
Don't forget there is no school on Friday, February 7, and Monday, February 10. We will see you back in class on February 11.
Check out the latest e-newsletter from Dr. Smith by clicking the link:
https://conta.cc/3CAu3ut

The countdown is on—Flossmoor School District 161’s STEAM Night is just 9 days away!
We’re excited to welcome our friends from Project SYNcERE, who will be bringing their STEM in motion Tinker Lab for an unforgettable hands-on experience. Get ready for an evening filled with innovation, creativity, and discovery as students explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through interactive activities.
Click the link to learn more about Project SYNcERE. https://projectsyncere.org/our-programs/enpowered/stem-in-motion-tinker-lab/


The countdown is on—Flossmoor School District 161's STEAM Night is just 10 days away! Get ready for an evening filled with hands-on activities, exciting demonstrations, and interactive learning for the whole family. Stay tuned this week as we highlight all the fun in store! And don’t forget to bring your appetite! Delicious food will be available for purchase from George's Shrimp and Chicken on Wheels, Juanchos Tacos, and D's Cookies. We will see you on February 13!



Reminder: There is no school on Friday, February 7 and Monday February 10th.


Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 19 at 7pm and plan to stop by the Village of Flossmoor to learn more about the history of the Underground Railroad in Chicago from Emeritus Professor, Dr. Larry A. McClellan.
This opportunity is brought to you by the League of Women Voters of the Homewood Flossmoor area.


Happy Black History Month!
Flossmoor School District 161 is excited to kick off the month with gratitude and honor for the rich tapestry of Black heritage, resilience, and achievements.
Throughout Black History Month, we’ll be highlighting the meaningful events, projects, and activities taking place at each of our schools. Join us as we celebrate Black history, culture, and achievements through student learning, special programs, and community engagement. Stay connected to see how our district is honoring this important month!


Come hungry to the District STEAM Night on February 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.! Don’t miss your chance to grab delicious cookies from D’s Cookies, available for purchase.
This event will be hosted at Parker Junior High School located at 2810 School Street in Flossmoor. See you there!


Congratulations to Flossmoor School District 161 Spelling Bee Champion, Ben Wool. Ben is an 8th grader at Parker Junior High and said his best advice to future spelling bee participants is to look for patterns in words and pay attention to the ending of words. Ben's winning word was incessant. Congratulations, Ben!!!! B-R-A-V-O


Tonight, at 6 p.m. in the PJH gym, our Flossmoor School District 161 Spelling Bee takes center stage, and we can't wait to see our students 'bee' their best! After weeks of practice and preparation, these talented spellers are ready to show off their skills!
Good luck to all participants—we know you'll make our district buzz with pride! Stay tuned to see who will be crowned this year's champion!


Time flies when you're learning, growing, and having fun! Today, Flossmoor School District 161 celebrates the 100th day of school, marking 100 days filled with creativity, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff and families for making these first 100 days so magical! Here's to many more days of learning and growth ahead!


It's the Year of the Snake, and the Village of Flossmoor, in partnership with the Flossmoor Public Library, invites all District 161 students and their families to an exciting and enriching Lunar New Year celebration! Join us at the Flossmoor Public Library tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to noon for an event that's both informational and fun. Celebrate this special occasion with engaging activities and opportunities to learn about Lunar New Year traditions. We hope to see you there!


Due to the anticipated cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills, District 161 will transition to E-learning tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21.
Students and families, for specific E-learning information, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nAO45PEf4Cv9a6PzxQ1zuRlm0Q5CCaW_OOlmGK-9BX4/edit?tab=t.0
School and District offices will be open tomorrow. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your building principal or Dr. Smith at your earliest
convenience. Flossmoor School District 161 is planning to resume in-person learning on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Stay warm and safe!


There will be no classes today, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. District 161 proudly embraces this day by participating in and hosting various service projects in partnership with local nonprofits and the Village of Flossmoor. Projects around the District are as follows:
-Serena Hills Elementary: 9-10:30 am and make Valentine's for seniors.
-Western Avenue School: 11-2:00 pm Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected
-PJH: 9-11:30 am Donations of soap, hygiene products, and deodorant accepted.
-Flossmoor Hills: 9-11:00 am card making for seniors
-Heather Hill: Project with You Matter 2: The project has been filled.


Reminder: There will be no classes on Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
District 161 proudly embraces this day by participating in and hosting various service projects in partnership with local nonprofits and the Village of Flossmoor.
Thank you to the Village of Flossmoor for creating this helpful guide to projects available for Monday. Visit the link to learn how you can get involved: https://www.flossmoor.org/506/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-of-Service
Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy through service and community engagement.



Don't miss the chance to support Parker Junior High's AVID program and their Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project! On Monday, January 20, drop off donations of soap, body wash, and deodorant at the 8th-grade entrance of PJH. Your contributions will support Anew in Homewood. Stop by between 9-11:30 a.m.


Get ready for a morning full of stories and smiles. Monday, January 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the H-F Fieldhouse for a special MLK Day of Service event hosted by the H-F boys wrestling team! As part of their service project, the team invites young readers to a morning of reading, where they’ll receive encouragement, support, and friendship from the student-athletes. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy through service and create lasting memories. Don't miss out on this inspiring and fun event!


We’re counting down to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and there are many ways to get involved this weekend!
Food Drive: Flossmoor Community Church is collecting paper products (napkins, plates, toilet paper, tissues) and boxes of pasta for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Blood Drive: FCC is hosting a blood drive on Saturday. Sign-up details: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11604806
Benefit Concert: Mayor Nelson is hosting a concert on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m. to support the Center for Food Equity in Medicine. Admission is free, and all monetary donations will go directly to the Center.
Stay tuned for more ways to get involved, including opportunities at each of our schools.
Let’s come together to make an impact!


Last week, Dr. Smith, Dr. Marti, Dr. Isabelli, and Scott Stachacz met with their Intergovernmental partners to work on an exercise that involved a simulation of a severe weather situation.
The exercise provided valuable communication between the partners and was a discussion-based, facilitated exercise. Flossmoor School District 161 wishes to thank all of the partners and sends a special thanks to the Village of Flossmoor for hosting and facilitating the meeting.


We hope your first week back to school is off to an amazing start! Whether you're diving into new lessons, getting back into the groove of afterschool activities, or settling into routines, we’re cheering you on!
We also want to be sure you SAVE THE DATE!
District 161 STEAM Night is coming up on Thursday, February 13, from 6–7:30 PM!
Bring the whole family to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in fun and interactive ways. Stay tuned—more details are coming soon!


We can't wait to welcome back students and staff tomorrow morning!
We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing winter break. We’ve loved seeing all the joy shared over the holidays. Special thanks to the families participating in the nightly menorah and kinara lightings with the Village of Flossmoor. Dr. Smith, our superintendent, enjoyed connecting with the community and celebrating these beautiful traditions as he lit the kinara on the third night of Kwanzaa. As we return to school, here are a few tips to help make the transition smooth: -Get plenty of rest tonight so you’re ready to start the day refreshed and focused. -Pack up your belongings this evening to avoid the morning rush. -Plan for extra time to get to school on time, especially with the forecast for winter weather. We’re so excited to see everyone back and ready to kick off 2025! Let’s make it a great start to the new year.



