We are so lucky to have talented, caring team members who dedicate themselves to improving outcomes for our students each day. This week, we celebrate the educators, support staff, and leaders who are helping our students learn, grow, and turn up the J-Factor (Joy Factor) all school year long! Thank you to the school PTAs, school and district leaders, families, and community organizations who are spreading the love for our hardworking staff this year.

“Educating the next generation of leaders takes a truly incredible effort on the part of many dedicated individuals, and we are grateful that you’re part of this team,” Superintendent Dr. Angel Turner said in her message to staff.

NOTE: Want to join in the Staff Appreciation Week joy? Reply to this email with a note of appreciation, and we will make sure it reaches that staff member!

Nearly a year ago, Walker Elementary students Sofia and Madelyn had an idea to create their own screenplay adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.”

By fall 2024, the idea had become a script. Then came the cast and crew — the fifth-grade duo gave spots to all 30 students who auditioned — and lots of practice! The production was almost entirely student-led with support from staff members at Walker.

“The final productions were on April 16 for grades K-4 and April 17 for grade 5 and families of the cast and crew,” Walker Assistant Principal Amy Wharton says. “They did an AMAZING job!”

Wharton says the school’s current fourth graders are already proposing a production for next year. Way to show student leadership, Walker Wolverines!

We are excited to share D65’s first Sustainability Plan as a holistic, district-wide, enduring commitment to addressing climate change. With Monday’s approval of updates to Board Policy 4:70, Resource Conservation, we are making climate action part of our district’s policy.

The Sustainability Plan plan is the product of six months of dedicated work. Thank you to our working group of 20+ staff, students, caregivers, Evanston and Skokie staff, and multiple local community based organizations who worked collaboratively and tirelessly to formulate this plan.

Every decision we make is with our students — current and future — at the heart. That is why we are committing to transforming our policies, practices and daily actions to ensure a healthy and just future for our students, staff, families and generations to come. Please explore the plan to see the tangible ways we are making this happen!

The D65 School Board welcomed four new members in its reorganization meeting this Monday (watch recording). Pat Anderson, Maria Opdycke, Dr. Nichole Pinkard, and Andrew Wymer were sworn in for four-year terms after their victories in the April election.

Four members are transitioning away from their time on their board. Thank you to Joey Hailpern, Soo La Kim, Elisabeth “Biz” Lindsay-Ryan, and Donna Wang Su for their collective 23 years of service on the board!

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board determined that Sergio Hernandez will serve as president and Dr. Nichole Pinkard will serve as vice president.

The board meets twice a month on Mondays. These meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted at this link. Meetings are also livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel for those who prefer to attend virtually. Stay tuned for opportunities to connect with the board!

To help maintain equitable access to technology, all returning D65 students will keep their district-issued devices during summer break. Most students (with the exception of those participating in Summer Learning) will have access through July 31 to all of the instructional technology tools that they access during the school year.

If families need support with accessing instructional technology platforms like Clever or if student devices are damaged over the summer, please contact summersupport@district65.net. The annual device insurance fee paid at the beginning of the school year as part of student fees insures devices through the summer.

Resources for monitoring your student’s device use and screen time are available on the D65 website.