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. Please ensure devices 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

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 will be available on our website on August 1. All families who believe they may qualify are encouraged to apply. Benefits go beyond school meals and may include free or reduced 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.

In District 65, we believe in neighborhood schools and most of our students live within walking distance. 

For those students who live 1.5 miles or more from their attendance-area school or walking would constitute a serious safety hazard, transportation is provided by the District at no cost to the family. 

Transportation information was sent to new and returning families on July 23. Route information for students who will receive transportation will be sent in mid-August and also available in PowerSchool.

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 will receive 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 2025-2026 Interactive School Calendar
• Your school website’s calendar is where you’ll find school-specific events!
• View our 2025-2026 At-A-Glance Calendar: English, Spanish, Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center
• 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 programming, flexible care options, and competitive pricing. Registration is now open for currently enrolled D65 students!

For convenience, both programs are offered on-site at all D65 elementary and magnet schools so that students may seamlessly transition before and after the school day. Transportation is not available for either program.

New this year: Registration for all Optional Care days is due by October 17. These field trips and special activity days are coordinated to coincide with our School Improvement half-days and open to all K-5 students.

Enrichment Programming: In partnership with Right at School and community providers, District 65 offers on-site before- and after-school enrichment programs like cooking, martial arts, basketball, chess, and dance for K-5 students. Registration for fall Discovery Clubs will open August 25!

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 2 and must be paid by October 1, 2025. These fees cover classroom activities, technology costs, school supplies, and more. They can be paid online, via phone, or via money order/check. 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.