
Parker Jr. High Newsletter
Week of March 4, 2024
Greetings Parker Families!
Thank you for taking the time to review our updates for this week:
2023-2024 Parker Yearbook
Click on the link below to order a Parker Yearbook! It’s not too late!
https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1015288184163831
5 Essentials Parent Survey
Please access the 5 Essentials Parent Survey and provide valuable feedback that will be utilized for School Improvement practices. Help us reach our 20% goal by completing the 5 Essentials Parent Survey today! Thank you in advance.
See Something-Say Something Bully Prevention Week
Monday, March 4th-No School
Tuesday, March 5th-Twin Day-Find a friend---Be a friend--Dress like a friend
Wednesday, March 6th-Jerseys and Hats-Hats off to those who stand up-Be a team player
Thursday, March 7th-Marvel or DC Heroes-Dress like superheroes or your hero
Friday, March 8th-Wear Blue, Gold, or Green
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
Important Dates
3.4.2024
Casimir Pulaski Day - No School
3.5.2024
Jazz Band Rehearsal 3:05 - 4:05 p.m. LGI
PJH Virtual PTO Meeting 6:00 p.m.
3.6.2024
H-F Late Start Day
The Heart That Smiles Mobile Dentist 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. North Gym Stage
AVID Art Club 3:05 - 4:30 p.m. Room 56
Dungeons & Dragons Club 3:05 - 4:15 p.m. Media Center
7th Grade Boys Volleyball Tournament at CHMS 5:30 p.m.
3.8.2024
7th Grade Dance 3:05 - 5:00 p.m. North gym
Falcons Spotlight
PJH Band and Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festival
Aidan Lucas, 6th Grade
Keep SOARing Falcons!
Chess
Congratulations to Grayson Asche and Connor Boyko! Both boys took home a bronze medal at the state chess meet in Peoria. Our 6th grade team placed 9th in the state out of 50 teams. 7th grade placed 27th out of 51 teams. Congratulations to all of the students that participated!
Parent Tip of the Week
Attendance Matters
Testing Updates
IAR State Assessment will begin April 3rd
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Scholars
NWEA Spring MAP Assessment will begin April 22nd
6th, 7th, 8th Grade Scholars
AIMSWeb Assessment will begin May 7th
Selected Scholars (based upon assessment data)
If there are any questions regarding our Testing processes or procedures, please contact Mario Ford, Assistant Principal - Testing and Accountability at mford@sd161.org.
8th Grade Updates
Graduation Rehearsal - Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Graduation Rehearsal - Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Graduation Ceremony - Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at HF High School- 6:00 PM (Graduates must be present no later than 5:30 PM)
Click Link below for HF High School Information
Bloom High School Open House
Dean's Corner
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
PBIS
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Our March 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 no In-School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, or engage in Physical Aggression will be able to participate.
Please continue to encourage your students to wear their ID.
Activities and Athletics
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 Volleyball
Boys volleyball teams played Brookwood and Colin Powell this week. Both teams lost to Colin Powell but beat Brookwood. The 8th grade team ended their season with a record of 5-9. 7th grade will compete in the SSJHSA conference tournament at Chicago Heights Middle School on Wednesday March 6, 2024. The time is to be determined.
Girls Volleyball
Our 7th grade team lost their regional game against James Hart on February 28, 2024 at Coolidge in Phoenix. Our lady Falcons ended their season with a record of 17-4. Our 8th grade team will have their regional game at Coolidge Middle School on Saturday March 2, 2024 at 1PM. Good luck ladies!
Chess
Congratulations to Grayson Asche and Connor Boyko! Both boys took home a bronze medal this past weekend at the state chess meet in Peoria. Our 6th grade team placed 9th in the state out of 50 teams. 7th grade placed 27th out of 51 teams. Congratulations to all of the students that participated!
Track
Track season is upon us! Packets are due March 6.
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.
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.
Health Update
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
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.
Bell Schedule
Food Services
Parker Junior High School
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