Longfellow Weekly News: Week of October 8, 2018
Dear Longfellow Families,
It's a new month and time for our monthly attendance reminder. Unfortunately, Longfellow's attendance rates are the lowest among the 8 elementary schools in District 97. We strongly believe that every minute counts at Longfellow School! Unless your child is not healthy enough to be in attendance please be sure to do all you can to get them to school, on time each and every day.
Thank you,
Maggie Cahill
Fun Run This Friday
This Friday, October 12 is our 8th annual Fun Run at Longfellow Park. Students will walk or run in Longfellow Park for 20 min Humphrey the Bear, our school mascot. The FUN RUN funds many of the PTO sponsored programs, such as: Sports Night, Science Night, Family Reading Night, Longfellow Larks, Turkey Trot, Olympic Day, All School Picnics, and 20+ more programs. Students are asked to wear blue or white or any Longfellow gear they may have. Please see the schedule below to find out when your child runs. Each student is encouraged to raise $40 (this is a suggested amount, but any amount raised is greatly appreciated and will allow children to earn the first level of prizes!). Our school goal is to raise $20,000! We came close last year; we can do it!
Schedule By Grade: 
Kindergarten (10:30-11:10)
1st Grade (8:20-9:00)
2nd Grade (12:10-12:50)
3rd Grade (12:55-1:35)
4th Grade (9:05-9:45)
5th Grade (9:50-10:20)
Halloween and Fall Harvest Festival at Longfellow
Our annual Halloween Parade will take place on Wednesday, October 31st at 12:45 pm. All families are invited to watch the parade as students exit the back of the school, walk East on Jackson, South on Highland, West on VanBuren, North around the Cuyler cul-de-sack, continue West on Van Buren, and then finally North on Ridgeland and back to the school. Please remember to choose costumes for your child that do not include real or look-a-like weapons or blood/gore. We ask that students not wear face masks or head coverings because we parade around the school for a significant part of the celebration. It is important that we are able to recognize student faces and keep students safe while outside of the school. Please also remember to choose costumes that do not stereotype, demean, or make fun of other people. Students who are not participating in the festivities are welcome to join our Fall Harvest Party. Please contact your child's teacher for more information about that event.
Morning Gym is Back Up and Running!
Morning Gym was canceled during the month of September due to Heartland Adventure being set up in our gymnasium. Now that this unit has ended, Morning Gym has started back up! Students will be welcome to come to school as early at 7:30 am, grab a pass from the office, and play with their friends in the gym.
Second Step This Week 
The Second Step curriculum teaches our students important life skills. Please take a moment to talk about and practice these skills as a family by reading your child's "home link" for this week. The grade levels that have home links this week are:
Second Grade- Feeling Confident Third Grade- Conflicting Feelings
Fourth Grade- Conversation and Compliments Fifth Grade- Disagreeing Respectfully
D97 Seeking Substitute Teachers & Teaching Assistants
District 97 is currently looking for inpiduals to serve as substitute teachers and teaching assistants. Additional information about these positions can be found by visiting http://www.op97.org/hr/
FLIP Registration Extended
FLIP (Foreign Language Instructional Program) registration has been extended through Friday, October 19th. Classes begin the week of October 1st. Join us for adventures in language and culture! Classes are held before school. Kindergartners through fifth graders are invited to learn Spanish-French-German through the Longfellow PTO-sponsored extracurricular Foreign Language Instruction Program (FLIP). You should have received a brochure and registration sheet. It can also be found on the PTO Website. Click here to Register Online. Or, print out the 3rd page and bring the filled out form and payment to the office by October 19th.
Career Day Volunteers Needed
We would like families and members of our community to share their amazing jobs at Longfellow's Annual Career Day on Tuesday, November 20th from 8:00-10:30am. Volunteers will present for about 15-20 minutes in 3-5 classrooms. If you are interested in participating in this wonderful event, please fill out this form by October 26th. We need at least 30 adults to present their careers as well as other volunteers to help with the event. We would love for our students to learn about a variety of career options. You can also share the form with a friend or family member you would like to recommend.
Committee Members
District 97 is currently seeking inpiduals to serve on the district's Finance Oversight and Review Committee and GTD Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. Information about both opportunities can be accessed via the links above or by visiting the district website.
Cheers for Peers! 
We would like to recognize children and adults who make a difference at Longfellow School. If you would like to nominate an inpidual who makes a difference at our school, please fill out this form. The inpidual you nominate will receive a printed form with a description of their contribution to making Longfellow a great place to be.
Background Checks
A background check is required for inpiduals who want to serve as a chaperone on a field trip or volunteer within the school. To obtain a one-time background check, please visit our online sign-up page. To your appointment please bring your driver’s license or State ID to your appointment. Results take about 7-10 business days (sometimes longer), so please plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please email Ellen McKay or call the district office (708-524-3000).
Dining for Dollars at Lou Malnati's on Tues, 10/9
Attention all Pizza Lovers and Meal Planners - it’s the day you’ve been waiting for! Join your fellow Lou’s lovers at the October 9th Dining For Dollars. Every pie you buy (and salads, and apps, cookie pizzas, and frozen pizzas for a later date) earns money for Longfellow. It’s the easiest (and tastiest) way to support the school. Applies to dine in and carryout orders. MUST mention Longfellow when ordering for us to get credit. Please be sure to read the flyer for more details.
Longfellow Expansion Page
On our school website you can now find a special "Longfellow Expansion Page" that will be used to post information and updates about the project. Please click here to view the page. You can also find it on the left-hand side of this webpage.
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 8th- No School (Columbus Day)
Tuesday, October 9th- Dining for Dollars at Lou Malnati's
Friday, October 12th- Fun Run
Monday, October 22nd- Conference Week Begins
Thursday, October 25th- Half Day, Dismissal at 11am
Friday, October 26th- Half Day, Dismissal at 11am
Wednesday, October 31st- Halloween Parade and Fall Festival at 12:45 pm
Thursday, November 1st- Picture Retakes
Tuesday, November 6th- No School (Institute Day)
Tuesday, November 20th- Career Day