D64 Shining Stars At Jefferson

The Jefferson Butterfly Buddies brought their amazing energy and smiles to the March Board meeting. In addition to recognizing these preschoolers, we honored District Physical Therapist Lynn Condon as a D64 Shining Star. 

Throughout the year, Jefferson Principal Michele Barkley and the rest of the Jefferson staff recognize Butterfly Buddies, students who are fabulous friends, helpful hands, and wonderful workers. 

Condon travels to all our schools, including helping many Jefferson Early Childhood Center students. “Lynn, I would just like to thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our students,” said Barkley. “Your commitment to inclusive practices and building a sense of belonging makes a difference in our community.”

Read more about Jefferson's Shining Stars.

All of the D64 schools and offices are closed next week for Spring Break. We'll see everyone back at school on March 31! We hope everyone has a wonderful break.

We will have a special guest at the next Beans, Brew, and Ben!

Alison Dauernheim, the District’s Student Learning Coordinator, will join us to talk about our recent student behavior initiatives and to get feedback from the community.

Join us for coffee at 9:30 am, Thursday, April 17,at South Park Rec Center, 833 W Talcott Rd.

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 20.

Stay informed: Read the School Board Recap.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• April 17, 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.

147 Emerson Students and 14 Emerson alumni participated onstage and backstage! 

Students painted scenery, built furniture, helped create the costume schematic, assembled props, designed the publicity, and managed the Stage, Light, Hair & Make-Up, and Sound crews. The Chamber Orchestra directed by Erica Faulhaber recorded an overture for the production. 

"Thank you for all the brilliant performances!", said Musical Director Terry Broeker. "We really were 'All in this Together!'"

View some photos from the musical.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Matilda Jr. at Lincoln! With four fantastic performances and over 1,400 tickets sold. This was Lincoln's 7th annual musical.

More than 120 Lincoln students brought the production to life, both on stage and behind the scenes. Their hard work and dedication made for a weekend to remember.

"We are so proud of the over 120 Lincoln students involved in the annual musical!" said Lincoln Musical Director Alyssa LaTragna.

View photos from the musical.

Our Emerson and Lincoln Philharmonic orchestra students had an incredible experience at Elmhurst University this week. Students performed in the beautiful Hammerschmidt Hall, followed by an enriching clinic with two outstanding string music education professors and clinicians, Deborah Peot and Susan Blaese!

Last Tuesday, Roosevelt Intervention and the first grade teams hosted a special Elephant & Piggie night to promote literacy. They had games, raffles, crafts, adn a scavenger hunt.

What an awesome night!

The 6th Grade Olympics took place this week at Emerson. From the Opening Ceremony to various contests, it was a fantastic two days as the 6th graders brought their study of Ancient Greece to life!

On Friday, May 23, at 9:00 am, D64 will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation (TMC) meeting. The meeting will be held in the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center at 8182 Greendale Ave., Niles.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the District’s plan for providing special education services to students with disabilities who will attend private and home schools within District 64’s boundaries for the 2025/26 school year. 

If you are the parent of a privately placed or home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability, and you reside or have a child that attends school within the District 64 boundaries. 

If you have questions, please contact Alicia Schmeisser, Director of Student Services, at 847-318-4332 or at aschmeisser@d64.org.

The Park Ridge Youth Services Commission is now accepting applications for the Golden Community Impact Award🌟. 

The Golden Award recognizes Park Ridge youth who demonstrate outstanding community impact and leadership. This award acknowledges students with strong character who give back to the community. Nominees must reside in the City of Park Ridge and be enrolled in school (public, private or homeschooled). 

Nominations are due by Friday, April 18 at 5:00pm. and the Golden Award winner will receive a $500 prize and be acknowledged at a City Council meeting.

Here is the nomination form.

Maine East Fine Arts Resource Drive

As our instrumental music and visual arts programs continue to grow, we are excited to welcome many new students who are passionate about the arts.

To support them, we are collecting donations of musical instruments—both working and non-working—that we can refurbish or recycle for student use. We are also seeking 35mm film and digital cameras to enhance opportunities for students in our expanding photography program.

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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