Firebird Flash
Firebird Flash: September 19
Admin Update
Reminder: No School Tuesday, Sept 23
There will be no school on Tuesday, September 23 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
We wish all who celebrate a happy and meaningful holiday.
Thank you to all who joined us for our PTO meeting this week — we had a great turnout! Your input is incredibly valuable, and we appreciate the time you take to support our school community.
Here are a few highlights from our discussion:
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Title I Grant Review: Parents provided feedback on how to best use funds to support students. Our major focus areas are:
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Promoting and improving student attendance
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Targeted supports for our language learners, helping them succeed and test out of ACCESS
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Upcoming Events: We previewed activities such as Raffle Night this Friday and the upcoming dances, and conference treat event.
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Celebrations & Growth: We shared positive updates on student academic growth and reviewed our 5Essentials survey results.
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Feedback Conversations: Parents shared perspectives on the new schedule, devices, Skyward fees/processes, and upcoming school dances. We will continue to use this feedback to guide improvements.
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Parent Involvement: There are many opportunities to get involved in upcoming events and activities — we’d love to see you participate!
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Fall Goal-Setting Conferences: Conference scheduling opens this Friday at 8:00 AM through Skyward.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for partnering with us to support every Firebird. Be sure to check out the rest of this newsletter for all the amazing things happening here at Friendship next week!
Calendar and Team Updates
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday, September 16: First PTO Meeting 6:30 PM in the LRC
Friday, September 26: PTO Parent Night Out Back-to-School Raffle Night
Additional Resources:
September
- 22-26: Safety Week
- 23: No School-Rosh Hashanah
- 26: Conference Appointments Open in Skyward at 8 AM
- 26: PTO Parents Night Out
October:
- 1: Midterms Available in Skyward
- 8: Conference 2:50-6:50
- 8: PTO Dine and Share: Mr. Beef and Pizza
- 9: Conferences (12:00-4:00 PM/5:00-8:00 PM)
Weekly Grade Level Updates
Be sure to check your child’s grade-level weekly notice—it’s the best place to see what’s happening in their classrooms.
Need to Know
Next Friday, Sept 26: Parents Night Out and PTO Raffle
Join us for our annual PTO Night Out at Beacon Tap.
This is always a fun evening filled with great food, wonderful company, and exciting raffles—all while supporting Friendship Junior High.
Dine In or Pick Up:
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If you can’t make it in person, you can still support FJHS by ordering takeout from Beacon Tap.
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Be sure to mention that you are with Friendship Junior High, and our PTO will receive a percentage of each sale.
Your participation helps our PTO fund important events and programs for students—thank you for supporting our Firebird community!
Safety Week Information: This Upcoming Week
As part of CCSD59's ongoing commitment to safety, Friendship Junior High will participate in Safety Week from September 22–26, 2025. Students will practice emergency drills and engage in safety-focused activities to help them feel prepared and confident in the event of a real emergency.
Here is our school’s Safety Week schedule:
Monday (9/22): Evacuation Drill – 8:15 am (1st period)
Tuesday (9/23): No School
Wednesday (9/24): No Drill – SRO Safety Video
Thursday (9/25): Shelter Drill – 9:30 am (3rd period)
Friday (9/26): Lockdown Drill – 1:00 pm (8th period)
These activities are age-appropriate and follow the Standard Response Protocol used throughout the district. If you have any questions or prefer for your child to opt out of a specific drill, please contact your child’s teacher or the main office.
To learn more about Safety Week and the drills being practiced across the district, please review the CCSD59 Safety Week Overview.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Friendship safe.
Fall Goal Setting Conferences
Our Fall Goal Setting Conferences are just around the corner! These conferences give students the chance to reflect on their learning, set goals, and share their plans with both families and teachers.
Conference Dates
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 2:50–6:50 PM
Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 12:00–4:00 PM and 5:00–8:00 PM
(Staff dinner break from 4:00–5:00 PM)
Scheduling Information
Conferences must be scheduled through Skyward. The conference scheduler opens Friday, September 26 at 8:00 AM.
Conferences can be in person or via Zoom.
Students are expected to attend with their families, as they will help share and discuss their goals.
How to Schedule (Step-by-Step)
- For the full step-by-step guide with screenshots, please review the following document: [Scheduling Guide in Skyward]
Important Reminders
Seminar Conferences: Appointments are available only for students in Tier 2 and Tier 4. There are no conferences for Tier 1+ or General Seminar.
Duplicate Teachers: If your child has the same teacher for more than one subject (e.g., math and ELA, or science and social science), please schedule only one appointment with that teacher.
Group Conferences: Staff may reach out directly to set up a group conference with multiple teachers when needed. These are initiated by staff and have a different focus.
