Timber Ridge News

• Monday, February 16th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
• Wednesday, March 4th: Picture Re-takes
• Monday, March 9th: Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:30 PM - 7:30 PM)

The Timber Ridge PTO is excited to kick off the new year with lots of positive momentum! Our team is out in the community, working hard to secure both our yearly donations and some brand new partnerships. We're also planning some fun surprises for our incredible staff to let them know just how much they're appreciated. Thank you for being a part of what makes Timber Ridge such a caring and vibrant community - we can't wait to share more and welcome your support all year long!

We're always eager to welcome new families into the Timber Ridge PTO! Whether you would like to get involved or just learn more about what we do, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at timberridgepto@nsseo.org for more information or to join. We look forward to building an even stronger community together!

Our focus for this month has been on the making a resolution and how we can stay focused on our goals. We discussed the importance of focusing on 1 or 2 resolutions/goals so that they can really see positive change! We also added that on the road of progress, sometimes, you may hit a pothole, but so long as you keep going in a positive direction, all will be well!

January was very eventful! We focused on enjoying the outdoors in the winter and looking our best for our school pictures! Our first semester of school ended and we talked about all of the accomplishments of our students during the first half of the year, and how we can build on that success for the second half. Finally, we celebrated how small moments of courage can have a lasting and positive impact on those around us.

Healthy school attendance habits for December focuses on routine, hygiene, health, and proactive planning to combat winter illness and holiday distractions.

Health & Hygiene Habits (To Fight Germs)

• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for consistent sleep (8+ hours) to boost immunity.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help fight viruses.

• Wash Hands Regularly: Frequent handwashing is key to preventing germ spread.

• Avoid Touching Face: Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth.

Routine & Preparation Habits (To Reduce Stress)

• Consistent Routines: Maintain regular bedtimes and morning schedules.

• Prep the Night Before: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks to ease morning rush.

Family & School Support Habits

• Communicate: Keep in touch with teachers about illness and homework.

• Have a Backup Plan: Arrange carpools or neighbor help for transportation.

This month, our students are taking a deep dive into the Timber Ridge Behavior Matrix. We are reviewing expectations for every part of our school day—from the hallways and classrooms to the bus and even off-site field trips.

To make these expectations stick, students are participating in hands-on activities and working in teams to produce student-led videos. These videos will demonstrate exactly what "The Timber Ridge Way" looks like in action and will be featured during our official Fall 2026 PBIS Kick-off!

Winter Reboot Incentives

As a reward for their hard work and positive behavior, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming Winter Reboot Incentives:

• Grades K-5: Will be heading to the AMC Theater in Prospect Heights on Friday, February 20th for a special showing of GOAT.

• Grades 6-8: Will be traveling to the Allstate Arena for a Chicago Wolves Hockey Game on Thursday, February 19th.

It has been an incredibly busy and exciting time in our STEM lab! Our students have been dive-deep into the world of engineering, the scientific method, and genetics through several hands-on winter-themed projects. Here is a look at what each group has been working on:

Primary Students: Engineering for Sneezy the Snowman Our youngest engineers had a blast helping out a friend in need! After reading about Sneezy the Snowman, students were challenged to design and build a house that would keep Sneezy cool and protected. It was wonderful to see their creativity as they selected materials and tested their structures to ensure Sneezy wouldn't melt.

Intermediate Students: The Scientific Method in Action Our intermediate students have been honing their skills as young scientists by reviewing the scientific method through interactive labs.

• The Great Bubble Test: Students conducted an experiment to determine which brand of dish soap created the largest, longest-lasting bubbles.

• Aerodynamics Lab: We also took to the skies to test paper airplane designs. Students applied the scientific method to see which folding techniques and paper types allowed their planes to fly the farthest.

Junior High Students: Unlocking the Code of Life

In Junior High, students have stepped into the world of biology and heredity. They have been learning the fundamentals of genetics and how to use Punnett squares to predict biological traits.

• Strawberry DNA Extraction: To see genetics in action, students performed a DNA extraction lab! By mashing strawberries and using a special solution, they were able to isolate and see actual genomic DNA strands with the naked eye.

• Genetic Monsters: To further bring these concepts to life, each student created their very own "Genetic Monster." By flipping coins to determine specific genetic codes, they "inherited" different traits to see how probability and DNA shape every living thing.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Are you aware of any events or opportunities outside of school that might benefit some of our Timber Ridge students or families? If so, please share them with us! Please reach out to either mwagrowski@nsseo.org or nmilne@nsseo.org to help spread the word. We’d love to share any information that might help to support opportunities or resources outside of Timber Ridge!

• Monday, February 16th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
• Wednesday, March 4th: Picture Re-takes
• Monday, March 9th: Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:30 PM - 7:30 PM)