page background

Sprague School

Sprague School

2nd-Graders Wow School Board with Math Skills

Second-grade students put their problem-solving skills on display this week as they teamed up with school board members to tackle a math challenge using the Building Thinking Classrooms approach. Students from Allyson Ward and Lisa Popjoy’s classes worked side by side with board members, demonstrating how this innovative method makes math more engaging and meaningful.


“You get to work with partners to solve math problems,” one student shared.

“It helps me solve problems and equations and gets me ready for when I’m older,” another added.

“When it’s hard, we work together and persevere.”


Developed by researcher Peter Liljedahl, Building Thinking Classrooms emphasizes creative problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking over rote memorization. Sprague Principal Ann Hofmeier praised the approach, saying, “This not only makes math more engaging but also nurtures critical thinking and student agency—skills that are essential both in and outside the classroom.”

Upcoming Events


We encourage you to subscribe to the Sprague calendar so meetings and events can automatically be added to your personal calendar. Copy the calendar. Right click the url to a new tab. Download the calendar to your personal calendar.

Lunar New Year

This week at Sprague School, we embraced the spirit of Lunar New Year with engaging activities that highlighted the traditions and cultural significance of this global celebration. Students received red envelopes, a symbol of good luck and prosperity, as they learned about their importance in many Lunar New Year festivities.


Beyond exploring Chinese New Year, we also discussed how various regions and cultures—including Vietnam, Korea, and other countries—honor the Lunar New Year in unique ways. In classrooms, students watched videos, read books, and created crafts to deepen their understanding of these traditions. It was a wonderful way to celebrate cultural diversity and foster appreciation for global celebrations!

Valentine's Day Parties

Sprague students and staff will celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, Feb. 14. Students may bring valentine cards to school for all of their classmates. Class lists are not provided. Please only send NON-Edible treats to school with your child’s Valentine's Day cards. Our classroom parties for Valentine's Day focus on friendship and exchanging cards with peers and teachers during the day at school.

Kindergarten/Preschool Registration Now Open

Kindergarten

Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. Kindergarten registration is for District 103 residents who will turn 5-years-old on or before September 1. (Please do not register your Sprague early childhood student for kindergarten until the spring.)


The district offers half day and full day kindergarten. There is no lottery for full day kindergarten. Registration takes place through our online portal, PowerSchool enrollment.

  • Full day kindergarten is $3,500, if a deposit of $500 is paid by April 4, and $3,850 thereafter.

  • Full day kindergarten tuition is payable in two installments due August 1, 2025 and December 1, 2025.

  • Half day kindergarten is $100.00 for the year.

  • Visit the kindergarten registration page for documents required for registration.

Preschool

Register today for the Sprague Early Childhood program that focuses on learning through play by providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Our early childhood students participate in a variety of small and large group activities that focus on developing social and learning related skills through investigation, exploration, and discovery.


Early Childhood Community Peer tuition rates for 2025-2026 are as follows:

  • Extended Day: $8,686 per year

  • Half Day Tuition: $4,343 per year

  • Bus transportation to and from Sprague School will be available for a fee of $400 per year per child.

  • Bus transportation available to/from area child care facilities.

Substitute Teachers Needed

Consider becoming a substitute teacher in District 103 earning a competitive daily wage. Work the days you desire during school hours while bringing in extra cash for the holidays, vacations, or other expenses.


Please share this message with friends and families who might be interested in a substitute position in D103. Please use your account on WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook, email, or text messaging to reach out to potential candidates.


Candidates must hold a current and valid Professional Educator License (PEL), Substitute(SUB) or Short-Term Substitute (STS) license in order to be considered a candidate for substituting in District 103. All applications and registrations/renewals must be completed through the ELIS website platform. More information on the requirements to become a substitute teacher can be found at www.isbe.net.


Responsibilities include:

  • Maintain the established routines and procedures of the school and classroom to which you are assigned.

  • Teach the lesson outlined and described by the absent teacher provided in a detailed plan.

  • Assume responsibility for overseeing pupil behavior in class and during lunch and recess periods.

  • Follow all policies, rules, and procedures to which regular teachers/employees are subject and which good teaching practice dictates.

  • Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the school principal.

  • Pay scale starts at $120 a day and increases depending on the number of days worked.

Partnerships

Register

The 5 Principles of Parenting with Dr. Aliza Pressman

Join Dr. Aliza Pressman, New York Times bestselling author and host of Raising Good Humans, for an insightful webinar on parenting strategies at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, on Zoom. She’ll share her "5 Principles of Parenting," relationship, reflection, regulation, rules, and repair, to help parents navigate raising resilient, well-rounded children while normalizing imperfection.


This event is free and open to all. Registration is required: Register on Zoom Today The event is presented by District 96, District 102, District 103, and Vernon Area Public Library. Take this opportunity to learn practical strategies and strengthen your parenting approach!

purchase tickets

Valentine Dance

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

When: Saturday, Feb. 8, 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

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Us Treat the D103 Staff!

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

Calling All Local Artists!

Join us for Explore the Arts Day at Half Day School on Friday, Feb. 21, from 9:15 to 11:40 a.m.!

We’re looking for creative individuals to lead fun, engaging activities that inspire third–fifth-graders (ages 8–11). There will be three 40-minute sessions, with setup starting at 8:00 a.m.

Interested? Fill out the Google form to sign up and share your artistic talents with the next generation!🎶


👉Any questions about this event can be emailed to explore.the.arts.day@gmail.com

Run for D103 5K

The Run for D103 5K Run/Walk is a family-friendly, annual fundraising event held in the spring that enables the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) to provide District 103 with programs and equipment for the benefit of our children. This race is representative of our district's commitment to foster both healthy minds and healthy bodies in our children and to instill a lifelong passion for education and exercise.


Whether you're an experienced runner or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, meet new people, and have fun! We can't wait to see you at the starting line!


👉 Register today @ runford103.org

Community

Community Blood Drive

Hope and Love are best shared! Give blood, save lives, and strengthen your community with Versiti from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment on the Versiti website.

Transportation Poster Contest

District 103's Transportation Department encourages students in grades k-8 to participate in the "Safety First - Safety Always" Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation Poster Contest. Get all the contest information on the Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation website. The submission deadline is April 18.

Brad's Bookworms Initiative

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.

Laura B. Sprague School

Principals
  • Principal Ann Hofmeier
  • Assistant Principal Jennifer Arroyo
Reporting a Student Absence
Laura B. Sprague School
2425 Riverwoods Road Lincolnshire, IL 60069