Flossmoor School District 161

On behalf of the District 161 Board of Education and excellent staff members, welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!

Do you have questions about Standards-Based Grading? We encourage you to use the QR code provided to submit your questions directly. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our FAQ on Standards-Based Grading, where you may find answers to many of your questions. We appreciate your engagement. https://www.sd161.org/page/learning-and-instruction-2024

Tomorrow is the first day of school for all D161 students! Staff has been hard at work this week putting the final touches on the buildings, lesson plans, and classrooms. The new school year will be full of growth, learning, and endless possibilities. Get ready to welcome everyone back by Chalking the Walk beginning today at 4 p.m. Where? Everywhere!! Chalk your playground, school campus, bus stop, and neighborhood. 📚

Don't forget to CHALK YOUR WALK and welcome staff and students back to school on Wednesday, August 14, anytime after 4 p.m. You can chalk the sidewalk in front of your home, your school playground, or your local bus stop.

Did you miss the webinar on Standards-Based Grading? You can watch the video here https://youtu.be/KGNj2hVg3vU. Additionally, please use the QR code if you have questions regarding SBG and we will get back to you.

Join us tonight for an informational webinar on Standards-Based Grading, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home and will begin at 6:30 p.m. If you miss the webinar, please visit www.sd161.org tomorrow to watch the recording. https://zoom.us/j/93918662021

Thank you to the Village of Flossmoor for the warm welcome to the annual National Night Out and Touch a Truck celebration! A great time was had by all in attendance.

District Reminder! Don't forget to pick up your child’s 2024-25 class assignment! 📚✨ Staff will be available at your home school to assist you: Tuesday, August 6: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 7: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Make sure to mark your calendars and swing by during these times. Staff is here to help make the new school year a success! #202425SchoolYear

Yesterday marked the first day for our new teachers, and they were warmly welcomed with chalk messages and Dr. Smith's famously fresh-baked cookies. We're thrilled to have them join our community and bring new energy, ideas, and passion to our classrooms.

Mark your calendars for the ultimate celebration! Join us in Flossmoor Park on August 16th from 4-6 PM for a Back to School Bash with a birthday twist as we celebrate the Village of Flossmoor's 100th birthday! Come for the sweet treats, connect with community resources, stay for the games, and catch up with old and new friends. Brought to you by the Village of Flossmoor, Flossmoor Public Library, and Flossmoor School District 161.

We hope your student enjoyed their Summer Academy experience! Please take our short survey to help us continue to improve and expand our programming. Thank you for your participation. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZyhbiB-K-q8p0eAvMw3kKSTgLqBBKlb7qQwCmlcGxeltskg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Parker Junior High PE Teachers attended the Physical Education SPARK Conference and earned the SPARK Award. SPARK is a newly implemented curriculum that encourages physical activity, developing motor skills, promoting healthy lifestyles, inclusive and diverse activities, and social and emotional learning. https://sparkpe.org/active-schools/

#ICYMI Principal McNeil-Dobson and Principal Parris attended the UNITED conference, hosted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. This year, Principal Kafele facilitated the conference. To learn more about Mr. Kafele, click the link. https://principalkafele.com/about/

Spruce up your school spirit by joining the Spirit Wear Swap! Drop off your gently used spirit wear items at the Flossmoor Public Library anytime now through August 9th, then get ready to SHOP THE SWAP at our Back to School Bash on August 16th from 4-6 pm in Flossmoor Park. It's going to be a blast!

Skyward will not be accessible on Monday, July 22, 2024, due to system maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We anticipate that Skyward will be accessible again beginning on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

It's hard to believe that Summer Academy wraps up this week! We've had fun, learned a lot, and made plenty of great memories! Parents, guardians, and caregivers, please take our short survey to help us continue to improve your Summer Academy experience. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcYuaBzoN4_lzs4WRq1zt8XHb0JICAFPO-3LQV4W4tdEI0UA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Summer is a busy time for Flossmoor School District 161 Schools. Pictured here is the Heather Hill School Improvement Team, which met after school was out to celebrate their successes and identify new goals for this upcoming school year!

We are excited to introduce Standards-Based Grading (SBG) for all SD 161 students starting in the 2024-25 school year. The change to standards-based learning will inform parents of the exact standards measured and the important learner behaviors students need to succeed in school. Standards-Based Grading focuses on students' mastery of specific learning standards, rather than traditional letter grades. This method allows for a clearer understanding of what students know and can do, providing detailed feedback to guide instruction and student improvement. By assessing students based on their proficiency in defined areas, we can better support individualized learning and ensure that each student meets critical educational goals. We aim to ensure a smooth transition for students, parents, and educators. We will provide resources to help you understand the benefits of SBG and how it will be implemented in our district. For a list of FAQs regarding Standards Based Grading, visit https://www.sd161.org/page/learning-and-instruction-2024 If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Learning and Instruction at kfrench@sd161.org.

Does this rainy day have you cleaning out closets? Check out this #earthfriendly opportunity from our friends at the Flossmoor Public Library and the Village of Flossmoor Green Commission. Shop the Swap! Questions? email Stephanie Wright at swright@flossmoor.org

Bravo to the Spotlight Performance Center's cast and crew of Matilda Jr. We 👀 some of our amazingly talented SD 161 super ⭐️ in the cast! Did you get a chance to see the show? Drop your congratulations to the cast and crew in the comments below.