August 22, 2025
Please note.... Students are dismissed at 2:30 instead of 3:15 every Wednesday.
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School Traffic, Drop-Off, and Pick-Up
In order to create a smooth start and finish to our days, please review the Traffic Map included below. Please note that the parking lot will be closed at 8:00 a.m. to keep all students safe as they walk to their respective line-up areas. Please feel free to contact the main office (cp-office@dist102.k12.il.us) with any questions.
View Traffic Map here.
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Morning Line-up Information
Please find below the grade level locations for morning line-up. We are looking forward to filling these spaces with smiling faces!
Kindergarten - Cummings and Patino's homerooms will line up at door #3
Kindergarten - Garcia's homeroom will line up at door #4
1st Grade will line up at door #4
2nd Grade and 5th Grade will line up on the basketball courts
3rd Grade and 4th Grade will line up on the playground by door #5
6th Grade will line up in the staff parking lot area by door #9
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Lunch and Breakfast Information
The lunch menu can be found on the Congress Park page of the district website or using this link - Just A Dash Lunch Menu (Please note: the menu lists lunch on the first day of school, however that is a half day with 11:20 dismissal and no lunches will be served.)
The price of lunch will be $3.90 per day, with a reduced price of $0.40 for families that qualify for a reduced waiver.
Breakfast is available for all students beginning at 7:45 a.m. Students should enter through door #1, and should arrive by 8:00 a.m. to allow time to finish before school starts.
The price of breakfast is $2.25, with a reduced price of $0.30 for those who qualify.
If your student is bringing a lunch from home and would like to purchase a carton of milk, the price is $0.75.
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Fee Waivers
Applications for free/reduced lunches and fee waivers are available online at NSLPapp.com
Your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced price meals and a waiver of school fees if your household income meets the eligibility guidelines as established by the state of Illinois. Incomplete applications cannot be approved, so please be sure to fill out all required information.
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REMINDERS
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please contact cpattendance@dist102.k12.il.us. This is a quick and easy way to communicate with the health office about your child's absence.
Congress Park Parent Calendar
Congress Park activities can be found on the District website, or parents can subscribe to our Parent Google Calendar. Follow the link to subscribe. Congress Park Parent Google Calendar
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CPCFRO FALL SEASON REGISTRATION OPENS 8/25/25!!!
CPCFRO Athletics is an organization that operates as a Non-For-Profit program within District 102. The program's goals are to introduce the basic fundamental skills of volleyball and basketball to 5th and 6th graders, get the children excited about playing, and allow for the inclusion of all kids in our district. In addition to the physical skill sets, CPCFRO Athletics promotes good sportsmanship and team building. All the teams within CPCFRO (Congress Park, Cossitt, Forest Road, and Ogden) are coached by parent volunteers and the basketball games are refereed by IHSA referees. While we keep score during the game, we do not keep track of wins/losses - the focus is strictly instructional and for the kids to HAVE FUN!!
Each team will receive a team t-shirt and play 7-9 games (depending on the number of teams and gym availability). The cost to participate is $45/player (fee waivers are available to those who are eligible). The fall season is September-November with 5th and 6th grade girls playing basketball and 5th and 6th grade boys playing volleyball. During the fall season, 5th and 6th grade levels are combined.
Fall registration will open on 8/25/25 and close on 9/5/25. Please see the link below for registration. Coaches are always needed and necessary for the program to continue and succeed, so please consider coaching your child this year! Our goal is to have the teams finalized by 9/12/25 so we can work on the game schedules. Once a team assignment has been made, you will be notified by your coach. They will also inform their team of upcoming practice dates/times that will start the week of 9/15/25. Each team typically will have (1) practice per week-the day/time is selected by the coach. It is our intention to have games begin the week of 9/29/25. Games will be played at Park Jr. High and Congress Park School.
Registration link: http://www.cpcfroathletics.com/registration
All participants including coaches need to register online via the CPCFRO Athletics League website. Please contact your school representative if you need assistance with registration.
Upcoming Dates
8/25 - Beginning Band/Orchestra Open House for 5th graders - 7-9 p.m. @ PJH
8/26 - First Early Morning Intermediate Band (Percussion) Rehearsal @ PJH - 7:30 a.m.
