Parker JHS Newsletter

Thank you for taking the time to review our important updates and information below:

Yearbook Order

Click on the link below for instructions on how to order.

Parker 2024-2025 Yearbook

School Release

Wednesday, February 12th, scholars were inadvertently released early as we were trying to get the buses out on time due to inclement weather. In the future, we will adjust our dismissal practices to make sure Parker scholars do not exit the building prior of dismissal time 2:33 pm.

8th Grade Families

Please review the "8th Grade Update" section of our Parent Newsletter. In an effort to keep our families informed of upcoming 8th grade activities, we will include important dates and information in this section weekly. Please be sure to review every week.

Beanstack

Get ready to join your student on a reading adventure with Beanstack, a platform designed to make

reading fun! Beanstack uses competition, recognition, and proven gamification principles to motivate students to read and develop a life-long love of reading. Please review the Parent Letter for more details (Spanish Version Parent Letter).

Prevention of Lost Items

We are receiving an increase of students misplacing personal items during the school day. Scholars are responsible for all personal items brought to school. Items should be secured in assigned lockers. Locks have been provided for both the gym lockers and the hallway lockers.

See consequences for not wearing a school ID in the Dean's section of this newsletter.

Transportation

School Street is one way for Arrival and Dismissal

• Please assist with maintaining proper traffic safety procedures.

• Braemar Street to School Street to Douglass (Optional right or left turn).

• No Parking on School Street! Please maintain traffic flow and drop off scholars from Braemar Street. NO STOPPING ON SCHOOL STREET!

Flossmoor SD 161 Elementary School Access

Parker JHS scholars are not permitted on FSD 161 Elementary School grounds until classes have been dismissed at 3:30 pm. If scholars are meeting or picking up a sibling, they must adhere to this procedure. Please reiterate this to your children as we strive to maintain safety for all schools of Flossmoor SD 161.

Educationally Yours,

Ursula Parris, Principal

Parker Junior High School

2.17.25

• Girls Volleyball Practice - 3:05 p.m. - South Gym

• Spring Play Rehearsal - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - MUR

• Boys Volleyball Game vs James Hart - 4:00 p.m. - Hart

2.18.25

• Girls Volleyball Practice - 3:05 p.m. - South Gym

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - MUR

• Jazz Band Practice - 3:05 p.m. - LGI

• Dungeons & Dragons Club - 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

• Boys Volleyball Game vs Memorial - 4:00 p.m. - North Gym

2.19.25

• H-F Late Start Day

• Lego/Steam Lab - 2:40 p.m. - Room 20

• AVID Art Club - 3:05 p.m. - Room 56

• Scholastic Bowl Practice - 3:05 p.m. - Room 17

• Boys Volleyball Practice - 3:05 p.m. - North Gym

• Girls Volleyball Game vs Obama - 4:00 p.m. - Obama

• Flossmoor Hills Black History Program - 6:00 p.m. - North Gym

2.20.25

• SSJHSA Chess Tournament - 12:30 p.m. - MUR

• Anime Club - 3:05 p.m. - Room 23

• Dance Practice - 3:05 p.m. - 8th Grade Hallway

• Boys Volleyball Game vs Columbia - 4:00 p.m. - Columbia

• Girls Volleyball Game vs Columbia - 4:00 p.m. - North Gym

2.21.25

• Girls Volleyball Game vs CHMS - 4:00 p.m. - North Gym

• Boys Volleyball Game vs CHMS - 4:00 p.m. - CHMS

Classroom Technology Upgrades

Along with the planned school improvements in the Long Range Construction Plan that include new paint, lighting, and furniture upgrades, we are also recommending the replacement of the current SMART boards and classroom projectors. Most of the current devices have reached the end of their lifespan and can no longer be repaired or upgraded. We are suggesting the purchase of interactive touchscreen flat panels for the classrooms and learning spaces to replace the current screens and projectors. The overall report about the classroom technology recommendations can be found here and this link will take you to the technical specifications for the devices.

District Goal Setting

At our recent meeting, the Board of Education continued its discussion on setting transparent and rigorous goals moving forward. This report contains the original goal brainstorming information and a draft of a community survey that is still under construction. At the next meeting on February 24, 2025, the Board will clarify some goal setting definitions and process expectations and will determine the timeline for the community survey.

