As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, our classrooms are buzzing with excitement for this beautiful season of learning and growth. Fall is in full swing here at Hickory Bend, and we’re thrilled to see students settling into routines, diving into new topics, and building friendships along the way. This time of year is also packed with special activities and opportunities for families to get involved—from ParentTeacher Conferences to our upcoming Family Engagement Events.
Thank You for being an integral part of our school community. Your unwavering support of our students’ growth and happiness is invaluable. We look forward to a season of learning, laughter,
and warm memories, knowing that we can count on your continued involvement and encouragement.
Yours in Education,
Ronisha Penner, Principal HB
Brookwood School District 167 in...
partnership with parents and the community, will create a learning environment where all students excel at becoming lifelong learners and decisionmakers.
BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167
MISSION STATEMENT
We Believe...
• Families shape their children’s motivation, confidence, and academic success by being interested and involved in their overall development.
• All students are unique and should be challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.
• In the importance of staff development opportunities based on best practices and educational research.
• In educating our children in a safe and nurturing environment
• The school system should teach students to think critically, enabling them to become contributing citizens in our global society.
• In continuous improvement in all aspects of the school system to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and integrity.
• In responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.
“Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
-- Malcoim X with access to state-of-the-art technology.
BROOKWOOD DISTRICT 167 VISION STATEMENT
Our overall vision is to improve the achievement of all students, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender, or ability levels (disabilities). We share the accountability of student achievement throughout the school. We believe in using research-based practices to achieve our goals. We promote school and community involvement because we believe that these partnerships help us meet all our students’ needs.
We Are Committed To...
• Providing students with highly qualified teachers
• Providing our staff with professional development
“Success is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to do when you’re on the journey. But you’ve got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end.” --Usher
VISITORS
If you need to come into the school for any reason, you will need to have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System. Raptor® provides a line of sight as to who is always in our school. The system provides school and district-wide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors that have signed in/out of our buildings. This is important for safety reasons.
Student Safety/ Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
URGENT, YET A GENTLE
REMINDER!
Please do not park, stand, or stage in the apartment complex adjacent to the Hickory Bend parking lot.
This is private parking. Your vehicle will be subject to ticketing and towing.
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFOMATION
Daily attendance is required. If your child anticipates being absent, please make sure the reason is valid. A student that is chronically absent is defined as a student who is subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause for more than 5% of the last 180 school days. This is a matter of concern as the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/26-2a considers a truant rate of more than 5% of the last 180 days to be excessive.
Students who are frequently absent often miss important information being taught, fall behind, and lose interest in school. An improvement in attendance may help a student achieve better grades and feel better about himself/herself. Counseling services and tutoring will be provided to chronically absent students, along with a “Check-In and Check-Out” program of support.
If a student continues to be absent or tardy without a valid excuse, the Regional
Superintendent/South Cook Intermediate Service Center will be notified, and measures will be taken to address this concern more seriously. If your child is struggling to attend school consistently, it is essential that we work together to improve their attendance, as this will improve their chances for school success.
A student who misses ten (10) days is 25% less likely to enroll in college. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Big Thank You to our School Board for providing our students with school supplies for the fourth year in a row. Every student in our District will receive two (2) school supply kits: one for use in school and one for use at home.
Time and money saved by our families... #Winning!!!!
If your child needs any additional resources or supplies for any of their classes, please contact our school office at (708) 758-4520 so we can help provide them with all necessary materials.
find good jobs. I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily.
I commend the families for instilling in their children the importance of being present daily. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please reach out to our Social Worker.
Mr. Darryl Thompson (708) 758-5350 dthompson@brookwood167.org
keep tHem Home...
If a child has any symptoms listed below, they should stay home in the morning or go home if these symptoms first occur at school.
WHen a cHild can return to scHool is based on tHe specific symptom tHey Have:
• Fever of 100.4 or higher
• New onset of moderate to severe headache
• Shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat
• Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain from unknown cause
• New congestion/runny nose
• New loss of sense of taste or smell
• Fatigue from unknown cause
• Muscle or body aches
If you answer “YES” to any of the above, your child “MUST” stay home. Please call the school before 8:30 a.m. to report your child’s absence (708) 757-2110 (Option #1).
please leave tHe folloWing information:
• Students full name with spelling of the last name
• Reason for absence
• Your name and relationship to the student
reporting a student’s absence...
Parents must call the school to report their child absent before 8:30 a.m. The number for reporting absences is (708) 757-2110 (Option #1). Official attendance will be reported every morning by 9:00 a.m. If your child joins a teacher’s classroom late, they will be marked tardy in PowerSchool, and you will be notified through the Principal’s Class Dojo.
reporting a student’s early dismissal...
• Please call the main number (708) 758-4520 at least (45) minutes “PRIOR” to the early dismissal.
• In order for your student to be excused, you must sign them in and out in the main office; otherwise, their absence will be marked as “UNEXCUSED”.
