The Eagle's Nest

Hello Eagle Families,

Report cards were posted to Skyward on Friday, January 23rd. If you did not receive your child's report card, please give us a call at 708-647-7102. We had to pivot to emergency remote learning on Friday, due to the dangerous temperatures. Teachers were prepared and instructed students in lessons with a high level of engagement while on zoom. Thank you for assisting your child with logging onto their devices and helping to work through any technology issues.

Congratulations to our top two spellers, Brittani and Chimerenma who will participate in the district spelling bee at Parker Jr. High at 6:00 p.m. We are so proud of you!

Winter assessment reports for NWEA and AIMsweb will be mailed home to families on on Friday, January 30, 2026. If you need additional information or have questions about the reports, please contact the school at 708-647-7102.

Please note the change to the lunch menu below:

Due to our e-learning day on January 23, the following menu changes will be made:

• Monday, January 26 - Cheese Pizza
• Tuesday, January 27 - Adobo chicken with cilantro brown rice & corn

On Wednesday, January 28th the menu will return to what is shown in the FD MealPlanner app.

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

1. District spelling bee at Parker at 6:00 p.m. - January 29th
2. FH Eagle Cart - Volunteers Needed - January 30th
3. Institute Day / No school for students - February 6th
4. Lincoln's Birthday / No school for students - February 9th
5. Black History Program at PJH at 6:00 p.m. - February 17th

Flossmoor Hills is seeking volunteers to run the EagleCart. The Eagle Cart has tons of goodies for students to shop with their hard-earned Eagle Bucks! Volunteers will go around to each classroom with the cart and collect Eagle Bucks as the students shop. The Eagle Cart runs all school year our Eagle Cart date is Friday, January 30th! As a reminder all volunteers must have a state issued ID scanned to participate.

Sign up to volunteer for the Eagle Cart

District Scorecard

As a school district, we are continually analyzing data and measuring our overall progress. After previously identifying academic goals for the school district, the Board of Education approved a scorecard which we will use to track our progress as a school community. The report about the scorecard can be found here and this link will take you to the live document. The metrics are current and over the next couple of months, the site will be populated with our department plans and strategies.

Flossmoor Hills Envelope Bid

We are making progress in our effort to solve the humidity issues at Flossmoor Hills. After conducting multiple tests at the school and working with forensic engineers, architects, and construction managers, the Board of Education approved a construction plan to effectively seal the building to solve the issues with outside air impacting our internal pipes and humidity. This link will take you to the plans to address the work. At the Board meeting on January 26, 2026, we will recommend the approval of the bids and final work plan for Flossmoor Hills. We anticipate beginning the external work at the school over Spring Break, so that the project can be completed by the middle of July.

2026-2027 Staffing Plan

As we approach the registration window for next school year, the Board of Education approved initial staffing plans for the upcoming school year. In the report, kindergarten class sizes are projections based on our 5-year enrollment history. The class sizes for grades 1-5 represent actual students moving from one grade level to another. In the plan, an additional elementary teaching position was also approved which can be used if enrollment or class sizes spike at a particular school.

Preschool Expansion

Jackie Janicke, our Director of Special Education, presented 3 options for expanding the Preschool programming in District 161. There are 3 main options: 1) hosting classrooms at Flossmoor Hills and Serena Hills, 2) renovating Normandy Villa School [current District Office], and 3) building an addition at Flossmoor Hills School. After the presentation, the Board of Education redirected the report to the Finance Committee to discuss long-term funding options and potential challenges. The complete presentation can be found here.

Financial Audit

On an annual basis, District 161's finances are audited to ensure accuracy, effective stewardship, and proper financial protocols. District 161 received a “clean audit,”

Cheryl Gozzi, RN BSN

FH Health Coordinator

p. 708-647-7105

f. 708-798-2339

e. cgozzi@sd161.org

Respiratory Illness Level in Illinois - “Very High”

The Illinois Department of Public Health released an update this week that respiratory illness cases continue to increase in Illinois and the United States. As of January 2, 2026, the broad, acute respiratory illness activity level in Illinois has reached "high." Flu activity has reached "very high" levels while COVID has reached "moderate”, and RSV is "low" and increasing.

• Symptoms of Influenza include: fever, feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.

• Influenza is very contagious. Avoid spreading it by covering coughs/sneezes and washing hands often. Stay home if you are sick until symptoms improve.

• Groups at highest risk are young children, seniors (65+), pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions.

• Sick people benefit the most if treated with antiviral medications within 48 hours of symptoms starting.

• Consider vaccination if you haven’t already. Although there is concern about mismatch between this year's flu vaccine and predominant circulating strains, data shows the 2025/26 vaccine is currently 70 to 75% effective at preventing hospitalization in children aged 2 to 17 years and 30 to 40% effective in adults. Immunization can also reduce the severity of illness. (IDPH)

When should my child stay home from school?

• Click here for health guidelines.

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

Please consider sending the following items with your student to store in their locker

• A full change of clothes: fall tends to be wet and muddy!

• An extra snack: to avoid afternoon stomachaches!

• An extra water bottle: drinking water makes us feel good, having one on the desk is great!

Cold Weather, Allergies and Asthma

Any student with allergies or asthma needs an action plan completed by your doctor and on file in the nurse’s office. If your student has a health condition that prohibits them from going outside in cold weather, your doctor must fax a note to the nurse at 708-798-2339

Medications 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Due to our e-learning day on, January 23, the following menu changes will be made:

Monday, January 26 - Cheese Pizza

Tuesday, January 27 - Adobo chicken with cilantro brown rice & corn

On Wednesday, January 28th the menu will return to what is shown in the FD MealPlanner app.

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.

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.

Congratulations to Reign for placing 2nd Place All Around at her gymnastics meet this weekend! We are so proud of you!

Jordan got the chance to meet and talk with the boys from Leo Catholic School Choir. They are the same choir that was on America’s Got Talent. Congratulations Jordan, way to glean advice from top performing choir members in the area!

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.

Now introducing a brand-new style for Flossmoor Hills.

https://www.schoolstore.com/cgi/SSCHomePage?asd_number=undefined&userid=undefined

3721 Beech Street,

Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

708-647-7100

emcneil@sd161.org

Evita McNeil-Dobson, Principal