School Newsletters

Importance of School Attendance

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope this message finds you and your family well. Hickory Point School is committed to providing every student with the knowledge and skills necessary for success. A critical component of that success is regular school attendance.

Research shows that consistent attendance is directly linked to academic achievement. When students miss school, they miss valuable learning opportunities, discussions, and interactions that are difficult to replicate outside the classroom. Over time, occasional absences can lead to learning gaps, lower grades, and a decline in confidence.

We understand that some absences are unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. However, we encourage you to prioritize attendance whenever possible. Here are some key reasons why regular attendance matters:

1. Academic Success: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to stay on track with their peers and achieve higher grades.
2. Social Development: Regular attendance allows students to build relationships with their peers and teachers, fostering a sense of community and support.
3. State Requirements: Consistent attendance is essential for meeting educational requirements and avoiding the risk of falling behind in credit hours or grade progression.

To help ensure your child’s success, we kindly ask for your support in the following ways:

• Set a Routine: Establish a consistent bedtime and morning schedule to help your child be prepared and on time for school.
• Please communicate if your child faces any challenges that affect their attendance. We’re here to help with resources and support.
• Emphasize the Importance: Encourage your child to understand the value of attending school and engaging fully in their education.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 847-498-3830. We are here to partner with you in your child’s educational journey.

Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to your child’s success. Together, we can ensure that every student at Hickory Point achieves their full potential.

Social Emotional Second Step Skill- Empathy

The Second Step is the district-adopted social-emotional curriculum to support social competence and reduce social-emotional difficulties. Social-emotional skills are important to a child’s health and development. This program teaches children skills in three core areas: empathy, emotion management, and social problem solving. These core social skills contribute to a child’s success in school and later in life, as well as their success in the workplace. This newsletter will focus on the first core competency of empathy. 

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. This core competency lays the foundation for all of the subsequent Second Step lessons. Children work to develop their ability to identify and understand their own feelings. In turn, they begin to build their capacity to understand others’ feelings and learn ways to respond with sensitivity and compassion. The key vocabulary in this unit is "same," "different," "why," and "because." 

These lessons help children learn how to identify and name their own feelings through modeling, scenarios, situations, practice, and reinforcement. They practice showing care and concern. Second Step is a research-based resource that promotes the social skill development of our primary learners. 

Aims Screenings  are  January 6, 7, and 8

All students will be participating in Literacy Benchmark Screenings. This screening is completed three times a year in August, January, and May. These screenings take 3-5 minutes for each student. Our intervention team will be screening all students from January 6 to 8.

Second Grade STAR testing

Dear Second Grade Parents, 

STAR assessments are administered three times a year, in August, January, and May. Reading and math assessments will take place on the following dates:

• January 8 - STAR Reading
• January 9-  STAR Math

For additional information on the STAR assessment, please consult the District 27 website.

Important Dates

Friday, December 19

• Spirit Day
• Holiday Parties 2 pm
• School Closes at Dismissal

Monday, January 5

• School Resumes

For your children,

Dr. Maureen Deely, Principal

Mrs. Lauren Weingarten, Assistant Principal