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February 2017

Notes from the Principal
 
I see teamwork on a daily basis at Palos West! Many thanks to all the students and families that brought in non-perishable items during our Souper Bowl of Caring! We eagerly watched the graph to see how many items were brought in each day! It was fun to end the week with the PFA sponsored Spirit Lunch (Super Bowl theme!) on February 3rd. Students that brought in non-perishable items during the week were entered into a raffle drawing. During lunch on February 6th, we drew names of winners and handed out prizes during the students' lunchtime! Though, the biggest prize of all was your generosity! We collected 3649 items! Fifth grade collected the most cans and will be participating in an extra recess with a tailgate theme in the Spring. Thank you to everyone for supporting those in need! The Palos Township Food Pantry is grateful for our support and "teamwork!" 

I want to remind parents that we are having Valentine's parties tomorrow, February 14th.  A large thank you goes out to our parent volunteers who have signed up to help and who work so hard to make each party a memorable experience for the children.  Please remember that the students may bring in valentines to distribute to their classmates, but they cannot have candy or any gift items attached.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  

Car Rider Families- Many are not using the signs that were given out at the beginning of the year. It is very helpful to display your last name in the window in order to expedite the dismissal process.  We ask that you please place your sign in your front window. Our staff would greatly appreciate your help in this!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the PFA March Madness on Saturday, March 11th. This will be a fun-filled night of music, friends, and fun along with a silent auction.  It will be held at Palos Country Club from 7-11. This event is the PFA's largest fundraising event of the year and is used to support each of the schools.  Please join us and help support the programs and events sponsored by the PFA. 

Looking ahead, students in grades 3-5 will be taking the PARCC test soon.

5th grade students will take the ELA test March 7th, 8th, and 9th and the Math test March 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.  

4th grade will take the ELA test March 10th, 13th, and 14th and the Math test March 24th, 27th, 28th, and 29th.

3rd grade students will take the ELA test March 15th, 16th, and 17th and the Math test March 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th.

Makeup testing will be March 31st and the week after our Spring Break.

It is a privilege to be a part of the Palos West TEAM! Thank you to the incredible and hardworking students, the talented and dedicated teachers, and to the generous and supportive parents and community! 



Mrs. Peloquin Biel

boardofedBoard of Education News

 The dates of the District 118 Regular Board of Education meetings are listed below.

Meetings will be called to order at 7:00 p.m. at Central office unless otherwise indicted.

February 21, 2017

March 21, 2017 @ South

April 18, 2017 @ West

May 16, 2017 @ East


  





























Palos West Elementary School
708-448-6888
Principal:  Mrs. Peloquin-Biel
Assistant Principal: Ms. White
Secretary:  Mrs. Patsy Harmon 

  
markyourcalendarMark Your Calendars
 
Tuesday, February 14th
Valentine's Day Parties
AM 10:30-11:30
PM 1:30-2:30

Wednesday, March 1st
PFA Meeting
9:30 am @ East

Monday, February 20th
NO SCHOOL 
President's Day
Friday, March 3rd
NOON DISMISSAL
NO AM EC/PK/KDG

Tuesday, February 21st
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 pm @ Central
Monday, March 6th
NO SCHOOL
Casimir Pulaski Day
Wednesday, February 28th
1st Grade Round-Up
 Call the office for an appointment

firstgrade1st Grade Round-Up
Parents of Kindergartners who live within the District 118 boundaries and are attending private Kindergarten this school year are invited to come to our 1st Grade Round-up on Tuesday, February 28th.  Tours will be scheduled between 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. Please pass the word on to any family, friends or neighbors who have students who will be 6 years old by September 1, 2107 and are NOT currently attending Kindergarten at Palos West. Please call to schedule an appointment 708-761-3802.

studentcouncilStudent Council
Ms. Hotzfield
Student Council would like to send a special "THANK YOU!" shout out to Palos West students and families for a very successful "SOUPER BOWL"!  We collected 3649 cans for the Palos Food Pantry.  So many families will benefit from all of our generous donations! Way to go, Palos West!  That being said, you might be wondering which grade will be going to the "Tailgate Party"... 5th grade collected the most cans and will be participating in an extra recess with a tailgate theme; bean bag toss, chalk, hula hoops, and of course MUSIC!! We will wait until later in the Spring to announce the date for this well-deserved celebration!  Again, we are ALL winners as the Palos Food Pantry has replenished their shelves and is able to help so many of our community families thanks to our efforts!! 


 







mediacenterMedia Center
Mrs. Reinke
 
What's New in the Media Center?

Tom Watson, the author of Stick Dog and Stick Cat is coming to our school!