8/27 - Beginning Band/Orchestra Instrument Selection Appointments @ PJH - 3:30 - 8:30 p.m.
8/28 - Beginning Band/Orchestra Instrument Selection Appointments @ PJH - 3:30 - 8:30 p.m.
8/28 - Board of Ed. Meeting @ PJH - 7 p.m.
8/29 - Coffee with the Principal - 8:30 a.m.
9/1 - Labor Day - No School
9/2 - Daytime Lessons Begin for All Beginning Band/Orchestra Students
9/5 - PTO Back to School Bash
9/8 - PTO Caring Kids Club - 3:15-4:15 p.m.
9/9 - PTO Meeting - 7 p.m.
9/12 - Picture Day
Beginning Band/Orchestra Information for Students in 5th Grade
The Instrumental Music department will offer students the opportunity to join the FIFTH GRADE BEGINNING BAND OR ORCHESTRA this fall.
Important Beginning Band / Orchestra Registration Events:
Student Instrument Demonstration
At each elementary school on Friday August 22
Parent Info Night (Mandatory)
Monday, August 25, 7:00pm
Park Junior High Auditorium
Instrument Trials (at PJHS)
Wednesday, August 27 (3:30 - 8:30) or
Thursday, August 28 (3:30 - 8:30)
General Information:
All 5th grade students are eligible to join. No previous experience is necessary.
Students participate in:
Weekly small group instruction at their home school
Weekly rehearsal before school at Park Junior High (busing provided)
Two evening concerts
Band / Orchestra Social events.
Costs:
District participation fee of $140 (Free and Reduced waivers apply)
Instrument rental/accessories/materials
Please be on the lookout for detailed registration information that will be emailed to all parents of 5th grade students at the beginning of the school year.
A Note from your Specials Teachers
Kami Spatzek is our Learning Resource Center Director (LRC Director) at Congress Park. This year will be her 10th year in this role at CP but her 22nd year in education. She sees primary grades (K-3) twice a week and upper grades (4-6) once a week for lessons. She actively communicates and posts learning opportunities on both our library website (www.kamispatzek.com) and on Canvas. If you ever have questions related to our library you can reach her at spatzekka@dist102.k12.il.us or call our school.Outside of school she can be found providing a mom taxi service to her two children, Ian and Hope, reading, cooking or spending time outdoors.She looks forward to working with your child this year.
My name is Michelle Holdman. I am the Art Teacher here at Congress Park, and I LOVE IT!!!! This is my 30th year teaching at CP. I am married and have a daughter I just dropped off at Iowa State University. I don't know that I really have a favorite color because I love all colors. Of course, I love to make art in my spare time, but also love to watch movies, spend time with my family, and travel when I can. I love teaching art because I strongly believe all children are artists that create art in their own unique way. All students need and should have the same opportunities to express themselves. I strive to give all children that experience. I encourage students to build and continue their love for art. I am very excited to see all the amazing artwork created by students this year.
Julia Cushing is excited to start her 14th year at Congress Park! She teaches Spanish as a foreign language for the monolingual classes in grades 4-6. She also teaches writing/reading supplemental in English to the dual languages classes in grades 4-6. Finally, she teaches EL to grades K-6. When not teaching, Mrs. Cushing loves to read, garden, travel and spend as much time as possible with her family.
Mr. Riordan and Ms. August are excited to welcome all of our students back for another fun year of physical education classes. Together they bring over 40 years of teaching experience. This is Ms. August's 5th year at Congress Park and Mr. Riordan's 20th. Both Mr. Riordan and Ms. August have participated in numerous sports and activities over the years (marathons, triathlons, softball and volleyball just to name a few). Together they are excited to share their passion for sports and fitness with your children.
¡Hola! Me llamo Sr. Fontanetta y soy el maestro de música en Congress Park. Me encanta cantar, bailar y jugar. Mis actividades favoritas son acampar, viajar, comer de todo tipo y hacer ejercicio. ¡Tengo muchas ganas de ver caras conocidas y conocer nuevas!
From Our PTO
District/Community Events
