
As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our families and community with excellence, we’re inviting you to take part in a brief survey in partnership with Studer Education. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and it helps us understand what’s working well in your child’s school and where we can improve. Please check your email for the survey link and more details. The survey window closes on Friday, May 9.


At the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, Dr. Theartris Childress III, Dr. Carolyn Griggs, Mr. Cameron Nelson, and newly elected Ms. Ashly Giddens took their oath of office to begin their four-year term of service. They join current board members Mr. David Linnear, Mr. Michael Rouse II, and Mrs. Christina Vlietstra. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to serving the District 161 community!


Calling all Flossmoor School District 161 students and families! Come meet members of the Flossmoor Police Department at Rainbow Cone in Flossmoor on Thursday, May 15, from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a sweet treat and great conversation with some of Flossmoor's finest! The first 50 people to attend and show a digital copy of the event flyer will receive a FREE Rainbow Cone Jr. (Sorry, no drive-through orders.)
We’ll see you there for community connection and classic Chicago flavor!


Tonight!
Flossmoor School District 161 is excited to present the annual Visual Arts Expo for the 2024-25 school year. The Visual Arts Expo is a cherished tradition in SD161 that highlights the incredible art from students in the gifted art program at all schools. Parents and community members are invited to view the various works at the district offices, 41 East Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights, Illinois. The viewing begins on May 7, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and artwork will remain on display on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.


It is both Staff Appreciation Week and School Nurses Day, and we could not be more grateful for the incredible people who make our schools thrive.
To our teachers, aides, custodians, secretaries, food service workers, bus drivers, administrators, and every member of our school staff, thank you for the dedication, kindness, and care you show every single day.
And to our amazing school nurses, thank you for being a source of comfort, health, and calm. Your work truly touches every student, every family, and every staff member.
Today and every day, we appreciate you.


As part of our ongoing commitment to serving our families and community with excellence, we’re inviting you to take part in a brief survey in partnership with Studer Education. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and it helps us understand what’s working well in your child’s school and where we can improve.
Please check your email for the survey link and more details. The survey window closes on Friday, May 9.


Who needs the Louvre when you've got the District Office? Flossmoor School District 161 just pulled off the ultimate glow-up! Staff from the district's art departments transformed a meeting space into a stunning fine art gallery! On display: incredible works from our talented, gifted art students in grades 4–5 and 7–8. From bold Basquiats to marvelous Monets, and even a few Kusamas and Kahlos in the mix, these young artists are exploring mediums like painted canvas, pencil sketch, scratchboard art, ceramics, and more. We hope you enjoyed experiencing the genius of tomorrow’s Warhols, Ringgolds, O’Keeffes, and Hokusais… all right here in SD 161. Art is alive, and it's thriving in Flossmoor School District 161.










Halfway through the week and still giving 110 percent.
District 161 staff go above and beyond to lift up our students, support each other, and keep things moving forward.
You bring the wow factor every single day.
#WowWednesday #D161Pride #StaffAppreciationWeek


From the classroom to the playground to behind the scenes, District 161 staff bring the magic every single day.
Let’s give it up for the incredible team that keeps our schools running strong. You’re the glue, the spark, and the heartbeat of Flossmoor School District 161.


Flossmoor School District 161 is excited to present the annual Visual Arts Expo for the 2024-25 school year. The Visual Arts Expo is a cherished tradition in SD161 that highlights the incredible art from students in the gifted art program at all schools. Parents and community members are invited to view the various works at the district offices, 41 East Elmwood Drive, Chicago Heights, Illinois. The viewing begins on May 7, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and artwork will remain on display on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.


Thank you to all the incredible individuals who make Flossmoor School District 161 such a special place to learn and grow!
Whether you’re teaching in the classroom, supporting students’ well-being, keeping our buildings running smoothly, providing technology support, managing operations behind the scenes, or leading our schools — your hard work, heart, and dedication make a difference every single day.
We appreciate all you do to help our students, families, and community thrive. You are the reason we shine!


It’s not just been busy in Flossmoor School District 16; it’s been bustling throughout the entire Flossmoor community! We caught up with Superintendent Dr. Smith at the Village of Flossmoor New Resident event, and again later that week as he served as a spirit judge for the Flossmoor Baseball & Softball Opening Day Parade. Happy Friday, SD 161!



Students from Flossmoor School District 161 participated in the ILMEA Elementary Music Festival last Saturday, joining peers from 26 Chicago-area schools for a morning of music-making and collaboration. Some students participated in choir, while others rotated through sessions in ukulele, xylophone, movement, and drumming. The day concluded with a demonstration concert for families, showcasing what students had learned.




Congratulations to our talented Flossmoor School District 161 students for an outstanding performance at the Math Bowl held yesterday at Prairie State College! Your hard work, teamwork, and problem-solving skills were on full display, and we are so proud of your achievement. We would like to say an extra congratulations to team MVP and 6th place finisher, LANGSTON! Way to represent District 161 with excellence!




Although the day is winding down, our appreciation for outstanding leadership never ends. We are grateful for the dedication, vision, and steady guidance of our Flossmoor School District 161 principals. Thank you for all that you do to support our students, staff, and school community.


This morning, all Flossmoor School District 161 principals and Superintendent Dr. Smith proudly attended the Illinois Principals Association breakfast at Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. We were especially proud to celebrate our outstanding SD161 students who were recognized for their leadership, character, and academic excellence. Congratulations to each of them and their families! Your hard work and dedication make our entire school community proud!


Parker students' artwork will be on display at the SSJHSA Festival TODAY, April 30, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Chicago Heights Middle School. This multi-district event showcases student artists from across the area, and we’re proud to honor our students’ creativity. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate their work with family and friends. Best wishes on a great show!


On Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd and May 4th, 2025, weather permitting, Flossmoor School District 161 will be applying an herbicide and a fertilizer to all of the district’s fields/grass areas. The products that will be used for this application are The Andersons Turf Products Fertilizer with Barricade Herbicide and Trimec 992 Broadleaf Herbicide. These products comprise a selective broadleaf herbicide and a lawn fertilizer that will be used to control weeds/dandelions in these areas, and will also fertilize all district lawns.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Stachacz, Director of Buildings and Grounds, at (708) 647-7005.


Tonight is the night! We hope to meet your incoming Parker Junior High 6th grader at 6:00 p.m.


We can't wait to welcome our incoming Parker Junior High families for the 5th to 6th Grade Transition Meeting on Monday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m. Join us for a campus tour and a presentation to help you and your student prepare for this exciting new chapter. See you there!
