Western Avenue Elementary -

Updated Car Line Pick-Up Procedures — Starting January 9

To strengthen student safety during dismissal, official school-issued car tags will be required for all car line pick-ups beginning January 9.

What families need to know:
• Car tags must be clearly visible when picking up your child
• Need a car tag? Stop by the main office to receive one
• Vehicles without a car tag after January 9 will be directed to the office for verification before a student is released

This week and next, we will continue preparing families to help ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe.

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
Read through the latest Western Weekly to catch up on all of the news from school.
https://app.smore.com/n/6qbzj

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

Last week of school vibes: When the pressure is high and the competition is....ROCK! PAPER! SCISSORS! This last week of school included a friendly game of rock, paper, scissors, amongst staff. It was all good natured competition, plenty of laughs, and a nice moment to unwind together. In the end, Mrs. Vitale took home the first place prize! Congratulations to our winners and thanks to everyone for being such great sports as we wrap up this last week.

We wrapped up Friday with a burst of energy in Ms. Pasqua's music class. Once the parachute came out, the room turned into a swirl of color and end of week excitement. Our wolves definitely knew how to finish the week on a high note.

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.

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.

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.

Take the Whitsons School Dining Program Survey!

This morning, Western Avenue was honored to celebrate our Veterans, the family members, friends, and neighbors who have served our country with courage and dedication. We extend our sincere appreciation to Beyond Borders in Flossmoor for their generous coffee donation, which added a special touch to our breakfast. It was a meaningful morning of connection and gratitude as we came together to thank our veterans for their service.

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

Today we pause to honor all who have served our country. Your courage and sacrifice inspire us every day. A special thank you to our staff members who have served, as well as the parents, guardians, and family members of our SD161 community who are veterans.

Tomorrow our schools will recognize and celebrate our veterans in a variety of meaningful ways. Stay tuned for photos and highlights from across the district.

On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, November 8th, 9th, and 10th, 2025, weather permitting, Flossmoor School District 161 will apply an herbicide and a fertilizer to the field areas at Normandy Villa, Serena Hills, Flossmoor Hills, Heather Hill, Western Avenue, and Parker Junior High. 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 all district lawns.

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

A friendly reminder!

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

The gymnasium is filled with the sounds of the famous Western Avenue Halloween sing-a-long! 🎶 Happy Halloween, Wolves!

Smash those pumpkins sustainably!
Join the Southland Green Committee on Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Coyote Run Golf Course parking lot for Flossmoor’s annual Pumpkin Smash event. Instead of tossing your jack-o’-lanterns, give them a second life by turning them into compost that helps our environment.
Let’s break down pumpkins, not the planet—see you Saturday!