8-28-2026 Junior Bulldogs Newsletter

We were so excited and happy to welcome students to our new Early Childhood Center this week! Students are already learning school routines, participating in learning activities, and interacting with their peers. Thank you all for your support in getting them ready for school.

After today, I will be sending the Junior Bulldogs Newsletter every other week. The next newsletter will be sent on Friday, September 11.

Curriculum Night is next Wednesday, September 2 from 6:00-7:00 at the ECC. The event is a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn more about your child's educators, the curriculum, ECC procedures, and your child's schedule. Child care is available for families who need it.

Please make sure that you contact the school when your child is absent. Attendance is very important as it helps establish routine for your child and helps them retain their lessons as they continue on their path of education. Please contact Lia Moreno, the health clerk, in order to report any absences. Below is her contact information:

Lia Moreno, Health Clerk

Phone number: 847-568-8901, Extension: 5081

Email: limoreno@skokie68.org

Thank you for your help in this!

MEDICAL FORMS: Please send your child’s medical forms with your child for the first day of school if you have not already done so. A physical exam is required before students enter preschool.  

Parent Square is our primary communication tool between home and school. Here is the link along with information about how to set-up an account and get started with Parent Square:

Parent Square link: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin

Parent Video - Getting Started with ParentSquare (3 minutes)

SCHOOL HOURS:

Morning students attend school from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Drop-off time is 8:55 a.m.

Afternoon students attend school from 12:15-2:45 p.m. Monday-Friday. Drop-off time is 12:10 p.m.

Please arrive on time because our staff is unavailable to supervise your child before or after sessions.

Please send your child to school with the following supplies daily:

Please send your child to school with these items that will remain at school:

STUDENT INFORMATION FORM 2026-2027: This form is being mailed to each family. Please complete for each student attending our preschool and return to the ECC.

Here are a couple of reminders to make drop-off run more smoothly for our students on the bus:

Please use the circle drive in front of the ECC for drop-off and pick-up as opposed to parking your car in the parking lot and walking to the front door. During the winter, there may be fewer parking spots in the lot because of snow removal. Families of afternoon students who park in the lot may be stuck in the lot because of dismissal at OOJH.

In addition to the directions detailed below, there will be signage and staff directing circle drive and parking lot traffic during the first week of school. See the pink route on the map linked HERE.

Students who are walking to school with their families will enter the ECC through the main entrance off of Kenton Ave.  

Parents driving their child(ren) to school should enter the parking lot from the north entrance off Kenton Ave. Please drive straight through the north end of the parking lot into the circle drive in front of the new ECC, and form two lines in the circle drive. Once you are in the circle drive, please put your car in park and wait for a staff member to come to the car. We will ask you to open your car door so we can escort your child into the building. After all of the students and staff have cleared the circle drive, put your car in drive and follow the signs to exit through the circle drive in front of the main entrance of Old Orchard Junior High.  

Students who are walking home from school with their families will exit the ECC through the main entrance off of Kenton Ave.

Parents picking up their child(ren) from school should enter the parking lot from the north entrance off Kenton Ave. Please drive straight through the north end of the parking lot into the circle drive in front of the new ECC, and form two lines in the circle drive. Once you are in the circle drive, please put your car in park and get out to wait for your child to be brought to your car by a staff member. After a staff member has brought your child(ren) to their family, the family member is responsible for getting the child into the car and secured into their car seat. After all of the students are in their cars and staff have cleared the circle drive, put your car in drive and follow the signs to exit through the circle drive in front of the main entrance of Old Orchard Junior High.

You MUST have the number card visible on the back of the passenger side sun visor with the number facing outside and right side up or visible from the front window. When you enter the circle drive in front of the ECC, please put your sun visor down so we can see the number. If you forget your number card, you must park and check-in with the office. Be prepared to show identification.

Next Developmental Screening is on September 4. To make an appointment, please call Connie at the Niles Township District of Special Education (NTDSE) at 847-965-9040 extension 841.