September 12, 2025
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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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Help CP Design Our New Playground!
Dear CP Families,
We are excited to share that, thanks to the successful passage of the RenewD102 referendum last spring, our schools will be receiving much-needed facility improvements—including the addition of a brand-new playground at our school. This is a wonderful opportunity to create a safe, fun, and engaging play space that reflects the needs and interests of our students and families.
To ensure the playground best serves our community, we invite you to share your thoughts through a short Playground Planning Parent Survey. Your feedback will help guide decisions about the types of equipment, safety features, and spaces that matter most to you and your children.
The survey should take only a few minutes to complete, and your input will directly shape the design of a playground where children can learn, grow, and play together for years to come. We will use your feedback combined with feedback from our student playground design team to recommend a final playground design.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are building not just playgrounds, but lasting memories for our students.
With appreciation,
Ms. Rodriguez & Ms. Leon
Principal and Assistant Principal
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Dear families,
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again.
The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds.
Create an eWallet, and you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair - the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!
Here’s everything else you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: September 15-19, 2025 (NEW! After school family shopping times on Monday and Thursday from dismissal to 4:30. Enter the building from Door 2.)
Location: Congress Park’s LRC
For full details, in school preview and shopping schedule, and tutorials to create an eWallet, visit our school’s library website: www.kamispatzek.com under Parent Links then Book Fair.
More than ever, we need to get students reading. Studies prove* that children with more books at home have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall.
Lastly, this is a great opportunity to be a Book Fair volunteer! When you give your time, it helps make our Fair an unforgettable reading experience where every purchase benefits our school directly. Book fair profits support our birthday book program, help grow our classroom libraries, and add new titles for everyone to enjoy in our LRC.
Happy reading,
Kami Spatzek, LRC Director
P.S. Don’t miss out! A new Scholastic sweepstakes offers a chance to get more books for your child’s home library–plus an unbelievable vacation!
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We’ve had a great start to the school year in the Art room!
Students are getting excited to start sharing their artwork with family and friends again using Artsonia. We have used Artsonia the past years for kids to create electronic art portfolios that will continue with them through their years (K-6th) at Congress Park. Students love to look back and see how their artistic skills have grown.
All parents, new and returning to Congress Park, will soon be receiving, or already have received, an email from Artsonia asking for parent permission.
*** If you choose to purchase any of the items on Artsonia of your child’s/children’s artwork, please know that the money generated through Artsonia will help purchase art supplies for the Art room.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Holdman
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Elmhurst Art Museum Scholarships
Scholarships are available at the Elmhurst Art Museum for students who are interested in enrolling in an art class or camp, but may need assistance with the fees.
For more information and to apply, see the flyer here
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Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is overflowing!!! Currently we have over 50 items on the table. Please ask your child to claim their items from lost and found, or come in yourself to check the table when you have a chance. It would also be helpful if jackets are labeled with your child's name or ID number. If we have that information, we can return the items directly to your child and they won't end up in lost and found.
Items that are left on the table for more than a month will be donated.
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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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Upcoming Dates
9/15 - Science Center - 6 Dembowski
9/15 - 9/19 - Book Fair
9/15 - Book Fair After School Shopping - 3:15 - 4:30
9/16 - PTO Run Club
9/16 - PTO Room Parent Meeting - 6 p.m.
9/17 - Science Center - AM 4 Hovey, PM 4 Smith and 4 Torres
9/17 - PTO Buona Beef Fundraiser
9/18 - Book Fair After School Shopping - 3:15 - 4:30
9/26 - Coffee with the Principal
9/26 - PTO Pizza FUNdraiser at Flying High
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From Our PTO
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up Genius
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Room Parents
PTO is looking for room parents for the 2025-26 school year. If you are interested in being a room parent for your child's classroom, click here for the sign up genius.
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PTO Cereal Box Domino Challenge
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PTO Run Club
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Buona Beef Fundraiser - September 17th
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Flying High Pizza FUNdraiser - September 26
District/Community Events
D102 New Family Welcome Event - September 17
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Who We Are
Pillars Community Health is a nonprofit dedicated to providing health, education, and social services. With one call to 708-PILLARS (708-745-5277), you can access support for a wide range of needs—all in one place.
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Community Safety Reminder from the Brookfield/Riverside Police Departments
As many of you are aware, there has been a recent increase in accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians since the start of the 2025–2026 school year. While these incidents have fortunately resulted in only minor injuries, they had the potential to be far more serious.
Safety remains the top priority of the Riverside and Brookfield Police Departments. In response to these incidents, both departments will be increasing enforcement efforts in school zones, at major intersections, and along high-traffic roadways.
It is the responsibility of every community member to prioritize safety and remain vigilant. Please review and practice the following safety measures:
For Cyclists and Pedestrians:
Always look both ways before entering a crosswalk.
Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you before crossing.
Cyclists must obey all traffic laws.
Wear a helmet and ensure your bicycle has proper reflectors and a working light for low-light conditions.
Limit the use of headphones and mobile devices while walking or biking.
For Motorists:
Come to a complete stop at stop signs, pause for three seconds, and check both directions before proceeding.
Don't rush-leave early! Commute times are longer during the school year, so plan accordingly.
Slow down when driving near school zones.
Parents should use designated drop-off areas; do not stop in the street to let students out.
Avoid distractions and put cell phones away while driving.
The Riverside and Brookfield Police Departments are committed to working together to reduce the number of accidents and enhance safety in our communities. With your cooperation, we can make a meaningful difference and ensure that everyone; students, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers arrive safely at their destination.
Thank you for doing your part to keep your community safe.
Sincerely,
