D73 Digest

Good morning! D73 Digest brings the latest Hawthorn District news straight to your inbox. From system updates to upcoming community events, this bi-weekly newsletter is your go-to source to stay informed and engaged with our school community. Don’t miss out on important reminders and district happenings—take a quick glance to keep up with our active school community!

Secure your spot and save! Early bird registration for the 2024-2025 school year at Hawthorn is now open. Register by May 1 to enjoy discounted rates and ensure a smooth start to the new academic year. Click here to get ahead of the game! Details on how to register coming to your inbox soon.

Our new cafeteria point of sale system is here! As of April 1, the K12 PaymentCenter has closed, with all balances now securely transferred to the new LINQ Connect Portal, a robust Titan School Solutions product. On Friday, April 5, families will receive detailed instructions on how to access and add funds to your new payment portal from Titan School Solutions (be sure to check your spam). For questions about your student’s meal account balance please call either Jennifer Ezop at 847-990-4223 or Gabriela Cervantes at 847-990-4245 . Thank you for your patience during this update to improve our services!

Don't miss the near-total solar eclipse on April 8, with 94% of the sun covered in Vernon Hills! Thanks to our partnership with the Hawthorn PTO, we're providing solar eclipse glasses for a safe viewing experience. Parents, please remind your children to wear these glasses from 12:51 to 3:22 PM for safety. Outdoor activities will move indoors during the eclipse. If you prefer your child not to participate in outdoor viewing, please contact your school building. Check previous communication for detailed information. Let’s ensure a safe and memorable educational experience for our students during this spectacular event!

Summer School Dates: Monday, June 10 - Tuesday, July 9

• Session 1: June 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20 (HEI)

• Session 2: June 24, 25, 26, 27 & July 1, 2, 8, 9 (HEI and Music Camp)

• No School: June 19, July 3, July 4, Fridays.

• Summer Scholars, ESY, and Early Start Kindergarten programs run through both sessions

Summer Program offerings include Hawthorn Music Camp, Hawthorn Enrichment Institute (HEI), Extended School Year (ESY), Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten.

Registration for HEI and Music Camp coming soon. Please check the Hawthorn District Website for updates and more information. ☀️

Early Start Kindergarten has been designed to ensure student academic and social emotional readiness for the fall. Students are invited to Early Start Kindergarten based on parent/guardian survey results. Student hours are from 8 -11:30 a.m., and transportation is provided. Please complete the parent/guardian survey if you are interested in enrolling your child or children in this program.

More information and dates regarding transportation, class placement, etc. will be provided at a later date.

Registration will close on May 1, 2024.

The D73 DRIVE Podcast offers a unique glimpse into our vibrant educational community. Through engaging conversations, insightful interviews, and updates on district initiatives, we connect with students, parents, educators, and staff. This podcast enriches our community's experience, fosters communication, and showcases the incredible talent and dedication within our schools. Tune in to stay informed, inspired, and involved in the ongoing journey of educational excellence at Hawthorn District 73.

Middle schoolers are set for a thought-provoking experience with the screening of "LIKE" on Friday, April 5. This compelling documentary unveils the allure of social media, featuring insights from Silicon Valley innovators like the co-creator of the "LIKE" button, brain science experts, and real student experiences. Our middle schoolers will learn about the profound impact of social media and gain practical tools for smarter, safer use.

Parents and guardians, check out the documentary before your child does! You’re invited to a special screening of "LIKE" tonight, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. via Google Meet. Access the Google Meet screening by clicking the flyer below. We hope you will join us!

You are invited to attend a special Family Action Network event hosted by Stevenson High School in the Stevenson Auditorium. This event is free and no registration is required. For more information about the Family Action Network, or to view previous events, check out their YouTube Channel.

• April 15, 2024

• 7:00 - 8:00 PM

In-Person at the Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center.

Join Hilary Davis from Touchstone Therapy for our final "Lunch and Learn" of the year! Attendees will learn strategies for promoting inclusivity and diversity at home and in the community.

• April 18, 2024

• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Virtual Link

View previous parent/guardian events on our YouTube Channel!

