Family Flash August

Posted Date: 8/12/25 (2:52 PM)

Family Flash

Fierke Education Center

August 12, 2025

Welcome Back!

We are so excited to welcome back our kiddos next week! Open House will be on Monday, August 18th please remember to bring your school supplies when you come to meet your teacher! Wednesday, August 20th is our first day of school which is an 1/2 Day 11:45 Dismissal.

Staffing Updates

Please welcome the following professionals to our Fierke Family...

Angela D'Ambrosio- 2nd Grade Teacher

Juliann Flood- 5th Grade Teacher

Kevin McIntyre- Paraprofessional

Michael Laib- Paraprofessional

Layan Abu Shanab- Paraprofessional

Ella Ray- LBS

Ashley Trang - Psychologist

Matthew Schuster-Split PE

Professionals reassigned within or to Fierke...

Sam Zimny- SEL Support Specialist

Joy Graham- Kindergarten

Katie Chartier- LBS

Christina McBride- Music Teacher

Upcoming Events

Kindergarten Meet and Greet - 9am - 3pm on Thursday, August 14th, by appointment only via Parent Square. (Additional information will be forthcoming)

Kindergarten & New Family Tours -We look forward to welcoming our newest Stingers on August 14th from 4:30pm - 5:30pm. Please enter Door 1, which is the main entrance. There will be staff members on hand to help you around the building, but the classrooms and teachers won't be available until Open House. Fierke is a special and amazing place, and we are thrilled you are joining us!

Open House - Monday, August 18, from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. This is a great time to find classrooms, meet teachers, socialize with friends, tour the building, and drop off school supplies.

First Day of School - Students will return for their first day of school on Wednesday, August 20th, which will be a half-day. School will begin at 8:55 a.m. and dismiss at 11:45 a.m. on this day. Doors will open at 8:40 a.m., when staff will be available to welcome and supervise students.

Beginning Band Registration for 5th Graders @CMS 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm on Wednesday, September 10th or Thursday, September 11th (Choose a date/time the process takes 1 hour. )

Curriculum Night - Thursday, September 11th, 6pm - 7pm. On this night, classroom teachers will present an overview of resources, curriculum, learning standards, and engagement opportunities that will help you feel more connected to your child’s day-to-day school experiences. More information will be provided at a later date.

Important Dates

8/14- Kinder Meet and Greet (by appointment only) 9am - 3pm

8/14- New Family Tours 4:30pm - 5:30pm

8/18 - Back to School Open House 5:30pm - 7pm

8/20 - First Day of School (half-day)

8/20 PTO Oberweis Dine Around 9 AM - 10 PM

8/28 Band "concert" for 5th Grade

9/1 - Labor Day (no school)

9/2 - Staff Institute Day (no school for students)

9/3 5th Grade Band Instrument Test Drive

9/10 or 9/11 - Beginning Band Registration Nights at CMS 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm

9/11- Patriot Day (wear red, white and blue)

9/11 - Curriculum Night 6pm - 7pm

9/19 PTO Back to School Skate Party 5pm-7pm

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

We will continue to offer free/reduced/paid lunches for the upcoming school year. The costs for each paid category are: Breakfast $1.50, and Lunch $3.75. We use a debit card system through Pushcoin. Funds can be added to your child’s card via a Pushcoin link available on our district website: www.district146.org

Breakfast will be available each morning for students using the debit card system. Students needing breakfast will go to the cafeteria to pick up their breakfast and then return to their classroom. Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms.

The daily hot lunch program will begin on Thursday, August 21st The student’s debit card is

scanned and deducted $3.75 whenever a hot lunch is “purchased”. Debit card accounts can be opened or re-activated by paying online or writing a check to School District 146 marked with “debit card-student’s name” in the memo line.

Fierke PTO

Fierke PTO strives to create a strong community and raises money to fund special programs and events throughout the school year. By joining, you will make a positive impact for students and our Fierke community.

For more information:

email: mailto:FierkePTO@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FierkePTO

Instagram: @fierkepto https://instagram.com/fierkepto?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Crystal Budney (President)

Lindsey Zaldivar (Vice- President)

Kim Salmich (Secretary)

Becky Cook (Treasurer)

Arrival and Dismissal

Walkers/Bussers: Please enter through the main entrance door #1. Car Riders: Enter the parking lot moving east on Victoria. There is no left turn into the parking lot while moving west on Victoria during arrival/dismissal. THERE IS NO PARKING ON VICTORIA DRIVE DURING ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL. Drivers may ONLY make a right turn when exiting the parking lot. See the included map for more details.

Car riders are dropped off at the car circle line and enter via Door #8. Door #8 will close promptly at 8:50am. Car riders arriving after 8:50am must be dropped off at the main entrance.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade walkers will dismiss via the east doors. Kindergarten students will dismiss via their classroom doors on the south side of the building. Car riders will enter vehicles at the car circle line for dismissal.

Ivy League: Door #10 (South Cafeteria Door). Students using this before/after school program will enter and exit DOOR #10 of the cafeteria black top.

Every child, on a daily basis, should know if they are a “car rider,” “bus rider,” or “walker.”

Bus Bulletin

American School Bus is using Bus Bulletin to alert District 146 parents of bus delays and schedule changes.

Bus Bulletin sends parents instant notifications via text message, email, and/or phone call. There is no cost for parents to sign up and receive notifications.

To sign up for notifications, please visit the Bus Bulletin website. Click Register, Select Parent/Student, Select SD 146 from drop down and complete personal information. Once an account is created, you can choose which bus route you want to be notified for both AM/PM.

Background Checks

Anyone who would like to volunteer in classrooms or at school events must have a background check on file. Please be sure to submit an application here: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/ODQzMzplbi1VUw== If you are unsure whether you have submitted a background check in the past, please contact the office.