Parker Jr High Newsletter

Thank you for taking the time to review our updates for this week:

5 Essentials Survey

Please access the 5 Essentials Parent Survey and provide valuable feedback that will be utilized for School Improvement. The survey window will close on March 29, 2024. Thank you in advance.

Parent Advisory Session

Our next Parent Advisory Session is scheduled February 28th. Parent Advisory Sessions will be facilitated by Principal Parris and provide an interactive opportunity for up to 30 Parker Families to engage in dialogue that will promote success of our scholars. Please register by accessing the Parent Advisory Session Sign- Up Genius . If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Laurie Schroeder at lschroeder@sd161.org.

STEAM Night - Wednesday, February 7th (6:00 PM - 7:00PM)

Please join us for a night of hands on activities inspiring scholars to think creatively. The 1st 50 attendees will receive a Portillos coupon for Free Slice of Cake. Scholars that attend and complete the STEAM Passport will receive Italian Ice during the event. We're looking forward to having a great night with Flossmoor Fire and Police Department, Homewood Science Center, and HF Robotics Team.

Reminder for Morning Drop Off Procedures:

• Please do not drop off or pick up your scholars in the front circle of Parker

• Do not block the entrance for buses when dropping off your scholar in the morning. This creates a backup of traffic

Please be sure to follow Parker Facebook for real time updates: https://www.facebook.com/PJHS161

Best Regards,

Ms. Ursula Parris, Principal

MAP Assessment Academic Growth. Congratulations Parker Scholars!

Selected 8th grade scholars will participate in NAEP Assessment occurring February 14th.

State ISA Window: March 4- April 30, 2024

State IAR Window: March 4- April 19, 2024

If there are any questions regarding our Testing processes or procedures, please contact Mario Ford, Assistant Principal - Testing and Accountability at mford@sd161.org.

February 14, 2024 - Graduation Pictures during Science Classes

Yondr Bag Verification

Scholars are expected to maintain cell phones within assigned Yondr Bags every day. In an effort to maintain a distraction free learning environment, Deans and Assistant Principals will conduct classroom visits for Yondr Bag verification. Scholars should report to the Main Office before or during homeroom if there is an issue with their Yondr Bag. Main Office staff are prepared to assist scholars as necessary.

Please see the Dress Code Policy below:

6.20 - School Dress Code We expect all students to be dressed appropriately and comfortably for school each day. Students are expected to be reasonably dressed and prepared to participate in a professional and hard working school environment. Any student whose dress is deemed to be inappropriate will be provided with a shirt or shorts that will appropriately cover the dress code violation. Clothes must be worn in such a way that the genitals, buttocks, stomach, sides, back and chest area are fully covered with opaque fabric. All undergarments must be fully covered. The following apply to all student attire:

a) Shirts must have opaque fabric in the front, back and on the sides under the arms that extends to the waistband,

b) Pants/sweatpants/shorts/ skirt/dress/leggings must be worn at waist level and in such a way that genitals, buttocks, undergarments are fully covered with opaque fabric, and,

c) Shoes must be worn at all times.

The following guidance is intended to illustrate implementation of the above requirements for students, parents, and school personnel while on school property:

1. Jackets, coats, hats, hoods, gloves, and other forms of outerwear apparel are not to be worn in school. Fleece and sweatshirts may be worn in school as long as a hood is not covering a student’s head.

2. No head covering or cap may be worn in the school unless for religious or health reasons.

3. Only prescription glasses may be worn in school.

4. Attire, earrings, jewelry, pins, or any other type of wearing apparel or accessories that advertise, promote, or depict alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs, gangs, weapons, nudity, obscenity, or profanity are not to be worn in school.

5. Students are not permitted to wear or advertise in any manner drug, alcohol, weapons, or any controlled substance paraphernalia.

6. Pajama attire is not to be worn in school, unless given special permission [PBIS reward, etc.]

Mr. Small, 6th Grade Dean

Ms. Bennett, 7th Grade Dean

Mr. Metanias, 8th Grade Dean

• Our February Goal is to decrease the number of referrals for skipping class. Remind your students to get to class on time.

• The 3rd Quarter Incentive criteria will be the same. All scholars with In-School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, or engage in Physical Aggression will not be able to participate.

• Please continue to encourage your students to wear their ID.

• Our PBIS After Game Hour will be 2/16/24 from 3:05 pm - 4:00 pm. The cost is 50 Falcon Bucks and scholars may bring a friend (Parker Students Only). Purchases can be made through the PBIS Rewards App.

AVID 2024-2025

The AVID program is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. Scholars new to the AVID program can pick up applications in the main office or outside of room 61. Scholars continuing in the AVID program will need to complete an application as well. Applications are available in our classroom. If you have any questions, please email Dewey at adewey@sd161.org.

Boys Basketball

Congratulations to our 7th grade Boys Basketball team! Our boys won the Sectional game against James Hart on Monday January 29, 2024. The boys advanced to the State Final on Saturday February 3, 2024 and hustled to a defeat 56 - 48 against Bloomington Junior High School. We are extremely proud of our Falcons!

SPECTATORS

Per South Suburban Junior High School Association (SSJHSA), students MUST be accompanied by THEIR parent/guardian to attend any home or away athletic events in the conference. Parents/guardians MUST remain with their scholar during the entire game.

Athletic Eligibility

For all IESA activities, athletic as well as non-athletic, passing work shall be checked weekly. Eligibility will be applied to the Monday through Saturday following the week that was checked. Students must be passing each subject each week to be eligible. Grades will be pulled every Friday. Emails will be sent to parents/guardians of those scholars who are not passing their classes.

SPORTS PHYSICALS MUST BE ON FILE IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY OUT, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Transfer/new students to PJH must present a 6th grade physical. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a copy of the physical/immunization forms from previous school records. Out of state transfers must have a physical on the Illinois form.

Medications - The only 2 medications (over the counter or prescription) that a student can have in their possession (including backpack, purses, etc.) is an inhaler or epi-pen with authorization. An epi-pen requires physician and parent authorization on the required forms. An inhaler requires parent authorization on the District form and the inhaler prescription box. Students may not have any over the counter or prescription medications at school at any time without the required district authorization forms.

Action Plans - An annual updated action plan is requested for all students with allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes and other medical conditions.

COVID-19. Please report all positive COVID cases to the Nurse (708- 647-5437).

Homework Help is available Tuesday - Thursday from 2:35 pm-3:05 pm. Please make sure your child has transportation home. Bus Transportation will not be provided.

Email: uparris@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/parker-junior-high

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJHS161
Location: 2810 School Street, Flossmoor, Illinois 60422