Would you like to eat lunch with Tom Watson?

Every time you read a Monarch Bluestem, Caudill or Tom Watson book you are eligible to receive a raffle ticket.
Just fill out a ticket when you return the book.
Winners will get to eat lunch with Tom Watson during his visit on Wednesday, March 1st.

Color of the Month: Green
Can't decide on a book?  Try picking a book that is green.
poptopPop Tab Collection
Mrs. Segredo
Palos West is going to be involved in a  pop tab collection between February 15th - March 12th.  Students may bring in pop tabs from not only pop, but also soups, gravies and other canned goods.  Students should bring the pop tabs to their homeroom. Once every week, student helpers will go around to collect the pop tabs and bring them to the office where they will be weighed.  A big graph, showing the progress of the top 5 classrooms will be posted in the school.  

The Ronald McDonald House Charity, who will benefit from this pop tab drive, relies on donations to survive.  The donation of pop tabs has raised thousands of dollars over the years.  Pop tabs are made of pure aluminum and can be recycled, with the cash going to the Ronald McDonald Charities.  Specifically, our tabs will be donated to the House in Oak Lawn at Hope Children's Hospital.   
 
nursesnotesNurse's Notes
Mrs. Segredo, RN, BSN, PEL/CSN

 
February is National Dental Health Month. Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. If you don't remove decay-causing bacteria with daily brushing and flossing, however, it can lead tocavities or worse,gum disease.
 
Many parents assume that cavities in baby teeth don't matter, because they'll be lost anyway. But that's not true. Dental decay in baby teeth can negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems. Good oral hygiene is the key to a healthy mouth and teeth.
 
TOOTH BRUSHING and FLOSSING
Beginning when their first tooth erupts, children need to have their teeth brushed at least two times a day. There are brushes designed to address the different needs of children at all ages, ensuring that you can select a toothbrush that is appropriate for your child. Incidentally, children cannot brush their teeth without help until they are older-about six to eight years old. So be sure to supervise or do the actual brushing if necessary. Flossing should begin as soon as your child has two teeth that grow in side-by-side. When choosing toothpaste, toothbrush, floss or other dental products, be sure to look for the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal.  This important symbol is your assurance that the product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

TOO MUCH SUGAR
The longer and more frequently your child's teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities. "Sticky sugar" foods such as sticky caramel, toffee, gum, and dried fruit-particularly when it stays in their mouth and bathes their teeth in sugar for hours-could do serious damage. Make sure that your child's teeth are always brushed after a sugary food item. Nutritious and well-balanced meals, along with healthy snacks like cheese, fruits or raw vegetables can help keep tooth decay to a minimum.

DENTAL CHECK-UPS
It is suggested that your child see a dentist beginning with their first tooth eruption and every 6 months thereafter. Regular dental visits teach a child that oral health is important. The dentist or dental hygienist will usually clean their teeth during these visits. One goal of dental visits is finding problems early.  Tooth decay can be stopped or managed if it is caught early. As part of the dental checkup, the dentist will make sure all teeth are developing normally, that there are no dental problems, and give you further advice on proper hygiene. A topical fluoride solution may be applied to provide extra protection against cavities. Sealants are often applied  to prevent the development of decay in cavity-prone teeth.
 
By keeping your teeth and mouth healthy, your teeth can last you a lifetime.  For tips on brushing and flossing your teeth and other oral health topics visit www.ada.org



REMINDER: ALL KINDERGARTEN, 2ND, AND 6TH GRADE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE DENTAL 
   EXAMS SUBMITTED BY May 15th.
 
      
pfanewsPFA NEWS


NEW NAME.
SAME GREAT CAUSE!

SAVE THE DATE!

 

2017 MARCH MADNESS

Saturday, March 11th
7 PM - 11 PM at Palos Country Club
Featuring the live music of 
LANDAU CATS

Tickets $50
Early Bird Tickets $45 through February 14th
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS (ONLINE ONLY)
www.palos118.org/PFAwebstore

Preview Auction Items Online
 
preschoolPreschool Screening
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Location:  Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
7800 McCarthy Road, Palos Heights, IL

The Palos School District 118 Preschool Screening assesses development skills in the areas of speech and language, fine and gross motor, and cognitive development.  
The screening is for children ages three through five who reside within the District 118 boundaries.
To make a screening appointment, please contact: Special Services Department at 708-761-5807.

CHILDREN AGES BIRTH THROUGH THREE
Parents and or physicians who are concerned about physical, language, or other delays in children birth through three years of age should also contact:  Special Services Department at 708-761-5807.