District 161

State designates Parker Junior High as ‘underperforming’

By Stephanie Markham on November 19, 2018 - 10:39pm
Parker Junior High School was labeled as underperforming for the 2018-19 school year based on low-income and special education students falling below Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards.
 
The Flossmoor District 161 school board on Nov. 13 discussed the state’s designation but struggled to identify a specific issue that might have led to a decline in those students’ performances.
 

Bus service working better this year in District 161

By Stephanie Markham on November 5, 2018 - 9:32pm
Bus service in Flossmoor District 161 has shown improvements from the 2017-18 school year when issues like numerous route changes at Western Avenue Elementary and late buses sparked complaints from parents.
 
Superintendent Dana Smith told the school board Oct. 29, that Paige Bus Enterprises has made changes in its operations that led to a “dramatic decrease in complaints.”
 

District 161 board considers hiring residency investigator

By Stephanie Markham on November 4, 2018 - 11:05pm
The Flossmoor District 161 school board is considering hiring a full-time residency investigator. The district previously used a private investigative service.

“There’s a general sense in the community that we have people taking advantage of residency by taking the train into town, taking buses in. It’s a persistent rumor,” said school board member Cameron Nelson during discussion at the Oct. 29 board meeting.

Washington, D.C. trip approved for Parker Junior High honors students

By Stephanie Markham on October 12, 2018 - 11:12am
Eighth graders in Parker Junior High’s National Junior Honor Society will have the opportunity to spend their 2019 spring break exploring the nation’s capital.
 
The District 161 School Board approved plans Tuesday for the school’s first field trip to Washington, D.C. from March 22 to 29.
 

D-161 construction projects closer to completion, officials say

By Stephanie Markham on September 28, 2018 - 9:35am
Flossmoor District 161 officials are at odds with the construction company working to finish air conditioning at Parker Junior High School and air and heating systems at Heather Hill School over what extent the projects are complete.
 
Associate Superintendent Frances LaBella updated the school board Monday on the status of the projects. She said neither project has been turned over to the district, so they are not considered substantially complete. 
 

District 161 hires two security officers for Parker Junior High

By Stephanie Markham on September 12, 2018 - 8:45am

Parker Junior High School will be adding two unarmed security officers onto its staff as part of Flossmoor District 161’s plan to enhance the school’s safety.
 
The school board Monday approved a contract for $73,008 from U.S. Security Associates. The Georgia-based company will provide the staffing of one security guard and one supervisor, with estimated annual wages of $34,128 and $38,880, respectively.
 

Students meet school officials, enjoy movie in Flossmoor Park

By Stephanie Markham on August 19, 2018 - 3:15pm
The second annual District 161 Back to School Meet and Greet on Friday evening marked the end of summer vacation with a family event and outdoor movie.

District 161 kids get to see a firefighter’s view

By Marilyn Thomas on July 30, 2018 - 10:12pm
What better way to end summer school than with a chance to sit in a fireman’s truck! After six weeks of learning, the Summer Academy for District 161 ended Thursday, July 26, for more than 400 kids pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. 

Flossmoor School District 161 launches new registration process

By Joseph Houlihan on July 25, 2018 - 2:50pm
It was cool heads and short lines throughout July as Flossmoor School District 161 launched its new registration for the 2018-19 school year.
 
“We actually started in May, as the last school year was ending,” said Superintendent Dana Smith. 
 
Teachers and administrators began working on next year’s class lists early while the previous year was still fresh in their minds. 
 

District 161 board members voice concerns about home rule plan

By R.L. Anderson on December 26, 2017 - 10:12pm
The Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education is still deliberating whether it will enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Homewood as the village continues its efforts to become a home rule community. A decision is expected in January but some board members are publicly stating their reservations.
 

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