The Eagle's Nest

Hello Eagle Families,

What an incredible final stretch of the school year we have shared together! Our kindergarteners recently became real world explorers during their exciting hands on trip to the Homewood Science Center. Meanwhile, our 5th graders put their teamwork, leadership, and outdoor survival skills to the test during an unforgettable outdoor education adventure at Irons Oaks.

Families will receive spring NWEA scores in the mail. These assessments determine the amount of growth students demonstrate over the course of the school year. Here are the 2025 national norms used to determine school and student achievement.

Thank you to all of our amazing students, families, and staff for making this entire school year such a wonderful, growth filled journey. We are so proud of everything our community has achieved together. Have a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break, and we look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready in the fall!

Please take a look at the updates in this week's newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Let's connect.....

Email address: emcneil@sd161.org

Office number: 708-647-7100

1. Field Day - June 1st - 9:00 - 2:30 p.m.
2. 5th grade DARE graduation - June 2nd - 9:30 a.m. - visit main office before June 2nd to receive visitors badge
3. Kindergarten graduation - June 3rd - 9:30 a.m. - visit main office before June 2nd to receive visitors badge
4. Last day of school - June 5th - Have a great summer!

• Online registration via Family Access in Skyward is open and you should complete this process as soon as possible.

• If you are required to prove residency, please click here for instructions on how to submit your proof of residency.

• Online registration and residency verification [if required] should be completed by May 29, 2026.

Parents can access the SD 161 Learning and Instruction webpage for detailed information specific to Standards Based Grading and Year Long Plans for every grade level content.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches:

Cell phones and smart watches should be kept in a safe place—such as a locker (devices should be neither seen nor heard)—and are not to be used during the school day or during on-campus school activities during school hours.

All K-5 students enter the building at 8:30 a.m. daily. The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. and students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Students may arrive on campus at 8:25 a.m. and line up on their playground areas. There is no supervision before 8:25 a.m. Students that arrive before 8:25 a.m. will have to wait on their playgrounds unsupervised. Breakfast will be available in the gym room at 8:25 a.m.

• Pre-K Morning Session: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Pre-K Afternoon Session: 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Bus Routes

• Student bus routes are available in Skyward. Log into your Skyward account to check where your child's bus stop is located. If you have any questions regarding bus routes, call Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.

• If your child is routed for a bus and will not ride the bus due to you dropping them off or picking them up daily, email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org.

• If your child will not ride the bus everyday, the front office needs a schedule for your child. Please email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org AND your child's classroom teacher.

• Sign up to receive bus bulletins. You can learn more here.

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.

Grade Level Lunch Times

• 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.

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.

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.

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

emcneil@sd161.org

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal