September 20, 2026

Hi Eagle Families,

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Thank you for an incredible turnout at our annual Open House! It was wonderful to see so many families filling our hallways, eager to partner with us and learn about the goals and academic growth planned for the school year. Please take a moment to view the open house presentation below, if you missed it.

Here are a few exciting highlights from around our campus:

Charlotte's Web Kick-off: We officially launched our all school book reading of the classic novel, Charlotte's Web! Superintendent Dr. Sanders joined us for a special "Drop Everything and Read" (DEAR) time. Dr. Sanders captivated the entire school with an engaging, lively read aloud that left our students hanging on every word.
Nightly Family Reading Photos: Help us capture the magic of reading at home! We encourage families to take photos of themselves reading together nightly and share them with the school by emailing the main office or tagging our social media pages. We love seeing our community of readers!
Hispanic Heritage Month: Our vibrant cultural celebrations are underway! Throughout the month, students will engage with daily facts during announcements and participate in research projects highlighting the rich history and contributions of various Latino countries.

We appreciate your continued support in making our school community such a vibrant place to learn!

Reminder

Monday: No School – Classes will resume on Tuesday following the school closure in observance of Yom Kippur.

Health Requirement
Students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and students who are new to the District must provide proof of the required Illinois State physical examination and immunizations.

All required health documentation must be submitted by October 15, 2026 to the school nurse. Students who have not met these requirements by this date will be excluded from school beginning October 15, 2026, in accordance with Illinois requirements, until the necessary documentation is received.

Please note: A sports physical does not meet the Illinois school physical examination requirement.

Let's connect.....
Email address: emcneil@sd161.org
Office number: 708-647-7100

pdf

insert_drive_file

26-27 FH Open House Presentation.pdf

Download

638.8 KB

Charlotte's Web Padlet: Add your family reading photos

Important Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

There is no supervision for students before 8:25 a.m. Students arriving before 8:25 a.m. will need to wait outside on their playground areas unsupervised. There is a before care program operated by the Homewood Flossmoor Park District for a monthly fee for any parents or guardians needing child care before 8:25 a.m. Here is the link to the park district.

For the safety of our students, any changes to your child's normal afternoon dismissal routine must be submitted to the main office by 2:15 p.m. If the office is not notified of an alternate plan by this time, your child will be sent home using their standard dismissal route on file. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, smooth, and organized!

Upcoming Events

Sept. 21st - Yom Kippur - No school for students

Sept. 22nd - Flossmoor Hills Data Review Day

Sept. 30th - Code Red Drill with FPD - rescheduled

Sept. 24th - Fall Picture Day

Sept. 25th - 4th Grade Field Trip to HF Play - 9:00 a.m.

Oct. 9th - Fire Prevention Assembly with FFD - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Oct. 12th - Indigenous Peoples' Day - No school for students

Oct. 15th - Medical Exclusion Day

Oct. 30st - Early release day for students - School Improvement Day

Nov. 23rd - Parent Teacher Conference - 1:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 24th - Parent Teacher Conference - 8:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

pdf

insert_drive_file

Safety Drill Letter.pdf

Download

248.4 KB

Standards Based Learning

Standards based learning identifies and communicates how students are performing in relation to the learning standards. Instruction, grading, and assessments are based on students demonstrating understanding and mastery of the grade level standards. To learn more about how Flossmoor utilizes standards based learning for growth, click the link below.

Flossmoor SD 161 Standards Based Learning Information

Transportation and Dismissal

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 Alma Gonzalez at 708-647-7023.

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, Lunch and Recess

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.

August and September - Breakfast and Lunch Menus

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.

September Breakfast Menu

September Lunch Menu

Flossmoor Hills Open House

CKH Questions for Behavior Redirection

At our school, we believe in building strong relationships and helping students learn to self-manage their behaviors. To support this, our teachers utilize the Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) Four Questions for behavior management.

These questions empower students to reflect on their choices and redirect their own actions. When a student is off-task or disruptive, a teacher will gently ask:

September Focus: Empathy

This month, our school is focusing on the Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) Word of the Month: Empathy.

We define empathy as "ability to connect with and understand the feelings of others." Throughout September, our students will learn that empathy is like a muscle—the more we practice it, the stronger it gets. Teachers will guide students in learning to listen with an open mind, respect differing perspectives, and offer kindness when a peer is having a tough day.

