Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259

Lorenzo Smith School Seeks Community Support for Locker Room Renovation PCCSD #259 is calling on the vibrant and dedicated community of Hopkins Park to join forces in a volunteer initiative to repaint the school’s locker rooms. Superintendent Dr. Nicole Terrell-Smith is seeking volunteers to help rejuvenate these essential spaces on Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28. This project aims to provide a fresh, welcoming environment for our students and to support our revitalized sports programs. Lorenzo Smith School is proud to announce the return of its sports programs, including, for the first time, a co-ed soccer team. Our track team has also achieved notable success, placing 7th in the 4x100 meter relay and celebrating Tionna Wynne’s impressive 7th place finish in the 100-meter dash at the state level. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and coaches and highlight the importance of providing them with quality facilities. Dr. Terrell-Smith emphasized the significance of community involvement in this project: "We have a unique opportunity to embrace the rich diversity and loyalty of our community by coming together to restore our locker rooms. This renovation is not just about painting walls; it’s about fostering a sense of pride and unity within our school and community. Our students deserve a space that reflects the support and commitment we have for their growth and success." Volunteers are needed on both days to help with the painting. Additionally, we are in need of painting supplies, including paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and painter’s tape. Contributions of supplies or funds to purchase them are greatly appreciated. Details of the Volunteer Initiative: - Dates: Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28 - Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Location: Lorenzo Smith School, 4120 S. Wheeler Road in Hopkins Park, IL How to Help: - Volunteer: Join us on either or both days to lend a hand in painting. - Donate Supplies: Drop off painting supplies at the school office between 9-3pm before June 26th. - Monetary Donations: Contributions can be made to the Pembroke Consolidated Community School District #259. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact the district office at 815-944-5448 or email ijohnson@pembroke.k12.il.us Let’s come together to make a tangible difference in our school and show our students the strength and unity of our community. ###

We Need Your Input on Student Uniforms! Your voice matters! We are conducting a survey to gather your thoughts and opinions on the student uniform policy observed by our District. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete Enter to win one of multiple $25 gift cards as a thank you for your time! How to Participate: 1. Scan the QR code or visit Student Uniform Survey. 2. Complete the survey by June 20, 2024. 3. Share your honest and valuable feedback. We appreciate your involvement and look forward to hearing from you. Together, we can make a difference! Thank you for your participation! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=CbzfnUu7jU6mhVASDUT1L2plWN5UusRHt-GIWS6WQ6VUQktNSDJZMDFJOVlaWFMwOU4wVDRRMEdJUS4u

Uplifted Care provides grief counseling to our students, staff, and their families twice a month during the school year. Grief is a journey that impacts us all at different times and in different ways. It’s important to remember that no one has to navigate this journey alone. This summer, Uplifted Care has provided some incredible opportunities for support and healing. Join them for the FREE Uplifted Care Family Grief Camp on Friday, July 26th—a full day dedicated to helping families find comfort and strength together. Additionally, the Grief Center offers a variety of Groups and Workshops throughout the summer. Families are encouraged to reach out and take advantage of these valuable resources. For more information or to schedule counseling, please call: (815) 939-4141 Let's spread the word and support each other through life's toughest moments. Together, we can uplift and heal

Get ready to showcase your incredible talents at the upcoming "MUSTANGS HAVE TALENT SHOW"! 🎤🕺💃 We are now accepting talent submissions until Monday, April 15th. Whether you sing, dance, perform magic, or have any unique talent to share, we want to see it! This is your chance to shine. Register electronically using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/FJ1aa9xcNS or with forms sent home or call Ms. Talley at LRS 📅 Save the Date: 🎭 Talent Show Date: Friday, April 26th 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Location: Lorenzo Smith School Gym This event is open to all Lorenzo Smith students and their families. Come cheer on your fellow Mustangs as they dazzle the crowd with their skills and passion. It's going to be an unforgettable evening filled with fun and excitement! Spread the word and start practicing your talents. Let's make this talent show one for the books!

http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ Good morning Lorenzo Families, Above is a link to the Parent portion of the 5 Essentials Survey. When schools begin talking about school improvement processes, it is vital that we have parent input. That input comes from your participation in the parent survey. When you click on the link, please make sure you are entering your email address, and the school's name. We are "tracking" the submittals and the classroom(s) that have the highest parent participation, will be the recipient of either an Ice Cream Social or a Classroom Pizza Party!! As always, thank you so much for your participation. Principal Chambers

SAVE THE DATE....INAUGURAL ALUMNI SNEAKER BALL...JUNE 1, 2024 Be on the lookout for additional details!

