Cougar Connection

Dear Keller Families,

It is hard to believe that September has come and gone. This past month at Keller has been filled with learning, meeting new friends, and fun! As much fun as September was, October is a very exciting time around Helen Keller Elementary School. Our staff and students are counting down the days until our 36th annual Pumpkin Chase and Ghostbuster Race, the PTO Trunk or Treat event, and our Halloween parade and parties. More details about these events and more can be found further into this newsletter. Please see the message below for brief summaries of recent events and some important reminders as we continue on through the school year.

Community Visitors

We have been lucky to have a number of visits from members of the community over the past week. On Thursday October 1st, the Tinley Park Fire Department came to talk to Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade Students about fire safety. Students also had the opportunity to go in and take pictures with a fire engine! The Fire Department will return to teach fire safety lessons to 3rd grade in the month of October.

On Friday October 2nd, the Tinley Park Library presented to all students about new titles that are available at the library. The students were also read a story to get them excited about reading!

Keller Renovation Project

The renovation project west of the building which will include our new bus turnaround and black top as well as the new Keller playground continues to progress and is nearing completion. Last week, the crew poured the asphalt on what will be the bus turnaround and black top and continued to add ground material to the playground. We will keep you posted as the project comes to an end!

Arrival and Dismissal

Please continue to follow the arrival and dismissal procedures sent out earlier this year and that are posted on our website. As the renovation project west of the building is completed, Arrival and Dismissal procedures may change for some. Any changes will be communicated via ParentSquare to ensure a smooth transition. Also, please see these reminders to help keep our arrival and dismissal safe and efficient:

-Student drop off/pick up is not allowed on the side of Everdon Rd. furthest from the building (west side of the street). There are signs posted indicating that there is no student drop off/pick up allowed on that side.

-Student arrival begins at 7:45 AM each day. Please do not drop off students earlier as adult supervision does not begin until 7:45.

-At morning drop off, please pull as far ahead as you can before dropping off your student. This allows for more cars to come into the lot, ensuring that are students are in the building on time.

-Please continue to drive slow around the school and if you are crossing the street with your child, cross carefully to ensure everyone is dismissing safely.

Thank you to all of our Keller families for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe and efficient!

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, on time and ready to learn!

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

Warmly,

Alex Weinberg

Now that we’re into October, students and staff are settling into several learning, reporting, and technology updates across District 140.

Here are a few changes families may notice:

• More consistency in curriculum and assessments across schools

• Updated ELA and Math assessments in grades 3–8

• An enhanced GATE program for grades 3–5

• Trimester report cards

• Online gradebook access for grades 3–5

• New laptops for sixth grade students

• Google Meet replacing Zoom

• ClassLink replacing Clever

These updates support consistent, high-quality learning experiences for all students. For more information, please revisit the District’s August 12 Back-to-School Updates: Learning, Reporting, and Technology message.

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

Help us cheer on the White Sox as they return home for their next playoff game on Wednesday October 7th. Students can wear White Sox gear or the color black. Go White Sox!

Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 21, to show they care about safe and supportive schools and communities. This is the day when everyone can come together and send one large ORANGE message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

During Red Ribbon Week, schools across the nation join together to promote a drug-free lifestyle and encourage students to make positive, healthy choices. It is an ideal way for communities to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse.

• Monday, October 26: “Red-y to Be Drug Free”

Wear red to kick off Red Ribbon Week.

“Let’s start strong and show our commitment to living drug-free!”

• Tuesday, October 27: “Team Up in Our Colors”

Wear school colors to show we stand united.

“When we stand together in school spirit, we’re stronger than drugs!”

• Wednesday, October 28: “Wake Up Drug Free”

Wear pajamas or the color blue.

“Dream big, live drug-free!”

• Thursday, October 29: “Bright Futures Ahead”

Wear neon, bright colors, or sparkly school gear.

“Your future shines when you say no to drugs!”

• Friday, October 30: “Say BOO to Drugs”

Wear a Halloween costume, school spirit wear, or school colors.

“Scare away drugs this Halloween - be drug-free and proud!”

The Helen Keller 4th Grade Pumpkin Chase Club is organizing a Fall Walk and Competitive Run to be held on Wednesday, October 21st with a rain date of Thursday, October 22nd.

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10:00-10:30 - Pumpkin Chase Walk (K-2nd Grade)

10:45-11:15 – Pumpkin Chase Walk (3rd-5th Grade)

1:00-1:30 – Ghostbuster Race (3rd-5th Grade)

Parents are welcome to come and watch the outdoor events.

