Half Day

Many students at Half Day School kick off their day with what third-grade teacher Amy Grayes calls morning energizer activities. In Mrs. Grayes’ class, these include a collection of logic games, puzzles, and open-ended building materials as seen in these photos that give students the opportunity to use their creative and critical thinking skills to jump-start their day.

“It also helps students work on their communication and collaboration skills by explaining their strategies with one another, showcasing their creations and figuring out how to take turns and share materials,” she said. “Our morning energizers are a great way for students to ease back into classroom routines and get excited for learning!”

• Monday, Feb. 17: No School for Presidents' Day
• Friday, Feb. 21: Early Dismissal for Teacher Institute Day
• Wednesday, Feb. 26: Early Dismissal for Teacher Conferences
• Thursday, Feb. 27: No School for Teacher Conferences
• Friday, Feb. 28: No School for Teacher Institute Day

We encourage you to subscribe to the Half Day 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.

While we understand the desire to stay connected to your child during the day, we need your help reinforcing our device guidelines. The use of smartwatches/cellular phones for communication during school hours is not permitted.

• Need to get a message to your child? Please give our front office a call.
• Student not feeling well? Let our school nurse assess your child’s symptoms and contact you.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us enforce these guidelines. Please review the proper use of electronic devices with your child as misuse could result in your child being asked to place their device either in their locker or their teacher’s care during the school day. Thank you.

Half Day students and staff will celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday, Feb. 14. Students may bring valentine cards to school for all of their classmates. The names of all students in the class will be provided by the classroom teacher. Please do not send edible treats to school with your child’s valentine cards.

Our classroom parties for Valentine's Day focus on friendship and exchanging cards with peers and teachers during the day at school. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Something exciting is happening in the Half Day art room. Students are using the site, Artsonia, as a way to create a digital art portfolio. With this app, students learn how to photograph artwork and why artists keep portfolios.

Parents, you should have received an email asking you to connect to view their child’s portfolio. Once connected, parents can view the portfolio, make comments, as well as create one of a kind keepsakes using their child’s artwork. Be sure to check out your child’s portfolio to see what they have been working on in the art room!

Your yearbook cover design could become part of Half Day School’s history! Designs are due by Friday, Feb. 21. Please follow these directions:

• The yearbook cover designs should be related to our school and may include our mascot, school colors (blue, yellow, and white), students, the school building, class subjects, etc.
• Complete the design on 8 ½” by 11” plain white paper only, using the portrait orientation.
• Include the phrase: Half Day School and 2024-2025.
• Color using crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
• Draw and write by hand (no computer generated images or letters are permitted).
• Write your first name and last name, grade, and teacher’s name on the back of the design in pencil.

Be sure all designs are neat and clean. They should be creative and eye-catching, but easy to read. Lettering should be consistent in size and carefully spaced. Check for correct spelling and capitalization.

For questions, please email Mrs. Grayes (agrayes@d103.org) and Mrs. Reed (jamireed@d103.org).

D103’s vision is to create a learning environment where every student thrives academically, emotionally and socially. Take a moment to enjoy a brief video for Future-Ready Fridays: D103’s Portrait of a Graduate in Action! On our YouTube Channel are brief student voice videos where they demonstrate learning in the classroom.

📅 When: Friday, Feb. 7
📍Where: Half Day School

Help bring history to life! Colonial Day is a special 5th-grade tradition where students experience hands-on activities simulating daily life in colonial times.

Join us for Explore the Arts Day at Half Day School on Friday, Feb. 21, from 9:15 to 11:40 a.m.!

We’re looking for creative individuals to lead fun, engaging activities that inspire third–fifth-graders (ages 8–11). There will be three 40-minute sessions, with setup starting at 8:00 a.m.

Interested? Fill out the Google form to sign up and share your artistic talents with the next generation!🎶

• 2025 Explore the Arts Day (ETAD) Artist Interest Form

👉Any questions about this event can be emailed to explore.the.arts.day@gmail.com

The Run for D103 5K Run/Walk is a family-friendly, annual fundraising event held in the spring that enables the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) to provide District 103 with programs and equipment for the benefit of our children. This race is representative of our district's commitment to foster both healthy minds and healthy bodies in our children and to instill a lifelong passion for education and exercise.

Whether you're an experienced runner or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, meet new people, and have fun! We can't wait to see you at the starting line!

👉 Register today @ runford103.org

The Kiwanis Club of Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire is rolling into action, and we've got an event that's right up your alley – quite literally! Join us for the second installment of our BOWL-for-KIDS Fundraiser event that promises an evening of strikes, spares, and all-around good times while raising money to benefit the youth in and around our community.

• Friday, March 7
• 6:30–8:30pm
• Bowlero (350 McHenry Rd. Buffalo Grove, IL 60089)
• Registration: $35 per individual or $200 per lane (for up to 6 bowlers)

Includes...

• Two hours of bowling fun
• Shoe rental
• Two slices of delicious cheese pizza
• Unlimited soft drinks

Hope and Love are best shared! Give blood, save lives, and strengthen your community with Versiti from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment on the Versiti website.

District 103's Transportation Department encourages students in grades k-8 to participate in the "Safety First - Safety Always" Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation Poster Contest. Get all the contest information on the Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation website. The submission deadline is April 18.

• Half Day Calendar
• Archived newsletters
• Facebook
• YouTube
Principals

• Principal Jill Mau
• Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange
Reporting an Absence
• 847-634-1484
• Hd_attendance@d103.org