The first Parent-Teacher Conference night is on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.  As articulated in the Spartan Compact, parent-teacher conferences are an extremely important part of the two-way communication process between parents and teachers. Parents interested in checking on their student's progress this fall are asked to take advantage of this day. Conferences are also a place for parents to tell teachers things about their child: How he likes to learn. What she says about the class at home. How he enjoys spending free time. What she says about other students in class.

No appointments are necessary.  Teachers will be alphabetically located in the Spartan and Auditorium Gyms.  Parents are encouraged to bring the grade report or a list of staff members they wish to visit. 

Please take the opportunity to meet your son or daughter's teachers, guidance counselor, dean, activity sponsor, or coach. The school will have Arabic, Polish, and Spanish interpreters available to assist parents.

Again this year, staff will be on-hand to assist parents in updating their SchoolMessenger/Skylert account, enrolling to receive the weekly electronic Oak Leaflet Newsletter, and creating a Family Access account for gradebook access. Representatives from Herff Jones will be in the Spartan Lobby for underclassmen ring orders and graduation materials. The Athletic Booster Club will also be selling Spartanwear and related merchandise. The PTSA will also have membership and scholarship information available.

The Student Services Department is hosting a session titled, "Understanding Depression and Warning Signs of Suicide in Our Youth" at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theater.  One in five children in the U.S. experience Major Depressive Disorder in any given year and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10-19 year olds. Parents are a critical component to helping adolescents receive counseling services. Attend this very important session and learn to identify the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide and how to intervene.  The session is being led by Katie Mason, MA, LPC; Program Director of Public Education, Mental Health America of Illinois, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Please RSVP and direct questions Social Worker Erin Lee at 708/741-5637.

Superintendent/Principal Dr. Michael Riordan will host a parent reception at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Room. The receptions are open to all parents. The receptions provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions and for Dr. Riordan to provide information on academic interventions, school improvement plans, and technology initiatives. Please join Dr. Riordan during one of the sessions.

The Ventra System (reduced student fares on PACE buses) has started a new program to discount student fares. New students to the district who have never had a Ventra card (or lost their old Ventra card) need the "New-Replace Ventra" form. Parents must fill out the form and mail $2.00 to Ventra. Ventra then sends the card to the school and we deliver it to the student.  The student must then take the card home and a parent/guardian must register the student card with Ventra.  Money can then be loaded onto the card. 

 
Returning students to the district, or students who purchased a Ventra card last school year, need the "Renew Ventra" form. That form needs to be filled out with the students name and card number and returned to the Business Office 123 where it is scanned and emailed to Ventra. This verifies the student is enrolled for the 2014-2015 school year.
 
The student fare is only valid between Monday and Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the school year.  Before and after those hours and on the weekends, the student is charged full fare. The process must be completed each year.  <<read more>>