Parker Junior High - 21st Century Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Happy New Year!
We can’t wait to see our students tomorrow! As we get ready to jump back into our routine, please take a few minutes to review the latest newsletter to get caught up on all of the most up-to-date information from Parker Junior High.
https://app.smore.com/n/7jqb9

As we head into the final weekend of break, this is an easy way to ease back into school mode. We are inviting Parker families and their students to take a few minutes to share feedback on Capturing Kids’ Hearts by completing a short survey. Please use the links below and encourage your child to participate in the Student Survey as well. If you would like to preview the questions included in the CKH Student Survey, you can view them at the link provided.

Parent CKH Survey
https://app.ckh.org/public-survey/r9qwwc5i
Student CKH Survey
https://app.ckh.org/public-survey/ig6us8zi

Looking for a simple and fun way to keep your child’s reading and math skills sharp over Winter Break, encourage independent learning, and earn a chance to win a gift card while still enjoying time off? Take our Winter Break Learning Challenge by clicking the link below!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1saOUpkx9nfQCCl-J9U3SSkQwB4M6M3p1/view

Spirit Week Continues..... We’re celebrating the last week of school before winter break with lots of school spirit and fun. Dress up, join in, and help us make this an amazing last week!

#ICYMI Congratulations to our 8th-grade Parker Falcons on securing the Regional Championship last night! The team competed with exceptional determination from start to finish, overcoming a tense overtime to claim the victory. It was a hard-fought game, and our athletes demonstrated outstanding heart, resilience, and teamwork. An unforgettable achievement, well done, Falcons!

We hope families make plans to swing by the Flossmoor Library on Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. for a lively musical performance for kids. You might even get lucky and walk away with a tasty treat. A great way to start the weekend together.
The Flossmoor Library is located at 1000 Sterling Avenue.

Don't forget! Friday is a School Improvement Day, and all SD161 students have an early dismissal.

Catch up on all of your PJH news to help get you prepared for the week ahead.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning, Falcons!
https://app.smore.com/n/zsyte

The District is working with Studer Education to help strengthen our systems and support even better experiences and outcomes for our students, staff, and school community. Our survey is open from November 14 to 29, 2025, and we invite parents and guardians to complete one for each child enrolled in District 161. Please check your email for the survey link and take a few moments to share your feedback.

The District is working with Studer Education to help strengthen our systems and support even better experiences and outcomes for our students, staff, and school community. Our survey is open from November 14 to 29, 2025, and we invite parents and guardians to complete one for each child enrolled in District 161. Please check your email for the survey link and take a few moments to share your feedback.

#ICYMI Last weekend the Lady Falcons played in the Antoine Merrick Memorial Junior High Basketball Tournament and took third place! Congratulations, Lady Falcons!!

The District is working with Studer Education to help strengthen our systems and support even better experiences and outcomes for our students, staff, and school community. Our survey is open from November 14 to 29, 2025, and we invite parents and guardians to complete one for each child enrolled in District 161. Please check your email for the survey link and take a few moments to share your feedback.

On Tuesday, members of the Parker Junior High Green Team, their staff representative, Ms. Barker, and members of the Village of Flossmoor Green Commission planted the new Parker Pollinator Patch in front of the 8th-grade entrance. This new planting was made possible thanks to a matching grant from Openlands and ComEd. The pollinator patch will expand habitat for local pollinators, provide educational opportunities for students, and enhance the beauty of the school grounds.

Herbicide Application Notification:

On Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd, 2025, weather permitting, Flossmoor School District 161 will apply herbicide and fertilizer to the field areas at Flossmoor Hills and Parker Junior High School. The products to 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 to control weeds/dandelions in these areas and to fertilize the district lawns.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott Stachacz, Director of Buildings and Grounds, at (708) 647-7005.

The District is working with Studer Education to help strengthen our systems and support even better experiences and outcomes for our students, staff, and school community. Our survey is open from November 14 to 29, 2025, and we invite parents and guardians to complete one for each child enrolled in District 161. Please check your email for the survey link and take a few moments to share your feedback.

Take the Whitsons School Dining Program Survey!

Feeling stuck on homework? We’ve all been there!

Stop stressing and swing by Homework Help after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Friendly faces, helpful tips, and a little teamwork can make all the difference.

Don't miss out on all of your PJH school news. Click the link below to read about everything happening this week, including details about the Cyber Safety meeting tonight at PJH, scheduled for 6 p.m. https://secure.smore.com/n/4xy3s

TOMORROW!
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.

Let us know you plan to attend by registering using the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJiGcpHNS_FOQb8B0k09wNDnU4V-s31Nbtfa7MScdFjEtmFQ/viewform