The Board of Education held special and organizational meetings on Thursday, May 11th. 

Three departing Board members were thanked for their dedication and service to our students, staff and community as they retired from Board duties. The departing members are (pictured left to right): Tom Sotos, Larry Ryles and Carol Sales. 

One of the last items of business for the Board was to accept the canvass of the April 4, 2023 election results from the Cook County Clerk. 

Following the April elections, Dr. Denise Pearl, Matt Doubleday, Rachel Georgakis, and Monica Milligan were sworn in, marking the official transition of Board members. 

All four took the Oath of Office together on Thursday night. The newly seated Board elected officers to serve until the next elections in 2025 and also adopted its calendar of regular meetings for 2023-2024. 

The new Board includes (pictured left to right): Gareth Kennedy, Demetri Touzios, Monica Milligan elected as Vice President, Phyllis Lubinski, Rachel Georgakis, Dr. Denise Pearl re-elected for a second term as President, and Matt Doubleday elected as Secretary. 

The District 64 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 18th, in the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. There will be a closed meeting at 6:00 pm, with the regular meeting starting at 7:00 pm.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes:

• Closed Meeting [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)&(9)]
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Opening Remarks from the President of the Board
• Student/Staff Recognition: Young Authors, Special Olympics, Hendee Family Appreciation
• Spotlight on Emerson School
• Public Comments
• Approval of Meeting Agenda
• Recognition of Tenured Teachers
• Appointment of Assistant Director of Student Services
• Presentation & Adoption of 6-8 Math Curriculum
• Presentation & Adoption of Elementary Social Studies Curriculum
• Discussion & Review of Five-Year Master Facility Plan
• Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
• Consent Agenda: bills, payroll, and benefits; approval of financial update for the period ending March 31, 2023; second reading & approval of policies 4:165 & 6:60; approval of consolidated district plan; destruction of audio closed recordings (none); 
• Approval of Minutes: May 11, 2023 special meeting; May 11, 2023 organizational meeting 
• Other Discussions & Items of Information: upcoming meeting agenda; FOIA requests; memorandum of information (none); public comments via email (none)
• New Business
• Adjournment

• June 15, 2023 - 7 p.m. - regular meeting, Jefferson School 
• June 22, 2023 - THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED

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.

This was a festive week in the education world. It is Teacher Appreciation Week and it was National School Nurses Day on Wednesday.

We want to thank all the educators who have made a difference in our lives. You inspire us every day. Thank you for all you do! Additionally, thank you to our dedicated D64 nurses and health assistants! School nurses care for the entire school population, especially the most vulnerable, playing an essential role in keeping all students in school, healthy, safe, and ready to learn. 

The last day of classes for District 64 students is Friday, June 9th; it is a full day of school. Monday, June 12th, will be a records/planning day for staff only. This is because we did not have any school closings due to inclement weather this year. 

• Friday, June 9th - Last day of classes for students
• Monday, June 12th - Records/planning day for staff only

Since I have you here and we're thinking about the end of the year...have you registered your child for the 2023-2024 school year yet? The June 1st registration deadline is quickly approaching, and we need your help to plan for the year ahead!

Please go to our registration page and follow the instructions to register your child for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Some Field students competed in the 140th Kumbaya Chess Tournament hosted by Chess Ed. Field was represented by John and Kole Schork, Eliana Fumagali, Ryan Coogan and Caleb Jackson. The Field team placed first in the unrated category! 

In total, they won seven games and tied two.

Thanks for not only playing well but also showing great sportsmanship! 

Over the weekend, the Emerson Concert Band, Emerson Symphonic Band, Lincoln Symphonic Band, Emerson/Lincoln Concert Orchestra, Emerson/Lincoln Philharmonic Orchestra, Show Choir, and the Emerson/Lincoln Honors Chorus performed and competed at the Music in the Parks Festival at Viking Middle School.

We had SEVERAL students win 1st place trophies and superior and excellent ratings. In fact, there are so many that you should click here to view the complete list of winners and top performers!

Way to go, everyone!

We would like to invite your student to join the District 64 Instrumental Music program next year! As a 4th grader next year, your child is eligible to join Orchestra and students going into 5th grade 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 another "New Student Night" to learn more about the instrumental music program, rent an instrument onsite, and meet the teachers.

Tuesday, May 16

4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at Emerson

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 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 11. 

Are you making summer plans? Thinking about Worlds of Wonder? You can register now online. WOW offers students a unique opportunity for summer learning and fun. Our summer program emphasizes creativity and critical thinking in a challenging and rewarding environment. 

Classes for students who have completed K-3 will be held at Washington Elementary School, while classes for students who have completed 4-7 will be held at Lincoln Middle School. 

• Session 1: June 14th - June 30th (No School Monday, June 19) 
• Session 2: July 5th - July 20th (No School Monday, July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th)

You can find all the Course Descriptions, Info, and Registration Links for WoW here on our website.

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. The recipients will be awarded $250 to spend as he or she chooses. The winners will also be recognized at the end-of-the-year celebrations and have their names on permanent display at the school. 

Do you know an 8th-grade student that has demonstrated ethical leadership? If so, visit d64.org/judith-snow-awards. The deadline to have your application and recommendations submitted is May 26th, 2023.

Do you want a job driving school buses? Lakeview Bus Lines is hiring!

• Up to $25/hour
• Weekly pay, benefits, 401K
• go to www.sunrisebus.com/careers or call (708)-234-5555 to apply

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

Email Dr. Eric Olson, Superintendent or contact members of the Board of Education via email links.

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 | 847-318-4300 | [email protected]

#engageD64