The Eagle's Nest
Soaring High With the Eagles...
February 15, 2026
Hello Eagle Families,
This was a great week for Flossmoor Hills! Our students are officially 100 days smarter! We celebrated the 100th and 101st day of school with our primary students. Our kindergarten and first grade students created fun and innovative projects to demonstrate groups of 100. The second graders represented 101 Dalmatian's to bring in the 101st day of school.
We are asking parents to take the 5Essentials Survey and have your voice heard. All parents who take the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card. We will be raffling off two cards.
Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Parker Jr. High, to celebrate Black History Month. Students have a wonderful presentation prepared for you!
Please take a look at the updates in this week's newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Let's connect.....
Email address: emcneil@sd161.org
Office number: 708-647-7100
Upcoming Dates
- Black History Spirit Week Begins - February 16th
- Black History Program at PJH at 6:00 p.m. - February 17th
Early dismissal for students at 11:40 p.m. - School Improvement Day - February 20th
3rd Grade Wax Museum in gym room at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - February 26th
2nd Grade Wax Museum in gym room at 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. - February 27th
Spring Picture Day
Spring Picture Day - Spanish
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education provides parents, teachers, and 4th-8th grade students with an opportunity to have their voice heard. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is a research-based survey to help identify strengths and areas for growth in our schools. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
We ask our families to please take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey for by Friday, March 13th.
Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Above and Beyond Award for Staff
Standards Based Learning
Parents can access the SD 161 Learning and Instruction webpage for detailed information specific to Standards Based Grading and Year Long Plans for every grade level content.
Student Cell Phone & Smart Watch Policy
Cell Phones & Smart Watches:
Cell phones and smart watches should be kept in a safe place—such as a locker (devices should be neither seen nor heard)—and are not to be used during the school day or during on-campus school activities during school hours.
25-26 Parent Handbook
School Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
All K-5 students enter the building at 8:30 a.m. daily. The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. and students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Students may arrive on campus at 8:25 a.m. and line up on their playground areas. There is no supervision before 8:25 a.m. Students that arrive before 8:25 a.m. will have to wait on their playgrounds unsupervised. Breakfast will be available in the gym room at 8:25 a.m.
- Pre-K Morning Session: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Pre-K Afternoon Session: 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Transportation and Dismissal
Bus Routes
- Student bus routes are available in Skyward. Log into your Skyward account to check where your child's bus stop is located. If you have any questions regarding bus routes, call Wanda Alexander at 708-546-7072.
- If your child is routed for a bus and will not ride the bus due to you dropping them off or picking them up daily, email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org.
- If your child will not ride the bus everyday, the front office needs a schedule for your child. Please email Rose Spotora at rspotora@sd161.org AND your child's classroom teacher.
- Sign up to receive bus bulletins. You can learn more here.
Dismissal Changes
- Parents must call the office or email the administrative assistants by 2:15 p.m. if you need to make a change to your child's dismissal procedure (i.e., not riding the bus, not attending an after school program, etc.). The procedure helps to ensure the safe dismissal for all students.
- The office number is 708-647-7100. Our administrative assistants can be contacted at rspotora@sd161.org and nfonseca@sd161.org.
Breakfast, Lunch and Recess
Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. Students eating breakfast should enter the main entry doors (Door A) upon arrival to school.
Grade Level Lunch Times
- Kindergarten and 5th Grade - 11:30 a.m. - recess begins at 11:50 a.m.
- 1st Grade and 3rd Grade - 12:10 p.m. - recess begins at 12:30 p.m.
- 2nd Grade and 4th Grade - 11:50 a.m. - recess begins at 12:10 p.m.
If you need to drop off lunch to your student after the school day has started, you may utilize the grade level bins on the cart in the foyer. Please label your child's lunch bag.
Reminder: Lunches sent to the school by food delivery services such as Uber Eats, GrubHub, DoorDash, etc. are not allowed.
Traffic and School Bus Safety
- Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
- Parents and guardians should never board a school bus. The bus company is instructed to call the police if any adult other than school personnel boards the bus. If you have an issue with the bus or driver contact Mrs. McNeil - Dobson.
- It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
- Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
- Students will learn bus expectations during the first days of school. Please reinforce at home that students should be seated at all times to be safe.
Visitors During the School Day
All visitors staying in the school building must be scanned in by our administrative assistants using the raptor. You will have to present your driver's license as proof of i.d. Once you have been cleared through the system, you will receive a name badge to wear. No visitors or volunteers will be allowed in the school without being cleared by the system.
Birthday Celebrations During the School Day
If you would like to celebrate your child's birthday in school, please send non edible items to share (i.e., pencils, bubbles, stickers, etc.). We cannot allow students to share outside food/treats in school. Food items will be returned to you.
Good Things in the Neighborhood
If you would like to share good news happening in the FH neighborhood or share an achievement for your child outside of school, please email me a photo and blurb detailing the event. I will be sure to include it in the weekly newsletter.
Text Message Opt In
Text Message Opt In
Text Message Opt In
Flossmoor School District 161 25-26 School Calendar
PTO Corner
Flossmoor Hills Spirit Wear
Now introducing a brand-new style for Flossmoor Hills.
Our Hooded Long Sleeve Tees are officially here, and for a limited time you can save $5 off each shirt. Order now and enjoy free shipping on orders over $75. Don’t wait
School Store
Flossmoor Hills Elementary School Contact Information
3721 Beech Street,
Flossmoor, Illinois 60422
708-647-7100
emcneil@sd161.org
Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal