Daniel Wright

This week, the talented performers of the DW Show Choir hit the road, spreading holiday cheer and musical magic to an enthusiastic audience at local retirement communities. With their harmonious voices, energetic choreography, and dazzling smiles, the students, led by Director Matthew Clark, delivered a performance that left the room buzzing with applause and gratitude.

Residents were treated to a lively repertoire of songs, and many couldn’t help but clap along or tap their toes to the beat. The show was more than just a performance—it was a heartwarming connection across generations, bringing joy to all who attended.

Thank you to the DW Show Choir for sharing your passion for music and spreading so much positivity in our community. We are proud of how you represent our school with kindness and enthusiasm wherever you go!

• Day of Action Deadline: Students can make a big difference on Saturday, Jan. 11. Register by Friday, Dec. 20.
• No School: Monday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 6.
• Students Return to School: Tuesday, Jan. 7.

We encourage you to subscribe to the Daniel Wright 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.

Dear Daniel Wright Families,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to wish each of you a joyful, peaceful, and restful winter break. This time of year offers us all the opportunity to slow down, connect with loved ones, and recharge for the months ahead.

I’m grateful for the partnership we share in supporting our students and creating a strong, caring community here at Daniel Wright. May this season bring you moments of warmth, laughter, and reflection.

We look forward to welcoming students back on January 7th, refreshed and ready for all that 2025 has to offer!

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Warmly,

Jessica Groncki, Daniel Wright Principal

As we approach winter break, many of our D103 families are celebrating the holidays. We wish all of our families happiness and prosperity! To learn more about the holiday celebrations, please click on the active links below:

• Christmas (December 25 )

• Hanukkah (December 25 to January 2)

• Kwanzaa (December 26 to January 1)

• New Year’s Day (January 1)

• Epiphany (January 6)

• Orthodox Christmas (January 7)

• Lunar New Year (January 29)

We understand students may not be attending classes on religious holidays of all faiths, and we know how important it is for us to support our students as they practice their faith. Please refer to our procedure, Homework Procedures and Religious Holidays, that District 103 uses to guide students during their absence.

Please try to notify your child's school in advance of a planned absence using the following methods:

• Sprague: 847-945-6686 or Ls_attendance@d103.org

• Half Day: 847-634-1484 or Hd_attendance@d103.org

• Daniel Wright: 847-604-5280 or Dw_attendance@d103.org

District 103 is committed to being flexible to ensure all of our students can practice their faith and feel supported. Thank you for partnering with us as we raise our Leaders in Learning.

The Wright Way Club sold candy canes to students to help support the Caring Women's Connection organization that serves women, children, and other community programs in need throughout Lake County. Thank you to all the families who supported the fundraiser.

Girls volleyball tryouts take place immediately following winter break on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Girls volleyball is open to seventh- and eighth-graders. Sign up now for volleyball tryouts. Please note the parent meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 for parents of students who make the team.

Prior to trying out for any sport or prior to the start of any practice season, students must have a physical on file with the school nurse. Physicals are considered current for 395 days. Parents must complete the Tryout Permission Form and turn it in to a coach.

Do you like designing and building? Do you like competition? Are you a team player? The Science Bowl Car Team could use you!

• Attend the first meeting of the year on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 3:40 p.m., Room 206.

The DW Science Bowl Car Team works for several months to build an electric car from basic materials to compete against other schools in the Argonne National Lab regional competition. DW students that make the team will work to build several cars for an internal race to see which team represents our school at the Argonne National Lab competition. Students are expected to be willing to work with tools, communicate well, follow a strict timeline, and have fun! Commitment is one day a week after school (TBD) and time adjusting the car and making a design document. Tryouts are open for all grades. Questions? Parents must complete the Tryout Permission Form and turn it in to the coach. Contact Mr. Hafner at ahafner@d103.org with questions.

Leaders in Learning presents A Day of Action! On Saturday, Jan. 11, all students in grades 6-8 are invited to make a BIG difference in the community. Students can participate in off-campus activities like wildlife restoration at Hosah Prairie and Feed My Starving Children. On-campus activities will include the empty bowls project, sleeping mats for the homeless, a card campaign with BG Pride, and more. Parent volunteers are needed for our off-campus activities.

Registration is required. The participation fee is $10. The fee covers transportation, supplies and an official A Day of Action T-shirt.

Registration space is limited for off campus activities so please fill out the registration form and sign up before Friday, Dec. 20!

