District Update – October 3
Posted on 10/03/2024
Traveling Safely To and From School
With school back in session, traveling safely to and from school is very important. Whether traveling by car, bus, bike or foot, we remind everyone to be cautious and aware of surroundings as you travel. Please review these safety practices with your children.
•. Obey traffic laws, signals and crossing guards – stop at all stop signs and crosswalks.
•. Be alert – watch for others around you and avoid using cell phones and earbuds/headphones while moving.
•. Adhere to bike safety – wear a helmet and watch for pedestrians, cars and other bikers.
•. Review village walking/biking routes – check out the Village-approved walking/biking paths for your school, which includes locations of crossing guards.
•. Travel with a friend - when possible, travel to and from school with a friend.
•. Have a plan – talk with your children about safety, what to do if approached by a stranger and where/how to get help, if needed. 

Parent Education Events – Let's Play Series
District 39 is proud to be partnering with the Alliance for Early Childhood, Wilmette Public Library, and BackYard Nature Center for a series of Parent Education events designed to highlight the benefits of free play for our students. These events are meant to be a family adventure into creative, child-led free play that sparks imagination and fuels growth. This experience is designed for you and your child(ren) to explore a variety of fun-filled activities designed to flex your “play muscles” and strengthen your bond. The schedule for these events is listed below. Registration is required and can be done online through the respective school links.
Romona: Monday, Oct. 7 (3:30-4:30 pm)
Harper: Friday, Oct. 18 (2:30-3:30 pm)
Central: Monday, Oct. 21 (3:30-4:30 pm)
Highcrest: Monday, Oct. 28 (3:50-4:50 pm)

Parent Education Events – Research-Based Math
D39 is offering a Parent Education event, titled “Researched-Based Mathematics Teaching and Learning,” on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 11 am. This event will be held virtually via Zoom. Dr. Jen Munson, an assistant professor of learning sciences at Northwestern University, with a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Mathematics Education from Stanford University, will help our families gain insight into the ways children understand and engage with math. Learn what research suggests students need in order to develop strong mathematical skills. Registration is open for this event. 

Principal Appreciation Month
October is Principal Appreciation Month and we are very proud to honor our building leaders in District 39. Being a school administrator is both rewarding and challenging. It is one of the toughest jobs in education and, yet, our leaders rise to the challenge every day. The principals, assistant principals and grade-level administrators in each of our buildings are dedicated to caring for and assisting our students and staff to reach their full potential. We thank them for their hard work, expertise, dedication, care, flexibility and perseverance. Please take a moment to thank your child(ren)’s building administrators for all they do.