Flossmoor School District 161

From the Desk of Dr. Smith

Happy New Year and welcome to the second half of the 2024-25 school year! This is an exciting time in District 161 from both a short and long term perspective. In the short term, we continue to make adjustments to our Standards-Based Grading [SBG] processes to ensure that we are providing the most impactful educational experiences for our students while also providing our parents with clear information about how their children are performing in school. As I visit classrooms on a weekly basis to observe learning and instruction, I have witnessed our improvement over the past several months and I am encouraged by the quality of student work that is happening in our classrooms. SBG will remain a major focus of our school district over the coming years because it will provide our students with the best opportunity to be successful in the future. We are also about to begin the Board of Education’s ambitious plan to renovate our schools to create safe and effective learning environments for our students. We are planning to break ground on the construction of the new Heather Hill Office during the first week of March and then it will be a full sprint to get the work completed by the middle of August.  As a reminder, Heather Hill and Serena Hills will be under construction during the summer of 2025, with Flossmoor Hills, Western Avenue, and Parker Junior High to follow in the summer of 2026.

From a long term perspective, we are beginning to prepare for the launch of the 2025-26 school year by reviewing our registration procedures, identifying staffing plans, and setting meaningful goals that we can use to align our everyday work. In next month’s E-news, you should expect to receive a link for a survey that will let you share your goals for District 161 over the next 5 years. Once the survey is complete, the Board of Education will discuss the community input and use it to guide the refresh of our strategic plan. We have made great strides over the last several years in aligning the work in our school system and setting meaningful goals moving forward will accelerate the success of our students and staff members.

Please be on the lookout for the goal setting survey in the coming weeks and if you would like to have a personal conversation about the future of District 161, please call or email me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dana Smith, Superintendent

District 161 Board of Education Briefs

School Improvement Plan Updates

At the recent Board meeting, the principals from Flossmoor Hills, Heather Hill, and Serena Hills shared a mid-year update regarding the work in their School Improvement Plans [SIP].  As a reminder, all plans have 3 main goals:  1) Climate and Culture, 2) English / Language Arts, and 3) Mathematics.  This link will take you to the presentation with each school’s information.  In February, the Board will discuss the student growth and achievement data from the Winter assessment window.

District Goal Setting

The District 161 Board of Education is focused on setting rigorous goals that we can use as a guidepost for future planning activities.  To that end, we are in the process of compiling feedback and ideas on the development of the goals.  While we are in the early stages, this document will show you all of the ideas up to this point.  Over the coming weeks, you should expect a very short survey to get input from the District 161 community on what you would like to see in District 161 over the next 5 years.  We expect this process to last several months and we will share the survey results and next steps along the way.  Once the goals have been developed, the next step will be to create a clear scorecard that the Board can use to track our progress and make adjustments as needed.   

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Flossmoor School District 161

Celebrates Day of Service with Community Projects

Despite freezing temperatures, Flossmoor School District 161 came together on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor his legacy through acts of service. Each of our schools hosted meaningful projects, emphasizing our commitment to giving back to the community and instilling the value of service in our students.

At Serena Hills Elementary, students and their families created Valentine’s Day cards for seniors from 9 to 10:30 a.m., spreading warmth and love to those in our community. Flossmoor Hills Elementary also participated in card-making for seniors from 9 to 11 a.m., ensuring that even the coldest days were filled with heartfelt connections.

Western Avenue School, in partnership with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Monarch Cities Chapter, held a food drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., collecting non-perishable items to support the Jones Memorial Community Center food pantry. Meanwhile, on one side of Parker Junior High, there was a hygiene drive from 9 to 11:30 a.m., collecting soap, deodorant, and other essential items in support of Anew in Homewood, with AVID students leading the way in organizing donations. On the other side of Parker Junior High, Jack and Jill of America, South Suburban Chicago was busy at work on many projects, including the creation of a mural that was donated to the Jones Community Center. Heather Hill Elementary collaborated with the organization You Matter 2 and continued its tradition of impactful community engagement by working together to make lunches for South Suburban PADS and creating tie blankets for Project Kennedy.

As a district, we value our partnerships with local nonprofits and community leaders, such as You Matter 2, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. South Suburban Chapter, and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Monarch Cities, which enrich our service projects and strengthen our connection to the broader community. Latisha Malone, Chair of the MLK Day Committee, said, “The Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Monarch Cities Chapter’s annual MLK Day of Service was a success! With the help of the Flossmoor community, we collected 625 food items for Jones Community Center and 987 hygiene items and blankets for New Life Centers of Chicagoland during our two-day event.



We would like to thank the Village of Flossmoor for helping to get the word out to the community, Western Avenue School for housing our donation drop-off, Parker Junior High School for housing our program and donation packing, and the community volunteers who helped our chapter organize and pack the donations for the two organizations we supported. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. strives to carry on the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by making a positive impact in our communities. The Monarch Cities Chapter has used these two events to do just that, reminding ourselves, our children, and those around us, as Dr. King said, ‘Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’”

When asked what it meant to have the schools participate in the Day of Service, Jackie Riffice, Vice Chairperson of the Village of Flossmoor Community Relations Commission, said, "Dr. King asks us, 'What are you doing for others?' Seeing the youngest members of our community embrace this idea so wholeheartedly shows us that everyone, no matter their age, can make a meaningful contribution."

This spirit of service extended beyond Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, continuing on Saturday, January 25, with additional programming and volunteering opportunities that allowed students, families, and community members to further engage in meaningful acts of giving back.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we come together to serve others," said Miss Reich, principal of Serena Hills Elementary School. "Seeing our students and families brave the freezing temperatures to give back to the community was truly inspiring. It shows the strength of our shared commitment to Dr. King’s vision of unity, compassion, and service."



These projects demonstrate our schools’ shared belief that even in the harshest conditions, the spirit of Dr. King’s dream of unity and service can shine brightly. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this inspiring day!

Flossmoor Hills Elementary School

Heather Hill Elementary School

Serena Hills Elementary School

Western Avenue Elementary School

Parker Junior High School

In District 161, we believe that attendance matters. Consider the following tips to make your morning run more smoothly.

Create a Consistent Routine

Set up a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule that ensures enough sleep, making mornings smoother and more predictable. This helps reduce the chances of your student being tired or running late.

Prepare the Night Before

Lay out school clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare lunches the night before to avoid the morning rush. This minimizes the stress and helps kids leave the house on time.

Establish a Morning Routine

Develop a simple and efficient morning routine with enough time for breakfast and getting ready for school. Make sure your student understands the steps to follow each morning, like brushing teeth and dressing, so they can be ready promptly.

Set Goals and Incentives

Celebrate good attendance by setting goals and offering small rewards for consistent attendance, such as a special family activity or treat at the end of the week.

Communicate the Importance of Attendance

Talk to your student about the importance of being in school on time every day. Explain how attending regularly helps them stay on track with learning, build friendships, and avoid falling behind.

Keep Track of the Calendar

Use a family calendar to mark school days, holidays, and events. Staying organized helps prevent confusion about whether school is in session or not.

Address Challenges Early

If your student is anxious or facing difficulties that might make them reluctant to attend, speak to the school for support. Early intervention can prevent attendance from becoming a bigger issue.

Communicate with School Staff

Stay in regular contact with your student's teachers and the school. If you notice any issues affecting your student’s attendance, such as health problems or transportation challenges, inform the school to find a solution.

2024-2025 School Calendar

Join us for District 161 STEAM Night