Sprague School

Mrs. Laura Lunardi’s kindergarten class embraced a heartwarming mission to help children in need, teaching students an important lesson in empathy and generosity. With her guidance, the class led an effort to collect pajamas for local children supported by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children).

Thanks to the generosity of Sprague families, the students collected over 150 sets of pajamas! These cozy donations will bring comfort to children facing difficult circumstances in our community, reminding them that they are cared for and supported.

This project not only made a meaningful impact on our community but also helped our youngest learners as seen in these photos understand the importance of kindness and giving back. Mrs. Lunardi’s initiative is a wonderful example of how small acts of compassion can create big ripples of change.

Thank you to all the Sprague families who contributed to this cause and helped make this effort a success!

• Early Childhood Registration: Now open.
• No School: Monday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 6.
• Students Return to School: Tuesday, Jan. 7.
• MAPS Night: Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. first-graders in the classes of Korah, Schencker, Schlan, and Schreurs
• MAPS Night: Thursday, Jan. 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. first-graders in the classes of Catullo, Kahn, Larsen, and Vander Pas.

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 students in Early Childhood Teacher Lauren Miller's class teamed up with the students in Second-Grade Teacher Rachel Chiesa's classroom to create gingerbread houses, a time honored holiday tradition. It was not just a festive activity but also a great way to foster mentorship, collaboration, and teamwork. Older students helped guide younger ones, sharing knowledge and skills while building leadership and communication abilities. Younger students benefited from role models and new perspectives, which can boost their confidence and understanding.

As part of the Sprague cultural tradition, students and staff kick off winter break with a holiday sing. Unfortunately the live stream has been canceled.

Please share this communication with your D103 friends so they know that families may now register their preschool student for D103's Early Childhood program.

• Award-winning school district
• Certified teachers
• Extended and half day classes
• Extended hours: 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Half day hours: morning 8:15 to 10:45 a.m. or afternoon 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Bus transportation available
• Drop off at local day cares
• Competitive tuition

Register for a 20-minute piano clinic lesson with Daniel Wright's eighth-grade instructors during A Day of Action on Saturday, Jan. 11, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This Leaders in Learning fundraiser will donate proceeds to Hungry for Music, a charitable nonprofit organization that supports less fortunate students who have a hunger to play.

We are excited to offer a new after-school opportunity for the students at Sprague School: a Chinese Mandarin Culture & Language Club! This club will allow our young students to learn the Mandarin language while experiencing the richness of Chinese culture through fun, interactive activities. The club will run alongside our other after-school programs starting in January, with sessions designed specifically for our K-2 students. The last date to register is Wednesday, Jan. 1.

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.

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!

What a wonderful way to leave your mark in the district by gifting your student a legacy brick that will be installed in the Daniel Wright walkway when they begin the last leg of their D103 journey. Please visit lff@d103.org to purchase your special brick today from the D103 Learning Fund Foundation.

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.

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• Principal Ann Hofmeier
• Assistant Principal Jennifer Arroyo

• 847-945-6686
• Ls_attendance@d103.org