EVERY DAY MATTERS.
When students come to school regularly, they have more opportunities to learn, ask questions, make connections, build friendships, participate in activities and be part of all the little moments that make school special.
And the numbers matter, too. Missing just 10% of the school year, about 18 days, is considered chronic absenteeism. Research shows that students who miss school regularly are more likely to experience academic challenges and fall behind.
We know that life happens. Kids get sick. Families face challenges. Sometimes an absence just can’t be avoided.
But when your child is healthy and able to be at school, please help them get there. Those days add up. And so do the opportunities they would otherwise miss.
Every day. Every connection. Every opportunity to learn.
It all matters.
ALL IN. EVERY DAY.
When students come to school regularly, they have more opportunities to learn, ask questions, make connections, build friendships, participate in activities and be part of all the little moments that make school special.
And the numbers matter, too. Missing just 10% of the school year, about 18 days, is considered chronic absenteeism. Research shows that students who miss school regularly are more likely to experience academic challenges and fall behind.
We know that life happens. Kids get sick. Families face challenges. Sometimes an absence just can’t be avoided.
But when your child is healthy and able to be at school, please help them get there. Those days add up. And so do the opportunities they would otherwise miss.
Every day. Every connection. Every opportunity to learn.
It all matters.
ALL IN. EVERY DAY.
Check out the latest news from Serena Hills!
https://app.smore.com/n/4jbdm-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
https://app.smore.com/n/4jbdm-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
Parent Night: Standards-Based Grading
Join us tomorrow evening for a special Parent Night at Parker Junior High focused on standards-based grading and learning in District 161.
Parents and guardians will learn more about how standards-based learning supports student success and get practical tips and resources to support their students at home.
The evening will also include:
• Information about standards-based learning in SD161 schools
• Tips for supporting your student at home
• Student binders
• BPAC sign-up
• A D’s Cookies raffle
• Community resources and local organizations offering support and services
• A special Hispanic Heritage Month celebration sponsored by the SD161 BPAC
Wednesday, September 23
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Parker Junior High School, 2810 School Street
We hope you’ll join us for an informative and family-friendly evening. Let’s celebrate learning together!
Join us tomorrow evening for a special Parent Night at Parker Junior High focused on standards-based grading and learning in District 161.
Parents and guardians will learn more about how standards-based learning supports student success and get practical tips and resources to support their students at home.
The evening will also include:
• Information about standards-based learning in SD161 schools
• Tips for supporting your student at home
• Student binders
• BPAC sign-up
• A D’s Cookies raffle
• Community resources and local organizations offering support and services
• A special Hispanic Heritage Month celebration sponsored by the SD161 BPAC
Wednesday, September 23
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Parker Junior High School, 2810 School Street
We hope you’ll join us for an informative and family-friendly evening. Let’s celebrate learning together!
Join us Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to noon for an engaging morning celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture and community.
The Village of Flossmoor and Flossmoor Public Library are hosting this special celebration in partnership with the BPAC Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. Families are invited to come together for a morning of learning, connection and celebration.
We hope you’ll join us as we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month together!
The Village of Flossmoor and Flossmoor Public Library are hosting this special celebration in partnership with the BPAC Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. Families are invited to come together for a morning of learning, connection and celebration.
We hope you’ll join us as we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month together!
What can a box become? In the hands of an imaginative student, just about anything!
Students in Ms. Beaty’s class explored the power of imagination while reading This Is Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis. Then they put their creativity to work, using a simple box as the starting point for pretend play.
A box became a computer. Then a race car. And who knows what it might become next!
It was a fun reminder that sometimes the simplest things can inspire the biggest ideas. Our students are ALL IN on learning, creating, and imagining!
There are two vacancies on the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education due to the recent resignations of Mrs. Christina Vlietstra and Dr. Carolyn Griggs. Please see the attached document with an update on the process that the Board of Education is using to fill the vacancies.
A quick calendar reminder, families!
There are two upcoming days when students will be out of school:
Friday, September 18
Teacher Institute Day
No school for students.
Monday, September 21
Yom Kippur Observed
No school for staff and students. The District Office will also be closed.
Be sure to mark your calendars!
There are two upcoming days when students will be out of school:
Friday, September 18
Teacher Institute Day
No school for students.
Monday, September 21
Yom Kippur Observed
No school for staff and students. The District Office will also be closed.
Be sure to mark your calendars!
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins today, and we’re excited to celebrate with our families and community!
Join us Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to noon for an engaging morning celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture and community.
The Village of Flossmoor and Flossmoor Public Library are hosting this special celebration in partnership with the BPAC Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. Families are invited to come together for a morning of learning, connection and celebration.
We hope you’ll join us as we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month together!
Join us Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to noon for an engaging morning celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture and community.
