was sent to families last week and is linked here. Please take a moment to review it with your student so everyone is ready for the transition.

Exciting Events Ahead! We have a fun week planned at Freedom Middle School! Join us for the FMS Cabaret on Thursday and our Halloween Dance on Friday. Students are also welcome to dress up for Halloween on Friday! Please review the costume guidelines that were shared via email and are included in the image below. We want everyone to have fun while ensuring all costumes meet school expectations and keep our school community safe.

Important Reminder: Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

We are sharing a review of our drop-off and pick-up procedures to help ensure the safety of all students, families, and staff. It is very important that all parents and guardians carefully read the instructions below. Following these procedures helps keep traffic moving safely and ensures that our students can arrive at and leave school safely each day.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to keeping our Freedom Family safe. Together, we can make a positive difference every day!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let's start Quarter 2 with a positive mindset, renewed focus, and a commitment to helping every student succeed. Together, we make the Freedom Family a special place to learn and grow!

Go Patriots! 💙

Enrique Ojeda – Principal – eojeda1@bsd100.org

Maggy Ramirez- Assistant Principal -mramirez1@bsd100.org

10/19-10/23: Unity Week

10/20: Boys Basketball Tryouts

10/23: End of Quarter 1

10/27: FMS Dental Clinic

10/29: FMS Cabaret

10/30: Halloween Dance at FMS

11/2: No School for Parent-Teacher Conferences

11/3: No School

11/10: Late Start

11/9: Morton West High School Visit for 8th grade

11/9: Morton West High School Parent Meeting at Heritage from 5:00 to 6:00

11/11: Veterans Day Assembly

Dear Freedom Families,

To help keep our students safe and traffic flowing smoothly, please review the following expectations for student drop-off and pick-up at Freedom Middle School.

Bus Lane

• Parents may use the bus lane for drop-off and pick-up.

• During Pick-up, please pull all the way forward to make space for a bus if it arrives.

• Please do not park or exit your vehicle while in the bus lane.

Staff Parking Lot

• Parents may drop off or pick up students in the staff parking lot.

• If you need to park, you must use a designated parking space.

• If you are dropping off without parking, please follow the traffic loop (image below)around the lot and use the designated area on the north side of the building. This is for drop off only. During pick up you must park in a designated spot.

Parking Reminders

• Do not park in the visitor parking space or the Patriot Pride spot.

• Handicap parking spaces may only be used by vehicles displaying a valid handicap placard.

Please reach out to the office if you have any questions.

Unleash your child’s inner innovator! Join us at Heritage Middle School from 6:00 – 7:30 for What's Possible: Let’s Create! Get a hands-on look at the creative apps your child uses in class to design, record, and express themselves. Whether you want to explore digital art, video editing, or interactive storytelling together, this evening is built for you to imagine and make side-by-side. Please bring your child’s iPad to this event for an interactive experience!

¡Dé rienda suelta al innovador interior de su hijo/a! Únase a nosotros en la Escuela Media Heritage de 6:00 – 7:30 para Lo que es posible: ¡Vamos a crear! Vea de primera mano las aplicaciones creativas que su hijo usa en clase para diseñar, grabar, y expresarse a sí mismos. Ya sea que quiera explorar el arte digital, editar vídeos, o contar historias interactivamente, esta noche está hecha para que ustedes imaginen y hagan uno junto al otro. ¡Por favor traiga el iPad de su hijo/a a este evento para tener una experiencia interactiva!

Dear D100 Families,

Governor Pritzker signed a new law requiring all school districts to have policies banning cell phones during the school day. To help all students stay focused and succeed at school, District 100 will continue to maintain a cell phone-free learning environment through our Phones Off & Away All Day initiative.

Students in all D100 schools are expected to keep their phones turned off and out of sight from the start to the end of the school day.

Phones must be stored in lockers or backpacks, not in pockets, and cannot be used during lunch, passing periods, or in restrooms. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call the main office.

If a student uses their phone during school hours, it will be confiscated and held in a secure location until the end of the day. In situations involving repeated offenses or gross violations, a parent/guardian will need to pick the phone up from school staff.

Exceptions for medical or individual learning needs will be made in partnership with school staff and families.

The academic success and overall well-being of students is our top priority. Limiting distractions helps students remain focused, engaged, and ready to learn, while also preventing potential issues such as cyberbullying or conflicts between peers related to cell phone use. As we approach the start of the school year, please take a moment to talk with your child about these expectations. If you believe your child may have difficulty following these expectations, we recommend keeping their phone at home during the school day.

Thank you for partnership in creating positive learning environments where students can thrive academically and socially. We look forward to a successful 2026-2027 school year!

Our Mission

Enriching student experiences through programs, events, and family engagement.

Reach us at: ptofreedommiddle@gmail.com

Enriqueciendo las experiencias de los estudiantes a través de programas, eventos y participación familiar.

Contáctanos en: ptofreedommiddle@gmail.com

Health Forms & Medications:

The Illinois state deadline for 6th-grade health forms is October 15th of the school year the

student is entering 6th grade. All students entering 6th grade must submit a completed and

signed State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination Form with up-to-date

immunizations by this date to avoid exclusion from school.

If your child needs to take medication at school, a new medication permission form must be

completed EACH school year. Medications must be brought in the original labeled container.

