Cardinal Corner

Oct. 2: No School

Oct 7: Virtual PTA Meeting @ 6:30pm

Oct 8: Picture Retake Day, Evacuation Drill w/Fire Department

Oct 8: PTA Sponsored 7th Grade Activity Hour @ 2:45pm - 3:45pm

Oct 11: Autumn Harvest Fest - North School Park @ 9:00am - 12:00pm

Oct 11: Cross Country Sectionals @ 3:30pm - Deer Grove Forest Preserve

Oct 17 & 18 - Variety Show @ 7:00pm

Oct 22: End of 1st Quarter

Oct 23: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct 24: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Oct 31: Quarter 1 Report Cards Issued

Dear South Parents and Guardians,

Happy Fall! October is here, and while the calendar says autumn, the warm weather has been a welcome surprise. We are enjoying the sunshine and continuing to make the most of outdoor opportunities while it lasts.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 23 (8:20 AM – 7:40 PM) and October 24 (8:20 – 11:40 AM, by team invitation only). Conference sign-ups will be available through PTC Wizard, opening on October 7 at 8:30 AM and closing on October 20 at 8:30 AM. Parents will need their child’s Student ID to register—this information will be emailed on October 6. Students are invited and encouraged to attend conferences alongside their parents. More details, including conference format and contact information, can be found below.

A big thank you to our PTA for sponsoring the Seventh Grade Activity Hour on Wednesday, October 8, from 2:45 to 3:45 PM. All seventh grade students are invited to join us for snacks, games, and fun activities in the gymnasiums and multipurpose room. Please make arrangements for pick-up after the event.

We also appreciate the ongoing support of our PTA throughout the school year. If you haven’t joined yet, we encourage you to get involved. PTA events and resources make a real difference for our students and staff. More information is available in the PTA section below.

This month, Student Council is leading our annual Halloween Door Decorating Contest. Each Homebase will decorate their classroom door, and winners will be selected in each grade level. We look forward to seeing the creativity on display and sharing photos in the next newsletter.

Although the weather has been warm, it can still vary throughout the day. Please make sure your child is dressed in layers and prepared for changing temperatures, especially if they have outdoor classes or breaks.

Thank you for partnering with us,

South Administration

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Dates

• October 23, 2025 - 8:20 AM - 7:40 PM (Individual PTC Wizard Sign Up)

• October 24, 2025 - 8:20 AM - 11:40 AM (Reserved for Team Invited Only Conferences)

Conference Format

• 7 min conference per subject area, with a 3 min transition.

• Teams will be sitting in the same location at different tables. However, it is possible that you will need to switch locations for Creative Arts, PE, World Language, and Intervention Teachers.

Online Sign Up - PTC Wizard

• OPENS for sign up on October 7th at 8:30am
• CLOSES for sign up on October 20th at 8:30am
• Parents will need your child's Student ID to create an account. Student ID's will be emailed to parents on October 6th.

Click Here for more detailed information - Parent-Teacher Conferences Info

A representative of Candor Health Education will hold an informational meeting exclusively for parents of current District 25 8th-grade students on October 7, 2025, at 6:30pm. This will be a virtual event.

Parent Night Quick Info:

Live via Zoom

Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 6:30pm

Zoom Link: The link will be sent out through district email to parents.

Permission Slip: Click here

Pre-Recorded Presentation:

If you cannot attend this meeting, you may access the pre-recorded presentation via Candor Health Education by clicking here. Then, scroll down to find Teen Sexual Health 1.

Password: Premier25

As we continue to prioritize student safety during morning drop-off, we’re asking for your help to make sure our arrival routines are safe and smooth for everyone.

• Always yield to walkers and bikers in crosswalks.

• Do not drop students off at stop signs—this causes traffic to back up and creates unsafe conditions.

• Use designated drop-off zones only—avoid letting students out across the street, which encourages unsafe crossings.

Thank you for helping keep our students safe!

State of Illinois Certificate of Health Examination (AKA physical form)

• Due by October 15, 2025 (or first day of cross country practice if your student participates in this sport)

• All sports physicals are due BEFORE TRY-OUTS and must last for the entire season-NO exceptions

• Examination must be performed on or after 8/21/24 and must be on the state of IL form

• Includes Meningococcal (MCV4) and Tdap vaccines

Dental examination – Proof of Dental Examination Form

• Due May 15, 2026

• Examination dated November 15, 2024 or later

Come on out for South Theatre's 2025 Fall Variety Show: Welcome to the Middle (School) Ages! Student-led acts from singing to dancing to instrumental pieces and more strung together with medieval-themed scenes written and performed by our 8th Grade MC Committee, supported by our student Stage/Tech Crew.

• October 17th & 18th @ 7pm, doors opening at 6:30.

• Get your tickets starting today! - Link to Purchase

DETAILS:

1. Anyone that becomes a member of the ABC/25 Foundation will be entered into a drawing for their child(ren) to win a ride to school from our very own Arlington Heights Police Department!
2. They must join ABC25 Foundation by Friday, October 17th.
3. Anyone who has joined between May and 10/17/25 will be entered into the drawing.

Prewritten information for publication: see attached as well as below.

Help our school earn a $2,500 grant by becoming a member of the ABC/25 Foundation. Join by October 17th, and your child(ren) will be entered into a drawing to win a ride to school with the Arlington Heights Police Department!

October is National Italian-American Heritage Month. This month was first recognized by the US Congress in October 1989 as a tribute to all Italian-Americans' achievements and contributions to our nation. It is a time to highlight the cultural impact of the Italian-American community.

Yom Kippur is the Jewish holiest day, known as Day of Atonement. The 25-hour period is devoted to prayer, fasting, and repentance.

*Date changes year to year

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas. Columbus went ashore at Guanahaní, an island in the Bahamas, on October 12, 1492.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today. It is a day for our nation to celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples and recognize the communities and cultures throughout our country.

A federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October.

A Hindu festival of lights celebrated especially in India. The five-day festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness.

*Date changes year to year

We are now well into the Cross Country season, and our student-athletes continue to demonstrate remarkable commitment, perseverance, and teamwork. It has been a pleasure to witness their ongoing growth and development at each practice and meet.

The coaches have once again put together a newsletter filled with important updates, upcoming meet details, and highlights from the past couple of weeks. Be sure to check it out here: Click Here

Let’s keep cheering on our runners as they finish the season strong!

Remember to join South PTA during your student’s registration to support all our student, family, and school programs.

Mark Your Calendar - PTA Meeting October 7th on Zoom @ 6:30pm.

The SMS Office is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.

Address: 400 South Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Twitter: @AHSD25South

Main Line: (847) 398-4250

Absence Line: (847) 506-6999 x7300

Fax line: (847) 394-6260