The 2024-2025 School year is nearly here! We're so excited to have everyone back with us, but before then, enjoy this final weekend of summer. Also thank you to the families who joined us at the pool for our welcome back video! Make sure you're following us on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram to see the final product on Monday.

The first day of school for K-8 students is Wednesday, August 14th, and because it's a Wednesday, it is an early dismissal day. Preschoolers arrive on Thursday, August 15th.

This week, we welcomed more than 60 new teachers and educational support professionals as part of our new staff orientation. It was an awesome three days filled with learning, meeting their mentors, and getting support to hit the ground running on the first day of school.

"We want to make sure that everything that you do is supported by some type of network here in our District," said Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Dr. Samantha Alaimo as she addressed the crowd of new staff members.

"I feel so good about the staff Institute Day on Monday and even better about Wednesday when the kids come into our buildings. It's because of you all sitting here and the great teams we have to support you in each school," she added.

We can't wait to see all the amazing things this new group of educators will help us achieve!

Read more about New Staff Orientation on our website.

The District 64 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, August 15th 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 Board Meeting
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Opening Remarks from the President of the Board
• Public Comments
• Superintendent Update
• Board Committee Reports
• Adoption of Resolution #1346 Approval of the 2024 Funding Proposal
• Adoption of Resolution #1347 Approval of 2024-2025 Tentative Budget & Establishment of Public Hearing Date
• Adoption of Resolution #1348 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property
• Presentation & Approval of Superintendent Goals
• Consent Agenda
• Approval of Meeting Minutes
• New Business
• Adjournment

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:

• August 15, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson
• September 19, 2024 - 7 p.m. - LRC at Lincoln Middle School

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 hope your student was able to utilize their district-owned Chromebook over the summer to support their learning. This is a friendly reminder to make sure your student logs into their Chromebook, has it charged and ready for the first day of school. Thank you!

Though we have Quest food choices during lunch, many students bring lunch to school. We highly encourage waste-free lunches. To reduce waste, please consider the following as you pack your child’s lunch:

• Please pack your child’s lunch in a reusable lunch box or bag (not paper or plastic bags).
• Use reusable containers for sandwiches rather than foil, plastic wrap, etc.
• Buy snacks in quantity and transfer them to a reusable container.
• Put drinks in a child-friendly thermos rather than sending throw-away juice boxes, etc.

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! 

Would you like to be involved in transporting students to our schools? Our vendor, Lakeview Bus Lines, is always looking for Bus Drivers, Car Drivers, and Bus Monitors. Training will be provided. If interested, please contact the local Lakeview office at 847-647-6965 or email Mick Gerhardt (mgerhardt@sunrisebus.com) or Marilu Gomes (mgomez@sunrisebus.com).

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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