DISMISSAL INFORMATION

 If your child's dismissal procedure changes, you are required to notify us IN WRITING and IN ADVANCE. All changes (car riders, walkers, office pick ups) must be accompanied by a note with the child's first and last name along with the current date.  To ensure the safety and security of our students, there can be no call in changes in dismissal after 2:30 p.m. unless there is an emergency situation. Please be advised that all students will be sent home only on their regularly assigned District 118 bus unless other arrangements of a permanent nature have been made. 

ABSENCES AND HOMEWORK HOTLINE

Please report late arrival, absence and request homework prior to 10:00 a.m. each day:
            708-923-7052
Requested homework may be picked up  at the home-work table in the front hall from 3:30-4:00 p.m.. 

STUDENT ATTENDANCE HOURS

AM Kindergarten, EC & Pre-K:

9:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
PM Kindergarten, EC & Pre-K:

12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grades 1 - 5: 8:55 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.

Children should only be dropped off between

8:35 a.m. & 8:55 a.m.

 

STUDENT LUNCH TIMES

Grades 1, 2           11:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  

Grade 3                12:10 p.m.-12:55 p.m.  

Grades 4 & 5        12:35 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

Step 1    Beginning January 23, go online to start the registration process at  www.palos118.org/registration.

Step 2   Come to school with required documentation (see below) February 6th - 10th  to finalize your registration.  We suggest that parents with last name A-L come between 9:15 am and 11:30 am; parents with last names M-Z come between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm during the week of February 6-10.

Step 3    Schedule a visit for Classroom Visitation Day, Thursday, February 9, 2017.  It is an opportunity to bring your future kindergartner to see our classrooms and meet our teachers.  February 9th usually welcomes the largest number of parents, so it is recommended to register earlier during the week and still come for visitation day to avoid longer wait times on Friday.  Please call the office to schedule a time to visit 708-761-3802.

Requirements to Register:

 

Your child must be five (5) years old on or before

September 1, 2017 in order to register for kindergarten.

 

Child's certified birth certificate (Certificate of Live  Birth) MUST BE presented at registration.

 

The following items to show proof of residency MUST  BE  presented at registration:

 

1. Current mortgage statement or a signed and dated lease with proof of payment or a signed and dated letter of residence from landlord with proof of payment.

2. Driver's license or State ID, along with 2 other forms of ID stating the name and address, ie. utility bills, real estate tax bill (No library cards will be accepted).

 

In order to be in compliance with the Illinois School  Code, a current physical form and up-to-date

immunizations MUST BE completed and returned  before the first day of school.

 

Contact our office at 761-3802 with any questions

Parents of Kindergartners who live within the District 118 boundaries and are attending private Kindergarten this school year are invited to come to our 1st Grade Round-up on Tuesday, February 28th.  Tours will be scheduled between 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. Please pass the word on to any family, friends or neighbors who have students who will be 6 years old by September 1, 2107 and are NOT currently attending Kindergarten at Palos West. Please call to schedule an appointment 708-761-3802.  Tours run approximately 20 minutes.

The Winter PRIDE Assembly, scheduled for January will be dedicated to kicking off this year's "Souper" Bowl of Caring Food Drive!  During the week of January 30th-February 3rd, the Palos West Student Council will be encouraging students to bring in canned goods and other non-perishable food products which will be donated to the Palos Township Food Pantry.  Example of items to bring: soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned ravioli, mac-n-cheese, and other non-perishable foods that people consume.  As in previous years, the grade level with the most cans will win an outdoor tailgate party in the spring. Be sure to save those cans and remember that thousands of buckets (and tummies) will get filled during this year's food drive.

Thank you for another successful year for our Mitten Drive! We collected hundreds of pairs of mittens as well as the beautiful scarves made on craft day.

The mittens and scarves were donated to a school in Joliet, Crisis Center for South Suburbia in Tinley Park and Lockport Resource Center. During this very busy time of year, we are especially grateful that you have taken the time to help us.

As always, the Palos West Community

displays compassion!

 

The first snowflake that is perfect and unique!  The hushed, serene picture postcard snowfall that blankets the earth!  The crisp, fresh air!  The deep blue fall or winter sky!   These are just a few of the wonderful things that await our children (and us) in the beautiful and healthy outside!

 

The outdoor air, especially in the winter, is more humid, and much fresher than the indoor air, which tends to be drying to the mucous membranes (mouth, throat, nose etc.)   Dry mucous membranes increase the incidence of nosebleeds, impetigo, chapped lips, ear infections, and upper respiratory infections like the common cold.  Heated indoor air is germ-laden and dusty.   

Students with asthma  can enjoy the outside cooler weather also. Asthma attacks can occur from

excess cold exposure but usually not unless it is below 20 degrees.  Even a child suffering from a cold can benefit from the humidity of this time of year! 

 

As part of our wellness policy and prevention of obesity, we want our children to enjoy the running, playing, and socializing that occurs at recess. Students will go outside for recess if the temperature (with the wind chill factor) is  not below 15 degrees, and it is not raining.  Please dress your children appropriately for outdoor weather.

 

So encourage your children to go outside, take a deep breath, and enjoy!  We will be all the healthier for it!!!!

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As a reminder:

• A fever is defined as 100 degrees or higher.  Students should not return to school unless fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication
• A minimum of 24 hours of antibiotic treatment is needed for strep throat and pink eye before a student can return to school
• An absence of 5 consecutive days requires a doctor's note upon return
• A serious injury, cast or splint requires a doctor's note reflecting any restrictions regarding PE, recess and other physical activity.  Once the cast, brace or splint is removed requires a doctor's note regarding returning to gym, recess or other physical activity
• Report any cases of lice to the school nurse.  Please remember to:

1.  Consult your child's doctor for advice on lice treatment and check your child's(ren) head daily for the next few weeks and on a regular basis.

2.  Have your child report to the health office after lice treatment.

3.  Remind your child to avoid head-to-head contact with other students and no sharing of brushes, hats or pillow. 

 

                       Six Flags Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club!

Palos West is participating in the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Program.  Every student who completes six hours of recreational reading is eligible for a free admission ticket valid at Six Flags Great America! Your child can read books, magazines, newspapers, or comic books!  Students can read silently, aloud, or with an adult.  You can read to your child, or your child can read to you!  Remind your child to return their reading log by February 10, 2017!  Happy Reading!

 

Feed My Starving Children is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children.  During this trip, Palos West's 1st grade Daisy Troop 55484 volunteered to help package meals to feed hungry children around the world.  The girls measured, weighed and packaged meals of vitamins, vegetables, soy, and rice.  During their volunteer shift, 197 boxes were packed with 42,552 meals which will feed 116 children for an entire year!  

Brownie Troops 55278 & 50828 went to the Orland Park Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation to supply toys to children with cancer.  At the site the girls labeled & sorted toys, and were taught where the toys were delivered to. The Brownies learned to give back to the community and hopefully put smiles on those children's faces. 

 

 

With Valentine's Day upon us, we wanted to remind parents about our procedures and expectations for the students on this day.  Students are permitted to bring in Valentine's Day cards  for their classmates.  If you do send cards with your child, please ensure that all students are included as recipients.  With our Wellness Policy in mind, food or candy cannot be distributed in school.  Any food items that are brought to school will be returned home at the end of the day.  Additionally, any food that is attached to Valentine's Day cards will be removed and not distributed.  We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.  

 

Parties will be held on Tuesday, February 14th:  AM EC/PK & KDG 10:30-11:30 a.m., 

PM EC/PK & KDG and Gr. 1-5 1:30-2:30 PM