We are so excited about all the progress our scholars have made this school year! To ensure every student is fully prepared for the upcoming IAR test in March, we’ve provided a link to the IAR practice test.

6th ELA & Answer Key

7th ELA & Answer Key

8th ELA & Answer Key

If you would like a printed copy, please request one from your child’s grade-level instructional coach (6th Ms. Britten, 7th Ms. Levy, 8th Ms. Washington). These packets are an excellent opportunity for your child to sharpen their skills and build confidence.

As your child works through the packets, we encourage you to sit with them and have them explain their answers to you. An answer key has been included to help guide these discussions and check their understanding.

Once your child completes both packets–ELA and math (with ALL work shown), please return it to the office, with their name on the packets, by March 14, 2025, so they can earn 50 PBIS points and be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Together, we can help our scholars shine and achieve their best!

Sincerely,

Parker Staff and Teachers

Black History Month Program

Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM

HF High School

Graduation Pictures

Van Gogh School Photographers will be here on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 during science classes to take graduation photos of our 8th grade scholars. Two poses will be taken, one with the cap and gown and one with the gown only, no cap.

No payment is needed at this time. A proof will be sent home in approximately two weeks with instructions on how to view the pictures and place your orders online. Orders will be shipped directly to your home.

Recommendations for what to wear:

Boys should wear a shirt and tie. Sport coats, suits or sweaters are optional. Girls should avoid up-dos, turtleneck sweaters or high neck dresses. All students should avoid wearing shades of green as everyone will be photographed against a green screen.

If you have any questions, please contact the main office at (708) 647-5400.

Incoming HF High School Families

Viking Voyage: Comprehensive Guidebook for Incoming Freshmen & Families.

The publication has all the details you need as you prepare to join the HF family!

• Schedule of events for incoming freshmen & families
• Steps to enrollment and residency verification
• Course selection
• Integrated math phase-in
• Student support - academic, social-emotional, health services, special education, grade reporting
• SchooLinks for college, career and life planning
• Technology and communication tools
• Activities & Athletics coaches and contacts
• AND MORE!!

Cold and flu season is upon us! This is a kind reminder to keep your children home if they are exhibiting symptoms of illness. We ask that you schedule around our school calendar for non-emergency events such as doctor appointments, vacations, etc.

• Entrance and Exit - Parker Staff will be available to escort scholars to Grade Level Entrance

  • 6th Grade Scholars - Door B

  • 7th Grade Scholars - Door G

  • 8th Grade Scholars - Door J

  
  

• School Street is one way for Arrival and Dismissal

  • Braemar Street to School Street to Douglass (Optional right or left turn)

  • No Parking on School Street. Please maintain traffic flow and drop off scholars from Braemar Street!

  
  

• Transportation

• Bus information is available in Skyward for families. If you have any transportation questions, please contact Ms. Wanda Alexander at 708-647-7001.
• Please prepare to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled pick up time on the first day of school.

Boys Basketball

Our 8th grade boys lost to Obama in the sectional final game on Monday 2/10/25. Congratulations on a great season!

Girls Volleyball

The girls played against each other on Tuesday 2/11/25. 8th grade girls won in 3. They have their next game on 2/19/25 against Obama at Obama. Good luck ladies!

Boys Volleyball

The boys traveled to Colin Powell on Thursday 2/13/25. The teams lost. Their next game is Monday 2/17/25 against Hart. Good luck Falcons!

Chess

Our Falcons continue to improve each match. They went up against Colin Powell last night. The conference meet is 2/20/25 at Parker. Due to limited space, no parents will be able to watch the team play.

Scholastic Bowl

Our scholars are undefeated!!! Congratulations on a great season.

Scholars be sure to check the Media Center Canvas page for additional announcements!

There is a fee for admittance to all home games.

$2 for Adults

$1 for All Students and Seniors

Kids 5 and under FREE

Cash only please, no cards are accepted!

SSJHSA conference rule: ALL Scholars MUST be accompanied by THEIR PARENT in order to attend any home games. Parents must stay with their scholar for the duration of the game. If the parent leaves the game, so does the scholar.

