District Update – Nov. 7
Upcoming YouTube Restriction on District Devices
District 39 continues to focus on intentional use of technology in support of teaching and learning. Beginning after Winter Break, our D39 network will restrict open access to YouTube for students on district-issued devices. In the event that YouTube access is required for
an active learning lesson inside our classrooms, our educators will share a specific link through Edpuzzle, a trusted third-party app that is accessible by our students. Additionally, access to YouTube on your child’s district device will be restricted outside of our network through Securly Home.
Nominations Are Now Open for the District 39 Educational Foundation's Innovative Educator Award!
Nominations are now being accepted for the D39 Educational Foundation’s Innovative Educators Award! The Innovative Educators award will recognize teachers who demonstrate excellence in innovative teaching and learning practices in their classrooms and who model the characteristics of the D39 Educational Foundation’s mission.
Parents/Guardians can nominate educators online through
this brief Google nomination form. The nomination window will remain open until early December and all nominated educators will receive recognition from the Educational Foundation. Winners of the award, which carries a cash prize, will be announced to our community in February. Please
contact Beth Karnes, Chair of the D39 Educational Foundation, with any questions.
Sign Up Now for Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
If they have not already, families are encouraged to sign up for our fall parent/teacher conferences. Conferences will take place Nov. 19-21, immediately preceding Fall Break (Thanksgiving week) and will be held virtually through the Meet the Teacher platform (in-person appointments are available by request). Login credentials for Meet the Teacher were sent out last Thursday (Oct. 30) via email.
Reminder: Building Procedures for Outside Visitors
As always, it is our duty and highest priority to maintain our schools as safe places for students, staff, and families. During the school day, our schools are not open to the public. We have designated specific areas as private and restricted during the school day (including areas beyond our controlled front foyers as well as our playgrounds), which is applied to all visitors to our schools. Our protocols for visitors and for granting entry to our schools apply to all guests and help us to maintain safety and security for all. Thank you for your partnership as we all work together to keep our learning community safe.
Parent Education Events
Thank you to everyone who attended our wonderful Parent Education event on Wednesday night, a presentation and meet-and-greet with acclaimed children’s book author Derrick Barnes. Mark your calendars now for our next Parent Education event, a discussion of Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation,” set for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11 am. This discussion, co-led by the Family Service Center and the lead organizer of Wilmette’s “Wait Until 8th” organization, will be a virtual event held via Zoom.
Registration is open now to reserve your space. Please
visit our D39 Parent Education webpage for our full 2025-26 schedule as well as recordings from previous events.
District 39 Angel Fund
The District 39 Angel Fund is a donation-based community fund which helps other D39 families in need cover school and activity fees, including extracurricular activities such as athletics, band/orchestra, and school-sponsored clubs. The fund is supported entirely through contributions from families, residents, and community businesses and your contribution can make a real difference!
Donations to the Angel Fund are tax-deductible and
can be made online via RevTrak. Contributions of any dollar amount are appreciated and 100% of all donations go towards District 39 families in need. Please visit
our Angel Fund webpage for more information.