An Update from Hough Elementary
Principal Update
Hello Hough Families,
Spring is nearly here, bringing warmer days, exciting events, and a well-deserved break! We have many Hough Hawks excited for spring break travel plans, while others are looking forward to stay-cations and sleeping in. Whatever your plans, I wish your family a safe, fun, and memorable time together!
Spring Break Technology Reminder
As we head into Spring Break, we want to remind families about the importance of responsible technology use at home. If your child is bringing a district-issued iPad home, please be aware that the school does not monitor or filter student devices outside of campus. Families are encouraged to set up their own internet filters through their home provider and utilize Apple’s Screen Time settings to help manage content access. For helpful tech tips and instructions on setting up parental controls, check out our Using Technology at Home guide from Joe Robinson, our Director of Innovation: One to World Parent Information.
As technology continues to play a role in learning and daily life, here are a few simple ways to foster safe and productive digital habits at home:
Encourage digital creativity – Explore apps that promote problem-solving, storytelling, and artistic expression.
Set healthy screen time habits – Create tech-free zones during meals and before bedtime.
Engage with your child’s online interests – Ask them about their favorite websites, apps, and digital projects.
We also encourage students to find a healthy balance between screen time and outdoor activities during break—creativity, movement, and socialization will all contribute to a fun week ahead!!
CogAT Results & Upcoming IAR Testing
CogAT results for 2nd and 5th graders will be sent home this week. Please review your child’s report and reach out if you have any questions. Additionally, after Spring Break, we will begin Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing for grades 3, 4, and 5. More details will be shared with families regarding the testing schedule from classroom teachers. Please help your child prepare by ensuring they get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time. They also need to have headphones for the test (a wired headset).
Our Parents Night Out Fundraiser is Coming Soon
Our PTO has been busy planning this special event for Saturday, April 5th at the Onion Pub. I hope to see many of you there. I know it will be a fun, tropical time while also promoting a great cause. This, along with other fundraising events, will help our students get a brand new playground over the summer. The playground committee, and the entire PTO, has worked tirelessly to make our new playground a reality this summer. They have sourced a competitive vendor, designed the playground, collected input from students and staff, partnered with the District 220 Building and Grounds Department, developed a detailed timeline, cost, and installation plan so the playground can become a reality. They have set their sights high and will phase in additional elements of the playground over two years, but they have successfully secured 61% (over $61K) of the project funding thanks to your generous support at last year's big parent fundraiser, as well as mini fundraising efforts in '24 and '25. Thanks to your generosity, we will be ready to break ground this summer on phase one of the plan. The event on April 6th will be one of the final fundraising efforts of the year to help reach the goal for this summer’s project.
Planning for the 25-26 School Year
We are well into our planning for the upcoming school year. If you would like to share your child’s learning profile and any placement considerations for next year, please send me an email by April 17th. Shortly thereafter, I will be working with our teacher team on class rosters for next year. This is a lengthy process and we will spend the next few months ensuring each student has a familiar face in their class next year. Although we do not take teacher placement requests, we do appreciate your insight regarding how your child learns best.
Fifth Grade Families
Our middle schools have set dates for all of the transition experiences to help 5th graders get ready for middle school. Be on the lookout for a document from your child’s future middle school. Fifth grade teachers will also communicate the dates that students will be participating in transition activities during the school day.
We appreciate your partnership in supporting our students both in and out of the classroom. Have a fantastic Spring Break, and we look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for an exciting final stretch of the school year!
PTO Update
The Hough Fundraiser -There’s still time to purchase your tickets, make a donation or contribute toward our teacher ticket fund. Be sure to get your Luau gear and join us at our Hawaiian-themed school fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 5:30-10:00 pm at the Wild Onion. Enjoy exciting games, bid on unique items at our silent and live auctions, and dance the night away. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all our prizes and the highly sought-after Teacher Treasures up for grabs. Click here to purchase tickets or to donate.
Jersey Day - Back by popular demand from the students and in the spirit of March Madness, tomorrow, March 19th is another Jersey Day. Wear your sports gear and donate loose change for the playground during lunch.
Big Hawk/Little Hawk Family Sports Night at Canlan - Calling Hough Students and Parents!
Have some competitive spirit and want to participate in kickball, soccer, basketball and more with your Hough student(s)? The Hough PTO is thrilled to offer the Big Hawk/Little Hawk Family Sports Night.
Who: Hough parents along with their K-5th grade students
What: Big Hawk/Little Hawk Family Sports Event
Where: Canlan Sports Complex (28156 W Northpointe Pkwy in Barrington)
When: Friday, April 11th 5:30 PM check-in, 6:00-8:00 PM events
Cost: $15/person (REGISTER HERE)
Misc: Canlan concession stand will be open for food/beverages purchases.
Please be sure to register HERE no later than April 4. You will need a Canlan account to register. Click here to learn more about setting up an account. Contact Lauren Hummel at lct42@yahoo.com or Andee Blomquist andee.blomquist@gmail.com with event-related questions.
Spring Art Fair & Bake Sale Volunteers Needed - Bring the whole family and celebrate the arts on Friday, May 2nd from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on the big playground. We’ll have live performances, artsy activity stations, baked goods, silent auction items, spirit wear and 241 framed student masterpieces on display. All proceeds support the new playground. Many volunteers are needed for this fun event – Click HERE to sign up.
Earth Week (April 21-25) - Plans are underway to celebrate Earth Week, and include nature-themed Spirit Days:
- Monday 4/21 is Animal Day: Wear something with an animal or animal print
- Tuesday 4/22 is Earth Day: Wear something with the Earth on it, or wear Green & Blue
- Wednesday 4/23 is Plants Day: Wear something with a tree, flower, or wear Green
- Thursday 4/24 is Water Day: Wear something with water on it, or wear Blue
- Friday 4/25: TBD (more to come)
Fifth Grade Save the Date - Is your fifth grader ready to be locked inside of Hough with Principal Schumacher or will he or she figure out how to escape? Save the date for the annual fifth grade escape room the evening of Friday, May 16th. More information to come.
Field Day Save the Date - It’s cold outside but spring is coming. First grade through fifth grade will have Field Day at Citizens Park on May 22nd (rain date 5/23). Kindergarteners enjoy their own special field day at Hough on the same day!
PTO Save the Dates
April 4 - Big Hawk/Little Hawk Sports Night Registration closes
April 5 - The Hough Fundraiser 5:30-10:00 PM (Adults, Hawaiian-themed)
April 10 - PTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 (Babysitting available in the gym)
April11 - Big Hawk/Little Hawk Sports Night (parents and kids)
April 21-25 - Earth Week
April 28-May 2 - Spring Book Fair
May 2 - Mini Marathon (after school)
May 2 - Art Fair and Bake Sale (5-7 PM)
May 16 - Fifth Grade Escape to Middle School
May 22 - Hough Field Day (Rain Date May 23)
May 30 - Fifth Grade Recognition/Last Day of School
Dates at a Glance
-Tuesday, 3/18
- Winter Chess Club 2:45-3:45 PM
- SPIRIT DAY - Jersey Day (donate loose change to the Hough playground)
- Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7:30 PM
- SPIRIT DAY - Rock your Socks (fun, colorful or 2 different socks) - National Down Syndrome Awareness Day observed (3/21 is the actual day)
- Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-7:00 PM
- Spring Break Begins
- Drama Club 2:40-3:45
- Winter Chess Club 2:40-3:45 PM
- Creativity Project Kick-off (all except Ms. Hettlinger's group)
- IAR Testing begins (3rd - 5th grade)
- Drama Club 2:40-3:45 PM
- Creativity Project Kick-off (ONLY Ms. Hettlinger's group)
- Hough Fundraiser at The Wild Onion 5:30-10:00 PM
