Parker JHS Newsletter

Please take a moment and review our updates for this week:

2025-26 Returning Student Registration

• Online registration via Family Access in Skyward is open and you should complete this process as soon as possible. Your child’s place in their current school will not be guaranteed until online registration is completed.

• If you are required to prove residency, please click here for instructions on how to submit your proof of residency.

• Online registration and residency verification [if required] should be completed by May 22, 2025.

NWEA MAP Testing (Math and Reading)

8th grade scholars will take MAP Reading and Math Assessment April 29th and April 30th. Please refer to the Instructional section of this newsletter for the testing schedule.

Yearbook Order

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

Parker 2024-2025 Yearbook

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.

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

uparris@sd161.org

4.28.25

• Boys/Girls Soccer Practice - 3:05 p.m. - Parking Lot

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

• Knitting & Crochet Club - 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

• Green Team Meeting - 3:05 p.m. - Room 12

• Track Meet - 4:15 p.m. - Memorial

• 5th to 6th Grade Transition Parent Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

4.29.25

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

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

• Track Practice (Field Events and Relays ONLY) - 3:05 P.M. - Parking Lot

• Boys Soccer Meet - 4:15 p.m. - Columbia

• Girls Soccer Meet - 4:15 p.m. - Parker

4.30.25

• H-F Late Start Day

• Spring Musical Performance for HH 5th Graders - 9:00 a.m. - North Gym

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

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

• Track Meet - 4:15 p.m. - Memorial

• Boys/Girls Soccer Practice - 3:05 p.m. - Parker

5.1.25

• 7th Grade Humanities Field Trip to Springfield Convention Center

• Spring Musical Performance for 5th Graders - 9:00 a.m. - North Gym

• Anime Club - 3:05 p.m. - Media Center

• Track Practice - 3:05 p.m. - Parking Lot

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

• Boys/Girls Soccer Practice - 3:05 p.m. - Parking Lot

5.2.25

• Track Practice (Field Events and Relays ONLY) - 3:05 P.M. - Parking Lot

• Spring Musical Call Time - 5:00 p.m.

• Spring Musical - 7:00 p.m. - North Gym

8th Grade Parent Webinar (Virtual)

Thank everyone who was able to join our 8th-Grade virtual parent meeting. For those who were unable to join, don’t fret, simply click on the link below and watch the 15 minute webinar recording at your leisure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rje7n_08Pw

8th Grade Dance - Friday, May 9, 2025 at Parker JHS (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

Great America Field Trip - Wednesday, May 21, 2025

8th Grade Picnic - Thursday, May 22nd

Graduation Rehearsal - Friday, May 23, 2025

Graduation Rehearsal - Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Graduation Ceremony - Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM at HF High School (Graduates must be present no later than 5:30 PM)

8th Grade Dance Expectations

8th Grade Scholars participating in the 8th Grade Dance must follow Dress Code below (see Deans Corner in this newsletter). Please contact the school office with any questions

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!!

Parker Soccer Team - Go Falcons!

Track

Our athletes continue to dominate at each meet and their next meet is Monday, 4/28 at Columbia Central. Good luck Falcons!

Soccer

Both of our teams won their game on Thursday, 4/24 against Chicago Heights Middle School and their next game is on Tuesday, 4/29 against Columbia Central. Good luck Falcons!

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

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.

• 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.

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.

• NWEA Math and Reading Testing Dates

  Spring: Testing Dates

  April 28 - 29 (8th Grade Scholars Only)

  
  

  • Make sure your child gets at least 8–10 hours of sleep the night before testing. A well-rested brain performs better!

  • A balanced breakfast with protein, whole grains, and fruit will give your child the energy and focus they need during the test.

  • Avoid sugary foods that can cause energy crashes.

  • Remind your child that they’ve worked hard and are prepared.

  • Encourage them to stay calm and do their best — that's all that matters!

  • Encourage your child to read each question carefully and not to rush.

  • If they don’t know an answer, they can skip it and come back later.

  • Make sure your child charges their chrome book and arrive to school ON TIME.

Testing Tips

• Get a good night's rest

• Charge Chromebook the night before

• Eat a healthy breakfast

4th Quarter Grade Reporting Timeline

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.

8TH GRADE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!!

We need enthusiastic parent volunteers from all grade levels to help bring end of year activities together for our 8th grade class. Are you willing to help facilitate, setup, or chaperone the dance or field day Please contact PJHPTO@GMAIL.COM.

CALLING ALL FALCON MOMS AND DADS WHO ARE BUSINESS OWNERS!

Be a sponsor for the inaugural Falcon 5k!!! Come make history and partner with PJH PTO. This is an event that embodies engagement among our scholars, families, and Community.

Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH)

Our Capturing Kids Hearts theme is Perseverance. As said, we want to FINISH STRONG! Use these conversation starters below to discuss perseverance with your scholar.

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