Carpenter Elementary School has made reading a permanent fixture of outdoor fun for students and the community! Along the side of the building, more than a dozen permanent displays showcase stories that will be rotated throughout the year. 

The first story displayed in the case? Just Read! by Lori Degman. To celebrate the occasion, Ms. Degman was on hand to read the story, page by page, to different grades. Her stories have captivated our students' imaginations for years, and it’s always special when she stops by because her son is Assistant Principal Sean Degman!

Read more about the storywalk on our website.

A reminder that all D64 schools and offices will be closed on Monday, October 14, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day.

Yom Kippur starts in the evening on Friday, October 11th, and ends at sunset on Saturday, October 12th. Yom Kippur is the Jewish holiest day, known as the Day of Atonement. This 25-hour period is devoted to prayer, fasting, and repentance. 

The District 64 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 17, 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 Franklin Elementary School
• Principals Appreciation
• Public Comments
• Superintendent Update
• Financial Projections Discussion
• Resolution #1349 Memo Authorizing the Engagement of a Real Estate Broker for the Sale of Property
• 2024 IASB Resolutions & Assembly Delegate Discussion
• Consent Agenda
• Approval of Meeting Minutes
• New Business
• Adjournment

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• November 7, 2024 - 7 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.

We are less than a month away from the District 64 Bond Referendum appearing on the November 5, 2024 ballot. We encourage you to take the time to learn all the facts about the proposed referendum so you can make an informed decision.

We've got some great community events coming up where you can see our facilities' needs up close and ask any questions you may have. Are you looking for an upcoming event in Niles? We just added one! Join us for a Beans, Brew, and Ben Community Coffee at noon on Monday, October 21 at the Niles-Maine District Library.

The full schedule of tours and remaining events can be found online at d64.org/referendum2024. If you plan on attending any events, please RSVP. Based on the email you provide in the RSVP, links to the virtual presentation will be sent to you.

Parent University Is On Oct. 22

You’re invited to the first Parent University of the year! Join us on October 22nd as Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, Dr. Samantha Alaimo discusses Standards-Based Reporting in D64. K-5 families will learn what it looks like in the classroom structure, and for 6-8 families, how it works in the elective classes.

This event is for parents/guardians and will be on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7 pm inside the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center (8200 W Greendale Ave, Niles).

If you plan on attending, please RSVP and fill out this form so we can accurately plan the presentation's content. 

To find a collection of resources on Standards-Based Reporting please visit the SBR page on our website.

Fall has just begun, but we are beginning to plan for the Special Olympics Spring Games 2025! 

D64 participates in the Special Olympics Track and Field events held at Prospect High School. These events are an opportunity to foster participation in sport and celebrate the success of student athletes in our community. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. 

This year, the event will take place May 10-11th, 2025. If you think your student is eligible to participate in this opportunity, please reach out to your child’s special education case manager.  

There were some concerns when small spray-painted marks appeared on the trees near Franklin Elementary School. I want to assure you that the trees are not being cut down or anything like that! It was part of a survey being done, and they marked the trees to avoid duplication. The paint will start washing away soon.

Come work in District 64 and join our incredible team! We are looking to fill open substitute teacher positions. If you have a substitute license or are a certified teacher, pay is $150 per day.

There are now open positions for the 2024-2025 school year. Apply now on our website! 

Calling all young artists! The City of Park Ridge and Park Ridge Farmers Market Commission are hosting a competition to feature artwork on the 2025 Park Ridge Farmers Market posters.

The contest is open to all children 12 years or older who live and/or attend school in Park Ridge. Submissions are due December 1, 2024.

Go to parkridge.us/FMcontest for more information.

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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