Dear District 80 Giles Families, 

In the month of September schools focus on safety drills and procedures.  Drills are practiced and procedures are tested.  Practicing drills teaches the staff and students the steps to take in the event of an emergency.  These are some of the safety steps we take at school; there are steps you can take at home, too.  

Take some time to discuss safety with your child in an age-appropriate manner.  Please take this matter very seriously.  You can approach the conversation in a way that you would discuss airport safety with your child.  People traveling know it is not acceptable to say certain words at an airport or on a plane.  This is very similar in schools.  

Speak with your child regarding the following: 

• Do not make any type of threat in person or online.  This is never a joke.

• Do not talk or joke about guns, bombs, knives, or other weapons in person or online.

• Do not bring any weapons, look-a-like weapons, play weapons, or toy weapons to school, field trips or any activity.

• If a student makes a threatening statement or brings a weapon or toy weapon to school, the student will be referred to the Norridge Police Department.  

• School consequences will be significant and in line with Board Policy 7:190 and may include suspension or expulsion.  

• The importance of “See something, say something”.  If your child witnesses a threat or receives a threat, it must be reported for everyone’s safety.  

• Report any threats to the proper authority.  

• And finally, please monitor your child’s social media usage.  

We need to work together to have a safe and healthy community.  

Have a safe weekend, 

Mrs. Michele Guzik

Giles Families,

October has arrived and the cool breeze has begun to settle in.  Please ensure your child(ren) is dressed appropriately for the weather during morning arrival, recess, and dismissal.  We will be outdoors when the weather is 17 degrees or warmer.  Please ensure that your child(ren) brings a jacket, hat, gloves, etc as the weather begins to get colder.  If your child loses an item, please have them check the Lost and Found located by the main office at entrance #2.  All items found are placed there nightly by our cleaning company.  If a lost item isn't located at the Lost and Found, please have your child(ren) check their classrooms.  All the classrooms have an area for students to hang their items when they are not wearing them.

If you are picking up your child early for a doctor's appointment or they are going home sick, please make sure that the parent or individual listed in the emergency contacts brings a driver's license or state-issued ID.  For student safety, we must check to confirm your identity before we release the student.  Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mr. Bob Biedke

As we move forward in the school year, I would like to remind you about the Student-Parent Handbook, which outlines essential policies and guidelines for our students and their families. Effective communication between school and home is crucial, and I encourage you to review this resource to help you stay informed about our expectations and procedures. 

You can find it here: https://giles.norridge80.net/student-parent-handbook

I would like to highlight our updated attendance and tardy policies. This policy begins on page 11 of the handbook. Students who miss 5% or more of the prior 180 regular school days without valid cause (a recognized excuse) are considered chronic truants. 

To avoid that, at 5 absences/tardies, an email reminder will be sent home. At 9 absences/8 tardies, a phone call will be made. If a student reaches 11 absences a parent meeting will be requested and the student will be placed in our Check in Check Out program. If a student reaches 10 tardies, a phone call, follow-up email and a meeting with the student will be scheduled. At 13 absences, the behavioral plan will be developed/revised and an in-person meeting will be scheduled. At 13 tardies, an in-person meeting will also be scheduled and at 16 tardies a behavioral intervention plan will be developed/revised. If a student reaches 15 absences/19+ tardies, a home visit will take place. If a student has 17+ absences the principal reserves the right to request the Norridge Police Department to authorize a ticket to the parent/guardian. 

Thank you for your dedication to our students and for fostering a positive learning environment.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding our student-parent handbook or any of the attendance policies stated. 

Thank you,

Mrs. Alyssa Gulo