We are so excited to welcome you to Friendship Junior High! As we move into spring, we want to keep you informed about important upcoming events.

One of the biggest events on our calendar is 6th Grade Family Night on April 2nd. This is a fantastic opportunity for you and your student to meet our wonderful staff, explore the building, and get answers to many of your questions as you prepare for the transition to junior high. We hope you’ll join us for this informative and engaging evening!

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll continue sharing details about next year and opportunities for your family to get involved at Friendship. Please keep an eye on your email for updates.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the Firebird community! If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Even if you have had students at our junior high before, we highly encourage you to attend orientation. With new schedules and structures in place next year, orientation is a key opportunity to understand the logistics and expectations of junior high.

During orientation, we will provide important information about:

• Seminar and intervention placements – how these support student learning and success

• Daily schedules – understanding class rotations and key transitions

• Elective selection and discussion – reviewing choices and finalizing student preferences

• Course placement decisions – how placement is determined and what to expect

• Building logistics and expectations – key policies, procedures, and how to navigate junior high

Students will also participate in interactive activities, including:

• Receiving elective course selection forms

• Touring the school with student ambassadors and Student Senate members

• Visiting elective classes to explore options

We look forward to guiding students and families through this exciting transition!

This is another reminder that this coming Wednesday, April 2, 2025 is your 6th Grade Orientation.

The event runs from 6:00-7:30 and we have developed stations to ensure everyone gets to hear and ask questions in their groups.

Students with last names beginning with the letters A-L

• 6:00-6:30 Meet in the Auditorium for an overview of Friendship and what to expect when becoming a Firebird

• 6:30-7:00 Meet in the Cafeteria for a review of the middle school schedule and elective selection process

• 7:00-7:30 Tours and building scavenger hunts

Students with last names beginning with the letters M-Z

• 6:00-6:30 Meet in the Cafeteria for a review of the middle school schedule and elective selection process

• 6:30-7:00 Meet in the Auditorium for an overview of Friendship and what to expect when becoming a Firebird

• 7:00-7:30 Tours and building scavenger hunts

We are excited to meet you.

Go Firebirds!

Click into the newsletter of the other CCSD 59 Junior High Schools.

• Grove Junior High School
• Holmes Junior High School

We are excited to continue working with our 5th-grade teachers and families to support the transition to junior high. We encourage everyone to attend 6th Grade Orientation, where students and families will learn more about the academic experience at Friendship Junior High.

As part of our transition planning, we are gathering information to determine student course placements in core subjects, seminar needs, and intervention programs. Final placement decisions will be based on classroom performance, spring iReady Diagnostic results, and ongoing progress. Course placements, including interventions, seminar, and advanced placement, will be shared with families in student report cards at the end of the school year.

We look forward to welcoming our future Firebirds and ensuring a smooth and successful transition to junior high!

Q & A with the Principal

In late April, the junior high principals will visit 5th graders to answer questions regarding classes and the junior high experience and spend some time at lunch and/or recess with them.

At Friendship, we believe that reading opens doors to new adventures, ideas, and possibilities. This summer, we are excited to introduce Beanstack, an engaging online platform where students can log their reading, track progress, and earn badges along the way!

Our LRC Teacher, Ms. Kaplan, will provide more details as summer approaches, ensuring all students know how to access and use Beanstack to make the most of their summer reading experience.

While summer reading is not required, we encourage all Firebirds to read at least one book of their choice and take notes to keep their minds active. By logging books and notes in Beanstack, students will earn:

• 5-Star Points for each book read and logged
  

• Raffle tickets for awesome prizes
  

• A pancake breakfast when they return in the fall!

Students can earn up to 50 5-Star Points and five raffle tickets by reading and documenting five books.

What is Beanstack?
Beanstack is a fun and interactive platform designed to motivate and inspire lifelong reading habits. By logging reading time, setting personal goals, and earning virtual badges, students can track their progress in an engaging way. Beanstack is used by schools and libraries nationwide to foster a love for reading, and we are thrilled to bring it to Friendship this summer!

Stay tuned for more details from Ms. Kaplan about how to get started. Let’s make this summer one filled with great books and exciting adventures!

Show your Friendship Firebird pride with our latest collection, designed for all students, including the Class of 2027. A big thank you to our PTO for making this possible. Support our school in style from the comfort of your home. Visit the store today and celebrate our school spirit!

https://friendshipspiritwear.com/

We believe that a strong partnership between parents and the school is crucial for fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment. That's why we are excited to invite all of you to join our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and make a positive impact on our school community.

The PTO plays a vital role in organizing events, fundraisers, and activities that directly benefit our students and staff. From student activities, dances, movie nights, and fundraising events. Each initiative is designed to enhance the middle school experience for our beloved students.

By getting involved with the PTO, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Connect with Other Parents

• Contribute Fresh Ideas

• Make a Difference

• Support Our Students

We understand that life can get busy, but volunteering with the PTO is a flexible commitment, and we welcome any level of involvement. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned school supporter, your enthusiasm and dedication are what truly matter.

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.

If you are interested in more information you can view our PTO Participation Presentation.

Email: info@ccsd59.org
Website: https://friendship.ccsd59.org/
Location: 550 Elizabeth Ln, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: (847) 593-4350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/D59Friendship
Twitter: @D59Friendship