Parker Jr High Newsletter

Parker JHS Faculty, Staff, and Scholars enjoyed our Costume Day, October 31st. Please take a look at a few pictures included in this Newsletter.

Calling All Veterans

If you are a veteran and would like to celebrate Veterans Day with us, please complete the form by clicking the link below. We will celebrate Veterans Day November 9, 2023 from 8am - 10am. Please provide your information by accessing the Veterans Day Form. Thank you in advance for your support!

Friday, November 10th is Veterans Day Observance - District Closed and No Classes.

We are still recruiting Guest Teachers and asking for your assistance. If you are interested in this role, please contact Mr. Ford (Assistant Principal). Please review our PJH Vacancies for additional available positions. We sincerely appreciate your support.

Cold weather

The temperature is getting colder. Please ensure your scholars are dressed appropriately for the cold weather. We have seen many scholars without jackets and coats while arriving at school.

Parker scholars that are pIcking up a sibling from one of the FSD 161 Elementary buildings are not allowed on the playground. Parker scholars are expected to wait on the sidewalk for their sibling. Thank you in advance.

Best Regards,

Ms. Ursula Parris, Principal

Fun Times with Parker Falcons

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Do you REALLY know what your child is doing with their cell phone? Please take a moment to review and discuss with your child the following: 1)Teach Responsible Usage. 2) Set Limits. 3) Protect Your Privacy. 4)Be the Example of Etiquette. Technology is a wonderful tool when used appropriately!

We’re seeing an increase in students not wearing ID’s. Ensure that your scholar is properly prepared everyday with ID’s and ALL class materials. These are essential to a successful day!

“Your child has been late to class twice. Should there be a 3rd tardy, this will result in a 30 minute detention.” –Parents/Guardians, If you receive an email like this from your child’s teacher, please know they are operating by school policy. We want ALL scholars on time for EVERY class. Thank you for your support!

If a scholar is 5 minutes or more late to class without a pass, it is considered skipping. Teachers will call parents, write a referral, and the Grade Level Dean will give a consequence. Please encourage your child to arrive to class timely.

Bluetooth, wireless headphones and air pods are not allowed during the school day and should be placed in lockers. Scholars with electronic devices will result in Saturday Detention.

Mr. Small, 6th Grade Dean

Ms. Bennett, 7th Grade Dean

Mr. Metanias, 8th Grade Dean

• We made our October goal of getting to class on time! WooHoo! All Advisory (6th & 7th) and Win (8th) classes will receive fruit snacks Monday 11/6/23. Way to go Falcons!

• 6th Grade had the highest percentage of students getting to class on time, therefore they will receive Italian Ice during lunch Monday.

• Please continue to encourage your students to wear their ID.

• Our November PBIS Goal is to decrease the number of referrals for Physical Aggression and Physical Contact. Encourage your scholar to keep their hands and feet to themselves.

• Our 1st Quarter Incentive was celebrated with a movie and popcorn. We had over 95% of our scholars attend the celebration at each grade level.

• The 2nd Quarter Incentive criteria will be the same. All scholars with no In-School Suspension or Out of School Suspension will attend. In addition, scholars that engage in Physical Aggression will not be able to participate in the quarterly activity. Please advise scholars to make positive decisions.

Athletic Fundraiser

Parker is doing amazing things! We are hosting a blanket fundraiser that will benefit all Parker Athletics. If you're interested in purchasing a blanket, please click the link below for the order form. Order forms are also available in the main office. Spirit Blanket Order Form

Book Club has started, however, it is not too late for your scholar to sign up! Book Club meets in the Media Center on Wednesdays during lunch to discuss the books we are reading. Schoalrs who are interested can sign up on the Media Center Canvas page. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Rudenga at srudenga@sd161.org.

Girls Basketball

Congratulations to our 7th grade girls basketball team! Our lady Falcons won the Hillcrest kickoff classic tournament 10/28.

Both Girls teams beat Crete Monee and James Hart this week! Our 8th grade girls have a record of 15-1 while our 7th grade team is 14-2. The girls last home game is on Monday 11/6. Good luck ladies!

Boys Basketball

Our Falcons are off to a great start this season. This week our 8th grade boys beat Columbia Central on Monday 10/30 but fell short in their game against Crete Monee on 11/1. They currently have a record of 1-1. The 7th grade boys are 2-0. They beat both Crete Monee and Columbia Central this week. Congratulations Falcons!

Cheer and Dance

Our lady Falcon cheerleaders and dance teams continue to amaze spectators with their performances. Keep up the good work Falcons!

SPECTATORS

Per South Suburban Junior High School Association (SSJHSA), students MUST be accompanied by THEIR parent/guardian to attend any home or away athletic events in the conference. Parents/guardians MUST remain with their scholar during the entire game.

Athletic Eligibility

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. Grades will be pulled every Friday. Emails will be sent to parents/guardians of those scholars who are not passing their classes.

SPORTS PHYSICALS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY OUT, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Thank you for supporting our Yondr Phone Free Learning Environment! Our scholars are making great academic improvements every day.

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.

COVID-19. Please report all positive COVID cases to the Nurse (708- 647-5437).

• Entrance and Exit

  • 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

  
  

• Transportation

• Bus information is available in Skyward for families. If you have any transportation questions, please contact Ms. Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.

• Parking on School Street

• Remember that there is NO PARKING on school street from 7-8AM. Traffic flow is one way. Please do not block the driveway when dropping off your scholars.

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.

Email: uparris@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/parker-junior-high

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJHS161
Location: 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, Illinois 60422