Staff Appreciation Week is just 1 month away! To help the PTO begin planning, please consider the following:

• Donate through our PTO Store - the line item says "Staff Appreciation Luncheon - Spring 2024," but through amazing and generous local business donations, we are often able to make the donations go a lot further by offering breakfasts, snack carts, presents, and even shower the bus drivers and district office staff with love. No donation amount is too small!
  
• Check out our Staff Appreciation Page for links to your child's school Amazon Wishlist and Volunteer Opportunities (please continue to check this page in the next week as we continue to add all the links)!

If interested, please apply here. For questions about the position, please reach out to Jenna Garcia at president@hawthornpto.org. The following positions are all 2-year terms starting in July 2024:

• Treasurer
• Elementary South VP (helps coordinate room parties and staff appreciation week)
• HSYL VP (helps coordinate room parties and staff appreciation week)

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is hosting our next Kids Night Out event next Friday, April 19 from 5:30-9:30PM for $40. Kids will get to play games, do crafts, eat pizza and wind down the evening with a movie among friends! Register on the PTO store.

Are you connected? Be sure to check out the monthly publication of The Connection Corner! It's your gateway to understanding and supporting your child's social, emotional, and behavioral growth and development.

Find past editions of The Connection Corner below:

We want to emphasize the significance of regular attendance. Students absent more than 10% of school days are considered chronically absent, impacting their learning journey. Should your student need to miss school, please inform us within 24 hours. Arriving late also results in a tardy record.

What You Can Do: Your child's presence enriches our school community, and we eagerly anticipate their contributions. To support their success, we encourage regular attendance and invite you to use the PowerSchool Parent Portal for updates on attendance and grades. If you or your child need any assistance, our doors are always open. Let's work together to ensure a thriving educational experience for your student.

Exciting news from Hawthorn District! The Board of Education recently approved a device refresh plan, updating devices for both staff and students. Starting next academic year, middle school students will receive iPads, enhancing their learning experience and simplifying technology for staff. Plus, keep an eye out for our upcoming device sale this fall/winter, offering staff and community members a chance to buy our previous devices at a great discount. This step forward reflects our commitment to top-notch technology and innovation in education. Thanks for your support in making Hawthorn a great place to learn!

If you missed the March 14 board meeting, catch up with the Hawthorn Highlights!

The Vernon Hills Park District provides a safe summer day camp experience for the children of our community.

• All camp staff are CPR/AED certified and are required to complete a variety of trainings in Behavior Management Techniques.

• All campers enrolled, as well as staff, adhere to the District's Code of Conduct.

• Lifeguards at Turtle Creek Waterpark are CPR/AED certified and are required to attend weekly trainings all season.

Explore the many camp options offered for kids 3-12 years. Choose the camp that best fits your child's interests and family schedule.

April 16 Registration begins for the PALS Before & After School Program for the 2024-2025 school year. Learn More

Apr 22-May 24 Spring session After School Enrichment Programs: Chess, Cooking, Drawing, and Science. Learn More and REGISTER

Join Scout Troop 273 for a delightful afternoon of ice cream and camaraderie at Middle South! This sweet social event is happening on Saturday, April 13, from 2 to 5 p.m. Don't miss out on the fun — and for more details, be sure to scan the QR code on the event poster. See you there!

Click here to register for the Youth Softball Clinic: https://d128.revtrak.net/VHHS/VHHS-Athletics/vhhs-softball/#/v/VHHS-Cougar-Softball-Clinic-1153

Unlock your child's academic potential with Mentor Center Tutoring, a program designed to enhance the educational journey of students in Kindergarten - 8th grade. This dedicated team of tutors, composed of high school students proficient in Algebra 1 and beyond, offers personalized support in math, reading, and science. This opportunity not only fosters a love for learning among younger students but also enables these high school tutors to earn valuable volunteer hours. Best of all, their tutoring services are offered completely free of charge.

Stay up-to-date with Hawthorn District 73 events! Tap the calendar icon to access our District calendar webpage, where you can discover all the upcoming activities across our nine schools. Don’t miss out on any important dates – visit now to plan ahead!

Did you read through to the end of this edition of the D73 Digest? Your response helps us gauge engagement and improve our communications.