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Fierke Education Center

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12/5/25 Fierke Family Flash

Posted Date: 12/05/25 (03:35 PM)


Fierke Family Flash

Fierke Education Center

December 5, 2025
 
Newsletter Graphic
Dear Families,

Our Stingers had a wonderful week here at Fierke! Fierke’s PTO recently organized a school-wide assembly to celebrate the culmination of the annual Raise Craze Fundraiser. This fundraiser is unique in that it emphasizes acts of kindness rather than traditional product sales. Students performed countless acts of service both inside and outside of school—helping peers, supporting staff, assisting at home, and spreading positivity throughout the community.

The culminating assembly was a joyful celebration of the students’ efforts and the power of kindness. The Fierke community is grateful to the PTO for their creativity, organization, and unwavering support of the school. The spirit of kindness that students embraced during Raise Craze is something we hope to see continue throughout December and well into the new year. Their actions remind us that even the smallest gestures can make a meaningful impact. View Pictures from the Assembly here.
  
Fierke’s kindergarten students have been working incredibly hard over the past several weeks. Under the guidance of their dedicated teachers—and with a special spotlight on Mrs. Grabenhofer’s class—the youngest learners at Fierke have been diligently practicing and mastering their letter 
sounds. This foundational skill is essential, as it directly supports their ability to begin reading and writing words. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it has been inspiring to see how eagerly they apply their new knowledge during literacy activities. We are so proud of their growth! View pictures and video here.

Our PTO's Elf Shelf Holiday Shop for students will begin on Monday, December 8th and ends on Friday, December 12th. Please make sure you help your students determine who they are buying gifts for and the dollar amount they have to spend for each gift. It is so helpful to have the paperwork completed prior to their shopping time, especially for our littles.

Also, if you plan on attending the Fierke Festive Follies Concert, we ask that you complete this R.S.V.P. so that we can determine how many families will be attending the event. Please use this link to RSVP: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/66617081. More information regarding the concert can be found below.

Important Reminder: For the safety of all students, playground use before school requires direct parental supervision, especially for our younger learners. Staff supervision begins at 8:40 AM. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

We would also like to remind parents to drive all the way up to the end of the car line. We ask parents to remain in their vehicles as staff are available to support as needed. With additional families opting to drop students off through the car line for arrival, we would like to ensure that all students are able to enter the building prior to 8:50am. Should your vehicle enter the car circle after 8:50am, there will be no staff supervision so we ask that you bring your child to Door 1.
Elf Shelf
 
Upcoming Events Graphic

Upcoming Events

December:
12/8-12/12 Elf Shelf Shopping
12/11 Choir Concert 5pm
12/16 Fierke Spelling Bee
12/18 Fierke Festive Follies Concert -**Times per grade level are listed below
12/18 MAP Testing Window Closes
12/19 1/2 Day for students
12/20-1/4 Winter Break

January:
1/5 Classes Resume
1/9 MAP Reports go home
1/12 School Board Meeting
1/16 SIP Day No School
1/19 MLK Day No School
1/27 PTO Meeting
 
A cartoon bee wearing a winter hat and mittens, with snowflakes and text that reads 'Fierke Festive Follies'.
Poster for the Fierke Festive Follies Winter Concert, featuring a bee wearing a winter hat.
A document titled 'FAQs' provides information about a school concert.

Fierke Festive Follies Holiday Show

Our Fierke Festive Follies winter concert will be taking place this year on December 18th.

This year’s concert will be featuring songs performed by every grade’s classes. So, no matter what grade your student is in, you will be able to see them perform and sing.

Our school’s choir group will not be performing at this concert; however, we will be having a new bucket drumming ensemble performing that is made up of 4th and 5th graders that were nominated for the opportunity by their classroom teacher.

Date: DECEMBER 18TH 

The Schedule for the event is as follows:

Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grades will perform between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Intermission will be at 5:30 p.m. - We ask that all families that do not have children in grades 3rd, 4th, or 5th exit the gym promptly in order to ensure we have ample space for other families that have children in those grade levels.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Students will perform between 5:40 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

Please Sign Up to let us know you are attending, We hope to see you there!
 
Spirit Wear
 
Attendance Matters
At Fierke, we believe every day counts! Regular school attendance is one of the most important ways you can help your child succeed. Each day of learning builds upon the last—when students miss class, they miss valuable instruction, collaboration, and connection with their peers. Even a few absences can add up and make it harder for your child to stay on track.

We know that illnesses and emergencies happen, and we appreciate your partnership in scheduling appointments and trips outside of school hours whenever possible. Together, we can help ensure every child is present, prepared, and ready to shine bright each day!
 
super stingers
Each month, we proudly recognize our Super Stingers – students who go above and beyond to demonstrate what it means to “Aim High and Shine Bright!”

These students are nominated by their teachers for showing exceptional kindness, integrity, perseverance, and a strong work ethic. They lead by example, treat others with respect, and consistently give their best effort in all that they do.

We are so proud of our Super Stingers - thank you for making Fierke a brighter place to learn and grow! We are so proud of their leadership, kindness, and commitment to our Hive values. Congratulations to this month’s Super Stingers! 💛🐝


November Super Stingers will be recognized on December 12th with a special Pizza Surprise Lunch with me, Mrs. Lamorte.
 
Health Docs clip art

Health Documents

Families are asked to submit required health forms as soon as possible. Requirements for specific grade levels are listed below. Please turn in all medical forms to Nurse Cailin or call her directly if you have any questions about these requirements.

Kindergarten: Physical exam with up-to-date immunization record, dental exam and complete eye exam.

Grade 2: Dental exam

Transfer students: Physical exam with up-to-date immunization record. Complete eye exam (if attending an Illinois school for the first time). Parents are ultimately responsible for providing copies of the physical exam and immunizations if receipt of these records is delayed by the transfer school.
 
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Office Communication

To ensure the safety of all students and to remain in compliance with state law, parents are required to notify the school office if their child will not be in attendance. This notification must take place within the first hour of school. When reporting an absence, please call the school office, use the voicemail system, or enter the absence into PowerSchool.

Additionally, if your child will have a change in dismissal plans (leaving early, not taking the bus, riding with a neighbor etc.), please let the office know by 2:00. Informing the office in a timely way makes dismissal run more smoothly for all.
 
Bus Information

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.

 
Bus Bulletin

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.
 
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

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.”
Drop Off/ Pick Up
No Left Turn Map
 
PTO Graphic

Jolly Jamboree

Thank you to all of our kiddos who helped make decorations for our PTO tree, located outside of Oak Forest City Hall!
Jolly Jamboree
Jolly Jamboree
Staff Favorites
December
Box Tops
A flyer for Fierke PTO membership, including donation incentives and a QR code.
PTO Logo
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:

Crystal Budney (President)
Lindsey Zaldivar (Vice- President)
Kim Salmich (Secretary)
Becky Cook (Treasurer)
 
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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.
 
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Background Check
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.
 
Ivy League
 
2025-2026 School Calendar
School Calendar
 
Fierke Stingers

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:
Phone: (708) 614-4520