If your child has asthma, diabetes, seizures, allergies, or any other medical condition requiring

special attention, please turn in an updated emergency action plan EACH school year.

All athletes need a sports physical on file in the nurse’s office, BEFORE they try out for a sport.

All school forms are located on the district website if needed.

https://www.bsd100.org/families/medical-information

Please reach out to the nurse with any questions or concerns.

All forms can be dropped off or emailed directly.

Getting Ready for Sick Season: Tips for Families

As the weather cools and we spend more time indoors, cold and flu season is right around the

corner. Schools are wonderful places for learning and connecting but they are also places

where germs can spread easily. Here are some simple ways to help keep your family and our

community healthy this season:

Stay Home When Sick:

If your child is not feeling well; especially with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a persistent cough,

please keep them home until symptoms have improved and they have been fever-free for 24

hours without medication. Rest is key to recovery and helps prevent spreading germs to

others.

Practice Good Hygiene Habits:

-Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before

eating and after coughing or sneezing. May use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not

available and rub sanitizer until its completely dry.

-Remind students to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use their arm/elbow, not their

hands.

-Avoid sharing food, drinks, or utensils.

Stay Up to Date on Vaccines:

Annual flu shots and other recommended vaccines are important tools to help protect against

serious illnesses.

Support Healthy Habits

A strong immune system starts with the basics; enough sleep, balanced meals, daily physical

activity, and plenty of fluids. Encourage your student to take breaks, get fresh air, and rest

when needed.

Be Prepared:

It is a good idea to keep tissue, hand sanitizer, mask if needed, and a water bottle on hand all

year long. Talk with your student about what to do if they start feeling unwell during the school

day. By working together and taking small steps, we can help keep our classrooms healthy, safe,

and full of learning all season long.

Hoping for a safe & healthy school year! Thanks for your continued support!

Nurse Angie Petronella BSN, RN.

Freedom Middle School Nurse

P: 708-303-4709 Email: apetronella@bsd100.org

At our school, we believe that a child’s well-being and sense of safety are the foundations for learning. We know that recent events or changes in the community can sometimes create feelings of uncertainty or anxiety for our families. Please know that we care deeply for you and your children, and we are committed to ensuring every student feels secure, valued, and supported here at Freedom.

Meet Our Support Team

If your child is experiencing social-emotional challenges or if your family needs extra support, our dedicated team is here to help:

• 6th Grade Social Worker: Ms. Perez - mperez@bsd100.org

• 7th Grade Social Worker: Ms. Nilles - cnilles@bsd100.org

• 8th Grade Social Worker: Mrs. E. Reyes - ereyes@bsd100.org

• School Counselor: Ms. Anthony - theap@bsd100.org

• District Family Liaison: Ms. Escobar - jescobar@bsd100.org

Through our community partnerships, we also offer specialized counseling on-site:

• Tapestry Counselor: Ms. Morales

How to Connect

We encourage you to reach out to the school with any concerns regarding your child’s emotional well-being. To get started, simply email staff directly or call the main office (707-795-5800) and ask the secretaries to put you in contact with any member of our support team.

Spanish-speaking services are available to ensure all families can communicate comfortably and effectively with us.

Community Resources & Assistance

We have compiled a list of local organizations providing various types of aid and emotional support within the community.

FMS Community Resources

Our Commitment: Your family's privacy and safety are important to us. We are here to support you, listen to you, and work together to keep our school community a place where everyone feels they belong.

Students are required to wear school uniforms on all days they are in the building unless it is a special spirit day or they have purchased a dress down from the PBIS school store. The dress code policy from the student handbook is as follows:

The dress code is mandatory and applies to all 6th -8th graders on the first day of school.

• All students shall wear a school approved plain/solid collared polo shirt in navy, white, or black. The polo may be long or short sleeve and must be properly fitted. Any t-shirts worn underneath polo shirts should either match the polo or be black or white.

• Students shall wear plain, solid khaki or black colored pants, skirts or shorts. Pants may be sweat pant material. Leggings, bike shorts, and oversized pockets are not allowed.

• Plain, solid navy, white, or black sweaters/sweatshirts (non-hooded) or school-branded sweaters/sweatshirts are allowed.

• IDs should be worn and visible at all times if required by school. Students must wear school-appropriate lanyards.

• For safety reasons, shoes must have backs. Flip-flops and slippers are not allowed. Crocs may be worn with the back strap in place.

• Items of clothing or jewelry that display images or text portraying illegal substances, weapons, or vulgar messages are not permitted. Additionally, attire that identifies or promotes gang activity is prohibited.

• Unless otherwise communicated by school staff, hats, caps, sunglasses should not be worn inside the building.

• Jeans and other approved attire may be worn during out of uniform days and spirit days at the discretion of the administration.

Students will start changing for Physical Education class during the week of Aug 31st. Uniforms are available for purchase and can be done so on Supply Drop Off. Uniforms and spirit wear will also be for sale throughout the school year.

Utilice la aplicación Stop!t para denunciar el acoso de forma anónima. Los estudiantes pueden usarlo para informar los comportamientos que ven en persona o en línea.

Email: eojeda1@bsd100.org
Website: https://freedom.bsd100.org
Location: 3016 Ridgeland Avenue, Berwyn, IL, United States
Phone: 708-795-5800
Facebook: facebook.com/freedomD100
Twitter: @freedomD100