We were so humbled to end our week honoring our veterans at our assemblies today. Next week is our last full week of school prior to conferences and Thanksgiving break. We will also have our first book fair shopping during conferences as well as two differnt clothing drives (see more information below).
Have a wonderful weekend.
Dr. Isabelli
Fall Bookfair
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event, which will take place in the Western Avenue Gym on:
- November 16th & 17th from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
- November 20th from 1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- November 21st from 8:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the
Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each
child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Book Fair online. All orders ship
directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/westernavenueelemschool1
November Gratitude Challenge
It's time for our annual WA Gratitude Challenge. Thourhgout the month of November we are cahllenging our students to complete as many acts of gratitude as possible. Students will be bringing home a hard copy of the challenge on Monday. This year you can also upload photos to share with our WA school community on our padlet. Spread the joy of giving thanks each and every day. Gratitude Padlet
Room Party Clarification
Hello Western Avenue Families,
The PTO would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and unwavering dedication. We truly appreciate everything that you do for our school community.
We received numerous questions from families regarding yesterday's Fall classroom party. We understand that there may be new families in the building who are not yet familiar with how the parties are organized.
During Curriculum Night/Open House, the PTO provided a classroom party sign-up sheet for each class. The room parent(s) introduced themselves to the classroom and requested your assistance in signing up to help with a game, craft, or donate snacks. If you have a kindergartner, your sign-up sheet was emailed to all parents using Sign-Up Genius.
While in the past all parents were invited to attend classroom parties, due to space and security concerns, administration is limiting the number of parents to 2 room parents and 3 additional volunteers.The parents who have already signed up to bring the mentioned items will have the first opportunity to participate in the party. If they choose only to donate and are unable to attend, the room parent will reach out to the classroom to request additional volunteers. Room parties aren't the only volunteer opportunities for families. We also have opportunities like the Book Fair, Den Depot, Library helpers, and various other activities that take place throughout the year.
Wondering how the room parent will inform you of volunteer opportunities? During schedule pick-up, the PTO distributed a QR code flyer for parents/guardians to scan in order to be added to our PTO/class contact list. Please note that Western Avenue cannot provide us with your contact information; it is up to you, the parent/guardian, to share that information with us. If you choose not to do so, you will not receive information from your classroom room parent or the PTO. We will not accept any contact information submissions after Friday, November 11, 2023.
We put a great deal of effort into offering a diverse range of activities, committees, and ways for parents to become involved throughout the year. However, we often find that the same parents sign up to volunteer. Our goal is for every family to volunteer at least once this year. Being present in the building is truly magical, and seeing the smiles on the children's faces will warm your hearts. Family involvement is at the heart of Western Avenue, so please take a moment to scan and complete the QR code so our school community can continue to thrive.
Your PTO Team,
Senior Building Chairs:
Janine Mlynarcik
Gabrielle Siengo
Mirielle Barker
Karen Cheung
Junior Building Chairs:
Jade Vazquez
Laura Velazquez-Shirley
DeAnna Taylor
Email Address:westernavenuepto@gmail.com
Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/504784373663097
Lunch & Breakfast Information
Lunch Prices for 2023/2024
Full Price $3.35, Reduced Price $0.40
Student Milk is $0.35 for ALL students
Breakfast Prices for 2023/2024
Full Price $1.65, Reduced Price $0.30
Families must submit the free/reduced lunch application form to determine if your student(s)qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Students who are arriving to eat breakfast at school can arrive at 8:25 a.m. and proceed to door F. Breakfast will be served from 8:25 a.m. - 8:38 a.m.
Canvas help?
If you need help logging into Canvas please view this flyer from the District. There is also a wealth of resources for parents on the District website regarding Canvas. All students in grades 3rd - 8th are required to complete and submit assignments in Canvas as well as completing paper/pencil activities. Parents of 3rd - 8th graders can check on their students assignments and grades in Canvas. ALL teachers have daily schedules and parent resources posted on their Canvas pages.
Bus Bullentin Sign-up
Kickert Transportation has made available to parents in Flossmoor School District 161 a FREE notification system to notify parents when there are bus delays.
• If you would like to receive notifications when delays or incidents affect your student's bus, please register with Bus Bulletin.
There is no cost for this service.
Registration is simple and fast.
You can choose to receive text messages, phone calls, and emails.
All contact information is stored securely and will not be shared or sold.
No information was given to Kickert by the District, you will provide phone numbers and emails when you register.
• For more information, or to sign-up and start receiving notifications, please visit:
On the Bus Bulletin home page click on the Register link. Enter your information to create your account.
• Once you have created your account, you will select your notification methods. You may enter up to 7 phone numbers and/or email addresses. • You only need one account per family, just enter all the contact information for everyone.
• When you add a phone number or email address, you will be sent a verification code, to enter on the screen.
• You will have the option to test the contact information you supplied with a generic message. • Once your notification methods are complete, you will select all the bus routes for your student(s). • There are separate routes for morning and afternoon routes. For example, if your child rides route 1 at Western Avenue, you would select WA AM1 and WA PM1, to get notified of delays on morning and afternoon routes.
• When you have entered all your information, click the Save Changes button.
• Your Bus Bulletin has now been activated!
From the Office of Nurse Bryant -
Contact Nurse Bryant at - kbryant01@sd161.org
MEDICATION
The only 2 medications (over the counter or prescription) that a student can have in their possession (including locker, backpack, purse, 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.
Health Requirements:
Transfer/new students must present a physical and immunizations on the required IL Certificate of Child Health Examination form. It is the parent's responsibility to provide a copy of the physical/immunization forms from previous school records prior to the exclusion date. Please do not rely on the transferring school to send the records by exclusion day. Out of state transfers must have a physical on the Illinois form.
Kindergarten
- Dental Exam due by May 15th
2nd Grade
- Dental Exam due by May 15th
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 Nurse Bryant.
Capturing Kids' Hearts - November focus: Teamwork
What is Teamwork?
Teamwork is the ability to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.
Why focus on Teamwork?
- Teamwork improves communication: Teamwork helps us improves our verbal and non-verbal communication skills, conveying that we care and a relevant message.
- Teamwork builds interpersonal awareness: Growing a great team requires us to first build strong relationships through better understanding ourselves and others.
- Teamwork celebrates diversity. Teamwork thrives from diverse ideas that come from a mixture of different genders, cultures, expertise, experience, and problem-solving approaches.
Teamwork in Action:
- Call them a team, not a class or group. A group consists of many different people. A team, however, has a common purpose and a shared responsibility for success.
- Require teams to set expectations for and manage their own behavior. Do not tell teams what type of behavior is expected -- let them decide for themselves with a Social Contract.
- Teach and encourage affirmations. Giving affirmations helps connect the team and builds trust, promotes engagement, and boosts a positive culture.
Western Avenue Contact Information
Email: gisabelli@sd161.org
Website: https://www.sd161.org/o/western-avenue
Location: 940 Western Avenue, Flossmoor, IL, USA
Phone: 708-647-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/district161wa
Twitter: @western161
