Cougar Connection

Dear Keller Families,

We have had a wonderful start to our school year and it has been such a joy to see our students' smiling faces in the building each day! While August is exciting with the start of the new school year, September means our staff and students will begin building and settling into the routines that the new year bring.

Construction Update

Each day we are delighted to see the progress being made on the exterior renovation project west of the school. This week, the crew began putting up the new playground, preparing the future bus lane for asphalt to be poured, and building the enclosure that will house our dumpsters. All of that in the extreme heat we have had this week! We are incredibly thankful for all of their hard work. As construction concludes, we are still planning to host a Back to School Bash to celebrate the opening of our new playground. That date will be communicated to families in advance to provide ample notification.

Arrival and Dismissal

As the construction concludes, we will be slightly altering our arrival and dismissal procedures. We believe that these changes will ultimately create a smoother arrival and dismissal for our students, staff, and families. When we are able to make those changes, I will communicate ahead of time via ParentSquare to ensure that everyone knows where to be. Until then, please follow the established procedures outlined on the previous newsletter and on the school website.

MAP/IAR Scores

This week, Keller students wrapped up MAP testing. Students did a great job and gave great effort throughout the tests. MAP scores and IAR scores will be going home the week of September 8th so be on the look out!

Safety Drills

In the coming weeks, Keller students will be participating in different safety drills to ensure that students and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency. Additional information and dates of fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills will be provided to families in advance via ParentSquare.

Attendance Matters

As we settle into our routine for the school year, I wanted to take a moment to remind families about the importance of regular school attendance. While we understand that some absences are unavoidable, regular school attendance is critical to keep students on track academically. We thank you for partnering with us to ensure that our students are at school and ready to learn!

Please see below for more important updates and upcoming dates throughout the rest of the newsletter!

Warmly,

Alex Weinberg

As we begin the school year, D140 is launching You Matter. We All Belong., a yearlong effort to strengthen the sense of belonging across our schools.

Throughout the year, you'll receive short monthly messages that focus on simple ways we can work together to help every child feel connected, valued, and supported.

Research consistently shows that students thrive when they know they belong. We appreciate your partnership in creating welcoming school communities where every student can succeed.

Together, we can make sure every child knows: You Matter. We All Belong.

Students and staff are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue on Friday, September 11, in observance of Patriot Day.

D140 families are encouraged to walk or bike to school together on Wednesday, October 7, in celebration of National Walk & Roll to School Day.

Fifth Grade Beginning Band Registration will be held on Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17, at Grissom Middle School. The schedule is as follows:

Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Wednesday, September 16:

• Fernway Park Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

• Bannes Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

• Millennium Elementary from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Fifth Grade Beginning Band registration schedule for Thursday, September 17:

• Helen Keller Elementary from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

• McAulffe Elementary from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

• Make-up time from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

If you cannot attend at your school's suggested time, you may attend any of the other schools’ times listed above or the make-up time on Thursday evening. Please arrive at the scheduled start time for these sessions. All sessions take place at Grissom Middle School. If you have any questions regarding Beginning Band Registration, please email your child's band director. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Important September dates to mark on your calendar:

• Monday, September 7 - No School - Labor Day

• Friday, September 11 - Patriot Day - Wear red, white and blue.

• Thursday, September 17 - Beginning Band Registration from 5:00-6:00 PM (see above)

• Thursday, September 17 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 PM at District Administration Center

• Wednesday, September 23 - PTO Chipotle Fundraiser - 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Chipotle located at 15980 S. Harlem Ave, Tinley Park

• Thursday, September 24 - PTO Meeting - 9:00 AM in the Keller Commons

The entire school year calendar can be viewed on our website at 2026-27 School Year Calendar.

KSD 140 uses the ParentSquare messaging platform to keep parents and guardians informed and engaged with our schools and the District.

• Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification
• Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Direct message teachers and staff
• Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
• Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device

We encourage parents to access their accounts by visiting parentsquare.com/signin and REGISTERING using the email or phone number listed in Infinite Campus.

For even greater convenience, please download the ParentSquare app (available free for iOS and Android devices).

Hot Lunch

Volunteer sign ups are still available for Hot Lunch Trimester 1. Our Hot Lunch Program cannot run without amazing volunteers like you! Sign up and be entered in a drawing to win a $10 gift card for each month you volunteer.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAEA82DA0F85-64966653-2026#/

Grade Level Shirts

Grade level shirts are available for purchase until September 14.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cougar-grade-level-shirt-shop

Spirit Wear

Keller Spirit Wear is available through 1st Place Spiritwear year round.

http://1stplace.sale/30520

PTO Newsletter

View our September PTO Newsletter at: https://www.ksd140.org/keller/files/documents/2026-27%20School%20Year/20260902KellerPTOSeptemberNewsletter.pdf

PTO President/Vice President

The Keller PTO will be looking for a new President and Vice President for the next school year. Reach out to us at Helenkellerpto@gmail.com to learn more! We can start sharing info and training new members now.

Save the dates

Sept 24 @ 9 am PTO meeting in Keller Commons

Oct 23- Trunk or Treat event

D140 prioritizes comprehensive strategies to support students' mental, emotional, and physical health. Please click Health Information to review our resources. Together, we can create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Helen Keller Elementary School

7846 W. 163rd Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-2144

Website: ksd140.org/keller

Principal: Alex Weinberg aweinberg@ksd140.org

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