Husky Happenings

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• April 9th- Author Visit "Jean Menoni Reidy" & Family Literacy Night 6:00-7:00 p.m.
• April 11th- Spirit Day- Crazy Hair Day
• April 18th- No School
• April 21st- No School-Teacher Institute Day
• April 24th- Husky Quest
• April 25th- Rain Date for Husky Quest
• April 25th- Online Enrollment Opens on ParentVue
• May 1st-North Soccer Family Event (5:00-7:00 pm)

Out of 39 nominations, 10 winners were chosen by the Elevate committee, including our very own Susan Ferguson! She is truly an inspirational teacher.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we will soon begin the process of assigning students to classes for grades K-5. We understand that many parents are curious about how these decisions are made. Please know that creating balanced and supportive class groupings is a thoughtful and collaborative process involving input from our entire staff before final decisions are made by the principal.

Our staff works closely together, considering a variety of factors such as learning styles, academic needs, social-emotional development, and behavior to form well-rounded, heterogeneous classes. Our learning specialists, encore, and related service staff also contribute valuable insight during this process.

While we are not able to accept requests for specific teachers, parents may provide us with information regarding their child’s learning style or the type of classroom environment in which they thrive. This information can help us make thoughtful placements that support your child’s success. Our goal is to create balanced classes where every student has the opportunity to grow and have a positive experience at North.

Get ready for North's 2025 Literacy Night, Wednesday, April 9th from 6:00-7:30 pm!! Thank you to the D47 NPTO for sponsoring our North Elementary School author visit with Jean Menoni Reidy!

Join us for a fun night to celebrate our multilingual students and 20 years of Dual Language Program. Please click here to view the flyer.

Students in grades 3-8 will participate in FitnessGram testing during Physical Education (P.E.) between March 31 and May 16. FitnessGram is a nationally recognized, criterion-referenced assessment to determine students’ fitness levels based on what is optimal for good health. The assessment measures the five health-related components of physical fitness that have been identified as important for overall health: cardiovascular endurance, body composition and muscular endurance, strength and flexibility. Click here for more information.

As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Crystal Lake Police Department, Community Resource Officer Kristiana Stolzman will return to District 47 schools starting April 15th to deliver important safety presentations. These age-appropriate presentations will address crucial topics such as automobile and bike safety, home safety practices including secure gun storage, community safety measures including abduction awareness, and the dangers of substance abuse. Scheduled between April 15th and May 2nd, these assemblies aim to equip students with essential knowledge and skills to navigate potential risks responsibly and were created based on the instructional mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and are mandatory with no option for opting out, as per state requirements. Presentations have been tailored to ensure each grade receives content suitable for their age group.

• Celebrate 20 Years of Dual Language at our Multicultural Literacy Night!
  Join us for a fun, family-friendly evening as we honor our amazing multilingual students and celebrate two decades of the Dual Language Program!

📍 North Elementary School – 500 W. Woodstock St
🎉 This is a district-wide event — everyone is welcome!

Enjoy:
📚 FREE books in multiple languages for every student
🎶 Live music and entertainment
🎲 Games and activities for all ages
🌮 Food trucks, including Kona Ice and a taco truck

We hope to see you there!

• Parents and guardians are invited to the 6th Grade Parent Panel on April 24, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bernotas, Hannah Beardsley, and Lundahl Middle Schools. Current middle school parents will share insights, offer transition tips, and answer questions. Parents and students should attend the event at the middle school they will attend next year. A 30-minute meeting for dual language families will be held before the panel at Hannah (5:30–6:00 p.m.) and after the panel at Lundahl (7:00–7:30 p.m.). Presentations will be available in English and Spanish. Check middle school calendars for more information.

• Spring 2025 Student Assessments

Spring FastBridge testing will occur for all 5th grade students during the window of April 14th - 22nd, and all other grades between May 5th - 16th. You will receive additional information from your elementary and/or middle schools regarding specific FastBridge assessment dates. Click here to review our FastBridge FAQ.

🐾 Husky Quest is Underway! 🐾
Our biggest fundraiser of the year is well underway and so far, our Huskies have raised $14,637(and counting), and with business sponsors included, our grand total is $23,887!

Every dollar raised helps bring more to our students—more enrichment, more classroom support, more school wide events, and more reasons to be proud of our North community.

🎉 The weekend dance challenge was a hit! Thanks to your support, we hit our $3,000 goal and Mrs. Barrett and Mr. Houston delivered the moves in the most unforgettable way! 🕶️💃 Click here to see the video on our Facebook! D47NPTO

✅ Let’s keep it going:
📅 The next envelope turn-in day is Wednesday, April 9.
💻 Online donations can be made any time at: www.d47npto.org/husky-quest

🙌 Want to help out? Sign up here: Volunteer for Husky Quest

Does this look like a good time? That awesome dance idea came from one of our volunteers!
Come be part of the fun and help bring even more energy to Husky Quest 2025! 💙

Husky Quest Needs Volunteers! 🐾

Husky Quest 2025 is coming, and we need YOUR help!

Sign up for a variety of volunteer opportunities, including prize distribution, money counting, and event-day roles.

📅 Volunteer shifts available throughout March & April!
📝 All in-school volunteers must be verified in Raptor 1 week prior.
📩 Sign up here: HQVolunteerSignup!

Questions? Email nptohuskyquest@gmail.com

🚨 Urgent Volunteer Needs – Husky Quest!
We could use extra hands for the following dates:

📅 Money Counting

• April 16 & April 23 — 3 volunteers needed each day
  
  

📦 Prize Organizing

• April 17 & April 24 — 3 volunteers needed each day
  
  

🎉 Husky Quest Event Day – April 24

• Set-Up (8:00–9:00 AM)
  

• AM Shift — 5+ volunteers needed
  

• PM Shift — 6+ volunteers needed
  

👉 Please note: Let us know if you're also available for the rain date on April 25 for your selected shift.

Sign up here: Volunteer on SignUpGenius

Family Literacy Night

Join us for Family Literacy Night THIS Wednesday, April 9, from 6:00–7:30 PM at North Elementary. This special event features author Jean Reidy, known for Truman and Sylvie. Families can meet the author, get books signed, read to Abednego the comfort dog, participate in flashlight reading and a scavenger hunt, create their own books, enjoy directed drawing, and explore games, a raffle, and book sales. The event will be held in the North Elementary LMC. Spanish translation will be available. This free event is open to all North Elementary families. We hope to see you there!

Mrs. Ferguson is Retiring! 🎉

After 33 amazing years of teaching 1st grade at North, Mrs. Sue Ferguson is heading into retirement! The NPTO is putting together a special gift to celebrate her and would love your help. If Mrs. Ferguson has been a part of your child’s journey (or even yours!), please send any photos, memories, or kind messages to d47npto@gmail.com by Friday, April 18. Let’s give her the heartfelt send-off she deserves! 💙

🌟 April Staff Appreciation – Celebrating Our Incredible North Team!

This month, we’re recognizing some of the amazing people who help make North such a supportive and vibrant place for our students and staff.

We’re celebrating our Extended Curriculum, Paraprofessional, Encore, PE, and Library staff—thank you for bringing energy, creativity, and care to every corner of our school!

Shoutout to: Ms. Filskov, Ms. Stone, Ms. Amici, Ms. Aracele Castillo, Ms. Adams, Mr. Urbanski, Ms. Turner, Ms. Clohessy, Ms. Ferwerda, Ms. Siffrar, Ms. Norgard, Ms. Malo, Ms. Bartmess, Ms. Murk, Ms. Satalino, and Mr. Moon.

We’re also recognizing our Assistant Principal, Mr. Houston, for the steady support, leadership, and heart he brings to North every day.

Later this month, we’ll be highlighting our wonderful Kindergarten team—Ms. Espinoza, Ms. Vazquez, Ms. Diederich, Ms. Knoll, and Ms. Breutzmann—for the patience, warmth, and strong foundation they give our youngest Huskies.

And finally, we’ll wrap up the month with our incredible Administrative Professionals, Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Olsen, whose behind-the-scenes efforts keep everything running smoothly.

Thank you to each of these amazing staff members—you make North a better place every day! 💙🐾

Staff Appreciation Week is coming!

Our North staff spends over 𝟏,𝟐𝟔𝟎 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 caring for our kids each school year—let’s show them how much they’re loved and appreciated this May!

Here’s the plan for May 5–9:
🌮 Taco Luncheon
🎨 Typography Art Poster
💌 Classroom Cards
🎁 Gift Card Bouquet
💧 Hydration Station

📝 Click the link below to sign up and help us celebrate our amazing staff! You can do as much or as little as you’d like—every bit counts! SIGNUP HERE!

💌 Questions? Email Emily at NPTOappreciaition@gmail.com

Let’s do this for our staff – they’ve done so much for us. 💙

NPTO Website is LIVE!

The North NPTO Website is here! The NPTO does so much for the North community—fundraising, events, school programs, and countless initiatives—so it was time to create a space where parents could easily stay informed and get involved.

This site will serve as Husky Quest HQ, where you’ll find everything you need leading up to our biggest event in April 2025. But beyond that, it’s a resource for all things NPTO—committee opportunities, school happenings, and ways to support our students and staff. This is just the beginning, and we’ll continue improving the site as we go.

Check it out here: https://www.d47npto.org/

Open Volunteer Positions

We're looking for volunteers for this year and next—there’s a role for everyone! No matter your experience or time at North, all are welcome. We work together in a supportive, team-focused environment. Visit our website for full descriptions and find the perfect way to get involved. Join us in making North a fantastic place to learn, work, and grow!

• Huskypalooza Chair (Open for next school year)

• Family Night Committee Volunteer

• Husky Quest Chair (Open for next school year)

• Quest Crew 2025 Volunteer (HQVolunteerSignup!)

• Spirit Wear Chair

• Wee Deliver Committee Volunteer

• Supply Boxes Committee Volunteer

• Author Visits Committee Volunteer

• STAR Reading Volunteer (One-on-one reading with students, flexible scheduling)

• Committee Member at Large (Executive Board position, voting power, supports NPTO initiatives)

• Bilingual Committee Member at Large (Executive Board position, Spanish-speaking, represents dual-language families)

North Huskies Spirit Wear!
Gear up for Spirit Fridays—or any day! Show your school spirit and Husky pride all year long by ordering your favorite North Huskies Spirit Wear at 1stPlaceSpiritWear.

Who Are We?

The NPTO is a non-profit volunteer organization of parents and educators from North Elementary who want to support staff and students at North and continue to build a wonderful place to learn, grow, have fun, and work! We do this by volunteering our time inside and outside of the school building, fundraising, appreciating, supporting, and advocating for our students and staff! Please join us here NPTO Volunteer Form

How To Connect With Us

Feel free to email the NPTO at any time: d47npto@gmail.com

Or follow us on Facebook D47NPTO

Attend our next meeting on May 8th 2025 at 6pm at North

Look out for our NEW newsletter “Social-Mailia” coming home with your student!

You can also join Remind (text message app) by sending a text message 81010 with the message @NorPTO

The District 47 app has gotten a fresh, new look but still offers all the same features and resources! Please accept the one-time popup of the privacy statement, it is something all apps have and once acknowledged it will not show up again. Thanks for your cooperation!