• Students full name with spelling of the last name
• Reason for absence/tardy/early release
• Your name and relationship to the student please leave tHe folloWing information...
ClassDojo
Healthy communication between the school and home is essential; we are working to provide numerous ways for this vital communication. To help suppress paper usage, we will continue providing information as much as possible using digital communication.
We encourage you to do tHe folloWing to Help us communicate WitH you:
• Please ensure we have an accurate email address. If you are not receiving Dojo messages from us, it probably means we have incorrect information on our end.
• Please sign up for the digital tools that Brookwood School District and the school have provided. These include:
• Class Dojo
• Power School Parent Portal
• Please talk with your child’s teacher about Google Classroom and how it can be used as a communication tool.
• Please follow us on Facebook
• Please visit our website at www.brookwood167.org
• Please feel free to email us or call us at (708) 758-4520
Please join my ClassDojo so you can stay informed on what is happening at HICKORY BEND SCHOOL.
If you would like to join, please accept the invitation that we emailed to you or texted you, or contact the school at (708) 758-4520, email, rpenner@brookwood167.org. All you must provide is your cell phone number or email address.
GET INVOLVED AND STAY INFORMED!
Breakfast/Lunch
We will send home a menu each month so you know what is being served and can plan accordingly.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served daily in the school cafeteria from 8:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: Hot lunch is free for all students. This includes entrée, fruit, milk, and dessert. If you pack lunch for your child, please keep a healthy choice of foods. Parents will not be allowed to bring their child fast food. Any questions, please contact Janice Machnikowski, Food Services Manager at (708) 758-5190.
Technology Help Desk
If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk
helpdesk@brookwood167.org
Please leave a detailed message with your name, child’s name, phone number, and the issue you are having with the device.
All SD 167 teachers use an online grading system called PowerSchool that they update regularly.
We encourage you to check your child’s progress regularly. This program is entirely confidential; therefore, you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress.
If you need your username and/or password, please get in touch with the school office at (708) 758-4520. A PowerSchool app for your cellular phone makes it easy for parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.
CHAMPIONS | BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Champions is a Before & AfterSchool Care Program available to our Brookwood families. Please get in touch with Champions as soon as you can to secure your spot. Space is limited.
Champions Family Support Phone: (800) 246-2154
ChampionsHelp@kc-education.com
Precious Instructional Minutes |
8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
It is crucially important that we maximize instructional time for all students. Instruction begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. on normal dismissal days.
To be clear, in order for teachers to begin active instruction at 8:30 a.m., all students must be seated and ready to receive instruction at 8:30 a.m. Our doors open at 8:00 a.m. for students to enter the building, receive optional breakfast (free to all students) and prepare for the day. When our students arrive prior to the start of instruction, our learning environment begins with a calm focus. Students who enter the classroom after the start of instruction are generally in a hurried rush, slightly discombobulated, and they suffer lost learning opportunities. Thus, it is crucially important that all students enter the building in a timely manner and are ready to receive instruction by 8:30 a.m.
On the other end of the school day is the opportunity to maximize learning by continuing instruction through 3:10 p.m. This will mean students will NOT walk out of the building promptly at 3:10 p.m. On the contrary, students will need a few minutes to gather their belongings and safely exit the building. As our student body consists of the youngest students in our district, it is important to be mindful of the need to be patient as they learn to be both responsible for their belongings and safe during the dismissal process. We promise we won’t tarry unnecessarily! So, please be patient as our dismissal procedures will not begin until 3:10 p.m.
Every minute of the instructional day is valuable. While we are understanding extenuating circumstances, we highly discourage habitual late arrivals and early dismissals. We are here to educate our All-Stars. We appreciate all efforts given by our families to help us protect the precious, few instructional minutes we have with our students.
District Character Theme Of The Month: “Compassion, Kindness, & Empathy”
Our District’s November Character Themes are Compassion, Kindness, and Empathy. This theme works perfectly with our goal of making Hickory Bend a Bully-Free Zone.
We are focused on preventing bullying every day by helping our students understand the role of Compassion, Kindness, and Empathy.
Compassion involves understanding and caring about the feelings and well-being of others. As a fundamental component of anti-bullying efforts, kindness promotes a positive and inclusive environment while discouraging behaviors that involve cruelty, discrimination, or harassment.
When individuals show empathy towards potential bullying victims, they can better grasp the impact of bullying and are more likely to intervene and support a victim. Indeed, they are more likely not to display bullying behaviors.
Please help us continue our anti-bully efforts when your child is at home. Not only does bullying disrupt the school environment, but carrying the weight of bullying can have life-long adverse effects.
Our All-Stars are rising to the top academically and learning how to be good people, do good in our world, and have a lasting positive impact on our community.
PBIS Starts Now!
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (P.B.I.S.) will again be at the core of our climate and culture.
We have three (3) goaLs:
• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
With our goals front and center in our minds every day, we plan to enjoy a positive environment in every area of our school.
chaLLenging thoughts to consider:
• How can our three behavior goals make a difference in our students’ behavior outside of school?