Eligibility for all activities is pulled every Friday. Per IESA guideline 2.043 For all IESA activities, athletic as well as non-athletic, passing work shall be checked weekly. Eligibility will be applied to the Monday through Saturday following the week that was checked. Students must be passing each subject each week to be eligible. Parents will receive an email if their scholar is failing a class.

School ID Policy

School ID Policy

In order to maintain a safe and secure learning environment, all students and staff are required to wear their school ID badges during school hours. This ensures quick identification of people in the building and fosters accountability.

Parker ID Policy Guidelines:

1. IDs must be visible at all times, worn on your Parker issued grade level lanyard.

2. Students are responsible for keeping their IDs in good condition and bringing them to school EVERY day.

3. Lost or damaged IDs must be replaced; replacement fees may apply. Request a replacement ID using this google form ONLY if your ID is lost and not if you’ve FORGOTTEN it somewhere else.

4. Scholars will be issued temporary sticker IDs in the event that they do not have their ID.

5. Scholars with their IDs and barcodes are called first for lunch to accommodate the lunchroom scanning process; scholars without IDs must wait and are unable to purchase ala carte items.

6. IDs are required for entry to all after school activities and sporting events.

Prevention of Lost Items

We are receiving an increase of students misplacing personal items during the school day. Scholars are responsible for all personal items brought to school. Items should be secured in assigned lockers. Locks have been provided for both the gym lockers and the hallway lockers.

Grade Level Community Meetings were conducted this week with the return of our scholars. We reinforced school-wide expectations based on our PBIS matrix of being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Lean in every environment. Additionally, we outlined exclusionary criteria for participation in the End of Quarter 3’s celebration: No In School Suspension [ISS], Out of School Suspension [OSS], Physical Aggression or Technology Violations. Please take a moment and review the PJH 3rd Quarter Community Meeting.

Deans reiterated the headphone policy during our Community Meeting as students have been wearing headphones, particularly Beats headphones in the hallways. Headphones are not to be worn in the hallways which includes around their necks for two reasons; if an emergency arises we need to ensure that we have their attention and to monitor what they are listening to during the school day. Violating this practice will result in headphone confiscation until it is picked up by a parent/guardian and a technology violation resulting in a Saturday detention.

Please see our updated 2024-2025 dress code policy below. We ask that you review it with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your grade level dean.

6.20 School Dress Code

We expect all students to be dressed appropriately and comfortably for school each day. Students are expected to be reasonably dressed and prepared to participate in a professional and hard working school environment. Any student whose dress is deemed to be inappropriate will be provided with a shirt or shorts that will appropriately cover the dress code violation.

Clothes must be worn in such a way that the genitals, buttocks, stomach, sides, back and chest area are fully covered with opaque fabric. All undergarments must be fully covered.

The following apply to all student attire:

a) Shirts must have opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms that extends to the waistband.

b) Pants/sweatpants/shorts/ skirt/dress/leggings must be worn at waist level and in such a way that genitals, buttocks, undergarments are fully covered with opaque fabric.

c) Shoes must be worn at all times.

The following guidance is intended to illustrate implementation of the above requirements for students, parents, and school personnel while on school property:

1. Jackets, coats, hats, hoods, gloves, and other forms of outerwear apparel are not to be worn in school. Fleece and sweatshirts may be worn in school as long as a hood is not covering a student’s head.

2. No head covering or cap may be worn in the school unless for religious or health reasons.

3. Only prescription glasses may be worn in school.

4. Attire, earrings, jewelry, pins, or any other type of wearing apparel or accessories that advertise, promote, or depict alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, gangs, weapons, nudity, obscenity, or profanity are not to be worn in school.

5. Students are not permitted to wear or advertise in any manner drug, alcohol, weapons, or any controlled substance paraphernalia.

6. Pajama attire is not to be worn in school, unless given special permission [PBIS reward, etc.].

Scholars are expected to follow Student Conduct and Dress Code as noted in the Parent Student Handbook. See both sections by accessing the link below (p. 34-39).

The Flossmoor Public Library has incredible events and programs coming up for children of all ages! View the calendar and sign up for the library newsletter at https://www.flossmoorlibrary.org.

