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Welcome Back to the 2026-2027 School Year Middle School Familie (Grades 4-8)

Welcome Back to the 2026-2027 School Year Middle School  Families

Please read the 2026-2027 important resources and information below.

Parents/ Guardians, can check Parent Portal on Thursday, August 20th for teacher and homeroom assignment. 

Staff will also be available on the playground / school grounds on the first day of school to tell students their homeroom assignments. 

If you are driving to school, please enter on 17th State Street and exit on 16th Dearborn Street. This will ensure easy stress- free and congestion reduction traffic flow. 

Please do not park on the north side of 16th Street between 16th Dearborn Street and  16th State Street. This is a designated drop off and pick up for Day Star School.

Important Policy and Procedures:

  • Read the Entry/ Dismissal link below to find your child’s designated entry/dismissal door.
  • Do not park in Mariano’s parking lot for drop off or pick up. We have a parking agreement with the grocery chain for school staff. It’s important we maintain our community partnership with the store. 
  • Please pull to the curb for drop off and pick up. Do not double park and leave your car to drop off or pick up students.
  • Please pull up to allow other cars to pull into the parking space. 
  • Do not park and/or stand on the north side of 16th Street. This area is designated for Day Star School’s drop/off and pickup  
  • Students not enrolled in after care must leave the school premises by 3:45 pm. Students cannot wait in Mariano’s Store for pickup after-school. I will monitor the store before and after school
  • Students cannot go to Mariano’s Grocery Store without adult supervision. 
    • Last school year, we received several complaints of students horseplaying, stealing resulting in knocking over displays, disrespectful to employees and/or security guards after being corrected about their behavior, and stealing from the food bar.  
  • We are a candy, soda, nut, gum, flaming hot chips and excessive sweets free school. No glass bottles/containers. Please discuss the school policy with your child. 

Arrival: 8:00 AM for Breakfast 

Breakfast and Lunch Policy– We are a peanut, candy, gum, excessive sweets, red dye chips free school. 

School Day Begins: 8:30 AM
Tardy: 8:35 AM
School Day Ends: 3:30 PM 

Lion Family,

Below are important resources for the 2026-2027 school year.

School supervision begins at 8:00AM.  Students arriving at school  before 8:00 AM must be supervised by a parent/guardian until 8:00 AM. Students must leave school grounds by 3:45PM. If you need after care, please register for Right At School after-care program-  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER    

ENTRY and DISMISSAL DOORS

https://tinyurl.com/MS-Entry-and-Dismissal-Doors

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL TRAFFIC PATTERN

https://tinyurl.com/MS-Traffic-Pattern

Staff wearing green/yellow vests are supervising the school grounds. The staff  and teachers will escort your child  into the school building at 8:30 AM.

LATE ARRIVALS:  Students must enter Main Entrance  Door 1 to obtain a tardy pass for admittance into the classroom.  

SUPPLY DROP-OFF

Families can drop off labeled  school supplies on Monday August 17th – 24th between the hours of 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. Label with your child’s full name and grade level.

Families will be directed to place supplies in the hallway labeled for corresponding homerooms. 

School Supply Lists

Uniform Policy: Students must wear their  school uniform on the first day of school

The South Loop Elementary School uniform consists of solid navy-blue bottoms and white tops:

  • Bottoms: Solid Navy blue uniform pants, shorts, capris, skirts, leggings, dresses to the knee. Jeans are not permitted.
  • Tops: Solid white shirts with sleeves. Sweaters and sweatshirts may be white or navy blue. 
  • The only permitted logo is the South Loop Elementary School logo or motto. South Loop School’s spirit wear  can be worn anytime
  • Tank tops, brand logos, stripes, polka-dots, etc. are not permitted.
  • South Loop School’s spirit wear: To order please click the link https://southloopshop.com 
  • Outerwear & Accessories: Outerwear (coats & jackets), tights, socks, shoes, and hair accessories are at your discretion. Shoes should be appropriate for school activities, including recess.
  • Flip flops, open-toe shoes, sandals, crocs, and skate shoes are not permitted.
  • General uniform items can be purchased at Lands’ End, Target, Sears, JCPenney, Zemsky’s, Amazon, Primark,  H & M,  Old Navy, or Children’s Place.
  • South Loop Elementary School receives 3% cashback from all uniform purchases at Lands’ End. Preferred School Number: 900121088
  • Gently used options are sold at our Resale Shop, opened periodically throughout the school year.

P.E.Uniforms

Your child will be assigned a particular day of the week for P.E. class. A South Loop Elementary School P.E. uniform is required on the student’s assigned P.E. day. 

  • The mandatory South Loop School P.E. Uniform consists of solid navy blue shorts or sweatpants and a solid gray top
  • Wearing a solid blue shirt and solid gray pants is not an approved gym uniform. 
  • Gray SLES P.E. shirts, gray sweatshirts, blue shorts, or pants can be purchased at the school’s spirit shop https://southloopshop.com.
  • Gym/Tennis Shoes are required for P.E. Students will not participate in P.E. without the required P.E. uniform or gym shoes.

Back To School Picnic

Saturday, August 29th
11am – 1pm

1212 S Plymouth Court

Bring blanket or lawn chairs

All attending parties are asked to bring a snack or drink, assigned by grade level.

Please signup using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FA4AD2CA6FD0-64788798-snacks#

* These items must follow School policy (no nuts, no candy, no red dye/hot chips + no home-made snacks [for allergen information requirements]).

*Any drink donations should be brought to the school by Friday, August 28th so that we can store them in the refrigerator prior to the picnic.

South Loop School’s 2026-2027 Calendar  At- A -Glance

Annual Student Fees

$100: Max 2 students per family-  Due by December 1, 2026

You can submit your payment via ASPEN/Parent Portal : Portal Payment Instructions

CPS Parent Volunteer Application

https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-engagement/volunteer-programs

Also, email Mrs. Shelton at a copy of your picture I.D. to approve your application. 

CPS 2026-2027 Calendar

2026-2027 Calendar (English & Spanish)

Arabic | Polish | Simplified Chinese | Ukrainian | Urdu

Medical Compliance: New to CPS and Returning Families

Updated Records Due by October 1, 2026

Immunizations, physicals, eye and dental exams are required for students during various grades.  View the Health Forms for Parents and Caregivers page for specific forms.

Student Health & School Forms Booklet: Returning Families Only

This booklet is sent home during the first week of school. All returning families must provide an updated emergency form and the CPS Family Income Information Form  by Monday, August 31, 2026.   

The Student Health & School Forms Booklet contains back-to-school information and CPS health requirements and services for SY26-27. View the full booklet or the individual forms: ENGLISH | SPANISH 

CPS Back to SCHOOL  ENVELOPE

 Returning families, please return all mandatory forms by Monday,  August 31st. 

Emergency form :  All returning families must complete and return the emergency form located in the envelope.