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming SAFE Center Session: Family Paint Night, generously sponsored by Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, March 20th Time: 5:30-7:00PM Location: Lorenzo Smith School RSVP Deadline: March 15th, 2024 Family Paint Night is an opportunity for families in our community to come together for a fun and creative evening. We will provide all the necessary painting supplies and serve dinner to ensure a memorable experience for all participants. Best of all, this event is completely free of charge! To ensure we have enough supplies and food for everyone, we kindly ask families to reserve their spots by March 15th. They can RSVP by https://forms.office.com/r/5Cb5tV4uWG, or call 815-944-5219 or email: ttwest@pembroke.k12.il.us Thank you for your continued support and partnership in serving our community. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of families and children. We look forward to seeing you and your community at Family Paint Night!

🌟🎬 Join us for a Special Women's History Month Celebration! 🎬🌟 Dear PCCSD #259 Community, We are excited to invite you to a special screening of the inspiring film, Hidden Figures, in celebration of Women's History Month! This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of State's Attorney Jim Rowe and his Reel Justice Program. 🗓 Date: Thursday, March 7th 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: Lorenzo Smith School Gymnasium This event is open to the public, and admission is FREE for everyone. We encourage families, friends, and community members to come together for an evening of empowerment and inspiration. 🍿 Concessions on Sale: Our BETA Club and Student Council will be running concessions during the event to support their year-end activities. Enjoy tasty treats while supporting our students' initiatives! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children Friendly: This event is family-friendly, and children of all ages are welcome. However, we kindly request that children be accompanied by an adult. 🌳 Outdoor Seating: To enhance your viewing experience, we encourage families to bring blankets and folding chairs. Let's create a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere together! 📢 Spread the Word: Help us make this celebration a community event to remember! Share this invitation with your friends, family, and neighbors. Let's come together to honor the incredible achievements of women throughout history. We look forward to celebrating Women's History Month with you and the entire community! Let's make this event a memorable and empowering experience for all.

Greetings Mustang Families! Please join us on Tuesday, February 27th at 9am for the LRS Black History Month Celebration! Our children have been hard at work to highlight the contributions of Black Americans of Kankakee County. Parents, the children will be expected to stay at school for the remainder of the day. Thank you for your continued support.

Good Morning Lorenzo Families, Just a reminder that the school is completing and participating in our Science Fair for the month of February. Your student was given a Science Fair packet at the beginning of January with certain due dates. Families, it is vital that your students both participate and complete the Science Fair packet as this represents a large percentage of their overall Science grade. Please work with your student to complete the Science Fair and the experiments listed within the packet. Thank you. Principal Chambers

The next SAFE Center Session will be Family Financial Literacy Night held on Wednesday, February 21st from 5-6:30pm at Lorenzo Smith School. We will feature the dynamic JaHana Holloway to present a family night of learning and fun. There will be a family craft project along with dynamic topics such as Abundance Mindset, Financial Goal Setting, Financial Literacy Tips for Your Children, and Budgeting. The class with the most participation will be invited to an Ice Cream Social Friday, February 23rd in the cafeteria!

Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 will join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the eleventh statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. Starting January 30, 2024, students and teachers will be invited to participate in a 30-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. The parent survey supplement will also be administered during the same survey window. These surveys will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success: - Effective Leaders - Collaborative Teachers - Involved Families - Supportive Environment - Ambitious Instruction On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide. Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online now through March 29, 2024. For more information visit: www.5-essentials.org/illinois. We welcome your feedback!

