Hello, Edison community!

We are just a few days away from the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, and the Edison staff could not be more excited to welcome you and your students back! Below you will find several important announcements, as well as information you need to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

This year, you can expect to receive a monthly community email newsletter from me, as well as one-off emails with more time-sensitive information. You will also receive a monthly PTO newsletter, a weekly newsletter from your child's homeroom teacher, and a weekly update email from CPS. We'll also share regular updates through our social media channels, so keep an eye out for our posts. I'm also bringing back in-person Coffee with the Principal sessions for each grade band (details below). This year, Edison Regional Gifted Center turns 50, and we have lots of 50th-year fun in store. Stay tuned!

We have several opportunities to get involved throughout the fall! Please see details below for information on Curriculum Night, a new PTO back-to-school fundraiser on 9/7, and various save-the-dates under upcoming events. We hope to see you at one or more of these events! Please note: This year, the annual back-to-school movie night is being moved to the spring as part of a culminating event for our 50th year activities.

I know many of you are eager to register your child for Youth Guidance and after-school programming. Youth Guidance registration is now live on their website, which can also be accessed through the YG link on Edison's site. Be on the lookout for an email this coming week with information on how to register for additional parent and staff-led clubs. We are just finalizing a few last-minute details!

In staffing news, Mrs. Drinkwater will officially retire in early September, and we are excited to welcome Chelsea Morgan as our new Fine Arts teacher. Victor Rivera will join us as a new special education classroom assistant, and Aubrey Boonstra will join us as our counselor maternity leave sub. If you'd like to contact Mrs. Boonstra regarding counseling matters, she can be reached at aboonstra@cps.edu.

Lastly, I have added all new families to our newsletter recipient list using the email addresses provided by CPS' Office of Access and Enrollment. If you would like to change or add an email address to our list, please complete this brief Google form.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!

In partnership,

Karen Valentine, EdD

kevalentine1@cps.edu

Arrival & Dismissal

Arrival and dismissal doors are the same as last year. Please refer to the information below.

Update: CPS has clarified district policy, and staff members are no longer able to assist students in crossing the street. If your child needs assistance crossing the street, please use one of the Stop & Go locations, as students can exit their vehicle on the same side as the school. Staff members will continue to direct the flow of traffic.

Arrival Reminders

• Staff supervision begins at 7:00AM.
• Drop & Go begins at 7:15AM. They are located at the intersection of Sawyer/Ainslie and the intersection of Sawyer/Argyle. Please pull up to the stop sign and let your student out. Please do not pull over.
• If students arrive between 7:00AM and 7:15AM, they will be admitted to the cafeteria.
• If students arrive between 7:15AM and 7:30AM, they will be supervised outside and admitted to the building at 7:30AM.
• All students are admitted at 7:30AM.
• If students arrive after 7:45AM, they are marked tardy. Albany Park Multicultural Academy students enter at 7:45AM. Any late Edison students must wait in line to be admitted.

Dismissal Reminders

• Grades 2, 3, 4, and 7 dismiss to the play lot on Ainslie.
• Grades K, 1, 5, 6, and 8 dismiss through the north garden.
• Clubs and Youth Guidance dismiss through the main entrance.
• Students who are late to be picked up will be directed to the lobby.

Medical Forms Due October 15, 2025

The State of Illinois requires parents/guardians to provide proof of required immunizations and school physical exams before October 15, 2025, or their child will face exclusion from school.

Physical Examination - Due upon enrollment or no later than 10/15/25 for:

• Kindergarten, 6th Grade, 9th Grade, and any student entering CPS for the first time

Vision Examination - Due upon enrollment or no later than 10/15/25 for:

• Kindergarten, and students entering the state of Illinois for the first time at any grade level

Dental Examination - Due 5/15/26 for:

• Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, and 9th Grade

All medical forms can be found here.

Aspen Parent Portal

You can find CPS' Parent Portal here. If you need to update the home address in your Aspen profile; please contact Ky Pham at klpham@cps.edu.

What features does the Aspen Parent Portal have?

• Student assignments
• Student grades
• Student schedules
• Student attendance
• Grade and attendance notifications through email or text messages
• Student fees, including credit card payments
• Health compliance
• High school student's progress against graduation requirements
• Mobile-friendly format

To learn more about Aspen’s features, watch the videos below:

• Navigating the Parent Portal ( English | Español )
• Navigating the Mobile Interface ( English )