• If our families begin the conversation now, will our All-Stars return to school ready to thrive with positive behavior?
Let’s help our students remember to be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible in all walks of life, especially while at school. Start the conversation now and keep it going all year long. We will certainly do the same here at Hickory Bend.
Education Facts
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports
As a part of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), teachers, administrators, and support staff have the responsibility to TEACH positive behavior expectations to our students.
This education results in students knowing precisely what is expected of them and a framework of evidence-based behavioral supports and interventions in an integrated curriculum to enhance the social behavior and academic atmosphere for our diverse body of students throughout the school.
Lessons take place in several ways, and the environment for the expectations. For example, teachers will do short lessons each week on a specific expectation, the staff on lunch duty will discuss lunchroom expectations, and on Fridays, students complete a Kahoot or Blooket quiz to review the expectations they have been learning about all week. Posters or anchor charts have been created for different building areas to remind the students and staff about the expected behaviors.
While these strategies may not eliminate all problem behaviors, they create consistency, predictability, and a more positive atmosphere. They teach new skills to help children get their needs met. The solid foundation will help even if challenging behaviors persist by creating a bedrock for additional support layers.
Here are places to seek additional information:
• Parenting with Positive Behavior Support: A Practical Guide to Resolving Your Child’s Difficult Behavior
• Home and Community Based Positive Behavior Support Facebook Page
• Home and Community PBS Website
• Parent Center Hub Positive Behavior Supports Resource Collection
• Intensive Intervention: An Overview for Parents and Families
• The Association for Positive Behavior Support
• Getting Behavior in Shape at Home
• Family Resources for Challenging Behavior
• The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Resource Library
The Calming Corner | Woosah...
“The Calming Corner” is a dedicated space designed to help students manage their emotions and self-regulate when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated.
Young children are still developing the skills needed to cope with strong emotions, and a calming corner provides a safe, quiet place for them to take a break and regain their composure. Equipped with soothing items like soft seating, sensory tools, books on emotions, and perhaps simple activities, this space encourages children to reflect and relax in a supportive environment.
In The Calming Corner, students work to identify and manage their feelings, promoting emotional awareness and independence. This supports individual well-being and helps create a calmer, more focused classroom environment where children can learn and thrive.
Dearest Parents and Guardians,
Thank You for Making “Bring Your Parents to School Day” a Success!
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who participated in our “Bring Your Parents to School Day.” It was an excellent opportunity for students to share their school experience with you, and your presence made the day even more special!
From engaging classroom activities to interactive presentations, it was a joy to see parents and children working together and building connections. Your involvement enhances our school community and strengthens the bond between home and school.
We appreciate your support and enthusiasm and look forward to more events that unite our families. Thank you once again for making the day memorable!
Muchas gracias por asistir a nuestra
“Celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana”
Thank You for Attending Hispanic Heritage Night!
Thank you so much for attending our “Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration!” Your presence helped make the event memorable as we came together to honor and appreciate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
It was beautiful to see students, families, and staff connect through music, dance, and traditions that showcase the diversity and vibrancy of Hispanic heritage.
We’re grateful for your support and participation, and we look forward to celebrating more moments that highlight the unique cultures within our school community. ¡Gracias!
Thank You for Attending “Family Technology Night”
Let us help you help them!!! At our “Family Technology Night”, parents understood how our online learning programs work, how to access them, and how they can help their children at home.
Let’s face it: an eLearning Day is inevitable here in the wintery Midwest!
It is imperative that families know what to do to keep their children actively engaged when they must go online for classes.
If you have any questions about the online learning programs, daily online requirements, and/ or eLearning days, please contact your child’s teacher. If you haven’t collected your child’s AtHome device yet, we urge you to do so as soon as possible. This device is crucial for your child to continue their learning journey while at home.
See You At Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences offer invaluable opportunities to support student success. These meetings provide dedicated time for parents and teachers to discuss a child’s academic progress, social development, and any challenges they may face. By working together, parents and teachers can create a consistent approach to learning that reinforces positive behavior, addresses difficulties early on, and celebrates strengths.
Engaging in these conversations builds a strong support system around the student, making them feel understood and supported at home and school. Conferences also allow teachers to gain insight into each child’s learning style and background, enabling them to tailor their instruction. When parents and teachers collaborate effectively, students are more likely to be motivated, perform better academically, and have a positive, fulfilling school experience.
We look forward to seeing all of our All-Star Parents at Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, November 4th, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. (lunch for the staff will take place from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.).
Tapple
The goal was to raise $2000 to support student and family activities. Apparently, the All-Star power in us was super charged because we raised over $3,000!!! WOW!!!!
Thank you To all who parTicipaTed in our Fall Fundraiser! we could noT have done iT wiThouT you!
November 4th Parent/Teacher Conferences | 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | No School No conferences during the lunch hour | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
November 5th Election Day| No School
November 13th Bedtime Stories Family Event | 5:30 p.m.