This year's DW Musical is "Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr!" Auditions take place immediately following winter break on Thursday, Jan. 9. The cast will be announced after school on Friday, Jan. 17. Students will rehearse most Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The show dates are Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11. Students may now access the audition packet online.

Students are encouraged to join the DW Musical Google Classroom page (join code: yx7xque) for updates. See you at auditions!

*Please note, there will not be a traditional backstage crew for this show. Any student who would like to contribute to sets, costumes and props must be a member of the cast.

The D103 Newcomers Group is excited to kick off the new year with two indoor “Walk & Talk” meet-ups! Join us at the Buffalo Grove Golf Dome, 801 McHenry Rd., Buffalo Grove, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and 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!

As you consider giving back this year, we hope you’ll support those in our community through the D103 PTO Cares Fund. Launched in summer 2024, this fund was created to assist students and families experiencing financial hardship. In recent years, the PTO has funded school supplies, breakfast items, and activity fees for events like field trips, the Half Day Fun Fair, Sprague Valentine’s Dance, and the eighth-grade pool party.

By formally establishing the PTO Cares Fund, we’re prioritizing this support to ensure all students can fully participate in vital and special school experiences. Our goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the year, and every gift—big or small—makes a meaningful difference. You can make a tax-deductible donation by visiting d103pto.org. Thank you for considering this opportunity to come together and support our community! For questions, please contact Laura Demmer at laurakdemmer@gmail.com.

What a wonderful way to leave your mark in the district by gifting your graduating student a legacy brick that will be installed in the Daniel Wright walkway. Please visit www.103learningfund.org to purchase your special brick today from the D103 Learning Fund Foundation.

The PTO is happy to present Social Dance Lessons to Daniel Wright's sixth-grade students! They will learn how to dance the Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Electric Slide, Waltz and more! Lessons will be held on Friday evenings and taught by a professional with whom the PTO has worked. Join this popular PTO program!

Cost: $70 fee per student for all classes (non-refundable)

Dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, and 2/7

Time: 8:15 to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Daniel Wright Cafeteria

Dress Code: Appropriate attire required. Dress pants, collared shirt, blouse, dress or skirt.

👉 Sign up here -> dub.sh/fTm6tLA

Eighth-grade families may now purchase graduation T-shirts. These commemorative T-shirts have been designed with our class spirit in mind. All graduate names are listed on the back of the shirt. They are a perfect way to showcase your pride and unity as members of the Daniel Wright Junior High School Class of 2025. Order by Friday, Jan. 17. Purchased T-shirts will be handed out at the school in February.

👉 Purchase today -> dub.sh/W9r0h

Building Healthy Relationships & Keeping Students Safe on the Internet

The D103 PTO invites seventh- and eighth-grade students and their parents to a special Health Night on Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., held in the Daniel Wright cafeteria. Presented by Jess Levine, LCSW & Abraham Garcia, both of Youth Services of Glenview, this engaging, two-part evening is designed to foster understanding of healthy relationships and internet safety.

Part I: Small Group Session – Internet Safety

• For Parents: Jess Levine will lead a discussion on technological boundaries, relationships, and social media.
• For Students: Abraham Garcia will cover internet safety topics, including boundaries, technology use, the legality of sexting, and creating a personal safety plan.

Part II: Large Group Session – Healthy Relationships

Parents and students will come together to explore practical strategies for building strong, healthy adolescent relationships.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools for navigating these important topics. We look forward to seeing you there!

• Submit anonymous questions here -> https://forms.gle/pqQTPx3Xj6bwBSWg9
• RSVP for the event here -> https://dub.sh/96vuo09

Come train with the Stevenson Patriettes Dance Team! These clinics will provide you the opportunity to work on pom technique, pom choreography, contemporary choreography along with skills that can advance your dance team training from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. Register now on the SHS website.

Incoming Freshman Orientation Evenings will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 8 (last names A-G), Thursday, Jan. 9 (last names H-O) and Tuesday, Jan. 14 (last names P-Z) beginning at 7:00 p.m in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). Read all of the details on the Incoming Freshmen: Class of 2029 web page.

Stevenson invites geography enthusiasts to create a team and compete in a friendly geography bowl in February. Learn more about the SHS Middle School Geography Bowl.

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Principals


• Mrs. Jessica Groncki, Principal
• Dr. Nina Nusbaum, Assistant Principal
• Mr. Kyle Thompson, Assistant Principal
  
Reporting an Absence
• 847-604-5280
• Dw_attendance@d103.org