Panther Post

April 5, 2024

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PowerSchool Parent Portal Calendar

Registration opened yesterday, so don't forget to head to the Parent Portal and register for next year! Early registration helps us plan for sections and place students in classrooms Fees do not need to be paid at the time of registration! Need help? Click on the button below for Parent Portal help guides.

Our 4th-grade students embarked on a journey to Ellis Island yesterday morning. This simulation allowed students to better understand the experience of immigrants journeying to America in the past.

Thank you to our 4th-grade team and support staff who planned and assisted with this memorable event for our students. Also, thank you to our many parent volunteers who came in dressed for their roles and played the part of medical staff, and immigration officials. We could not provide this experience for our students each year without your help!

We were looking forward to Ember's first day st Sullivan today, but unfortunately, she had an encounter with a not-so-friendly neighborhood skunk on her morning walk. Ember is looking forward to coming to Sullivan next week!

Mrs. Pennell's 5th grade students work on biography writing after reading about Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams.

Pawsitive Panthers and Panther Paw Winners

On April 8, a total eclipse will be visible in the Chicagoland area. We are planning on capitalizing on this educational opportunity, within safe guidelines. We are grateful for the support of the D23PTO who provided the necessary funding to purchase the safety glasses required for viewing the eclipse.

The following is the timeline for the total solar eclipse in the Chicagoland area:

12:51 pm Eclipse Begins

2:08 pm Max Point of the Total Eclipse

3:22 pm Eclipse Ends

Because it can be damaging to our eyes to stare directly into the sun during a total eclipse, we wanted to reach out to you to let you know our plan for that day to ensure the safety of our students and staff:

• No recess or Physical Education during the timeframe of the total eclipse (unless the weather and cloud coverage permit)
• We have developed a schedule that allows teachers to take their classes outside to experience the total eclipse.
• We will supply each student with the proper protective eyewear should their class decide to go outside during the total eclipse timeframe.
• Students MUST wear the protective eyewear in order to go outside during the total eclipse timeframe.
• You will have an opportunity to opt your child out of that experience. Should you decide to opt your child out of that experience, they will be provided with an alternate activity.
• We will ask all students to wear their protective glasses during dismissal and while riding the school bus home.

Opt-Out

Please email your child’s homeroom (elementary) or advisory (MacArthur) teacher should you want your child to not participate in this experience. You may also choose to arrange an early pick-up or keep your child home if you are uncomfortable with them traveling home wearing the protective glasses. 

Your Help

We will speak to the students about how to responsibly experience the total eclipse and about the necessary safety precautions when going outside during a total eclipse. Talking with your child about the responsibilities of observing a solar eclipse and reinforcing wearing the protective glasses during dismissal would be helpful to further ensure the safety of our students.

The following are some resources should you want to learn more about the Total Solar Eclipse | 2024:

National Science Teaching Association

Parent Handout

Please feel free to reach out to your school office with any questions.

OMG...it's EDP

The 2024-25 EDP Registration will be conducted separately from the D23 School Registration. Included is a link to express interest in EDP for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are interested in using the Extended Day Program next year, please click on and complete this 2024-25 Extended Day Program Interest Form link. Additional information will be shared with interested families later this Spring!

Thank you to our awesome PTO for providing eclipse glasses for Monday's big event!

Don't forget about PTO's dining night out at Mod Pizza on Wednesday, April 10th!

April 9-11: IAR Math Testing

April 11: Board of Education Meeting 7PM

April 22-25: iReady Testing

April 25: PTO Meeting 7PM

May 1: Orchestra Concert 7PM

May 9: Board of Education Meeting 7PM

May 10: No School (School Improvement Day)

May 13: Band Concert 7PM

May 14: Chorus Concert 7PM