The Eagle's Nest

What an incredible first two days of school! Our campus was bursting with energy, excitement and big smiles as we launched into our new school year theme: "Excellence Starts Here...Racing to Success."

On the first day of school our school mascot, the Eagle, cranked up the music to greet families and students at arrival. We also had the privilege of welcoming our new superintendent, Dr. Sanders, who spent time greeting staff and visiting classrooms to see our amazing scholars in action.

To keep our race to success on track, students participated in hands on Positive Behavior Interventions and supports (PBIS) stations to learn and practice our school wide behavioral expectations. We capped off this valuable learning with an energetic PBIS celebration assembly featuring a special performance by Dale Obrochta with the Art of Inflation, which left our students inspired and excited to model excellent behavior.

Lastly, thank you to our amazing PTO for hosting the annual kindergarten BooHoo breakfast for our new families.

Important Testing Next Week

As we dive into academics, we will begin establishing baseline individual achievement scores to help tailor instruction for every student. Please ensure your child is well rested and ready to do their best:

• Grades 1–5: NWEA testing begins next week.
• Grades K–1: AIMsweb testing begins next week.

Thank you to all of our families for partnering with us for such a smooth and successful start!

Let's connect.....

Email address: emcneil@sd161.org

Office number: 708-647-7100

August 31st - AIMsweb testing begins for K-1

Sept. 4th - NWEA testing. begins for grades 1-5

Sept. 10th - School bus evacuation drill for all students

Sept. 11th - PTO Sponsored Back to School Bash - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 14th - Tornado Drill during the school day

Sept. 15th - Elementary open house - 6:00 - 7:30 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal