July 24, 2024
U-46 Engage is our weekly newsletter to families. In these newsletters, you will find important information, reminders and updates aimed at keeping our learning community informed on what’s happening in the district. U-46 parents and high school students will automatically receive the newsletter in their email.
If you miss any, please know that all U-46 Engage newsletters can be found on our dedicated webpage here.
U-46 will again offer breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to all students at all U-46 schools. Although meal applications will not be required for the 2024-25 school year, we recommend families complete the Fee Waiver Form, which can apply to athletic fees, driver’s education, and more. The 2024-25 fee waiver forms can be found here. Please note that parking permits, yearbooks, and certain activity fees are not covered under fee waivers.
Monthly meal menus will be available on school websites starting a few days before the first day of classes as well as on this page of the U-46 Food & Nutrition Services department. Our goal is to provide students with healthy meals each day, in compliance with the USDA Child Nutrition Program. To learn more about the department, visit u-46.org/fns.
Reasonable meal accommodations can be made for students with a disability or special dietary needs, including food allergies. If your child requires a modified meal, the Medical Authority Modified Meal Request Form must be filled out by a physician and guardian, then sent to Food & Nutrition Services.
Back-to-school shopping will be easier for our elementary families: U-46 will provide school supplies for students entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Families will need to provide a backpack.
Elementary students will receive their supplies at their schools on the first day of classes, or soon after. Students in middle and high school will receive details on the necessary school supplies from their school or posted on their school’s website. If your middle or high school student needs a backpack and/or school supplies, please call 847-888-5000, ext. 5039.
There are several community events scheduled in the next few weeks in which area families can receive backpacks and school supplies for free. You can view the full schedule here.
Information on bus stops and schedules for the 2024-25 school year will be available for students who qualify for transportation services in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal about a week before the first day of school. We will be hosting a bilingual Call Center on Aug. 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14 for parents/guardians who have transportation services questions We will share that Call Center phone number and hours with you closer to the dates, and the information will also be posted at the top of the u-46.org/transportation page.
Students enrolled in the upcoming Summer Connection programs - Middle School Experience, Freshman Connection or College Jumpstart - will receive information about bus service directly from the school they will be attending the program. This information will not be available in Infinite Campus. Each school/program will be reaching out with a schedule of routes and bus stops.
Finish the summer strong by completing summer reading!
We are fortunate that all of the public libraries that serve our community offer great “Summer Reading Challenges,” with fun themes, programs, events, and incentives. If your child participated in a local reading program, make sure they turn in their reading logs before the deadline to qualify for a variety of prizes and drawings. Visit our Summer Reading Challenge website here for details on summer reading programs at each of the libraries that serve our U-46 community.
Care Solace is available to all U-46 students - even during the summer! It’s a complimentary and confidential mental health care coordination service provided by School District U-46 to help locate a provider for mental health care or substance use treatment. It’s available to U-46 students, staff, and their family members. Multilingual support is available by either visiting caresolace.com/u46 or calling 888-515-0595. Learn more here.
Early bird registration is now open for El Trote De Las Calacas/Trot of the Skeletons, a lively event and 5k fundraising race taking place on Saturday, Nov. 2. Whether you plan to walk or run, registration is available at gailborden.info/trote.
A partnership between the U-46 Educational Foundation and the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation, this fundraising race and cultural celebration will be a memorable cultural experience. Part of the November 2 Día de los Muertos event includes the 5K Race followed by our Day of the Dead Festival inside the Library.
Board of Education
The Board of Education meetings are streamed on the District’s YouTube channel and via Zoom. Written highlights from the meetings, as well as presentations delivered to the Board, can be found here.
We're Hiring
Have you considered becoming a part of the U-46 team? School District U-46 offers a number of rewarding opportunities for educators and support staff.
Community
Visit our U-46 Online Backpack to find information on community events, activities, and resources for our U-46 families and students.