The Eagle's Nest

September 8, 2024

This was a great week for Flossmoor Hills. Students began reading and math interventions and enrichment groups. We use W.I.N. (What I Need) time to support student learning. This time is built into our daily school schedule for each grade level in reading and math. Students receive targeted instruction to support their individual academic levels.

The Boys Running Club made it's debut this week! Thank you to Mr. Fine, Mr. Wetherald and Mr. Wheeler for sponsoring the club to help our boys build confidence, make friends, team build and develop personal goals.

Thank you to all the staff and families for supporting the Flossmoor Hills station for the Hidden Gem Marathon! We had a great time supporting the runners. Congratulations to all the parents/guardians and staff members that participated.

If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact the main office at 708-647-7100.

Let's connect.....

Email address: emcneil@sd161.org

Office number: 708-647-7100

SD161 School Board Meeting

• September 9th - 6:00 p.m. / District Office

AIMSweb Benchmark Testing

• Grades K-5
• September 6th - September 11th

Code Red Drill with Flossmoor Police Department

• September 12th - 10:30 a.m.

Family Literacy Night

• 9/12/24 - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

School Wide Book Reading Begins

• 9/13/24 - during school

Elevate Tutoring in Math Begins (Permission Slips will be sent home with students)

• September 24th - May 22nd / After school from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

We will practice our code red drill procedures with the Flossmoor Police Department this Thursday. Police and fire vehicles will be present on school grounds. Students will continue classwork once the drill is over. The social worker will be available to speak with students about any concerns they have related to the drill.

We had an amazing time cheering on the hundreds of runners that made their way through the Flossmoor Hills neighborhood. Thank you to Marilyn Thomas of the HF Chronicle for talking with us about all the fun we were having!

HF Chronicle Article about FH supporting Hidden Gem Runners

August 29, 2024

ECRA 2023-24 Illinois Assessment of Readiness [IAR] Data

The Board of Education report and the 2023-24 ECRA Illinois Assessment of Readiness [IAR] charts were presented. Most schools and grade levels throughout the District demonstrated higher than expected growth on the 2023-24 IAR assessment. Reaching higher than expected growth means that that district is on the right track to close achievement gaps and accelerate achievement for all students. The consistent growth on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness is a clear indicator that the curriculum, instruction, and assessment changes are having a positive impact on our school community.

2024-25 Budget

The 2024-25 budget was presented and discussed. The annual budget is a roadmap that includes both revenues and expenditures. The District receives revenue from local sources [property taxes], state sources [Evidence-Based Funding, mandated categoricals, and state grants], and federal sources [grants]. The budget will be discussed again at the Board of Education meeting on September 9, 2024, and will be brought for approval on September 23, 2024. The full presentation can be found here.

Heather Hill Detention Basin

The Board of Education received an update on the Village of Flossmoor’s detention basin at Heather Hill School and the timeline for completion. Board members discussed safety concerns and possible improvements for the area. Until the project is complete, District 161 staff will continue to monitor the safety of the area and will investigate additional strategies to maintain a secure environment. The Village of Flossmoor anticipates completion of the project in the coming weeks.

E-Learning Plan Renewal

School districts are required to adopt and approve an E-Learning plan which is valid for three years. District 161’s E-Learning Plan is now due to be renewed with the Regional Office of Education. Minor adjustments were made to the plan, including updates for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, as well as updates to the live meeting platforms. Once the renewal is approved by the Board of Education, the E-Learning plan will be registered with the Regional Office of Education and posted on the district website. Additional details about the E-Learning plan can be found here.

We will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th. We are looking for families that would like to share with our students. If you are interested in presenting information about Hispanic culture and traditions, please call the main office at 708-647-7101.

Students are learning to understand and articulate their progress in school. After learning reading and math standards in class, children will be asked to rate their learning by the teacher. Students should be able to decide if they are a 1, 2, 3, or 4. When working with your child, ask them how they rate their understanding of concepts. You can then communicate with the teacher to learn how you can support them at home.

