We know the start of a new school year can be quite busy for families! We want to give you one less thing to worry about. There are no supply lists or need to purchase items this summer. Instructional supply fees are included in annual school fees (see #10 below for details). The District will use these funds to purchase the needed instructional supplies to ensure all K-8 students have what they need for the new school year! 

Students are encouraged to bring a backpack and a labeled reusable water bottle. All of our schools have water filling stations for student use.

Students are provided with a district-issued technology device to supplement classroom learning. If your child brings their device home, please ensure they are charged nightly and brought to school each day.

Additional information

It’s important that we keep our schools healthy! The State of Illinois requires that schools have certain health information on file for students. This includes physical, dental, and eye examinations and verification of required immunizations. Our Health & Wellness Services webpage contains a listing of requirements, downloadable health forms, and other helpful information.

Please ensure the proper information is on file before the school year starts! It is so important for our staff to understand the health needs of students on the first day of school so we can keep everyone safe. Completed health forms can be sent in a variety of ways:

• dropped off at your child’s school
• dropped off at the Joseph E. Hill Education Center (1500 McDaniel Ave., Evanston)
• emailed to Health & Wellness Services at D65health@district65.net
• faxed to 847-866-7280

October 1st Exclusion Date: Kindergarten, 6th grade, and students who are new to the district must have their required physicals and immunizations completed and submitted by October 1st to avoid exclusion from school.

District 65 is hosting a free clinic for required back-to-school vaccines on Wednesday, August 19 for all enrolled students. No insurance required! View English Flyer / Spanish Flyer

District 65 is committed to providing nutritious meal choices for our students! All schools serve breakfast and lunch daily. Elementary students place their lunch orders in their morning homeroom classes. Middle schoolers make their meal choices as they come through the lunch line in the cafeteria. Students may also bring their own lunches from home.

If you do not wish for your student to purchase meals at school, please communicate that expectation with them. For our younger learners, it may also be beneficial to express your wishes to their teachers.

Free and reduced-price meals are available to families who qualify based on certain income or eligibility requirements. Meal applications are now available on our website. All families who believe they may qualify are encouraged to apply. Benefits go beyond school meals and may include free or reduced-price school fees, summer programming, internet access, and more!

Menus for school breakfast and lunch are available on our website. Did you know that school meals can be paid for online through MySchoolBucks?

Additional information

We know our kindergarteners will want to check out their new playground, try out our slides and swings, and meet new classmates before the start of the school year! 

Attend a kindergarten playdate! The full schedule is available on our website and there are still remaining dates this summer. These informal meetups are a great way for children and their caregivers to get to know each other.

Additionally, we recognize that many students will be attending a new school this fall. To help every child feel welcomed and connected, many schools are hosting playdates, grade-level meetups, and other community-building events before the first day of school. These gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity for students and families to meet one another, begin building new friendships, and start the school year with a strong sense of belonging. View the full schedule at the link above.

In District 65, many of our students live nearby their school. In certain circumstances, such as living more than 1.5 miles from school or needing to cross an approved safety hazard, transportation is provided by the District at no cost. Transportation eligibility information was sent to all parents/guardians via email on August 7 and is available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

NEW this year! Eligible families are required to opt in or out of bus service by completing the required form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal by August 14 in order to receive services on the first day of school. Knowing exactly who is riding the bus each day allows us to create more efficient routes, getting students home faster while keeping transportation costs down.

Safe Route to School Maps are being finalized and will be posted on or before Monday, August 17. This includes safe walk, bike, and roll routes. Assigned crossing guard locations have already been posted. We encourage parents/caregivers to review these maps with their child before the first day of school. The District will continue to monitor traffic and safety patterns as the new year begins.

Additional information

We want to empower our families by connecting them to important information about their child and their learning. District 65 uses a secure, web-based system called PowerSchool which parents/guardians can access through its Parent Portal. All families received an email with instructions for accessing the portal, including schedules and teacher assignments, on August 11.

This system contains real-time access to student information provided at the time of registration and also has student schedules, classroom assignments, attendance information, student grades, health information and more! Information may vary by grade level. Student report cards and progress reports are also available via PowerSchool.

Schedules and teacher assignments are determined with several aspects in mind. If you have concerns or notice any errors in your child's schedule, reach out to your child's school administrator.

Additional information

Our District 65 calendar page offers all the information you need for important events and activities throughout the year!

• View the District 65 2026-2027 Interactive School Calendar
• Your school website’s calendar is where you’ll find school-specific events!
• View our 2026-2027 At-A-Glance Calendars
• Good attendance is so important for academic success. On occasion, it may be necessary for students to be absent due to illness or other reasons. Learn more about student absences and attendance reporting
• Follow our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages
• The Fast 5 is District 65’s newsletter for important information and joyful storytelling. Community members can also sign up to receive it in their inboxes.
• View school hours, including early dismissal times on half-day School Improvement Days

We know that families need flexibility and support beyond the regular school day. Parents/guardians have two options for before- and after-school childcare for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. These include our D65 School Age Child Care (SACC) program and Right at School. Both offer high quality on-site programming, flexible care options, and competitive pricing. Please note that program availability varies by school and is subject to change due to enrollment.

Online registration for the SACC program closed on August 5; however, families can still email saccregistration@district65.net to inquire if space is available. Right at School enrollment is ongoing.

Transportation is not available for either program.

Enrichment and Athletics Programming: In partnership with the City of Evanston Parks and Rec Department, Right at School, and community providers, District 65 offers athletics and enrichment programs like cooking, martial arts, basketball, chess, and dance for K-5 students. 

• Athletics Registration Deadline (grades 2-5): August 20
• Right at School Enrichments Registration: August 31-September 25 (program info coming soon)

In District 65, we believe that every child deserves access to high quality standards-aligned teaching and learning in our classrooms. Our educators can't wait to engage with our students and foster their academic growth and learning!

This fall, each D65 school will host a Curriculum Night for parents/caregivers to get a sense of our education programming in the coming year. This event is also a great opportunity to visit your child’s school and meet their school teams! Stay tuned for your school’s date and details.

Fee statements will be sent to all families on September 1 and must be paid by October 1, 2026. These fees cover classroom activities, technology costs, school supplies, and more. They can be paid online, via phone, or via money order/bank check. All electronic payments whether in-person, online, or over the phone will incur a 4.38% processing fee. Personal checks are no longer accepted. View a breakdown of student fees.

Payment plans are available. If you are in need of financial assistance, please call 847-859-8015. All previous years’ student fees must be paid in order to enroll in School Age Child Care.