The school year is flying by! For those planning trips or summer fun, we shared notes regarding the last day of school earlier this week.

The last day of classes for District 64 students is Thursday, June 6th, and it is a full day of school. Friday, June 7th, is now a records/planning day for staff only. 

The final day of classes for our elementary and middle school students is Thursday, June 6th, because we only used some of our emergency days for potential winter weather-related school closings. Wednesday, June 5th, is the last day for preschoolers, and it is an early release day.

• Wednesday, June 5th - Last day of school for Jefferson
• Thursday, June 6th - Last day of classes for students (K-8)
• Friday, June 7th - Records/planning day for staff only

Learn More About The 2024 Proposal

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

• Wednesday, May 8th - 9 am - Beans, Brew & Ben - Paula Hassell O'Connor Building at Prospect Park (733 N Prospect Ave, Park Ridge)
• Wednesday, May 8th - 7 pm - Tour and Presentation at Lincoln Middle School

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.

The new D64 VR headsets are a big hit at Lincoln! 

8th-grade students worked through Cold War stations highlighting events like the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, the story of Emmett Till, the Space Race, and the assassination of JFK. The VR technology takes you right to the scene of some of these historic events!

As the weather is getting warmer, it's a great time to grab some ice cream and enjoy some art from our D64 students! Roosevelt's artists put together a gallery that is now on display at Triple Scoop'd Ice Cream. Their gallery will be up until May 21st!

The Roosevelt Combined Elementary School Choir performed at the Park Ridge Public Library this week as part of the library's Dia Cultural Celebration. It was an awesome and uplifting performance!

Dia is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds.

With summer break quickly approaching don't miss out on signing up for our Worlds of Wonder Summer School!  One of the classes we're excited about is A Star is Born for grades 1-3.

In this musical theatre workshop, produce a show from start to finish! Practice vocal and acting skills through singing exercises and theatre games. The class culminates with a set, costumes, and a live performance for families and friends.

The WOW page also has the schedule for each session and course description brochures.

Registration closes Monday, June 3rd.

We would like to invite your student to join the District 64 Instrumental Music program next year! Beginning in 4th grade, your child is eligible to join Orchestra and 5th grade students are eligible to join the band or orchestra! To learn more about the program and the string instruments offered, please see the links below:

• Read: Important Information About Instrumental Music
• Video Presentation: All About Band!
• Video Presentation: All About Orchestra!

We will be hosting two "New Student Nights" to learn more about the instrumental music program, rent an instrument onsite, and meet the teachers.

Thursday, May 9

4:00-7:00 P.M. at Lincoln

AND

Tuesday, May 14

4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Emerson

You may drop in at any time on either night, but to control numbers it would be helpful if you follow this schedule:

• Last Name A-H 4:00 – 5:00pm
• Last Name I – P 5:00 – 6:00pm
• Last Name Q – Z 6:00 – 7:00pm

Plan on spending about 30 minutes, depending on wait times. Parents and students should attend together.

If you already registered your child for the 2023-2024 school year but did not select instrumental music, log back into your account to add band/orchestra: Click Here to Add Instrumental Music, click "Forms" on the left, then "Enrollment" at the top and scroll down to instrumental music.

Click here for a video tutorial on how to add band/orchestra to your child’s registration!

The instrumental music registration deadline is August 1. Band/Orchestra teachers will communicate more information via email with registered families the second week of school. Lessons will begin the week of September 2. 

 If you have any questions, please email Erica Faulhaber (efaulhaber@d64.org), Curriculum Specialist for Instrumental Music. 

Last week, the Washington Student Council organized a school-wide "Earth Day Recycled Art Contest.

Another successful Healthy Living Month in the books! Thank you to everyone for participating and helping us educate the community on the importance of having healthy bodies and healthy minds.

"So great to see our amazing 

@LincolnD64

 musicians perform today! #engageD64"

~Christine Thielen

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

#engageD64