The 2nd Parent University of the year was excellent! We had our copies ready and pencils sharpened as parents got a first-hand look at what it's like to be a part of a math lesson in our schools.

In the same desks that students sit in, dozens of parents learned about Eureka Squared and Carnegie Math and heard it all from our incredible teachers. Thank you to Tracie Heffelfinger, Laura Rousakis, Shelli Mata, Tracie Thomas, Katie Weis, Caitlin Cooney, Maeve Scibek, Lauren Gryzik, Jess Caplis, and Dr. Samantha Alaimo for hosting this event for our families!

We appreciate everyone who could make it and your eagerness to learn more about our curriculum.

Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins had some great conversations with groups of students at Emerson and Lincoln Middle Schools this week. Students from each grade shared what they love about school and some things they would possibly like changed.

One thing was constant through all of these conversations...our students so very much appreciate all of our teachers and staff.

We're grateful for these middle schoolers lending us their time and insights!

We’ve hit the ground running after a great fall break, and we are excited to invite you to our Beans, Brew, and Ben event on Wednesday, December 6th! 

This community coffee will be in the Park Room at the Maine Park Leisure Center (2701 W. Sibley St., Park Ridge, IL) from 9:00 to 10:30 am. 

The year is flying by, and Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins is excited to discuss how things are going with his entry plan. Additionally, Dr. Collins will review some safety planning and upgrades we’ve been working on. 

We hope to see you on December 6th. Please use this form to RSVP to give us an idea of how much coffee to bring.

There’s something special about seeing your artwork displayed for all to see, and there’s a group of Carpenter Elementary School students sharing their masterpieces with the community. 

You can see the student art gallery at Triple Scoop’d Ice Cream in Park Ridge through the end of December. When you go, you will quickly see the treats on the wall complement the ones you can eat! 

What a great job from our students. Thank you to our art teachers who coordinated the art show, with Lee Deines and Shaugn Bianci making sure all the frames were level and perfect for viewing. Additionally, thank you to the Hanlon’s for the venue to celebrate our District’s artists!

Spelling Bee Information

All students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in District 64's School Level Spelling Bees! The top 3 spellers from each school will be invited to participate in the District 64 Spelling Bee on Monday, February 5, 2024.

The Spelling Bee page has more info on registration and the School Spelling Bees.

Are you an aspiring young author ready to share your work with others? The Young Authors Contest is an independent, voluntary, at-home project for students interested in writing and publishing their work for others to read.

The District 64 Young Author Guidelines have more information and details on how to enter! The deadline for stories is Friday, March 1st.

You're invited for a free meet and greet and an opportunity to learn more about the Rainbows Peer Group Program. Mark your calendar for January 16th, 2024, at the Park Ridge Library from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

What is Rainbows? It's Designed to foster connection, understanding, and support among students who are grieving from some type of loss due to the absence of a family member. Whether as a result of death, separation or divorce, incarceration, deportation, deployment, abandonment, significant illness, or any other life-altering, traumatic event.

Around D64 #engageD64

"Just another day at Washington, hanging with the coolest kids ever #EngageD64"

~Dr. Ben Collins

(This will make a ton of sense soon!)

"🗺️ 🌎 We did some good partner work in social studies today! #EngageD64"

~@MrsDiMaso

"Thanks to @StromMason for inviting some of my broadcasting students to @Maine_South to help run equipment during their v-show rehearsal! They had a blast! #EngageD64"

~@MichaelTaglia

"Thank you to everyone that participated in our blood and toy drive this evening! We will continue to collect toys until December 5th for Lurie’s Children Hospital. Many thanks to Marta Inciong for encouraging all of us to do what we can to positively impact the lives of others."

~@Jefferson.d64

The Park Ridge Police Department's Toys for Tots Drive is on Saturday, and our very own Lincoln and Emerson Middle School Choirs will be performing!

The choirs will be at City Hall from 10-10:30 am!

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next regular Board meetings:

• December 21, 2023 - 7 p.m. - Jefferson School
• January 25, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Jefferson 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.

Come join our awesome team in District 64! Some of the open positions include Substitute Teachers. Apply Online!

Substitute Teachers

• $150 PER DAY
• All grade levels and subjects
• Technology training provided
• Apply here

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