

D73 Digest
Your Bi-Weekly Scoop on Hawthorn Happenings
August 15 - Welcome to a new school year!
Good morning, Hawthorn families! Welcome to a new and exciting school year! As we step into this fresh start, D73 Digest continues to bring the latest Hawthorn District news straight to your inbox. From system updates to upcoming community events, our bi-weekly newsletter remains your go-to source to stay informed and engaged with our vibrant school community. As we gear up for a year filled with learning and growth, don't miss out on important reminders and district happenings—take a quick glance to keep up with all the activities and opportunities awaiting us!
News
Emergency Notification System Test Today
By 10:30 AM today, August 15, all parents, guardians, and emergency contacts should receive an email, text, and phone call from Hawthorn District 73. This is only a test of our emergency notification system. If you do not receive these notifications by the specified time, please verify your contact details in your PowerSchool Parent Portal or reach out to your school building for assistance.
Upcoming Early Release Reminder
Please note that our first early release of the school year is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21. Early releases will occur every Wednesday. Hawthorn families will receive a text message and phone call on Tuesday, August 20, as a reminder. Make sure to mark your calendars and plan accordingly!
Explore LINQ Connect: Your Hub for Managing School Meals
Visit our LINQ Connect page to discover all the features, how-to guides, and essential eligibility information you need to manage your child's school meal experience seamlessly. LINQ Connect provides a comprehensive suite of tools that allows you to access your account safely, whether through our app or online. Enjoy features such as automatic payments, low balance notifications, and detailed real-time transaction reports. With a unified dashboard, you can effortlessly manage funds and monitor meal activities for all the district students in your household. Experience convenience at your fingertips with LINQ Connect!
Exciting Device Buyback Event Coming This November!
Hawthorn District 73 is thrilled to announce an upcoming device buyback event, in partnership with Secured Tech Solutions. From November 26 to December 9, 2024, our community members will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase used district MacBooks and iPads. Mark your calendars and don't miss out! For more information, please visit Secured Tech Solutions Buyback Page.
Looking for Mental Health Support?
We are excited to announce that our district has access to ReferralGPS, a valuable resource designed to connect families with a Care Navigator. Whether you have insurance or not, ReferralGPS will help you find the right therapist or provider for your needs. This program is funded by a grant through the Regional Office of Education (ROE).
Middle School Only:
We are excited to introduce LiveSchool, a digital platform we are using this year to support our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. LiveSchool allows students to earn points for positive behaviors that align with our SOAR expectations: Safe, On-task, Act Responsibly, and Respect. These points can then be redeemed for rewards in our school SOAR Store.
Encourage SOAR Expectations at Home: Reinforce the importance of being Safe, On-task, Acting Responsibly, and showing Respect in all areas of life, not just at school.
Celebrate Successes: Celebrate your child’s achievements by discussing the points they’ve earned and recognizing their hard work and positive behavior.
Set Goals Together: Work with your child to set goals for earning points in LiveSchool, and support them in reaching those goals.
We believe that with your support, LiveSchool will help create a positive and productive learning environment for all students. Thank you for partnering with us to make this school year a success!
Stay Connected with D73 Digest!
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🧠 Brain Break
Find the answer to this riddle at the bottom of this newsletter
I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can't go outside. What am I?
Hawthorn Board of Education
Hawthorn PTO
- Purchase Spiritwear for your Eagle today! www.wamiswag.com/shops/hawthornd73
- Follow the PTO on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HawthornPTO
- Join the PTO at their first meeting this year on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 @ 7:00PM at Elementary South. Free childcare is provided and meetings generally last less than an hour.
The Connection Corner
Are you connected?
Discover tips, resources, and a glimpse of SEL activities happening around our district. Strengthen the home-school connection and nurture well-rounded, resilient kids!
New Edition
From Our Friends
Letter to D73 Parents from Cook Memorial Public Library District:
Dear Hawthorn District 73 Parents,
As we gear up for back-to-school, the Cook Memorial Public Library District is excited to support your students with a wide array of resources. Many of you know the Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills as a popular after-school destination for our students. We're eager to welcome them back and want to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Please be mindful of the following:
- The library is a welcoming space but not an after-school care facility. Supervision is not provided.
- Respect for patrons, staff, and property is expected. Inappropriate behavior may lead to suspension of library privileges.
- Children under 10 must be accompanied by someone at least 14 years old.
- Students aged 10 and above can enter and leave freely. Library staff do not monitor them individually.
We ask that you discuss these points with your children to ensure they understand and adhere to library expectations. Also, ensure your child has an emergency contact number handy.
For any questions, contact us at studentservices@cooklib.org or 847-362-2330.
Warm regards,
David Archer
Library Director
Cook Memorial Public Library District
Special Gifts Theatre
Join the adventure with Special Gifts Theatre’s Musical Theatre Program, featuring "Aladdin" at Copeland Manor Elementary School! Open to individuals aged 10-22 with disabilities, this educational and therapeutically based program runs from September 2024 to February 2025 and focuses on developing social skills, speech/language skills, and self-confidence. Each participant is paired with a peer mentor to enhance their experience. Opportunities are also available for neurotypical individuals aged 10-18 to join as peer mentors, gaining valuable leadership and inclusion training. Financial scholarships are available. For more details or to register, visit www.specialgiftstheatre.org or call 847-564-7704.
Join the Junior High Patriettes Dance Team!
Calling all junior high dancers! Join the Patriettes to experience the excitement of performing at Stevenson sports events, including a special halftime show at the Homecoming Football Game. Practices run from August 20th to October 17th on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 PM. Interested? Email jhpatriettes@gmail.com for more info. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Want to Become a Hawthorn Eagle?
We Need Super Subs Like You!
Are you passionate about education and looking for a flexible way to contribute to our community? Hawthorn District 73 is on the lookout for enthusiastic and dedicated substitute teachers to join our team! Whether you’re looking to inspire young minds occasionally or more frequently, we have opportunities that fit your schedule. Learn more about how you can make a difference and check out the perks of becoming a "Super Sub" by visiting our substitute teacher page at Hawthorn Substitute Careers. Join us in shaping futures—one class at a time!
Stay Connected
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!
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