Flossmoor School District 161

From the Desk of Dr. Smith

Greetings District 161 Students, Families, and Staff Members,

The 1st Quarter of the school year has wrapped up and the hard work continues in District 161. Last week, the Illinois State Board of Education released the summative designation ratings for all public schools in the state.  This letter was sent to all families detailing the ratings for our schools and our next steps as a school district.  Student growth, achievement, and attendance were areas of strength for us last year and we are working to build on those positive outcomes.

Working closely with our students and families has created meaningful discussions about student strengths, opportunities for improvement, and instructional next steps.  Standards-based learning has added clarity to the discussions, since we are able to identify the specific skills that students need to master to move on to increasingly challenging content and standards.  The upcoming Parent / Teacher conferences on November 24th and 25th are set up to help you understand your child’s performance in school.  It is the perfect opportunity to discuss educational skills that need to be extended and learning behaviors that can be further developed to bring your child success.  I encourage you to prioritize this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher[s], so we all can align our efforts to help your child be successful. 

In other news, the Board Briefs contain important information about the Board of Education’s discussions regarding school renovation work for the summer of 2026 and the tax levy.  Finally, we are hosting another parent forum on November 11th at Parker Junior High School at 6:00 p.m. to discuss digital and online safety.  Additional information regarding this event is included in the “News You Can Use” section of the newsletter.  This is important information for parents to use to support your child as they begin to navigate the many wonders and dangers of the internet.  I hope you can join us for what will be an engaging event with strategies that you can use to keep your children safe.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Dana Smith, Superintendent

District 161 Board of Education Briefs

2025-26 Fall Assessment Update

Our Fall data discussion identified a number of strengths and opportunities for improvement. This link will take you to the Board report and this link goes to the actual data slide deck.  On Thursday, October 30th, a letter was sent to District 161 families with information about the annual school report cards.  At the Board meeting on November 17, 2025, we will discuss the summative ratings, the final 2024-25 Illinois Assessment of Readiness [IAR] data, and the current School Improvement Plans.  

2026 Construction Scope

We are preparing for stage 2 of our school renovation work.  During the summer of 2026, we are planning to renovate Parker Junior High School [paint, lighting, furniture, etc.], with HVAC improvements at Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue Schools.  During the summer of 2027, we will complete our Long Range Construction Plan by renovating Flossmoor Hills and Western Avenue [paint, lighting, furniture]. 

2025 Property Tax Levy

Discussions began regarding the 2025 property tax levy.  It is important to note that the State of Illinois did not fund a Property Tax Relief Grant for the 2025-26 year.  The administration presented three levy options to the Board of Education for consideration.  The full presentation can be found here.  At its next meeting, the Board will receive additional details on each of the options presented and will vote to approve one as a tentative levy.       

Inside Flossmoor School District 161:

Stories, Successes, and School Highlights. 

A Month of Learning, Celebration, and Community

October was a busy and exciting month across District 161, filled with opportunities for learning, celebration, and community building. From the stage to the cross-country trails, and from cultural assemblies to fire safety demonstrations, our students and staff made the most of this vibrant fall season.

At Parker Junior High, students took audiences on a spooky and hilarious adventure with their fall play, Transyl-MANIA. The talented cast and crew worked hard to bring this production to life, and their success on stage reflected both creativity and teamwork. Thank you to Ms. E. Nicotra for her leadership and direction. 

The Parker Cross Country team also wrapped up an amazing season, demonstrating dedication, perseverance, and school spirit at every meet. Congratulations to all the student-athletes and coaches for representing our district with pride.

October was also National Fire Prevention Week, and our students benefited from informative and engaging presentations from both the Chicago Heights and Village of Flossmoor Fire Departments. Firefighters shared important lessons about fire safety and prevention, emphasizing the growing concerns around lithium and LED batteries, particularly the need to handle, charge, and dispose of them safely to prevent fires at home. We are grateful for our community partners who make safety education both memorable and meaningful for our students.

Congratulations, Parker Junior High Musicians! We are proud to announce that several Parker students have been selected to perform at the ILMEA District 1 Regional Band, Orchestra, and Choir Festival. These talented students earned their spots through a rigorous audition process, competing among students from more than 70 junior high schools in the region. This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to their dedication and musical skill. Congratulations to:

• Alani Jeffries (8th grade, flute) representing the PJH Band
• Elliott Chan (8th grade, violin) representing the PJH Orchestra
• Ameya Thigpen (8th grade, cello) representing the PJH Orchestra
• Emelii Mae Matthys (8th grade, soprano) representing the PJH Chorus

These students will represent Parker Junior High at the ILMEA Festival on Saturday, November 22, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero. Please join us in congratulating them for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding musical achievement.

Flossmoor School District 161 in the News

The Chicago Tribune Daily Southtown featured the Flossmoor Veterans’ Time Machine project. This state award-winning project was highlighted at the Constitutional Democracy Project’s Annual Civics Conference on October 31 at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Flossmoor School District 161 is proud to partner on this project as we work together to help build the next generation of civically engaged students.

The Homewood Flossmoor Patch shared an article about Parker Junior High students who celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dance, and learning that highlighted the richness of Hispanic cultures. The event was inspired by seventh grader Emma Santiago, whose leadership helped make it all possible.

News You Can Use

Flossmoor School District 161 is inviting parents, guardians, teachers, and grandparents to an important forum, “Keeping Our Kids Cyber Safe,” on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation will take place in person at Parker Junior High School, 2810 School Street. The evening will feature Detective Rich Wistocki (Ret.), a nationally recognized expert on high-technology cybercrimes and a member of the Be Sure Consulting Cyber Safe Schools Team. Drawing on decades of experience, Detective Wistocki will share proactive strategies and real-world insights to help families better understand online safety, protect children from digital threats, and navigate today’s technology-driven world.

Topics will include:

• Understanding cybercrime and the myth of online anonymity
• Monitoring your child’s cell phone activity and gaming platforms such as Roblox
• Responding to and reporting cyberbullying
• Recognizing the dangers of popular apps and social media platforms
• Learning how internet investigations are conducted
• Protecting your child’s digital footprint and online reputation

The session will conclude with an open Q&A forum, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical tools for keeping kids safe online. For more information, contact Amabel Crawford, Director of Learning and Instruction, at acrawford@sd161.org.

Here are 3 helpful tips to help you prepare for your parent-teacher conferences.

1. Plan to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time so you can get settled and sign in.

2. Prepare a list of questions you may have for your child's teacher. 

3. Involve your student afterward by sharing what was discussed and setting goals together to build ownership and responsibility.