Flossmoor School District 161

Save the Date!

Flossmoor School District 161 invites parents and guardians to a special parent forum, “Keeping Our Kids Cyber Safe,” on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Parker Junior High School.

Join guest presenter Detective Rich Wistocki (Ret.) from the Be Sure Consulting Cyber Safe Schools Team for an informative session on protecting children online, understanding gaming and social media platforms, and promoting digital safety.
Additional details coming soon!

Congratulations, Parker Junior High Musicians!

We’re proud to announce that several Parker students have been selected to perform at the ILMEA District 1 Regional Band, Orchestra, and Choir Festival.

These talented students earned their spots through a rigorous audition process, competing among students from more than 70 junior high schools in the region. This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to their dedication and musical skill.

Congratulations to:
Alani Jeffries (8th grade, flute) representing the PJH Band
Elliott Chan (8th grade, violin) representing the PJH Orchestra
Ameya Thigpen (8th grade, cello) representing the PJH Orchestra
Emelii Mae Matthys (8th grade, soprano) representing the PJH Chorus

These students will represent Parker Junior High at the ILMEA Festival on Saturday, November 22, at Unity Junior High School in Cicero.

Please join us in congratulating them for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding musical achievement.

Special thanks to Elana Reid, AJ Diller, and Andy Lopez for their guidance and support.

Thank you to Homewood Flossmoor High School for another fantastic youth night! Our staff and students had a wonderful time playing on the big field.

A reminder that there is no school on Monday, October 13, 2025

Get ready for a fun, district-wide Trunk or Treat event hosted by the Parker Junior High Student Council and FEA on Monday, October 28. Admission is simple: bring one nonperishable food item to donate!

They are also looking for parent volunteers to help make the event extra special. Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up using the link below to sign up by October 21. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOrxhYSW99tH6ZR_1B3hZztA9MBRk6wE3sfp4NRFRekFtafg/viewform

Check out the flyer for all the details, and join us for a night of costumes, candy, and community fun!

October is #NationalPrincipalsMonth—a time to celebrate the incredible leaders who shape our schools, support our teachers, and inspire our students every single day.

From early mornings to late nights, principals wear many hats: mentor, advocate, problem-solver, cheerleader, and visionary. Their dedication creates safe, inclusive, and thriving learning environments.

Join us in thanking our principals for their unwavering commitment to education and for being the heart of our schools. Use #ThankAPrincipal, drop a comment, or tag your favorite principal to show your appreciation.

There are no classes tomorrow, Thursday, October 2, in observance of Yom Kippur. We extend our best wishes to all who are observing the holiday. Classes will resume on Friday, October 3.

Rock Your Schools week begins today!
Wear your favorite sports gear to show your spirit! Something tells us we will see plenty of Bears gear today after yesterday's win!

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 23 from 6:30-7:30 at Parker Junior High for a presentation on Standards Based Grading and Learning.

Flossmoor School District 161 families are invited to join the Flossmoor Public Library and the Village of Flossmoor for a special community celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event will take place this Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Flossmoor Public Library.

Enjoy a morning filled with activities, including a station hosted by members of the SD161 Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee!

Flossmoor School District 161 is excited to share that we
have been selected as a grant recipient of the @ComEd
and @Openlands 2025 Green Region Grant Program
to support our work on the Parker Junior High pollinator patch.
#GreenRegionGrant2025

#FLASHBACKFRIDAY We had the best time at the Back to School Bash! A big thank you to the Village of Flossmoor and the Flossmoor Public Library for hosting this spectacular good time. Happy Friday Flossmoor School District 161.

Join us on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Parker Junior High School for an informative and family-friendly evening focused on learning in District 161!

Congratulations to all of the Hidden Gem Half Marathon runners yesterday! It was so fun to see so many Flossmoor School District 161 staff and families out volunteering and pitching in. What a great day for our school community and beyond!

Conservation Ecology Internship
Homewood Science Center is offering a Conservation Ecology Internship for students in grades 6–8 this fall. The program runs on Saturdays starting September 27, 2025, and gives students hands-on experience in ecology, leadership, and scientific discovery at Homewood's Izaak Walton Preserve.
Students can apply here: https://airtable.com/appWLTo5HACulZRUb/shro1OjgXH7xjUnCI

We've had a great two days in Flossmoor School District 161. We are looking forward to the middle of the week tomorrow and even further ahead to Friday, when we can celebrate as an entire district at the Back to School Bash in Flossmoor Park from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
See you then!

Do you have a 5th grader interested in beginning band? Make a plan to attend the Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m.

The first day of school is officially off and running. Students filled our halls with excitement, teachers welcomed their new classes, and the energy across our schools was nothing short of amazing. Thank you to our families and staff for helping make the start of the year run so smoothly.

The night before the first day of school can feel a little ruff for our pets. They have loved having their humans home for summer cuddles, backyard games, and extra love.

As backpacks are packed and alarms are set, our furry friends send their best wishes for a great first day tomorrow. ❤️ Drop a photo of your family pet in the comments so we can see all the sweet faces who will be missing their humans in the morning!