If you have questions or need assistance with scheduling, please contact the Friendship Junior High office at (847) 593-4350.
Empowering Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being
Panorama SEL Survey – This Wednesday
On Wednesday during SEL WIN Time, students will take the Fall Panorama Survey.
The Panorama Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Questionnaire helps us better understand and support your child’s emotional well-being. It looks at areas like mindsets, behaviors, and attitudes that are connected to success in school and beyond.
The results help us:
Identify students who may need additional support.
Build a stronger sense of belonging and resilience.
Ensure every student has a positive school experience.
Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to support both the academic and emotional growth of our students.
Nice to Know
Last Week to Purchase Device Protection Plan!
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THEIR NEW DEVICE!
Optional Device Protection Plan: Optional Device Protection Plan: Covers accidental damage to the device or accessories if the student used it responsibly. The plan form (Spanish) explains what isn’t covered and lists repair costs if the plan doesn’t cover them or if the plan fee hasn’t been paid. Enrollment is due no later than September 26, 2025.
Non-Refundable Plan Fee: $20, or $10 for families who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
How to Pay:
Cash or Check: Fill out the form and turn it in to our school office with payment.
Online Payment: Go to your Skyward Family Access and pay through e~Funds for Schools (no form needed).
Securly Home: The primary family contact for your child (based on your Skyward preferences) will get a link to sign up for this new parental controls app. More details will be shared next week.
Resources: How-to videos on device operation can be found on our YouTube channel.
Attendance & Tardy Expectations
Being on time is essential for your child’s success. We are reinforcing expectations for arriving to school and class on time, and there will now be consistent follow-up and consequences.
Why It Matters
Students who arrive on time maximize their learning and build strong habits for success.
Punctuality helps create a positive and focused classroom environment.
School Arrival Tardies
Parents will be notified if students are frequently tardy to school.
Continued tardiness may result in:
Developing a success plan with staff
Missing lunch with peers
After-school detention to make up missed academic time and complete goal-setting
Teachers will reach out regarding tardies between periods.
3+ tardies in a week: Teacher-determined consequence
5+ tardies in a week: Administrative consequence
To prepare students, hallway sweeps are being conducted.
Students not in class on time during sweeps may receive an immediate consequence.
How You Can Help
Remind your student to arrive on time to school and every class period.
Encourage them to keep materials organized so they’re ready to learn.
Thank you for your support in helping students build responsible and successful habits!
Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and this year our district has joined Attendance Works’ national campaign Here Today, Ready for Tomorrow. Daily attendance is one of the most important ways to help your child succeed.
Did you know missing just two days a month can add up to nearly a month of lost learning in a year? You can find resources and tips from Attendance Works to help your child build strong attendance habits.
Thank you for helping your child show up every day - it builds good habits, friendships, and learning. Together, we can make every day count!
CCSD59's Fall Festival: Tomorrow!
CCSD59's Fall Festival is Saturday, September 20 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Join us at the Ad Center (1001 Leicester Rd. Elk Grove Village, IL) for activities, music, giveaways, and more. Flu vaccines will be available and winter coats will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Good to Know + Celebrations
Reminders + Past Info
Grab Your Yearbook for $27 – Limited Time Offer!
It’s time to order your 2025-26 yearbook! Purchase it now at the lowest price of the year—just $27—before prices increase at the end of October. The yearbook will be delivered before the end of the school year, giving students plenty of time to sign and enjoy it before summer break.
Firebirds—Stay on Track for Honor Society!
As we begin the new school year, remember: good grades, great behavior, and completed service hours are the keys to Honor Society induction.
Start earning service hours now by volunteering, helping neighbors, or joining community projects. Use the official Service Hour Form and turn it in when we return in the fall.
Lead, serve, and shine—let’s make this year count!
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
If you're interested in joining the PTO or want to learn more about how you can contribute, please reach out to friendshippto550@gmail.com. We wholeheartedly welcome your involvement and look forward to working together to create an exceptional middle school journey for our students.
- Spiritwear: https://friendshipspiritwear.com/
- Google form link to Become a Friend of the PTO and Big One Fundraiser: https://forms.gle/sH7Q2M8jUwk8d6M56
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendshippto/
- Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BEcG1GE8i/
PTO Dine & Share at Mr. Beef & Pizza – October 8
We’re excited to announce our next PTO Dine & Share at Mr. Beef & Pizza on Tuesday, October 8!
Stop by for dinner before or after conferences—or order takeout for the family—and a portion of the proceeds will go right back to support Friendship Junior High.
This is also a great night to show appreciation to our staff, as teachers will be enjoying Mr. Beef & Pizza for their conference dinner that evening.
Come hungry and support our Firebird community!
Questions or Comments?
Reach out to Principal Wheatley at wheatley.mike@ccsd59.org.
STAY CONNECTED
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