Check out the Department of Learning and Instruction to access the year long plan (standards) for each grade level. Find your child's grade level and view the standards being taught.

Access HERE

The average attendance rate at Flossmoor Hills for the week of September 2, 2024 was 94.3%

The more students attend school, the more they learn!

Your child's attendance matters to school! If your child will not be in attendance please call the school's absence line at 708-709-7699 ext. 2053. This line is available for messages 24 hours a day. Call the school office at 708-647-7100 if calling after 8:30 a.m. on the day of the absence.

The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. If your child arrives to school after 8:45 a.m. they are considered tardy. Tardy students will need to be checked into the office by an adult to ensure that they are counted in the attendance for the day.

Dismissal Changes

• Parents must call the office or email the administrative assistants by 2:15 p.m. if you need to make a change to your child's dismissal procedure (i.e., not riding the bus, not attending an after school program, etc.). The procedure helps to ensure the safe dismissal for all students.

• The office number is 708-647-7100. Our administrative assistants can be contacted at rspotora@sd161.org and nfonseca@sd161.org.

Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Students eating breakfast should enter the main entry doors (Door A) upon arrival to school.

• Kindergarten and 5th Grade - 11:30 a.m. - recess begins at 11:50 a.m.
• 1st Grade and 3rd Grade - 12:10 p.m. - recess begins at 12:30 p.m.
• 2nd Grade and 4th Grade - 11:50 a.m. - recess begins at 12:10 p.m.

If you need to drop off lunch to your student after the school day has started, you may utilize the grade level bins on the cart in the foyer. Please label your child's lunch bag.

Reminder: Lunches sent to the school by food delivery services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, etc. are not allowed.

Log into your child's Skyward account to load money to purchase breakfast and lunch. Please check your child's account regularly.

Fourth grade students solving level 3 math problems in class. Students were tasked with showing their work and answering and asking questions about 4.OA.2.

Click to view the student handbook HERE. The handbook contains the district and school board polices on student learning and behavior.

1. Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
2. Parents and guardians should never board a school bus. The bus company is instructed to call the police if any adult other than school personnel boards the bus. If you have an issue with the bus or driver contact Mrs. McNeil - Dobson.
3. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
4. Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
5. Students will learn bus expectations during the first days of school. Please reinforce at home that students should be seated at all times to be safe.

All visitors staying in the school building must be scanned in by our administrative assistants using the raptor. You will have to present your driver's license as proof of i.d. Once you have been cleared through the system, you will receive a name badge to wear. No visitors or volunteers will be allowed in the school without being cleared by the system.

Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that allows teachers to provide instructional support, class calendars, assignments, and resources for students in a safe online environment. Canvas is an integral part of sharing classroom updates and resources.

If you need support with Canvas, please click here.

If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday in school, please send non edible items to share (i.e., pencils, bubbles, stickers, etc.). We cannot allow students to share outside food/treats in school. Food items will be returned to you.

If you would like to share good news happening in the FH neighborhood or share an achievement for your child outside of school, please email me a photo and blurb detailing the event. I will be sure to include it in the weekly newsletter.

Nominate a staff member for going above and beyond to help your student and family! Complete the form below to submit your nomination.

Above and Beyond Nomination Form

Flossmoor Hills PTO is looking for volunteers for September 12, 2024 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. for family literacy night. We will have games, activities, and snacks. Click the link to volunteer to help.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAEAD23AAF8C70-51217839-family

Are you a business owner? The Flossmoor Hills PTO is looking to spotlight and partner with businesses in within the Flossmoor Hills community for various projects throughout the school year. Please email us your business information at flossmoorhills261pto@gmail.com.

The back to school spirit wear sale is almost over! Get 30% off everything site wide! Don’t miss out on our latest designs. Shop now! Our first spirit day of the year will be September 27, 2024.

https://1stplace.sale/30476

Flossmoor Hills Volunteer Activities

Contact the PTO if you have any questions!

flossmoorhillspto261@gmail.com

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

https://www.sd161.org/o/flossmoor-hills

Principal / Evita McNeil - Dobson