The Eagle's Nest

Hi Eagle Families,

What an incredible week we had! We are absolutely thrilled to share that this year’s Family Literacy Night was our biggest turn out in three years! Our Charlotte’s Web farm theme brought so much energy and joy to our school community. A massive thank you goes out to all the amazing staff and students who dressed up and made our costume contest such a blast. We also want to send a huge shout out to the PTO for keeping everyone fueled with delicious food and festive snacks, and to Mrs. Ciesielski and our phenomenal literacy team for their hard work in planning this unforgettable event.

The fall festivities continue this week! Weather permitting, our annual costume parade will take place this Friday at 9:30 a.m. on the primary blacktop. For all the details regarding the parade and classroom parties, please make sure to thoroughly read through the fall party reminder handout below.

As a reminder, this Friday is also an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a wonderful, safe celebration!

For the safety of our students, any changes to your child's normal afternoon dismissal routine must be submitted to the main office by 2:15 p.m. If the office is not notified of an alternate plan by this time, your child will be sent home using their standard dismissal route on file. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, smooth, and organized!

Oct. 30th - Fall Costume Parade - 9:30 a.m. on the primary blacktop (weather permitting)

Oct. 30th - PTO Fall Parties - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - students do not need to bring candy from home

Oct. 30th - Early release day for students at 11:40 a.m. - School Improvement Day

Nov. 3th - FH is a voting site - Students will enter Door C for arrival and dismissal (security provided)

Nov. 5th - Picture retake day for students

Nov. 11th - Veteran Day Assembly - 9:30 a.m.

Nov. 23rd - Parent Teacher Conference - 1:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 24th - Parent Teacher Conference - 8:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAEAD23AAF8C70-44744841-room

Throughout this school year, we will focus on developing strong mathematical habits through the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice. Right now, our primary focus is on Mathematical Practice 3: Construct & Critique, which teaches students how to actively "talk about math."

This practice encourages students to explain their own mathematical thinking clearly and listen closely to how their peers solve problems. To help every child participate confidently and respectfully, we use two special tools during our daily classroom discussions:

• Number Talk Hand Signals: Instead of shouting out answers or raising hands in a way that disrupts thinking time, students use silent hand signals. These gestures show when they are thinking, when they have a strategy ready, or when they agree with a classmate's idea. This keeps the environment focused and gives everyone time to process.
• Math Talk Sentence Stems: Learning to discuss math concepts can be challenging, so we provide students with structured sentence stems. Whether they want to explain a strategy ("The strategy I used was..."), agree with a peer, politely disagree ("I disagree because..."), or extend a thought, these prompts give them the language they need to communicate like true mathematicians.

By using these tools, our students are building deep critical thinking and communication skills that will serve them far beyond the math classroom. Ask your child how they use theses strategies in class to discuss math daily!

Standards based learning identifies and communicates how students are performing in relation to the learning standards. Instruction, grading, and assessments are based on students demonstrating understanding and mastery of the grade level standards. To learn more about how Flossmoor utilizes standards based learning for growth, click the link below.

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 Alma Gonzalez at 708-647-7023.

• 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 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.

August and September - Breakfast and Lunch Menus

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.

Parents, please view the presentation and discuss these expectations with your children at home.

At our school, we believe in building strong relationships and helping students learn to self-manage their behaviors. To support this, our teachers utilize the Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) Four Questions for behavior management.

These questions empower students to reflect on their choices and redirect their own actions. When a student is off-task or disruptive, a teacher will gently ask:

This month, our school is focusing on the Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) Word of the Month: Empathy.

We define empathy as "ability to connect with and understand the feelings of others." Throughout September, our students will learn that empathy is like a muscle—the more we practice it, the stronger it gets. Teachers will guide students in learning to listen with an open mind, respect differing perspectives, and offer kindness when a peer is having a tough day.

• A full change of clothes: accidents happen!

• An extra snack: to avoid afternoon stomachaches!

• A water bottle: drinking water makes us feel good and reduces headaches!

Medications and Weather Restrictions at School

Any student that needs medication while at school must have a medication authorization form completed by their doctor and turned into the nurse before medication can be brought to school. This includes over the counter medications. If you need this form please contact Nurse Cheryl.

If your student has a medical condition that prevents them from going outside for recess in cold weather a doctor's note must be submitted to Nurse Cheryl.

Cold and Flu Season is Coming!

As the cold weather moves in people will begin gathering and socializing more indoors, which means the likelihood of spreading illness increases. Stop the spread of illness by staying home when you are sick, frequent handwashing, getting vaccinated, covering your cough and sneezes, and consider wearing a mask when you are sick.

Vaccines do not treat or cure active cold or flu symptoms; however, getting the annual influenza shot significantly reduces your risk of catching the flu, lowers the severity of symptoms if you do get infected, and decreases hospitalizations.

• Click here to read about when to keep your student at home.

• If a student vomits at home please keep them home for 24 hours.

• Please make sure emergency contacts are up to date in Skyward. If your student is sent home we ask that you or an emergency contact picks up the child within 30 minutes.

1. Please do not pull or park vehicles in the bus lane. These lanes are for school buses only.
2. 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.
3. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus.
4. Cell phone usage in a school zone is prohibited.
5. 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.

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.

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.

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.

The PTO is ready to plan amazing events for our school community! They are seeking volunteers to help with activities and events during the year.

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal