Firebird Flash

We hope your student came home buzzing about everything happening at Friendship. Here are a few highlights:

• Our new seminar schedule began Tuesday. Students now meet in Seminar on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays remain dedicated to weekly SEL lessons.

• Based on multiple data points and teacher feedback, some seminar placements were adjusted to best meet student needs. Families were contacted directly if intervention changes were made.

• 6th Weekly Communication

• 7th Weekly Communication

• 8th Weekly Communication

• Tuesday, September 16: First PTO Meeting 6:30 PM in the LRC

• Friday, September 26: PTO Parent Night Out Back-to-School Raffle Night

Additional Resources:

• Parent Google Calendar (ALL FJHS Happenings)
• FJHS Club and Sport Calendar (Just clubs and sport tryout dates)

Our fall sports—Cross Country, Boys Soccer, and Girls Basketball—are off to a fantastic start! It’s been great to see so many Firebirds cheering on their classmates. Encourage your student to get involved, whether by joining a team, a club, or simply showing support from the stands.

• Activity Buses (Mon/Tue/Thu): 4:10 PM & 4:55 PM

• Friday Bus: One bus at 4:10 PM only

• Reminder: If parents aren’t at the game, students must take the last bus home.

Thanks for keeping our Firebirds safe with timely pickups after games and practices!

• Each student’s planner has a handbook agreement form in the front section.
  

• Please review the pages before the handbook (up to page 12).
  

• Students and parents must sign and return the form to SEL teachers by Wednesday, September 3. Forms will be accepted through Friday, September 5.
  

Students who do not return the form cannot participate in extracurriculars or assemblies.

Does your student love to play, sing, or write music? FJHS is excited to offer three after-school music clubs this year! Students can choose from Chamber Orchestra (advanced strings), Jazz Band (exploring jazz, rock, funk, and more), or Amplify (a modern songwriting and performance-based group). Each club will meet once a week after school for about an hour, and schedules will be created to accommodate as many students as possible.

An interest survey is attached with full details about each club—students can sign up for one or more! We can’t wait to make music together this year!

https://forms.gle/8YmVQeeuEGUf4p4s8

CCSD59's Fall Festival is Saturday, September 20 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Join us at the Ad Center (1001 Leicester Rd. Elk Grove Village, IL) for activities, music, giveaways, and more. Flu vaccines will be available and winter coats will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Friendship Junior High will host grade-level social-emotional learning and SOS prevention lessons this September. Please see the linked parent letters for full details and opt-out information.

• 6th Grade SEL Lesson – Wednesday, September 17, 2025
  Focus on emotions, coping skills, and how to seek help.

• 6th Grade Parent Letter
  
  

• 7th Grade SOS Program – Monday, September 8 & Thursday, September 11, 2025
  Introduction to depression awareness and suicide prevention strategies.

• 7th Grade Parent Letter
  
  

• 8th Grade SOS Refresher – Tuesday, September 9, 2025
  Review of signs of depression and reinforcing help-seeking behaviors.

• 8th Grade Parent Letter

Questions? Contact Michelle Piotrowski, Social Worker at 847-952-5499 or piotrowski.michelle@ccsd59.org.

As part of CCSD59's ongoing commitment to safety, Friendship Junior High will participate in Safety Week from September 22–26, 2025. Students will practice emergency drills and engage in safety-focused activities to help them feel prepared and confident in the event of a real emergency.

Here is our school’s Safety Week schedule:

• Monday (9/22): Evacuation Drill – 8:15 am (1st period)

• Tuesday (9/23): No School

• Wednesday (9/24): No Drill – SRO Safety Video

• Thursday (9/25): Shelter Drill – 9:30 am (3rd period)

• Friday (9/26): Lockdown Drill – 1:00 pm (8th period)
  
  

These activities are age-appropriate and follow the Standard Response Protocol used throughout the district. If you have any questions or prefer for your child to opt out of a specific drill, please contact your child’s teacher or the main office.

To learn more about Safety Week and the drills being practiced across the district, please review the CCSD59 Safety Week Overview.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Friendship safe.

We’re excited for a new school year of learning and growing together! Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:

• Reduce stress

• Make it easier to connect with friends and teachers

• Support learning

Please reach out to our office if you need help with attendance. We’re here to support and partner with you as best as possible so that our students have a successful year.

ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THEIR NEW DEVICE!

• Optional Device Protection Plan: Optional Device Protection Plan: Covers accidental damage to the device or accessories if the student used it responsibly. The plan form (Spanish) explains what isn’t covered and lists repair costs if the plan doesn’t cover them or if the plan fee hasn’t been paid. Enrollment is due no later than September 26, 2025.

• Non-Refundable Plan Fee: $20, or $10 for families who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

• How to Pay:

• Cash or Check: Fill out the form and turn it in to our school office with payment.

• Online Payment: Go to your Skyward Family Access and pay through e~Funds for Schools (no form needed).

• Securly Home: The primary family contact for your child (based on your Skyward preferences) will get a link to sign up for this new parental controls app. More details will be shared next week.

Resources: How-to videos on device operation can be found on our YouTube channel.

Testing will take place from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m.

Below are the testing dates at the different high schools:

Elk Grove and Prospect and Rolling Meadows High Schools Exam Dates:

• Saturday, October 25

• Makeup, Saturday, November 8

D214 8th grade information on our website HERE.

More information will be added as 214 finalizes decisions.

As we begin the new school year, remember: good grades, great behavior, and completed service hours are the keys to Honor Society induction.

Start earning service hours now by volunteering, helping neighbors, or joining community projects. Use the official Service Hour Form and turn it in when we return in the fall.

Lead, serve, and shine—let’s make this year count!

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.

• PTO Notes
• Admin PTO Notes

• Spiritwear: https://friendshipspiritwear.com/
• Google form link to Become a Friend of the PTO and Big One Fundraiser: https://forms.gle/sH7Q2M8jUwk8d6M56

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendshippto/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BEcG1GE8i/

Come on out to Beacon Tap to support FJHS!

PTO is super excited for this annual night out filled with good food, great company, and awesome raffles!

Reach out to Principal Wheatley at wheatley.mike@ccsd59.org.

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