Cardinal Corner

Important Dates

* May 7th - Evacuation Drill during Homebase (rescheduled)

* May 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th - Spring Musical 7:00

* May 13th - Spring Band Concert 7:00 - 9:00PM

School News/Sports

* May 5th - Track vs. Barrington Station 4:15 - 6:15PM

* May 5th - Boys Volleyball @ Thomas 3:30 - 6:00PM

* May 6th - Boys Volleyball @ Lincoln MP 3:30 - 6:00PM

* May 6th - 6th Grade Intramurals 2:45 - 3:25PM

* May 7th - Track vs. Thomas 3:15 - 5:15PM

* May 7th - Boys Volleyball @ Cooper 3:45 - 6:15PM

* May 7th - 6th Grade Intramurals 2:45 - 3:25PM

* May 12th - 6th Grade Intramurals 2:45 - 3:25PM

Dear South Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to May! This is an exciting time of year as we head into our final weeks of school and look forward to end-of-the-year activities. We’re proud of all the hard work our students have shown, and we encourage everyone to stay focused and finish the year strong. With warmer weather and summer approaching, we appreciate your partnership in helping students stay on track academically and continue following the Cardinal Way so they can fully enjoy all the upcoming celebrations.

Congratulations to all of our South students who participated in the State Science Olympiad. We are incredibly proud to share that South earned an outstanding 5th place finish at state!

A special thank you to our 8th grade parents who have volunteered their time to support us in the lunchroom. Your help is making a meaningful difference in maintaining a safe and positive environment for our students, and we appreciate your partnership. If other families are interested in helping out, please reach out to the front office or contact Mr. Prorok (sprorok@sd25.org).

A reminder to all students who ride bicycles to school: please be sure to lock your bikes while on campus, as we have noticed an increase in unlocked bicycles. We also ask that students cross busy streets only at stop lights or designated stop signs. Please take a moment to review safe walking and biking practices with your child as the weather continues to improve.

Have a great weekend,

South Administration

School-age children are susceptible to various common illnesses.

We encourage you to take a moment to review this Information Letter on Common Illnesses for valuable guidance.

To help prevent these illnesses, please remind your child to practice healthy habits, including:

• Washing hands frequently.

• Staying well-hydrated.

• Avoiding the sharing of personal items, food, or drinks.

• Refraining from touching their eyes.

• Covering their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter as we work together to keep our students healthy and safe.

Attention 6th grade parents:

The Illinois State Department of Human Services requires a dental examination for all children entering kindergarten, second and sixth grades. The compliance date for this regulation is May 15, 2026. We can accept dental exams that have been completed after November 15, 2024. Children in kindergarten, second and sixth grades that do not have copies of the required dental exam on file by May 15, 2026 are not in compliance with this regulation.

Please feel free to contact echapin@sd25.org and smusolf@sd25.org with any questions.

Dental forms can be downloaded at www.sd25.org.

• May 28th - 8th Grade Great America Field Trip

• June 1st - 8th Grade Picnic from 12:30-2:45pm at South
• June 2nd - 8th Grade Graduation @ 4:00 pm (ceremony starts promptly at 4:30) at Forest View Education Center Field House: 2201 S. Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights.

Calling all 8th grade families! We need your help! It is a tradition at South to decorate the 8th grade hallway to send off our students to high school. We need you to fill out the Google Doc with your student and upload a picture of them from kindergarten.

It is very important that we have answers from everyone so that all students are included in the display. Please complete this survey by April 20th. Questions? Contact Julie Eisenhut & Ann Poyer: tanni3@hotmail.com

ATTENTION 6TH & 7TH GRADE PARENTS

If you need to report damages to your child's device over summer break, please fill out the D25 Summer Device Repair Form.

ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS

If your eighth grade student would like to keep their Google Drive documents, they can create a backup using Google Takeout. Google Takeout exports your data from your Google account to a zip file that can be stored on your computer, external hard drive or USB Flash Drive. This should be done on a home computer.

Student Google accounts and Chromebooks will be disabled, while off school grounds, after June 2nd for 8th graders, and June 4th for 6th and 7th graders.

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, it is dedicated to paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, it is an annual recognition and celebration of Jewish Americans’ achievements and contributions to the United States of America.

The Polish Constitution is the world's second written constitution. On May 3, 1791, shortly after the U. S. Constitution was adopted, the Polish Constitution was approved by King Stanislaw August Poniatowski.

Unfortunately, the Polish Constitution did not last. Despite that fact, the Polish Constitution of 1791 is commemorated for what it represents - the Polish spirit devoted to truth, justice, and freedom.

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5, which commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The victory over the French army was a morale boost for the Mexicans.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the US, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

*Date changes year to year

Eid-Al-Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is the second of two great Muslim festivals, the other being Eid al-Fitr. It is considered the holiest of the two Eids and celebrated by millions of people around the world. Eid al-Adha is also a time for visiting with friends and family and for exchanging gifts.

*dates may vary and change from year to year

“Tickets are on sale now for our spring musical, Anastasia - Youth Edition! Come support our cast and crew as they showcase their work from rehearsals the last few months, along with our Cardinal Players who will be performing an opening skit and improv each night. Shows are at 7pm on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9 & 15-16. You can get your tickets at the South Theatre site here for $10 each, $6 for students:

https://sites.google.com/sd25.org/souththeatre/tickets

AniMend - Support for Shelters will have a collections box at each show, taking donations of new or gently used pet toys, blankets, supplies, food, and cleaning supplies. Cash Concessions, baked goods, and flowers will be available for sale as well. Hope to see you at the show!

Did you know South hosts Homework Hangout twice per week? Encourage your student to start 2026 on a positive note by establishing good homework habits and staying on top of assignments. Many students struggle with procrastination, distraction, and busy schedules once they get home from school. Homework Hangout can help by providing a quiet and structured environment for students to get work done. Homework Hangout meets on Tuesdays in the Music Room from 2:45-3:25 and Wednesdays in the Library from 2:45-3:25. It is supervised by certified staff. We hope you’ll drop by and give it a try!

Most students receive a yearbook through either a Parent SMSPTA Membership or an individually purchased, "a la carte", order. Parents were emailed in February and March if their student had no order, and at this point most students are set to receive a yearbook. However, any students who had NOT yet ordered were given an order flyer in late April to take home. Questions or just want to confirm your student is getting a book? Email Heather Lepold at SouthCardinalsYearbook@gmail.com.

8th Grade Activities Update

• 8th Grade Dance-Weds. May 27th, 7-9pm at SMS-Hawaiian/Tropical Theme, this will be the decor, it does not mean the students need to dress like this.

• 8th Grade Trip to Great America-May 28th

• 8th Grade Picnic-Monday, June 1st 12:30-2:45pm

• 8th Grade Graduation-Tuesday, June 2nd 4:00pm-Forest View Academy, there are no tickets needed

• Graduation Signs-pre-ordered, delivery & pick up info to follow

Any questions? please reach out to us at 8thgradeactivities@gmail.com

Remember to join South PTA during your student’s registration to support all our student, family, and school programs.

The SMS Office is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.

Address: 400 South Highland Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Twitter: @AHSD25South

Main Line: (847) 398-4250

Absence Line: (847) 506-6999 x7300

Fax line: (847) 394-6260