Nurse Update

Health Requirements

State law requires that your student’s health records (physical, immunization record, religious exemptions) be submitted PRIOR to Thursday, October 15, 2026. Incomplete paperwork will not be accepted. If paperwork is not submitted on time your student will not be able to attend school until proof of the proper immunizations and/or physical exam have been given to the school Health Coordinator.

Preschool/Early Childhood/Kindergarten/New Students

Submit a physical and immunization record.
All physicals must be from the State of Illinois.
Local Urgent Care clinics offer low cost physicals for $30, no appointment needed

Free Back-to-School Immunizations
CCDPH is providing back-to-school immunizations at no cost for the 2026-27 school year to suburban Cook County children ages 6 months to 18 years old, regardless of immigration or insurance status, now through mid-October. Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. See clinic schedule.

Medications at School

Any student that needs medication while at school must have a medication authorization form completed by their doctor and turned into the nurse before medication can be brought to school. This includes over the counter medications. If you need this form please contact Nurse Cheryl.

Please consider sending the following items with your student to store in their locker

A full change of clothes: accidents happen!
An extra snack: to avoid afternoon stomachaches!
An extra water bottle: drinking water makes us feel good, having one on the desk is great!

When should my child stay home from school?

Click here for health guidelines.
Please make sure emergency contacts are in Skyward. If your student is sent home we ask that you or an emergency contact picks up the child within 30 minutes.

Traffic and School Bus Safety

Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
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.
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
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.

Visitors During the School Day

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.

Birthday Celebrations During the School Day

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.

Good Things in the Neighborhood

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.

Text Message Opt In

Flossmoor School District 161 26-27 School Calendar

Parent Student Handbook

PTO Corner

The PTO is ready to plan amazing events for our school community! They are seeking volunteers to help with activities and events during the year.

Flossmoor Hills Elementary School Contact Information

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal

The Eagle's Nest

Soaring High with the Eagles...

September 20, 2026

Charlotte's Web Padlet: Add your family reading photos

Charlotte’s Web Adventure at Home

Important Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Upcoming Events

Standards Based Learning

Transportation and Dismissal

Breakfast, Lunch and Recess

September Breakfast Menu

September Lunch Menu

Flossmoor Hills Open House

CKH Questions for Behavior Redirection

September Focus: Empathy

September Focus: Empathy

Nurse Update

Traffic and School Bus Safety

Visitors During the School Day

Birthday Celebrations During the School Day

Good Things in the Neighborhood

Text Message Opt In

Text Message Opt In

Text Message Opt In

Flossmoor School District 161 26-27 School Calendar

PTO Corner

Flossmoor Hills Elementary School Contact Information

September 20, 2026

Charlotte's Web Padlet: Add your family reading photos Charlotte's Web Padlet: Add your family reading photos

Important Arrival and Dismissal Reminders Important Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

Standards Based Learning Standards Based Learning

Transportation and Dismissal Transportation and Dismissal

Breakfast, Lunch and Recess Breakfast, Lunch and Recess

September Breakfast Menu

September Lunch Menu

Flossmoor Hills Open House Flossmoor Hills Open House

CKH Questions for Behavior Redirection CKH Questions for Behavior Redirection

September Focus: Empathy

September Focus: Empathy

Nurse Update Nurse Update

Traffic and School Bus Safety Traffic and School Bus Safety

Visitors During the School Day Visitors During the School Day

Birthday Celebrations During the School Day Birthday Celebrations During the School Day

Good Things in the Neighborhood Good Things in the Neighborhood

Text Message Opt In Text Message Opt In

Text Message Opt In

Text Message Opt In

Flossmoor School District 161 26-27 School Calendar Flossmoor School District 161 26-27 School Calendar

PTO Corner

Flossmoor Hills Elementary School Contact Information

Charlotte's Web Padlet: Add your family reading photos

Important Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Upcoming Events

Standards Based Learning

Transportation and Dismissal

Breakfast, Lunch and Recess

Flossmoor Hills Open House

CKH Questions for Behavior Redirection

Nurse Update

Traffic and School Bus Safety

Visitors During the School Day

Birthday Celebrations During the School Day

Good Things in the Neighborhood

Text Message Opt In

Flossmoor School District 161 26-27 School Calendar