Thanks to some snow and really cold weather, we had an extra long weekend, but how does that impact our school calendar? As of right now, nothing has changed.

Here is how we keep track of the possible need to add attendance days:

After the use of three snow or cold weather days prior to February, the record planning day in March becomes a student attendance day. If there were to be another snow or cold weather day after that, then students report to school on the last day of the year, which is a student record day. It is at that point that if we missed more student attendance days, the District would need to explore extending the school year. 

Also of note, if we need to close one school for an emergency, it still counts as an attendance day for all schools across the District.

The District 64 Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, January 25th, 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.

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
• Spotlight on Roosevelt Elementary School
• Public Comments
• Superintendent Update
• Middle School Master Facilities Plan Update
• Adoption of Resolution #1329 Directing the Chief School Business Official Under the Direct Supervision of the Superintendent to Begin Preparation of a Tentative Budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year in accordance with Board Policy 4:10 Fiscal & Business Management & the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/17-1
• Information on E-Rate Projects for 2024
• Emerson Gymnasium Audiovisual Project
• Cybersecurity Service Agreement
• Update on Student Services Action Plan
• Update on Crisis and Safety Planning
• Approve Updated Copier Contract with Impact Networking
• Resolution #1330 providing for the issue of approximately $10,000,000 General Obligation Limited Tax School Bonds, Series 2024, of the District for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of the District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the execution of a Bond Purchase Agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., in connection with the proposed sale of said bonds.
• Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
• Consent Agenda
• Approval of Minutes
• Board Committee Structure Discussion
• New Business
• Adjournment

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next regular Board meetings:

• February 22, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Jefferson School
• March 21, 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.

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for ALL District 64 students!

You can find the steps on how to enroll at d64.org.

The deadline to register your child for the 2024-2025 school year is noon on Friday, March 22nd. We are offering an early bird discount on families’ school fees if they complete registration, as well as pay fees before noon on Friday, March 22nd. For any families who do not register by this date, you’ll receive a records release as we’re assuming you’re going to another district. 

• It is important to note that to take advantage of the discount, you will need to have the registration forms filled out and submitted by Monday, March 18th. This allows our staff time to verify documents and send out invoices so you can pay them by noon on Friday, March 22nd. You can find our fee list for 2024-2025 here, and it shows what fees would be before and after the deadline.

Reminiscing on all of the great performances from our schools and their Holiday Sings! Enjoy this edition of 64 in 64. If you missed any photos from the events you can view them on our website.

In need of a pick-me-up? At Field Elementary School, Addison Norris’ class serves up coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks each week! 

Students running the coffee cart practice their math skills, communication skills, and motor skills. The money raised from the coffee cart will go to getting supplies for the cart, such as cups and lids. 

The Field Brew Crew is rocking and rolling and doing it all with a smile! Thank you, Ms. Norris’ class, for letting us tag along for a day. 

First up is our first Parent U of the new year, and it will cover safety in schools and at home. Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins will provide an update on the state of safety in our schools, including facility issues, protocols, and future improvements. There will also be a presentation from Be SMART on the importance of gun safety. Information on Be SMART can be found at BeSMARTforkids.org.

The presentations on these important topics will take place at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 24th, in the Hendee Rooms (8200 Greendale Avenue, Niles, IL). Please RSVP if you plan on attending. 

BEANS, BREW, & BEN - Also, mark your calendars for the next Beans, Brew, and Ben! Our community coffee series continues from 9-10:30 am on Tuesday, February 13th, at South Park Rec Center (833 W Talcott Road, Park Ridge). We’ve enjoyed hosting these events and the numerous meaningful conversations that have followed. 

To give us a better idea of how much coffee to bring and the setup, please let us know if you plan on coming and chatting with us! 

FEB. PARENT U, ANGST VIEWING - We have another Parent U event scheduled on Tuesday, February 27th at 7:00 pm in the Hendee Rooms (8200 Greendale Avenue Niles, IL 60714), where we will be hosting a viewing of the short film Angst. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, educators, experts, and parents to raise awareness around anxiety. The recommended age is 5th-8th grade parents and students.

The goal of Angst is to help people identify and understand the symptoms of anxiety and encourage them to reach out for help. Angst screens in schools, corporations, communities and theaters around the world. The film and corresponding materials provide tools, resources and above all, hope.

The North Cook Regional Office of Education/Intermediate Service Center partnered with Angst creator/producer/director Scilla Andreen to offer this for free to our community. You can view a trailer of the film here. 

Please RSVP to the free viewing of Angst.

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.

We had SO many students across D64 have their writing chosen to be highlighted in the Maine South Showcase.

All participants are invited to attend the showcase on Monday, January 22nd.

There are some fun Winter Reading activities going on at our local libraries!

Park Ridge

• Cozy up with some books this winter to earn a prize book and tickets for chances to win gift cards and stuffed animals! Winter Reading begins December 22. Visit https://parkridgelib.beanstack.org for more information.

Niles-Maine

• Winter Reading has started at Niles-Maine District Library! Each week, you can visit the library to receive an activity card full of reading-related activities. Complete 5 of these activities, and you get a prize from our treasure chest and a drawing slip for one of our grand prizes, which includes a microscope kit, Brookfield Zoo passes, and an electronic keyboard and headphones! 

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