9/5 Family Flash

Posted Date: 9/05/25 (11:43 AM)

Fierke Family Flash

Fierke Education Center

September 5, 2025

September is here!

Dear Families,

We’ve had another wonderful week of learning and growth at school! As the weather continues to change, we ask that you please check the forecast each morning to ensure your child is dressed appropriately and has a jacket if needed. We want all students to be comfortable as we go outdoors for recess and/or brain breaks.

This week, students have been busy in many exciting ways:

Assessments: Students are continuing to complete the NWEA MAP assessments, which provide valuable information to help us best support their learning.
Language Arts: We are digging deeper into our new CKLA Amplify Curriculum, and students are already showing great curiosity and excitement as they engage with the lessons.
Science: Our young scientists are exploring and experimenting, making discoveries that spark curiosity and wonder.
Math: Through Eureka Math, students are learning important math concepts and applying them in hands-on and engaging ways.

Thank you for your continued support at home—it makes such a difference in your child’s learning journey. We are excited to see all the growth and progress ahead!

Upcoming Assembly

Monday, September 8th

The NED Show Assembly will be on September 8th at 9:00AM for 3rd-5th graders and 10:00AM for Kindergarten-2nd graders.

This assembly is funded by a pay it forward system through the sale of Yo-yo's. The proceeds from any sales help keep The NED Show free for schools around the country, including ours! If you would like to purchase a Yo-Yo for your child, Yo-yo order forms will be coming home this week. Yo-yo's will also be available for purchase during lunch and recess Monday 9/8- Friday 9/12. (Please see flyer for more information). Please note that Yo-yo's will be distributed the days following the assembly.

Yo Yo Form- Paper Flyer will be sent home.

Upcoming Events

The NED Show Assembly September 8th 3rd-5th 9:00AM and K-2nd 10:00AM.
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 shared closer to the date.

Bus Students

To ensure that all students have a safe and positive experience on the bus, we are reinforcing our bus riding expectations. Students are expected to:

Sit in their assigned seats at all times.
Follow the bus driver’s directions promptly and respectfully.
Remain seated while the bus is moving.
Keep all parts of their body inside the bus.
Refrain from littering or leaving belongings behind.
Use quiet, respectful voices (no screaming or yelling).

We appreciate your support in reminding your child of these expectations so that everyone can travel to and from school safely.

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.”

School Safety Drills

During the first weeks of school, we practice many safety drills including evacuation drills, tornado drills, and a lockdown drill with the police department as required by Illinois School Code. These drills are crucial to ensure our students and staff follow safety procedures efficiently.

Lockdown drills with students will be communicated with you before each drill via parent square. This will ensure you are aware of our procedures, the language used, and the time they'll be conducted. Our first Lockdown drill will be on Tuesday, September 30th.

Important Dates

9/8 The NED Show Assembly

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

9/23 Picture Day

Chick Fil A Fundraising Night

9/26 First Hive Assembly

9/30 PTO Meeting 6pm-8pm Cafeteria

10/9 Parent Teacher Conferences

10/10 SIP Day- No school for students

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)

PTO Committee Opportunities

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.

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.