News

Dear Addams Families,

We hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Our students continue to amaze us each day with their creativity and imagination. See the above pictures for just a few examples of the work that students have created in art class. This coming Wednesday morning, we will hold the first 3 A’s Assembly (Accept, Achieve, Amaze) of the year. We can’t wait to celebrate the accomplishments of staff and students during this assembly along with having some fun. Each assembly, we highlight certain clubs, sports and other groups. In addition, students participate in games where they compete against each other and the staff. In addition, on the half day we will practice safety drills including evaluation, shelter-in-place and lockdown. Please see below for more information.

Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns as we work together to ensure that our students maximize their learning potential. 

Regards,

Chris Bingen          Bill Musselman
Principal                 Assistant Principal 

Upcoming Date

• 9/17 – District 54 Run to Read Event
• 9/20 – Half Day Institute – Student dismissed at 10:40 am
• 10/9 –  Columbus Day – No School
• 11/8 –  Half-day Institute students released at 10:40 AM
• 11/20 –  Full-day Parent-Teacher Conferences – no school all day
• 11/21 – Half-day Parent-Teacher Conferences – no school all day
• 11/22-24 –  Thanksgiving Break – no school

Lockdown Drill – Sept. 20
As required by the Illinois School Code, our schools participate in fire, severe weather, bus evacuation and emergency response drills to ensure our students and employees know what to do should an emergency occur. 
 
On September 20, 2023 our school will participate in a lockdown drill. Our past experience in conducting drills has shown us that most students are able to participate with the understanding that it is just a drill. However, we do allow parents/guardians to exempt a child from the drill. Should you feel this situation would be too traumatic for your child or should you want more information about the drills, please contact me at [email protected]  Under state law, schools must still provide alternative safety education related to an active threat to students who do not participate in the lockdown drill.
 
If a school were to have a real Lockdown situation, not a drill, every phone number associated with your child’s record would be called using our notification system. We will also text and email parents/guardians. We promise to communicate with you as soon as possible. Please be patient as our first priority will be the safety of our students and staff.
 
While your natural instinct as a parent in an emergency is to go to your child’s school or to call the school office in an emergency, please understand that doing so may significantly impede the response capabilities of our local emergency responders. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to evacuate students to another location. 
 
In addition to holding drills, we also focus on prevention by forming relationships with our students to provide support when they need it and so they feel comfortable reporting to us when they hear or see concerning behaviors. Please reinforce this with your children at home. Let them know that they can also come to you when they feel unsafe and remind them that they should report any suspicions and concerns about school safety.
 
After each drill, we reflect as a staff and with local emergency responders to determine if there are any procedures we might need to review with the staff and students. 
 
The safety of your children is very important to our staff. Should you have any questions about this drill, please don’t hesitate to contact me. For more information, visit our website at sd54.org/safe-schools.
 
No Food Deliveries Allowed
With a focus on student and staff safety, District 54 does not allow food delivery services (including, but not limited to, GrubHub, DoorDash, and local restaurants) to our schools. 
 
Join PTA
Help support the PTA by purchasing a membership.  Memberships are only $10 or 2 for $15.
Purchase memberships online and your membership card will be emailed to you. Anyone can join: Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa or any community members.  PTA is an organization that advocates for the students at Addams Jr. High. All funds are used to organize activities and events that benefit Addams Jr. High students and teachers.  PTA helps support many great events including: assemblies, Addams 5k in the fall, 8th grade activity day and dance, and to show our appreciation for the Addams teachers throughout the year.  

Fun Lunch
Fun Lunches will be on Fridays beginning  on Friday, September 8th. Order Fun Lunch through the Marla’s Lunch website. Here are directions on how to order. All orders are due on Tuesday at 9am for the following week. 
 
Spirit wear
Addams Spirit Wear is now available! Show your school spirit by ordering yours today. Order yours online here.
 
Nights Out
Our first night out will be at Culver’s on October 26th from 5pm to 8pm.
Culver’s of Schaumburg
1800 Wise Rd
847-891-5660
Come join your PRINCIPAL and TEACHERS (from 5pm-7pm) at Culver’s of Schaumburg and support Jane Addams PTA at the same time.  Culver’s is donating 15% of the group’s sales during this time period.  Bring your Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and ALL of your friends.  Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to help, see your friends and have a great meal! Please mention you are with Jane Addams PTA at the time of ordering.
Click HERE for the flier.
Our second night out will be at the Chicago Wolves Game on Saturday, November 11th. Check out the flyer to get more information and to order tickets. 
 

Run to Read
Sign up today. School District 54 is excited to host its 19th annual Run to Read – an event with something for everyone:

• Sign up your children to do the 100 or 400 yard dash at 8 a.m.,
• Register your family for the 1-mile walk at 9:15 a.m., or
• Sign up anyone to complete the 5K run/walk at 9 a.m.

The event will take place again this year at Dirksen Elementary School, 116 W. Beech Drive in Schaumburg, on Sunday, Sept. 17. You are also welcome to participate virtually by walking or running any distance of your choice during race weekend. The link to more information is below
https://sd54.org/runtoread/

Multicultural Parent Advisory Council Presentation – Sept. 19
You are invited to join us on September 19, 2023 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. as District 54’s Multicultural Parent Advisory Council presents a session for parents on “Collaboration: The Key to Success for English Learners in District 54”.  During the meeting we will review how English Learners are identified in District 54 and discuss the information that ACCESS scores provide regarding your student’s learning.  We will also share tips for preparing for your child’s conference and review the Evidence Based Funding in District 54. Translators will be available. To sign up for the session, please complete the registration form by Wednesday, September 12th. If you have any questions regarding the meeting, please feel free to contact the Department of Language and Culture at (847) 357-5074. 

District 54 Virtual Backpack
 District 54 shares information about community events with our students and families through our Virtual Backpack.  We know that parents are interested in extracurricular activities. At the same time, we don’t want the homework, letters from the teachers, school news and other important district information to get lost among the countless other pieces of paper in our students’ backpacks.  Please click here for additional information.
 

2023-2024 District Calendar
The 2023-2024 District Calendar can be viewed HERE.  You can also access the SD54 calendar at a glance PDF right above the calendar once you click on the link