Dear District 65 Community,

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, I want to acknowledge the care, thought, and emotion many families and staff are carrying. I also want to express deep gratitude to our school communities who are navigating change with grace, understanding, and a shared commitment to centering students.

The coming year will bring both endings and new beginnings across our district. In late January, the School Board approved the closure of Kingsley Elementary, along with the previously planned closure of Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies; both schools will close at the end of this academic year.

At the same time, we look ahead to the opening of Foster Elementary this fall, the district’s first new school in 25 years. As part of this transition, the Board approved relocating the Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program currently at Willard Elementary to Foster, where students and staff will come together in a vibrant, shared learning community.

As part of these transitions, board-approved boundary changes will affect approximately 800 students across District 65 beginning next school year. These boundaries were originally approved in 2022 and revised in 2026 to help balance enrollment, better utilize facilities, and support the district’s long-term sustainability.

As I shared with the Kingsley community, we know that the transitions may bring feelings of sadness, loss, and uncertainty. For others, it brings a new sense of community, hope, or excitement. These responses, and everything in between, can be true at the same time. Our intention is to honor the full range of emotions and move forward with care, respect, and humanity.

To support planning, all District 65 families will receive an email tomorrow, February 4, with their child(ren)’s school assignment for the 2026–27 school year. Families must confirm the assignment, request a permissive transfer, or indicate a return to their designated home school by March 1, 2026. Parents/caregivers of students at Park and Rice will receive the email with their student's assignment but are not required to complete this process. Transfers are contingent upon space availability.

While this is a time of transition, I hope that we can all move forward together as a community. Parents and staff across the district are already stepping up to ensure that anyone who is assigned to a new school next year is welcomed warmly and for that I am deeply humbled and grateful. In the months ahead, we remain committed to supporting students, staff, and families, and additional information and resources will continue to be shared.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Dr. Angel Turner (she/her)

Superintendent

We recognize that parents and guardians may have questions about what this means for their family and what options they may have.

Please note: All placement confirmations, permissive transfer requests, or returns to home school must be submitted through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Accessing the PowerSchool Parent Portal

• Username: your email address
• Password: if you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot Username or Password.” If you do not receive a link with instructions, please email registrationinfo@district65.net.

For additional help, visit the D65 PowerSchool page.

All of our schools are special to the children and families they serve and the staff who work there. While change is hard, we are encouraged by the care and enthusiasm of receiving school communities as they prepare to welcome new students and families and create spaces where everyone feels known and supported. All schools will host open houses for students and families to come learn about what makes each of these schools special!

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MARCH

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APRIL

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