Emerson Middle School has once again been recognized as an Illinois Horizon School to Watch (IHSTW) by the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools (AIMS). This marks Emerson's sixth redesignation, having previously earned this prestigious honor in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, & 2021. The award is given on a three-year cycle. 

"Being a Horizon School to Watch is great because it showcases the remarkable hard work of our teachers, staff, students, and families," said Emerson Principal Tessa Shulman. "This honor is a direct result of our strong culture and commitment to student success. Emerson is such an incredible place, and I'm so proud of our school community." 

What does it mean to become an Illinois Horizon School to Watch? Emerson has demonstrated academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes that promote excellence.

As a designated School to Watch, Emerson will be honored at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C., from June 26 to 28. Educators from across the country will celebrate their shared commitment to outstanding middle school education at this conference. 

"Congratulations to everyone at Emerson on this awesome achievement," said Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins. "Earning this redesignation takes years of dedication, innovation, and deep commitment to student learning and growth. It’s awesome to see Emerson and D64 get recognized!"

The Schools to Watch program is part of a national initiative led by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. More than 600 schools are part of this network.

As we explore implementing a new mass communication system for our staff and families, we invite you to take a short survey to help us evaluate and enhance our tools and strategies.

Your feedback is essential in shaping a more effective communication system, and the survey will only take 5-10 minutes of your time. Your input can make a real impact—thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping us strengthen connections across our schools and community!

Alongside this family survey, a separate survey will be distributed to staff next week. We will share the results of both surveys in March.

The survey closes on February 20!

Please take a few minutes to follow the necessary steps. Even though the deadline is March 14, the earlier we get students registered, the better we can hire staff, plan for classes and classrooms, get necessary materials, and organize transportation.

The registration deadline will be noon on Friday, March 14, and if you register your child and pay the fees by then, you will receive the early bird discount. You must fill out and submit registration forms by Monday, March 10, at 3:00 pm to take advantage of the fee discount. This allows our staff time to verify documents and send out invoices so you can pay them by noon on Friday, March 14. Any families who do not register by this date will receive a records release, as we assume you’re going to another district. 

You can find all the information on our Registration Page.

A reminder that the last day for 4th and 5th graders to register for the Science Olympiad is Sunday, February 16!

The Science Olympiad will take place on Saturday, April 5. Information and the ONLINE registration form are available on the District 64 Science Olympiad Web Page.

The District 64 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 20, in the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. There will be a closed session first, and the regular meeting will start at 7:00 pm.

Below is a look at the agenda:

• Meeting of the Board Convenes
• Board Recesses & Adjourns to Closed Meeting
• Board Adjourns from Closed Meeting & Resumes Regular Meeting
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Opening Remarks from The President of the Board
• Spotlight on Washington & Roosevelt Elementary Schools
• District Spelling Bee Recognition
• Park Ridge Community Fund Holiday Drive Recognition
• Public Comments
• Superintendent Update
• Committee Reports
• Construction Update
• Approval of Construction Bids for Field and Washington
• Preliminary Enrollment Projections and Discussion of Staffing Plans for 2025-2026.
• Student Learning Update - CofC Eligibility
• Approval of K-5 Health Curriculum
• Consent Agenda
• New Business
• Adjournment

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• February 20, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center
• March 20, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center

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.

Our Beans, Brew, and Ben series continues next month. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins will go over the upcoming construction projects and more!

Dates:

• March 13 at 9:30 am
• April 17 at 9:30 am

Coffee and conversations will be at the South Park Rec Center, 833 W Talcott Road, Park Ridge.

Matilda Jr tickets are on sale now! Come see Lincoln Middle School's 7th annual musical March 14-16, 2025, at Emerson Middle School! 

There are over 120 students involved on and backstage--you won't want to miss it! Purchase your tickets online NOW! Tickets are $6 online or $8 cash or Zelle at the door.

See you there!

Our Board Profile series continues with a sit down with Board member Phyllis Lubinski. She talks about how D64 is a Destination District to her family, how working in a restaurant helped shape her work ethic, and more!

Do you know the differences between Extended School Year (ESY) and Worlds of Wonder (WOW) Basic Skills Classes? We've put together a list to help explain things.

Student Eligibility for ESY:

• Students become eligible for ESY services through an IEP team decision; these services are then written into a student’s Educational Services and Placement in the IEP for the upcoming summer. Parents will receive notification of their student’s ESY eligibility through an IEP meeting or an IEP amendment, and the IEP will document these services.
• Students who are eligible for ESY are demonstrating significant regression and recoupment of skills on their IEP goals following an extended break from instruction. Students can also become eligible for ESY services due to being significantly (ex. multiple grade levels) below grade level.

Invitation to D64 WOW Basic Skills (Reading and/or Math) Classes:

• Students are invited to participate in the D64 WOW Basic Skills (Reading and/or Math) classes if they are not eligible for ESY but have reading and/or math goals on their IEP.
• Students with IEPs who participate in WOW reading and/or math classes will not work on IEP goals.

For a more comprehensive list, please visit our website.

Please get in touch with Elisa Leporini- Assistant Director of Student Services, with any questions or concerns at eleporini@d64.org.

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