Schools across the district honored Black History Month with creative, meaningful celebrations! Lincolnwood Elementary combined a new tradition — “Community Days,” inspired by Orrington Elementary — with an emphasis on Black leaders who inspire others. 

This time is meant to learn about an aspect of what makes communities strong and to work together. This first Community Day was themed around poet Amanda Gorman's quote: "For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it.” According to Principal Laura Pinsof, each grade level brainstormed about ways that people can shine their light on others and then broke into groups themed around a Black leader who is a "light" for others.

At Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, interventionist Juana Fernandez-Hamer shared her artistic talents with her school community. Three original artworks hung in the hallway between the two front doors to the auditorium entrance.

“I am an Afro-Cuban woman and one thing that truly inspires me are the faces of my people,” Fernandez-Hamer shares in her artist statement about the pieces. She studied art in college and has returned to art as a way to honor her heritage.

For Chute Middle’s Black History Month Door Decorating Contest, students decorated their classroom doors with imagery that honors the rich history and achievements of the Black community, celebrating their lasting impact in an exciting and meaningful way.

Enrollment is now underway and D65 neighborhood and attendance area schools are hosting spring open houses! These offer prospective families, students transitioning to middle school, and new kindergarten families the opportunity to tour the building, meet educators, and learn more about D65 schools.

In District 65, kindergarten classrooms are a place for all children to wonder, grow, and discover the joyfulness of learning. Children must be five years old on or before September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten. Watch this short video to learn more about the D65 kindergarten experience!

Last weekend marked the start of Ramadan, a Muslim holy month of fasting and reflection. Our schools have plans to provide flexibility and accommodate students as needed, especially during lunch and physical education. This may include self-monitoring of physical activity without penalty during PE or having access to a quiet place or alternate activity in lieu of going to the cafeteria during lunch.

All students and staff deserve to feel a sense of belonging and joy at school. If accommodations are needed, please speak with your child’s teacher, social worker, or trusted adult within the school. Ramadan Mubarak to our D65 families and staff who celebrate!

In early February, students and families of the Bessie Rhodes community participated in Lunar New Year festivities in the school’s gym and auditorium.

During the first hour, students and their families enjoyed many activities in the gymnasium, including the following:

• Kung fu demonstration
• Sampling of Chinese food and teas
• Photo booth where students could dress up in various colorful Chinese costumes
• Chinese calligrapher who made personalized bookmarks for the students
• Portrait artist who worked in Chinese ink drawing techniques
• Arts and crafts center where students made Chinese zodiac face masks and dragons.

The school’s entrance area, hallway, and gymnasium were brightly adorned with authentic Chinese lanterns and other special decorations. The second part of the evening’s program was held in the auditorium where the audience enjoyed traditional Chinese music and dance performances. Thank you to the Bessie Rhodes PTA and the Village of Skokie for providing the funds for this event.

This month, our students in grades 3-8 will participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. Each school has developed its own testing schedule during the March 3-21 testing window.

The state-required IAR is used for accountability purposes for all public school districts in Illinois and is the primary assessment on the Illinois Report Card. The District has adopted rigorous standards as part of everyday classroom instruction (see our curriculum at-a-glance for all grades). The IAR assessment helps us evaluate how well our students are mastering grade-level literacy and math concepts.

Last week students at Lincoln Elementary celebrated their preparations for the IAR with a schoolwide pep rally. Students — and even a few staff members, shown below — had a blast dumping bright green slime on a few lucky teachers!