Author: laurac47

Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program

LETTER

September 2013

Dear Irving Parents and Guardians,

It is time once again for those who qualify to sign up for the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program (HFGB). This program provides families who reside in Oak Park and River Forest with a gift card for food around Thanksgiving time and gifts during the December holiday season.

The criteria used to determine who qualifies for HFGB are similar to the guidelines set up by the federal government for free/reduced school lunch. In addition, all applicants must be part of the Irving community (if this is no longer the case the social worker must be familiar with you). If you know of a non-Irving resident who may want to apply, the social worker can direct them to other community locations.

If you are the head of your household and want to apply for this program please contact Kila Bell-Bey at the Irving Social Work office. Scheduling an appointment is the easiest way to ensure that your application gets completed and turned in on time. Stop by or call 708-524-5630. You may also leave a message at 708-524-5830 ext. 6150. I look forward to seeing you and I promise it will be a quick process!

All applications must be completed in a face to face meeting with the social worker by Friday October 18, 2013! Only one application is allowed per household/family and the applicant must sign off as the head of household!

Kila Bell-Bey, MSW
Washington Irving Elementary School Social Worker/D97 Oak Park
kbell-bey@op97.org
708-524-5630 (office)
708-524-5830 ext. 6150 (voicemail)
708-524-3090 (main office)

OPEF Architecture Adventure in 3rd Grade Today

Architecture Adventure will be at Irving TODAY in the 3rd grade classes from 1:15-2:45. Third grade students will be given a 30-minute powerpoint presentation of the features of several house styles found throughout Oak Park. They will be taught what makes a house style unique and recognizable.

After the presentation, (1:45), kids will go back to their classrooms to design their own house on a large piece of corrugated cardboard. Volunteers architects will be in each classroom guiding the students as they design and draw. The houses will eventually be painted, and we plan to display them at Red Hen.

Thanks.

Lisa Sorensen
Volunteer Coordinator
Architecture Adventure
http://www.opef.org

PTO Meeting Thursday, September 5, 2013

We hope you can join us for the first PTO meeting of the year, which is on Thursday, September 5 at 6:30 in the Library/Media Center on the second floor. As always, free child care is provided. This year our 5th Grade Girl Scout troop is providing child care under adult supervision.

This month’s meeting will include an introduction of new teachers, presentation of the 2013-2014 PTO budget (see budget details here), an update from Mr. Sakelleris on Trivia Night as a new fundraiser, and an update on school activities by the always entertaining Principal Hodge.

We hope to see you there. If you are unable to attend and would like to discuss anything on the agenda, please contact Laura Crawford at lauracrawford47@gmail.com, Jodie Ackerman at jodiepto@yahoo.com, or any of the other PTO board members (click here for contact info).

Irving School PTO
Agenda for Monthly Meeting
September 5, 2013
6:30PM
Irving Media Center Library

  1. Welcome
  2. Principal’s Report (45 minutes)
    1. Welcome back to school
    2. Update on new initiatives and activities
    3. Introduction of new staff
  3. Eagle Extras update (5 minutes)
  4. Treasurer’s Report (40 minutes)
    1. Presentation of budget for 2013-2014 school year
      1. Mr. Sakelleris to share info on new fundraiser: Trivia Night
      2. Brief review of Eagle Extras finances
      3. Brief review of technology purchasing
    2. Vote on budget for 2013-2014 school year
  5. Vote on payment for shade sails for playground equipment from Schoolyard budget
  6. Committee Reports: (20 minutes)
    1. Cultural enrichment update
    2. Fun Run
    3. Other committee reports
  7. Oak Park Education Foundation update
  8. Approve minutes from 5/23/13
  9. All other business

Note: PTO meetings are the first Thursday of each month during the school year, at 6:30 pm.

Form and Fee Night

Class lists!
Eagle Extras!
Pay your fees!
Ask questions!

Form & Fee Night is Tuesday, August 20, from 4-6pm. If you have not already paid your school fees and lunch fees online then bring your checkbook to Irving at this time to do so. The forms went out over the summer, but some are also available on the District 97 website.

More fun than that, though, is this is when class assignment lists are posted. Look outside the school’s front door to see which teacher your child has. Note that the lists will come down that night in order to make some changes. Class lists are not posted online for privacy reasons. (Please do not share photos of a class list on Facebook or other public online setting.)

The school is open on Form & Fee night, so new families can tour around on their own and the kids MIGHT be able to peek in their new classrooms.

Eagle Extras, Irving’s after-school program, is accepting registrations starting at Form & Fee night as well. Details can be found here.

Families do not have to stay for the whole time. Just drop by and say hello while you fill out forms, ask any questions of the front office staff, and hang out with parents you haven’t seen in a while.

See you soon!