Sprague School

Author and educator Trevor MacKenzie has made a significant impact in schools with his approach to inquiry-based learning—an engaging method that connects students to real-world problems through exploration and critical questioning. When MacKenzie introduced his techniques to District 103, three teachers—Christie Wylie, Tara Boron, and Erinn Vincent—embraced the challenge of bringing his strategies to life in their classrooms. Their innovative work caught MacKenzie’s attention and was featured in his latest book, “Inquiry Mindset.”

“Their submissions stood out for their thoughtful reflection on questioning routines and their success in engaging all learners,” said Katie Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “These teachers exemplify the reflective practice and creative teaching we strive to celebrate in District 103.”

At Sprague School, enrichment specialist Christie Wylie used MacKenzie’s Question Hexagon routine to help young learners make deeper connections. “This approach encouraged students to ask open-ended questions, guiding them to explain, compare, contrast, and justify as they learned from one another,” Mrs. Wylie said.

Read more about the other D103 teachers on the district's website.

• Early Childhood Registration: Spots are filling up so register today.
• Saturday, Jan. 11: Piano Clinic, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 20: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday.
• MAP Night: Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. first-graders in the classes of Korah, Schencker, Schlan, and Schreurs
• MAP Night: Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. first-graders in the classes of Catullo, Kahn, Larsen, and Vander Pas.

In the coming weeks, families will receive information about an exciting school-wide initiative: The Sprague School Souper Bowl! This fun event ties into the American Football Super Bowl and encourages our students to get excited about reading, giving back, and celebrating teamwork.

Here’s how it works:

Reading Challenge: Students will be encouraged to read and track their minutes at home. Our school will set a collective reading goal, and classrooms with the highest minutes will win prizes!

Soup Donation: Students will be encouraged to bring in a can of soup to school and cast their “vote” for which Super Bowl team they think will win by placing their can in the corresponding bin. All donations will go to support local food banks.

Parent Request: Families, please support the reading challenge with our young learners by purchasing an incentive from the Amazon wishlist. Please drop off prizes at Sprague by Friday, Jan. 31.

As the colder months approach, it's a great time to ensure your child’s (labled with their name) winter gear is ready for outdoor play! We will go outside as long as the temperature feels like 5 degrees or above and it’s not raining. We will also head outside if it’s snowing, as long as it’s not wet snow. Given the right conditions, we are so lucky at Sprague that we will also be sledding. Those students who do not have boots or clothes for winter play stay in the quiet outside area that is cleared of snow, which might not be as much fun as sledding and playing in the snow with their friends!

With the season change, this is also a wonderful opportunity to check your child’s locker for any clothes that may no longer fit or are for a different season. Ensuring our Wildcats have the ​right winter essentials—warm coats, hats, mittens, and boots—will help keep them comfortable and safe while enjoying the fresh outdoor air. Thank you for helping us ensure every child is prepared for the season ahead!

• Our Weather Chart guideline

Mabel's Labels: Is it possible to avoid the "lost and found"? Nobody's perfect, but you can increase your chances of recovering lost items by easily labeling your kid's gear while supporting the D103 PTO. Mabel's Labels offers various customized labeling options, including waterproof labels and stamps.

Daniel Wright's Leaders in Learning Club invites families to drop off discarded electronics at the school, 1370 N Riverwoods Rd., Lincolnshire, on Saturday, Jan. 11, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Accepted items include:

Please share this communication with your D103 friends so they know that families may now register their preschool student for D103's Early Childhood program.

• Award-winning school district
• Certified teachers
• Extended and half day classes
• Extended hours: 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Half day hours: morning 8:15 to 10:45 a.m. or afternoon 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Bus transportation available
• Drop off at local day cares
• Competitive tuition

Register for a 20-minute piano clinic lesson with Daniel Wright's eighth-grade instructors during A Day of Action on Saturday, Jan. 11, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This Leaders in Learning fundraiser will donate proceeds to Hungry for Music, a charitable nonprofit organization that supports less fortunate students who have a hunger to play.

Get ready to celebrate friendship and fun at the Sprague Valentine Dance, hosted by Sprague School and the D103 PTO!

When: Saturday, Feb. 8th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Sprague School

Attire: Dress to impress!

This special event is the perfect way to kick off Valentine’s season with your family and friends.

Tickets:

• $15 for one Sprague child and two grown-ups.
• $5 for each additional Sprague sibling.

(Tickets include a Valentine’s craft, music, games, and photo fun!)

Extras:

• Snacks and water will be available for purchase (cash only).
• Valentine Grams will be on sale for your little ones to share some love.

Note: Space is limited to the first 250 families, so secure your spot before it’s too late!

Let’s make this Valentine’s celebration one to remember. We can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

👉 Purchase your tickets today @ dub.sh/QkdbDBs

The D103 Newcomers Group is excited to kick off the new year with indoor “Walk & Talk” meet-ups! Join us at the Buffalo Grove Golf Dome, 801 McHenry Rd., Buffalo Grove, on Friday, Jan. 10, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families, stretch your legs, and enjoy some casual conversation—no fee to participate!

These dates are just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to hearing from you. If there’s interest, we’ll work together to plan future meet-ups on days and times that suit the group best. We hope to see you there!

We’re looking for volunteers to make crockpots of chili or soup (your recipe of choice!) with at least 10 servings for our staff luncheon on Friday, Feb. 7.

Details:

• Drop-off: By 9:30 a.m. (in a crockpot with your name and ingredient list.)
• Pick-up: After 1:30 p.m.
• Please use crockpot liners for easy cleanup.

We also need desserts and volunteers for serving and cleanup. Not a chef? Donations are welcome to help with salads, décor, and extras.

Thank you for helping us show appreciation for our amazing D103 staff! ❤️

👉 Volunteers needed for this event. Sign up -> dub.sh/D103SignUp

Please join us for coffee or breakfast at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, as we discuss areas we need support for our children with IEPS and/or 504s receiving accommodations in D103. All are welcome. We are looking to make friendships and to help each other through our unique journey of parenting. Please respond to our invitation and let us know if you can attend.

Jordan's Journey Blood Drive

Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Midtown Athletic Club, 2211 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn

Please sign up in advance to donate blood.

Calling all junior entrepreneurs! Do you want to learn real-life business and money management skills? Apply for Kid Market at the Vernon Area Public Library (open to grades 2-8)! Successful applications can sell their wares at a table at the Kid Market on Saturday, April 5, and will receive business coaching from the library's business librarian.

Applications are accepted now through Monday, Jan. 20. Find more details about Kid Market on the library's website.

Congressman Brad Schneider is launching the sixth annual "Brad's Bookworms" program to encourage reading and learning for elementary school students (grades K-5) and their families!

Children participating in the program are asked to read and log 10 books with help from parents, grandparents, older siblings, or other family members, and track their progress toward this goal. Young people who meet the 10 books goal will be invited with their families to a recognition ceremony with Congressman Schneider to celebrate their achievement. The deadline to complete logs is Sunday, Feb. 2.

• Calendar of School Events
• Archived Newsletters
• Facebook
• YouTube

• Principal Ann Hofmeier
• Assistant Principal Jennifer Arroyo

• 847-945-6686
• Ls_attendance@d103.org