Strategic Planning Process Survey
We are excited by the feedback already gathered regarding our strategic planning efforts and are offering stakeholders an additional opportunity to help guide this important work. Your responses to our
very quick, 3-question survey (which should take three minutes or less) will help our teams refine what we heard in our focus groups, share additional perspectives, and shape our collective direction. Your voice is important, and we appreciate your input. Please complete this survey by Monday, April 20.
Bus Registration – Coming Soon
Bus registration for the 2026-27 academic year will open next week. Transportation fees, which were approved by the Board of Education at its February meeting, will be $629 for one-way riders and $1,050 for round-trip transportation. More information on student fees, including transportation service, and how the Board subsidizes them is available on
our student fees reference sheet. Families will receive an email next week with more details on how to register.
Board of Education – Committee of the Whole
This past Monday, the Board of Education gathered for its monthly Committee of the Whole meeting. At this meeting, the Board was presented with the FY26 audit engagement letters for both District 39 and WCSEA and received an update on D39’s strategic planning process.
Agendas and materials for all Board of Education meetings are posted online the Friday prior to the meeting.
Parent Education
April Event: Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday for our Parent Education event titled “When Love Doesn’t Conquer All – Dealing With Behavior Difficulties.” A
recording of this presentation is now available online.
May Event: District 39 is proud to share that its May Parent Education event will be an in-person, all-community “Let’s Play” event to be held on Saturday, May 9 from 10 am-Noon at Romona Elementary. Join The Alliance for Early Childhood, the Wilmette Public Library, BackYard Nature Center, Go Green Wilmette, Kids Science Labs, the Wilmette Park District, A. Perry Homes, and the Wilmette Police Department for a joyful morning of play at Romona! This hands-on, family-friendly event invites children to dive into open-ended, child-led play experiences that spark imagination, build confidence, and support healthy development. This event is free and open to all District 39 families. This is an outdoor experience; in the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.
Registration for this event is open now! Please visit our D39 Parent Education webpage for our full 2025-26 schedule as well as recordings from previous events.
Spring SEL Assessments
Elementary Students
Beginning April 27 and running through May 8, students in grades K-4 will be participating in the INSIGHTS assessment of social-emotional competencies. INSIGHTS is a narrated assessment where students use their headphones to listen to the prompts and respond on the iPad/computer. There are two versions of the assessment: INSIGHTS EE for grades K-3, and INSIGHTS LE for grade 4. Families can learn more about the format of these assessments
through this information sheet.
This assessment aligns with the SEL competencies taught using our Everyday Speech Curriculum. The results of these assessments are used by classroom teachers to guide that instruction, and pinpoint areas of need or support for students. For more information about the social-emotional objectives at your child’s grade level, and other general information about SEL in District 39, please visit our D39 Social Emotional Learning website.
Highcrest/WJHS Students
Beginning April 27 and running through May 8, students in grades 5-8 will be participating in the Panorama MESH (Mindsets, Essential Skills and Habits) assessment of social-emotional competencies and school environment. The MESH is comprised of a series of questions that cover the areas of Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Emotion Regulation. This assessment also looks at Supportive Relationships at school, School Safety, Sense of Belonging, and Valuing of School.
This assessment aligns with the SEL competencies taught using our Responsive Classroom curricular materials, and results from the assessments are used to help us as we continue to gauge the effectiveness of our social-emotional supports and programming in the district. For more information about the social-emotional objectives at your child’s grade level, and other general information about SEL in District 39, please
visit our D39 Social Emotional Learning Website.