A Message from Dr. Cremascoli
Posted on 01/08/2020
Dr. Kari Cremascoli
Wilmette Public Schools District 39

Wilmette Public Schools District 39
Mikaelian Education Center
615 Locust Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-512-6000
www.wilmette39.org

Dear District 39 Community,

The beginning of a new calendar year coincides with the start of many exciting programs and initiatives here within our Wilmette Public Schools. As school leaders, we are eager to build upon our successes from 2019 as we strive to provide the very best education possible for each and every one of our students. Our focus on and dedication to the comprehensive intellectual and emotional needs of children will continue to guide us as we thoughtfully plan and prepare for 2020 and beyond.

Please find the monthly updates below: 

 

2020-21 New Kindergarten Student Enrollment

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2020-21 school year begins next week. Navigating the kindergarten enrollment process can feel daunting, especially for first-time kindergarten families. We are excited to welcome our new students and families to District 39, and we are eager to help. Our staff will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 to answer questions, help families process enrollment paperwork and accept complete document packets. Kindergarten enrollment forms are accessible on our website and in paper format at school offices next week. Forms are due to school offices no later than Friday, January 31. Registration for all new and returning students will take place on Feb. 18.

The start of kindergarten enrollment marks the beginning of registration for KEEP39 – the Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program of District 39. We are excited to meet this longstanding need in our community by providing families an option for a kindergarten enrichment program within their neighborhood school to compliment the existing academic kindergarten programming. Kindergarten enrichment will be offered to Central and Harper families during the 2020-21 school year with plans to extend the program to Romona and McKenzie families pending the success of the program and completion of construction projects at each of these schools to support program expansion. Please visit the newly-launched KEEP39 page on our website for more information.

 

Strategic Planning Efforts Begin

The Wilmette Board of Education announced in December its plans to launch a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan review and development process. This process will help the Board and district design a five-year plan that will guide our pursuit of excellence as a leading school district throughout the state.  We are committed to our mission of nurturing, guiding, and challenging students to become creative thinkers, collaborators, and socially responsible, compassionate, and productive citizens of a global society.  Through this process, we will be building plans to support student growth and achievement, staff development and success, and ongoing facility improvements and maintenance in fiscally responsible ways. We value the input and expertise of our stakeholders (staff, parents, students, and community) and hope to actively engage all as we envision and plan for our future excellence together. 

The Board will review a wide range of consultants later this month before inviting firms back for formal interviews in February. Our goal is to begin the planning process this winter with completion of a new five-year Strategic Plan no later than September 2020. As partners in education, your feedback and participation in this strategic planning effort will be incredibly valuable and critically important to our success. I look forward to providing information on ways you can participate in the coming months.

 

Parent Educational Opportunities

Thank you to all who attended our parent informational session last month on Allyship in the Face of Hate, presented in partnership with the ADL. Shared learning and engaging conversations about how to help our children and each other promote a sense of community and allyship when confronted by hate will undoubtedly strengthen our schools and help to ensure all students and families feel welcome and connected within our school community.

This month, we will hold two more parent informational events:

  • Jan. 15: Coping with and Overcoming Anxiety (7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mikaelian Education Center)

  • Jan 29: Like Movie Screening & Social Media Discussion (6:30 to 8 p.m. in WJHS Auditorium)

I look forward to seeing you there.

 

On behalf of our board, administration, faculty and staff, I wish you a joyful, prosperous and productive new year.

 

Your partner in education,

Dr. Cremascoli
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Wilmette Public Schools District 39