The Village of Flossmoor and Flossmoor Public Library are hosting this special celebration in partnership with the BPAC Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee. Families are invited to come together for a morning of learning, connection and celebration.
We hope you’ll join us as we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month together!
We are going to have a great week, Serena Hills!
Our week is even better when we see all of our shining stars in school.
To catch up on all of your school news, click the link below.
https://app.smore.com/n/2atu8-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
Our week is even better when we see all of our shining stars in school.
To catch up on all of your school news, click the link below.
https://app.smore.com/n/2atu8-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
On Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th, 2026, weather permitting, Flossmoor School District 161 will apply an herbicide and fertilizer to the field areas at Normandy Villa, Serena Hills, Flossmoor Hills, Heather Hill, Western Ave, and Parker Junior High. The products that will be used for this application are The Andersons Turf Products Fertilizer with Barricade Herbicide, and Trimec 992 Broadleaf Herbicide. These products include a selective broadleaf herbicide and a lawn fertilizer to control weeds/dandelions in these areas and fertilize all district lawns.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Stachacz at (708) 647-7005.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Stachacz at (708) 647-7005.
Calling all Stars back to our Serena Hills galaxy!
Check out the latest school news, and we will see you tomorrow.
https://app.smore.com/n/ctj4k-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
#ICYMI
Friday was all about COLLEGE COLORS at SD 161!
Our staff showed up in their college gear, representing the many colleges and universities that are part of our SD 161 family. From alma maters to favorite teams, we loved seeing everyone’s school spirit on display!
And with college football season officially kicking off Saturday, the timing couldn’t have been better. We hope you’re ready to cheer on your favorite team!
So, SD 161 — who are you rooting for this season?
Friday was all about COLLEGE COLORS at SD 161!
Our staff showed up in their college gear, representing the many colleges and universities that are part of our SD 161 family. From alma maters to favorite teams, we loved seeing everyone’s school spirit on display!
And with college football season officially kicking off Saturday, the timing couldn’t have been better. We hope you’re ready to cheer on your favorite team!
So, SD 161 — who are you rooting for this season?
Happy Saturday! At Flossmoor School District 161 we are proud of our students for the way they give back to their communities. Earlier this week, this Western Avenue Wolf was spotted stuffing bags for the Hidden Gem Half Marathon! You make us SD161 proud! Do you have a photo of your student giving back? Send to Swright@sd161.org
Happy Friday!
There is no school on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
We hope you enjoy the long weekend and return refreshed and ready for a great new week on Tuesday, September 8!
There is no school on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
We hope you enjoy the long weekend and return refreshed and ready for a great new week on Tuesday, September 8!
Swinging into Thursday!
The forecast is calling for another hot day tomorrow. Fill those water bottles, stay cool, and we'll see you at school!l
Don't miss a moment!
September is here, and we're ALL IN for the moments that make school special. Learning. Laughing. Growing. Making memories.
Let's make attendance a priority this September!
SD 161 Summer Spotlight: Service All Stars!
School may be back in session, but summer isn’t officially over yet! And what a summer it has been.
Unforgettable experiences were had on family trips, lasting memories were made on the baseball field, and the Summer of 2026 even led to the formation of the “Chainsaw Gang.”
Dylan, Baylor, Harrison, and Everett could be found helping clear yards and streets in Flossmoor Park following not one, but two major storms this summer.
With safety always coming first, they worked alongside adults and helped where they could as their neighborhood came together to clean up and recover.
We love seeing our students step up, lend a helping hand and show what it means to be a good neighbor!
Tomorrow begins our first full week of school, filled with new routines, new friendships, new lessons, and new memories.
Every day brings something new and exciting, and we don't want them to miss it.
Attendance matters because every day at school is another opportunity for your child to learn, connect, and grow.
Let’s make this first full week count!
Every day brings something new and exciting, and we don't want them to miss it.
Attendance matters because every day at school is another opportunity for your child to learn, connect, and grow.
Let’s make this first full week count!
Check out the latest news from Serena Hills Elementary School.
https://app.smore.com/n/42gj6-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
https://app.smore.com/n/42gj6-the-serena-scoop?ref=email
SD 161 SUMMER SPOTLIGHT: KENNETH!
Serena Hills student Kenneth Collier Jr. is a 2026 AAU Junior Olympic National Champion!
Competing in the 10-year-old division, Kenneth won the Turbo Javelin with a 109-foot throw and finished 10th in the nation in the shot put.
Way to go, Kenneth! We are so proud of you!
Serena Hills student Kenneth Collier Jr. is a 2026 AAU Junior Olympic National Champion!
Competing in the 10-year-old division, Kenneth won the Turbo Javelin with a 109-foot throw and finished 10th in the nation in the shot put.
Way to go, Kenneth! We are so proud of you!
