Happy Arbor Day! Today, students at Carpenter Elementary School had the unique opportunity to celebrate with some real-life tree experts whose knowledge and expertise ensured a fun and educational experience. 

Carpenter 2nd graders gathered around and listened as Principal Brett Balduf, along with Park Ridge Foresters Brandon Naser and Rachel Berry, explained the history and importance of Arbor Day. 

The City of Park Ridge planted some new trees along the side of Carpenter, and some students helped finish the job. This year, Park Ridge celebrates 40 years as a Tree City, USA community.

STREAM Night at Franklin

This week, families got together at Franklin Elementary School for a different kind of streaming night. This event was a Science•Technology•Reading•Engineering•Art•Math Night, STREAM, where students participated in various activities under the theme of A Dig Into The Past. 

At the STREAM Night, families were treated to a variety of engaging activities. From learning about Egyptian numbers to measuring dinosaur footprints, from exploring Earth’s layers to using VR goggles to dig into the past, there was something for everyone. The gym and hallways were filled with families after school, all having fun while learning and exploring. 

The 2024 Young Author Award winners are in! Out of 285 writers across the district who submitted their work, 11 writers took home the honors this year. 

The Young Authors Contest is an independent, voluntary, at-home project for students interested in writing and publishing their work for others to read.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• Kindergarten: Theodora Macker-Kitty School-Washington
• 1st Grade: Cora Young-Once Upon a Calendar: A Story of Friendship and Song-Franklin
• 2nd Grade: Addison Anderson-Under the Sea Adventure-Roosevelt
• 3rd Grade: Charlotte Arias & Dylan Grady-Winter Break Stowaway-Roosevelt
• 4th Grade: Nella Dautovic-Silver and Gold-Washington
• 5th Grade: Loor Aldeeb & Lizzie Mendez-Portaled to Medelez-Field
• 6th Grade: Sephina Ali-The Way Out-Lincoln
• 7th Grade: Sam Sianis-Trail of Tears-Emerson
• 8th Grade: Isabella Fayhee-Red Snow-Emerson

The winners will also be recognized at the May 16th Board meeting. 

Your input is invaluable as we host presentations about a possible bond referendum. We aim to address our highest-priority capital facility needs, with a special focus on health, safety, and security upgrades, mechanical and infrastructure improvements, and improvements to instructional and student support spaces.

You can find more information online at www.d64.org/2024proposal.

Upcoming Events That We Are Hosting

• Saturday, April 27th - Noon - Presentation & Tour of Lincoln - At Lincoln Middle School
• Wednesday, May 1st - 9 am - Virtual Presentation (RSVP to have a link sent to you)
• Wednesday, May 8th - 9 am - Beans, Brew & Ben - Paula Hassell O'Connor Building at Prospect Park (733 N Prospect Ave, Park Ridge)

If you plan on attending any event, RSVP so we can plan and have the proper setup.

We also want to share with you these three short videos that highlight some of our most significant needs and issues. The facility video tours are important in showing our families and the community what these spaces look like. You can watch them by clicking on the pictures below.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• May 16, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson
• June 27, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson

Looking to catch up on past meeting highlights? A summary of each meeting is available on our Current Board News webpage.

Please confirm meeting dates and times on the Board meetings webpage.

Judith Snow Award

District 64, Emerson/Lincoln, and their PTOs have partnered to find two 8th graders at each school who have had a positive impact on the school to be awarded the Judith Snow Ethical Leadership Award. Do you know an 8th-grade student who has demonstrated ethical leadership? If so, visit d64.org/judith-snow-awards. The application and recommendations are due by Monday, May 13th, 2024.

Comments and questions may always be directed to the Superintendent or Board members through these links:

Email Dr. Ben Collins, Superintendent or contact members of the Board of Education via email links.

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 | 847-318-4300 | news@d64.org

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