Ford Heights School District 169 Office: (708) 758-1370

Free Summer Activities Around Chicago

Living in the Chicago area offers many opportunities for learning that don’t cost a dime. Visit these places this summer for a chance to get outside, engage in conversation and continue learning.

Alternatives to Social Media 

Social media usage has been growing among young people. While it was originally created as a tool to connect with one another, it has grown into something that causes many negative effects. The constant use of and abuse of social media is causing things such as: To break some of these negative trends, here are […]

Virtual Summer Learning 

Studies show that children who do not read or lack access to books during the summer lose up to 2 months of reading progress. Those losses accumulate during the elementary school years so that by the time a child enters middle school, he or she may be 2 1/2 years behind! All children, whether from […]

The Halfway There Ceremony

Moving from elementary school to middle school is a momentous event for the fourth-grade students. Students go from being the oldest and the most experienced in the building to discovering so much about themselves as both students and pre-teens. To celebrate this event, the fourth-grade teachers plan a special celebration. The fourth-grade students will have […]

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8. To the naked eye, it may look like teachers work short hours and get summers off. What many don’t know is that is far from the truth. At the beginning of each year, teachers spend weeks preparing their classrooms. They attend training over the summer, come in early, stay […]

Preparing Your Child for State Testing

Spring is the time of year when schools engage in state testing such as the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association). While state assessments are important, they don’t have to be overwhelming. With a little preparation and a positive mindset, students can approach the testing season with confidence and calm. Here are some tips to make sure […]

Help Your Child Get More Exercise

In today’s world, kids have ample exposure to screens and spend a lot of time sitting. This is having an impact on kids’ health and happiness. Here are some tips to help them ditch the screens and move more. 

Proper Sleep Can Increase Success in the Classroom

Getting enough sleep is important for children of all ages. Even as adults, sleep is a time when the body can recharge and repair. Repair takes place throughout the body, especially in the brain. Studies have shown that the brain of someone who is not getting regular sleep looks similar to that of a drug […]

Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time begins this month! Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, March 7. We “spring forward” to make the most of the longer daylight hours ahead. This is also a great time to: Losing an hour of sleep can take a few days to […]