District 161 Health Update

The new year has arrived and along with it we have seen an increase in respiratory illnesses. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that in line with the national trend, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up from Moderate to High, driven by an expected early winter jump in hospital admissions.

According to the IDPH Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard, the impact on children between the ages of 5-17 is 30.6% of hospital admissions for Acute Respiratory Illness, 8.9% for Flu, 2.3% for RSV and 1.5% of COVID-19 cases.

The most effective tools in staying well and preventing illness include washing your hands, wearing a mask, and receiving vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

Transfer/new students to PJH must present a 6th grade physical. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a copy of the physical/immunization forms from previous school records. Out of state transfers must have a physical on the Illinois form.

Medications - The only 2 medications (over the counter or prescription) that a student can have in their possession (including backpack, purses, etc.) is an inhaler or epi-pen with authorization. An epi-pen requires physician and parent authorization on the required forms. An inhaler requires parent authorization on the District form and the inhaler prescription box. Students may not have any over the counter or prescription medications at school at any time without the required district authorization forms.

Action Plans - An annual updated action plan is requested for all students with allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes and other medical conditions.

Illinois State Assessments - ISA and IAR Testing Window

• IAR/ISA SPED Testing March 10th - 28th

• Math: March 10 - 14

• ELA: March 17- 21

• 8th Grade ISA: March 24-28

• IAR/ISA Testing March 24 - April 17

• Math: March- 24- 28

• ELA: April 8- 11

• 8th Grade ISA: April 14-17

Upcoming NWEA Math and Reading Testing Dates

Spring: Testing Dates

April 23 - 30, 2025

Testing Tips

• Get a good night's rest

• Charge Chromebook the night before

• Eat a healthy breakfast

IAR Afterschool Tutoring

• Identified scholars will receive parent letters with more information. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Ford, Assistant Principal (mford@sd161.org)

Homework Help is available Tuesday - Thursday from 2:35 pm - 3:05 pm. Please make sure your child has transportation home. Bus Transportation will not be provided.

Please remind scholars to utilize the 3 Ring Binders and Tab Dividers for their classes. Parker teachers are providing lessons to help our scholars with organization and these tools are required for academic success of our scholars.

• Have no fear, FALCON DADS are here! We appreciate the dads of the PTO coming out to motivate our scholars on their first morning of testing. If you would like to be a Falcon Dad, join the committee by contacting Mario Ford, Assistant Principal (mford@sd161.org)
• PBIS Volunteers please check your inbox for an email from the PJHPTO@GMAIL.COM. If you are interested in running the PBIS store or volunteering for PBIS activities please signup on the PTO Google form below and we will add you to the committee.
• Black History Month Celebration February 2025
• Aurelios Takeover February 2025

PTO is kicking off the Krispy Kreme Digital Dozens Fundraiser!

Scan the QR code and start buying dozens today!

• Digital Dozens fundraiser $14 per dozen

• Family and friends all over the world can help raise funds with the Parker Falcons, February 1-21st by buying a digital dozen coupon, redeemable at a Krispy Kreme near you.

• Insert your scholars homeroom at checkout. Pizza party for the homeroom who sold the most digital dozens!

Please sign up for available slots. Email Pjhpto@gamil.com for any concerns.

Access the Sign Up Genius Link

Thank you!

Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH)

Our CKH theme of February is kindness. CKH defines kindness as showing care and compassion for others and using your talents to better the world. As Aesop says no act of kindness is ever wasted!

Erin's Law Presentation

In 2011, Illinois passed Erin’s Law in honor of Erin Merryn, a courageous young woman

advocating for laws to increase awareness of crimes against children. Erin’s Law requires schools to implement an age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades Pre-K to 12. Grade Level Presentations are scheduled Monday, February 3rd and will be facilitated by our Social Workers. Follow Up presentation is scheduled for March 11th during PE Classes.

Parker Junior High School will be a phone-free space. Scholars will be required to use the Yondr Pouch while in school. All scholars have been issued a Yondr pouch and are expected to place their cell phone inside the Yondr pouch every day upon arriving to school.

Email: uparris@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/parker-junior-high
Location: 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, Illinois 60422