News

Dear Keller Families,

The staff and students had a fantastic week at Keller.  My message to the students to kick-off the second trimester was on OWNERSHIP.  Specifically, on “winning each class period.”  I coached the students to take OWNERSHIP for how they start and finish each class period, to “own” their hard work and opportunities to get better, and to be relentless in their approach and desire to “WIN THE DAY.”  I could not be more proud of the effort put forth by the students this week because they are learning how to invest in the moment, work hard, and maximize their opportunities to become a better student and person. 

Lastly, it is an absolute honor and privilege to work with the Keller community, families, and students on a daily basis.  As we head into Thanksgiving break, please know, we are extremely thankful for all of your support and for the opportunity to work with your child daily.  Have a happy Thanksgiving! 

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our front office staff or me.  Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and support and we will work “TOGETHER AS ONE” to ensure the success of our students.

Regards,

Tom Barbini
Principal

[email protected]

Important Dates to Remember:  

• November 20:  Full-day Parent-Teacher Conferences – no school all day
• November 21:  Half-day Parent-Teacher Conferences – no school all day
• November 22-24:  Thanksgiving Break – no school
• December 21:  Winter break begins at the end of the day
• January 8:  School Resumes
• January 15:  Martin Luther King Jr. Day – no school
• February 16:  Half-day Inservice; students released at 10:40 AM
• February 19:  Presidents Day – no school
• March 19:  Election Day – no school
• March 22:  Spring Break begins at the end of the day
• April 1:  School resumes

2023 – 2024 Keller Calendar

The 2023-2024 Keller Calendar can be viewed here:  https://keller.sd54.org/aboutkeller/calendar/.  This calendar contains upcoming events for Keller.

2023 – 2024 District Calendar
The 2023-2024 District Calendar can be viewed here: https://sd54.org/calendar/. Please click on the link for the Spanish version of the calendar. 

Keller Junior High Website

Click here to navigate to the Keller Junior High Website.

Keller Sports, Intramurals, and Clubs
Please encourage your child to get involved in our Keller Sports, Intramurals, and Club offerings that take place after school.   Please visit our Sports, Intramurals, and Clubs page for more information about these activities.  Students must maintain academic eligibility to participate in sports, intramurals, and clubs.  For information regarding upcoming dates for sporting events, intramurals, and club sessions please click on the link to view the building calendar on the Keller webpage.
  
Students participating in interscholastic athletic programs, including intramural sports, shall have an annual physical examination prior to tryouts and participating in any scheduled practice or contest.  Physicals are effective for one year from the date of the exam. The physical exam form for District 54 can be found by clicking on the link.  For additional information on District 54 Junior High Sports and the Sports Parent-Student Handbook please click here.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Infinite campus is District 54’s student information system that connects parents to information.  Through Infinite Campus, parents will have access to the Parent Portal.  The Parent Portal provides access for parents to information regarding their child including paying fees, viewing assignments, attendance, grades, academic schedule, and teacher comments. 

If you currently do not have a Parent Portal account, please email [email protected] or you can call our front office at 1-847-357-6500 and our secretaries can assist you.  If you need help logging on to the Infinite Campus portal click here, email [email protected], or call portal support at 847-357-5110.  If you have previously created a Parent Portal account and cannot recall your username or password, you can reset them yourself from the portal website by selecting forgot password. 

November Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences are Monday, November 20th and Tuesday, November 21st.  For each conference you have signed up for there is a 15-minute window.  The first ten minutes have been allocated for your conference, with the remaining five minutes designated as travel time to attend your next conference.  We ask that you please limit your conference to these first ten minutes out of respect for other families that are waiting to conference at their scheduled time.  If more time is needed, your child’s teacher will look to schedule another time to connect and continue the conversation.  Lastly, please note, your child should attend the conference with you.

Keller Book Fair During Conferences
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair.  Hosted by our staff, this event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading.  Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from in-person from November 13-21 and online during the same dates.
 
This year, say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
 
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
 
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/kellerjuniorhighschool1

District 54 Severe Weather Response Plan

In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, please review the District 54 Severe Weather Response Plan.

PTA NEWS

Here is this week’s KELLER WILDCAT NEWSLETTER

In this issue:

• Hot Lunch
• Volunteers Needed
• Silent Auction Donations
• Fall Membership Drive
• Committee Openings
• Spirit Wear
• Box Tops

No Food Deliveries Allowed

With a focus on student and staff safety, District 54 will not allow food delivery services (including, but not limited to, GrubHub, DoorDash, and local restaurants) to our schools. We will continue to have hot lunch days, which are planned events, organized and supervised by school or PTA volunteers. However, we will no longer accept other outside food deliveries to keep our schools secure.