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District 64 eNews February 23rd, 2024

Celebrating All Things D64

D64 celebrations at our Board meetings never get old! Last night, we honored our Spelling Bee and Science Olympiad winners and had a spotlight presentation on Washington Elementary School! Plus, we talked about the more than $10,000 raised by the Park Ridge Community Fund, and Dr. Joel Martin got a cake to celebrate his Those Who Excel Award. 


Learn more about the celebrations.

News From Feb. 22 Regular BOE Meeting

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 22nd, in the Hendee Rooms. The full Board report from the meeting can be found on our website. 


VIEW BOARD MEETING


The conversation around an updated Master Facilities Plan continued as District Admin brought to the Board drawings and documents for each of our schools. These plans represent the first attempt at looking at what it would take to have world-class facilities in every building. 


Again, the plans presented to the Board are preliminary, and as we continue to gather data, the plans will undergo many changes. The plans cover every school and represent a big picture to encompass all of the wants and needs, but as we continue to have conversations and understand what we want to do, we will update and alter the plan.


The updated Master Facilities Plan at this high level has a lot of infrastructure work being done at all five elementary schools and both middle schools. These projects include replacing our aging HVAC systems, replacing ceilings with LED lighting, installing new carpet squares in classrooms where needed, painting classrooms, and adding modern, flexible seating and furniture. Also, a lot of work has to do with safety improvements. For instance, they include replacing classroom doors and door frames across the district, updating signage to include safety information, fixing ADA railings, adding fencing for staff and student safety, and ADA-accessible playgrounds with rubberized surfaces. Also, we proposed additions to Field and Franklin because both schools need more space. Franklin needs space to possibly be the home of a 3rd-5th grade Life Skills Program, and Field needs to address current spacing issues. 


Below, you can see more in-depth snapshots of the proposed work:


“Okay, that is a ton of information. We just wanted to make sure that as the Board starts to make decisions, you have everything and we tried to be as thorough as we possibly could,” said Superintendent Dr. Ben Collins. 


The administration will continue to refine the plan after this initial discussion at a special board meeting on Wednesday, March 6th, at 7 pm at Franklin Elementary School. This meeting’s sole focus will be the Master Facilities Plan with updated data.


Recommendation and Approval of Public Engagement Services Agreement with Beyond Your Base

  • Motion Approved
  • Beyond Your Base helps with the strategy and facilitates community engagement meetings surrounding ballot questions and referendums. This company has already worked with the Park Ridge Community, helping pass successful referendums for District 207 and the Park Ridge Park District. 


Abating the Working Cash Fund of Community Consolidated School District Number 64, Cook County, Illinois

  • Motion Approved


Discussion & Approval of Quest Food Management Services Contract Renewal

  • Motion Approved


Recommendations & Approval of E-Rate Projects for 2024

  • Motion Approved


Recommendation and Approval of Asbestos Abatement Bid

  • Motion Approved
  • As we prepare for phase one of the Lincoln Middle School construction project, we identified several classrooms that need asbestos abated. The work will be completed over Spring Break, and we are working with staff to help pack up the rooms, remove them, and then replace the contents so they are ready again for students. 
  • Kinsale Contracting Group Inc. was awarded the bid for $53,700.


Approval of Recommended Personnel Report

  • Motion Approved


Consent Agenda

  • Motion Approved


Approval of Board Committee Structure

  • Motion Approved


Approval of Minutes

  • Motion Approved

Upcoming Board Meetings

The following are the next Board meetings:


  • March 6, 2024 - 7 p.m. Special Meeting at Franklin Elementary School
  • March 21, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson
  • April 18, 2024 - 7 p.m. - Hendee Rooms at Jefferson


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.

Please Register For The 2024-2025 School Year!

The registration deadline is quickly approaching. 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.

WOW Summer 2024 Registration Is Now Open

Making summer plans? Register for Worlds of Wonder Summer 2024! Apply early. Many classes fill quickly.


The registration links are now live. The WOW page also has the schedule for each session and course description brochures.


Registration closes Monday, June 3rd.

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. View a trailer for the movie.


Please RSVP to the free viewing of Angst.

Calling All Local Real Estate Agents

The fun in D64 continues, and we're excited to host a lunch/town hall with our local real estate agents!


Join us for lunch on March 8th, 2024 at Noon. We'd love the opportunity to talk about all things D64 and our schools, as well as share info to help you when selling homes in the area.


If you are a local real estate agent and would like to come, please make sure to RSVP.


Date: Friday, March 8th

Time: Noon

Address: Hendee Rooms (82000 Greendale Avenue, Niles, IL.


Tickets are available for the Field School V Show 70!. This year's show, ...And We Turned Out Fine, is another sketch comedy written, produced and performed by Field parents. The show is light, moves quickly and offers fun for all ages. Tickets are $10 each, proceeds from V Show 70 benefit the Field school playground project. Purchase tickets here.


The Cast and Crew of Mary Poppins Jr cordially invite you to attend the Emerson production of Mary Poppins Jr. More than 180 students are involved in the musical!


Here is the link to purchase tickets for Mary Poppins Jr! 

Tickets are $6.00 online and $8.00 at the door.

Dine To Donate

DINE TO DONATE AT MORETTI'S Edison Park!

SUPPORT D64 BOPA

BAND & ORCHESTRA PARENT ASSOCIATION

15% OF EVENT SALES WILL BE DONATED TO BOPA


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 ALL DAY!

Moretti's Edison Park

6727 Olmsted, Chicago IL 60631

In person, carry out and delivery!

Must mention D64 Band & Orchestra Parent Association/BOPA

or SHOW THIS FLYER.

For Questions, please contact:  

Christine Erickson  [email protected]


We're Hiring Subs

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 | [email protected]


#engageD64

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