School Environment Matters: Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 Administers Eleventh Illinois 5Essentials Survey to Improve Student Learning Students, teachers and parents weigh in on school climate and learning conditions 1/30/2024 – Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 will join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the eleventh statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. From January 30, 2024, students and teachers will be invited to participate in a 30-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. The parent survey supplement will also be administered during the same survey window. These surveys will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation. “We support and encourage our stakeholders to make their voices heard to influence change for the benefit of the district and students we serve.” Dr. Nicole Terrell-Smith The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:  Effective Leaders  Collaborative Teachers  Involved Families  Supportive Environment  Ambitious Instruction Thirty years of research at the University of Chicago in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak on three or more of the Essentials. Those differences remained true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender, and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlated with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment, and high school graduation. Generated from a rigorous analysis of student and teacher survey responses, 5Essentials Reports demonstrate that what students and teachers say about their schools can serve as important indicators for school success. In the inaugural 2012-2013 statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey, 87 percent of all schools in the state met the 50-percent participation threshold to receive a 5Essentials Report, with participation from more than 70 percent of all teachers and eligible 6th through 12th graders across Illinois. Starting in 2018-19, fourth and fifth grade students were also included in the 5Essentials survey administration. All district schools, including alternative schools that fall under the district’s domain, are required to participate in a school learning conditions survey every year. Starting in school year 2018-19, the survey will be required annually. The survey was deemed a key component to balanced accountability under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan by stakeholders, which resulted in state legislative changes requiring the survey annually. State legislation (105 ILCS 5/2-3.153) allows school districts the option to select an alternative to the 5Essentials from a pre-approved pool for the 2020-21 administration. Selection of an alternative required school board and local union approval and was at the district’s own expense. Details on survey alternatives can be found on the State Board’s website: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/5Essentials-Survey.aspx Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 will administer the survey to learn how schools are doing on the 5Essentials for school success. Principals and superintendents will receive their 5Essentials Reports in May. Survey results will also be reported publicly on the UChicago Impact Reporting Website in June and on the State School Report Card website in the fall. An optional parent survey supplement is again available to all schools as a supplement to the 5Essentials Survey for teachers and students—results from the parent survey supplement will be included only in the individual school 5Essential Reports. Since 2013-14, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey has been normed using the 2012-13 statewide results so that all schools can demonstrate progress over time. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide. Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online. For more information visit: www.5-essentials.org/illinois.

Due to inclement weather and road conditions, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 23, will be an E-Learning day for all Lorenzo R. Smith students. Work packets were sent home with students. Please make sure that they are completing the assigned worksheets as they are counted towards attendance. Teachers will be available to assist your student if they need academic assistance. Stay safe.

​ Tomika Talley-West ​ Únase a nosotros para la siguiente SESIÓN DEL CENTRO SAFE para aprender cómo puede recibir apoyo financiero mientras asiste a la escuela para obtener un certificado o título para una ocupación de alto crecimiento como CDL, CNA, Montacargas/OSHA, Electricista, Recursos Humanos, etc. Miércoles 24 de enero a la 1:00 pm en el Centro SAFE de la Escuela Lorenzo Smith. Nuestros oradores invitados serán TRIO, Educación para Adultos y Kankakee Workforce Services. Se servirán refrescos.

Good evening Lorenzo Families, We will be back in person for school tomorrow, Wednesday, January 17th. It is a full school day. Please call the school and report any absences or tardies. Thank you so much. Stay safe and warm and we will see you tomorrow.

Join us for the next SAFE CENTER SESSION to learn how you can receive financial support while attending school to earn a certificate or degree for a high-growth occupation such as CDL, CNA, Forklift/OSHA, Electrician, HR, etc. Wednesday, January 24th at 1:00pm in the SAFE Center at Lorenzo Smith School. Our guest speakers will be TRIO, Adult Education, and Kankakee Workforce Services. Refreshments will be served.

Good morning, due to inclement weather and dangerous road conditions, today, Friday, January 12 will be an E-Learning day for all Pembroke School district staff and students. Students received a packet to work on from home. Be safe and stay warm.

Good Morning Lorenzo R. Smith Families. Please sign up to attend Kankakee Public Library's Martin Luther King Jr. Open House on January 19th from 10am-12pm. Pembroke School District will be transporting families to the library upon their signing up for the event. The Open House will be held on the 2nd floor of the Kankakee Public Library and will have hot cocoa, a movie will be shown in addition to crafts that we can make with our students. Please see the sign up form on the website. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IVRSMQT_th90JVsRR-XCbhquOYDY0OEPBv6BxclFecg/edit

Our students were treated to a showing of the The WIZ this past Sunday, through the efforts of our Superintendent and a very gracious donor. We combined both our 7th/8th grade classes and our chaperones were great as well. Thank you to all who participated!!! (More pictures to follow.)