Congratulations to the entire team at PJH for an amazing first day at the state track meet!
A special shout out to 8th grader Fallon Alsberry for her amazing 6th place finish in the 400 m race!
WELL DONE!!!!!
📸 Dr. Wisniewski
:
🚨 STATE ALERT! 🚨
Parker Junior High is heading to STATE! 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♂️ Let’s give a HUGE shoutout and tons of Falcon pride to our incredible student-athletes representing us on the big stage! 💪👏
Competing at state are:
Kayla Collier
Nyla Whittier
Cambri Dumetz
Zoey Tillman
Alana Cook
Savannah Taylor
Ryan Thompson
Djimon Johnson-Shakoor
Martell Clay
KShawn Jones
Mason Kwaza
Mark Clayton
Julian Smith
Fallon Alsberry
Chase Foster
Karter Pillows
Theodore Williams
Martez Harding
Michael Lucas-Wolfe
Jaylen Roberson
Mekhi Hall
Tejon Beals
Geremiah Redfield
Eric Lumpkin
None of this would be possible without our dedicated coaches — Mr. Wright, Ms. Bratlien, Ms. Lewis, and Ms. Hill — thank you for your leadership and support! 🙌
Let’s go, Parker Falcons! We can’t wait to hear the good news from Assistant Principal Dr. Wisniewski about your performances. Bring the heat to state! 🔥 🔥
The countdown is on — Graduation for our PJH 8th graders is just 6 days away
Your tickets are ready and waiting!
Swing by the front foyer TODAY or TOMORROW to pick up your graduation tickets, panoramic photo, and frame orders during these times:
8:00 am to 11:30 am
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Let’s get ready to celebrate this amazing milestone.
Questions? Call the main office at 708-647-5400.
A reminder that the school will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
Join us for Multicultural Literacy Night!
All Flossmoor School District 161 families are invited to our final BPAC meeting of the year—a special celebration of multiculturalism in our bilingual program!
📅 Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Parker Junior High Media Center
Enjoy children’s literature and cultural artifacts from around the world, light refreshments, and a chance to connect with other families. We can’t wait to see you there!
#ICYMI
Broadway dreams came true for three of our incredible 7th graders thanks to EduHam, an educational program that connects students to history through the lens of Hamilton: An American Musical!
Congratulations to Isabella Avendano, Minah Bobb, and Tabitha Waita for being named one of the top 20 teams in the nation for their original poem about Philip Hamilton, inspired by a primary source from the era. Their outstanding work earned them an all expense paid trip to New York City to see Hamilton on Broadway and explore the city alongside their chaperones, Mrs. Emily Nicotra and Ms. Linda O’Dwyer.
This is the second year in a row that one of our teams has won, and we've only been participating for two years. EduHam is part of our 7th and 8th grade Humanities curriculum, with additional support from Mrs. Tiffaney Washington, who teaches a special poetry lesson based on primary sources.
Thank you to the Gilder Lehrman Institute for sponsoring this unforgettable opportunity, and a final thank you to the PJH PTO for sponsoring the unforgettable sunset Statue of Liberty cruise for these students.
Learn more about EduHam: https://hamilton.gilderlehrman.org/
#ICYMI
The Parker Junior High PTO hosted its first Falcon 5K on Saturday, May 3.
Congratulations to all participants and organizers on a job well done!
This THURSDAY!
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!
Each year, the Illinois Principals Association of South Cook hosts a special breakfast to recognize outstanding students from across the region. Every school in District 161 selects two students—one from 5th grade and one from 8th grade—to be honored for their leadership, character, and academic excellence.
This year, under the leadership of Principal Parris, Parker Junior High is proud to recognize 8th-grade students William Santiago and Mae Gabel. William and Mae were celebrated at the regional breakfast this past Thursday, where their achievements were recognized alongside other exceptional students from across South Cook County.
Please join us in congratulating William and Mae!
Don't miss this opportunity to share your opinion!
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 will close at the end of the day today.
We hope your 8th grader had a fantastic time at the dance last night! We’re excited to start sharing photos from the event, beginning with a spotlight on Alicia. A talented 8th grader and member of Ms. Rudenga’s Knitting and Crochet Club, Alice crafted the stunning dress she wore to the dance—showcasing the incredible skills she’s developed through this wonderful after-school program. We’re so grateful to have dedicated staff like Ms. Rudenga in SD 161, who generously lead such meaningful and creative opportunities for our students. Bravo, Alicia! your dress is absolutely beautiful!
Last night, the PJH UNDEFEATED girls soccer team honored all the 8th-grade players. These talented athletes have been playing together for years, and soon they’ll be ready to take on the challenges of high school. Whether on the field or pursuing new adventures, we know they’ll continue to shine. Best of luck, athletes! The future is yours!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Parker Students Dig into Learning with “Ecosystem Explorers” Project
Thanks to a generous mini-grant from the National Council of Jewish Women – South Cook Section, students at Parker Junior High School embarked on an exciting, hands-on science adventure this spring. As part of the “Ecosystem Explorers: Composting and Ant Farm Investigation” project, seventh-grade students in Mrs. Chielo's class explored the vital roles of composting, worms, and plants in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Students designed and maintained their own composting bins, observed worm behavior, planted seeds, and tracked the growth and development of their plants—all while learning about decomposition, soil health, and environmental sustainability. The project encouraged critical thinking, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature.
This innovative experience not only supported NGSS-aligned science learning, but also brought joy and curiosity to the classroom. Parker Junior High is incredibly grateful to the National Council of Jewish Women – South Cook Section for enhancing science education through this engaging and meaningful grant.
It’s Terrific Tuesday, and Staff Appreciation Week continues! We are so grateful for all the hard work, dedication, and passion you bring to your roles every day. Thank you for everything you do to positively impact our school community!
Thank you to all the incredible individuals who make Parker Junior High 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!
Thank you to Ms. Chielo and Ms. Wallenius for joining our Parker students at the Girls in STEAM event at Prairie State College. Students explored hands-on activities and heard from professional women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. They left feeling inspired, empowered, and excited about their futures.
Huge congratulations to the amazing cast of Charleston on a phenomenal performance last night! You brought the stage to life with incredible energy and heart. If you missed it, don’t worry—you’ve got one more chance to catch the magic TODAY at 3PM. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable show!
📸 Declan Klyn