When:

Bring in your decorated pumpkins on Tuesday, October 27th. They will be judged by the Student Council on Wednesday, October 28th, and brought home on Thursday, October 29th.

Rules of the contest:

Pumpkin must not exceed 6 pounds. NO Carving please! Get creative as a family using paints, paper, craft supplies and props.

Prizes:

Each grade will have 4 overall winners. There will be 1 grand prize winner from the Primary Side (K-2nd), and 1 grand prize winner from the intermediate side (3rd-5th)

On Friday, October 30th, we will have our annual Halloween Parade. Parents can gather outside on the sidewalk by Everdon and in the front of the school on the black top to see your child parade through for the Halloween Parade. This will start at 9:00 and should end no later than 9:30.

Our Halloween Parties will be from 9:30 - 10:30 and dismissal will be at 11:10 am. (This is a half day.)

If you are a parent volunteer for the parties and have not yet volunteered at the school, please come in prior to October 30th with your picture ID to get into our visitor system. On the day of, please come in before the parade to check in so you can go right to the classroom once the parades. Also, younger siblings can not attend the parties if you are volunteering.

Just a few reminders:

• Students are allowed to wear costumes to school.

• Parents are asked to talk to their children about their behavior on the bus, at the bus stop, and walking home.

• Students are not allowed to wear masks on their way to school or on their way home. Masks must be kept in their book bags until the parade.

• Props or items that can be used or adapted as weapons are not allowed at school. Examples include but are not limited to: swords, guns, wands, etc.

• Children are asked to keep their blood and gore at home as we have a lot of young children participating in the Halloween activities.

• If the weather is bad, our students will parade inside the school. Parents will be allowed in the Commons to view the parade.

Dismissal will begin at 11:10.

We look forward to a fun time together for our Halloween Parade and Parties.

Important September dates to mark on your calendar:

• Wednesday, October 7 - Walk and Roll to School Day

• Wednesday, October 7 - White Sox Spirit Day - Wear Sox gear or the color black

• Wednesday, October 7 - Little Red Donut Truck - Keller - 4:30-7:30

• Monday, October 12 - No School - Columbus Day

• Wednesday, October 21 - Pumpkin Chase and Ghostbuster Race

• Wednesday, October 21 - Unity Day - See above

• Thursday, October 22 - PTO Meeting - 2:45 PM in the Keller Commons

• Friday, October 23 - Trunk or Treat Event - 4:30-6:00

• October 26-30 - Red Ribbon Week (see above)

• Thursday, October 29 - Hot Lunch Orders Due

• Friday, October 30 - Half Day (11:10 Dismissal)- Halloween Parade (9:00), Halloween Parties (9:30) - See above for more info!

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).

Trimester 2 Hot Lunch flyers will be coming home next week. Be sure to get all orders in before the final closing date of October 29th. No late orders will be accepted.

https://hot-lunch-2026-2027-trimester-2.cheddarup.com/

Sign up to help with Trimester 2 Hot Lunch at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAEA82DA0F85-66145846-20262027

A lot is happening this month so be sure to get these dates on your calendar!

· October 7th Little Red Donut Truck in the Keller parking lot!

· October 23th 4:30-6:00pm Annual Trunk or Treat Event in Keller Parking Lot

• Info on tickets coming home this week. Join us for an evening of Trunk or Treat fun, Food truck, DJ, and Best Trunk Contest! This continues to be a Keller Family Favorite! Don’t miss it!
• Event is FREE for all Keller families but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED to ensure we can collect enough candy for all participants. Register early to be entered in a raffle to win 1 of 3 prizes!!! Register at : https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/trunk-or-treat--2026-5
• Let your Spooky Spirit fly! We need LOTS of trunks to help make this event a success. If you would like to set up a trunk use the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084EAEA82DA0F85-66227480-2026
• THE CANDY RACE IS ON! We are again collecting donations of bagged candy to be used at our trunk or treat event. Donations by grade are being made into a friendly competition to win your grade a pajama day on Monday, October 26th! One grade will win in K-2nd and one in 3rd-5th. Winners will be announced Friday, October 23rd.

Save the dates

Oct 7 - Little Red Donut Truck - Keller Parking lot from 4:30 - 7:30

Oct 22 - PTO meeting - 2:45 in Keller Commons

Oct 23- Trunk or Treat event

Oct 29 - Hot Lunch Orders Due

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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