An Update from Supt. Smith

Notable Dates and Events

• Calendar Reminders

News and Announcements

• Reminder: District 300 Bond Referendum on November 3 Ballot
• Liberty Elementary Named Model PLC School
• Invitation to Join Community Cultural Committee
• Reminder: Opportunity for Juniors – National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

District Highlights

• District 300 Schools Commemorate 9/11
• District 300 Hosts Meetings With Community Leaders
  
  

School Highlights

• Jacobs High School Celebrates 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Board of Education

• Next Board of Education Meeting Scheduled for September 22

Conclusion

District 300 would like to remind families of the following notable dates and events:

Friday, September 18, through Saturday, October 10:

• Fine arts events – Information about choir, orchestra, and string performances is available, as are details about marching band events. To learn more, please visit the District 300 calendar webpage, scroll down, and select “Fine Arts Calendar.”

Wednesday, September 30:

• Late Start – For all K-12 students; September 30 will be a non-attendance day for preschool students.

Friday, October 9:

• No student attendance – No student attendance or instructional staff attendance.

Monday, October 12:

• District holiday – No student attendance; offices and schools closed.

View additional calendar information on the district's website.

As the general election approaches, District 300 is continuing to provide families and community members with factual information about the bond referendum that will appear on the November 3 ballot.

The referendum will ask voters whether District 300 may issue $355.5 million in bonds to fund proposed improvements to schools and facilities across the district. If approved, the bond funding would be combined with approximately $87 million in existing district funds for the overall facility plan.

The proposed funding would support more than 20 projects across all three District 300 high school feeder patterns – Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, and Jacobs. Projects include building additions and renovations, safety and security enhancements, and a districtwide Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center.

For the owner of a $400,000 home, the estimated cost would be approximately $8.41 per month, or $101 per year.

Families can visit www.d300.org/Bond to review information about the referendum, including:

• Proposed projects
  
  
• Answers to frequently asked questions
  
  
• A tax calculator to estimate the potential financial impact for an individual property

In addition, District 300 is regularly sharing information and videos about the bond referendum on Facebook and Instagram.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting begins Thursday, September 24.

Questions about the referendum may be emailed to Bond@d300.org.

Thank you for staying informed about the referendum and the decision before District 300 voters on November 3.

Congratulations to Liberty Elementary School, which recently achieved Model PLC at Work status, a distinction bestowed by Solution Tree that recognizes sustained success in raising student achievement!

Model PLC schools have exhibited a dedication to PLCs, or Professional Learning Communities, which are groups of educators who collaborate to enhance their teaching strategies so all students can reach their highest potential. In addition, educators at these schools have demonstrated a lasting commitment to student success through data-driven instruction and by adapting their structure and culture to support academic excellence for all.

The District 300 Board of Education recognized Liberty Elementary during its meeting on September 8, where a video highlighting the school’s achievement was played.

“We knew that if we focused on collaboration and we focused on student outcomes, we could help our students achieve high academic levels of learning,” says Principal Stephanie Watson in the video.

On behalf of District 300, congratulations to Liberty Elementary School for achieving Model PLC at Work distinction!

The District 300 Student Learning and Development Department is recruiting parents, staff, and community members to join the Community Cultural Committee. The goal is to celebrate cultural diversity, cultivate friendships, and build a sense of belonging across the district.

Members can assist with brainstorming ideas, planning events, marketing/communications, guest speaker recruitment, day-of event setup/volunteering, and coordinating cultural or artistic performances.

Monthly planning meetings are hosted virtually to accommodate busy schedules, with flexible time commitments (1-2 hours, 3-5 hours, or 5+ hours per month).

The initiative spans various celebrations throughout the year, including Hispanic Heritage Month; Italian American Heritage Month; Polish American Heritage Month; Irish American Heritage Month; Arab American Heritage Month; Native American Heritage Month; Black History Month; Women's History Month; Neurodiversity Celebration Month; Autism Acceptance Month; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Jewish American Heritage Month; LGBTQIA+ Pride Month; and Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Interested individuals can sign up via Google Form. Committee size is limited due to scheduling constraints, so prompt sign-up is encouraged.

As a reminder, registration will be open through 4 p.m. Friday, October 2, for all juniors interested in taking the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

This optional test serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, which recognizes and awards scholarships to high-performing students nationwide. Scholarships can range from a one-time award of $2,500 to a yearly award of $10,000.

Registration and additional details are available via each high school’s online webstore at https://store.d300.org.

Last week, students and staff across District 300 commemorated the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, through moments of silence, flag ceremonies, acts of service, and other observances.

The activities provided students with an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the events of 9/11 while recognizing the courage, service, and sacrifice demonstrated on that day and in the years since.

District 300 recently hosted meetings with our Leadership Council and faith-based leaders groups during which information about the November 3 bond referendum was shared.

The meetings were part of the district’s ongoing efforts to provide community members with factual information about the referendum and proposed facility improvements.

Complete referendum information, including proposed projects, frequently asked questions, and a tax calculator, is available at www.d300.org/Bond.

For additional referendum details, please view the “News and Announcements” section above.

Congratulations to the Jacobs High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026! The five inductees this year are:

• Ed Allen – now retired, served as head coach and assistant coach for multiple sports at Jacobs; was also the “Voice of the Golden Eagles” for football and basketball games from 1980 to 2005
  
  
• Patti Botts (Class of 1982) – competed in track and field, volleyball, basketball, and softball; was a three-time state qualifier in track and still holds the Jacobs school record for shot put
  
  
• Bret Mooney (Class of 2014) – competed in football and track and field; was a 7A All-State football player in 2013; earned three varsity letters in football and two in track
  
  
• Kailash Panchapakesan (Class of 2016) – competed in tennis and was a four-time state qualifier, three-time Fox Valley Conference champion, and two-time Sectional champion
  
  
• Jimmy Simmons (Class of 1977) – competed in baseball and was a unanimous All-Conference choice for the sport, splitting his varsity years between Jacobs and Dundee-Crown High School

The Class of 2026 induction ceremony took place on September 4.

Nomination forms for next year’s Athletic Hall of Fame class can be found by visiting https://hdjgoldeneagles.org and clicking “Hall of Fame – Nomination” near top right. To learn more, email JHSHOF@gmail.com.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at District 300 Central Office, 2550 Harnish Drive, in Algonquin.

Meetings are called to order at 6 p.m., with board members immediately entering closed session; meetings then reconvene in open session at 6:30 p.m.

In-person seating for meetings is on a first-come, first-served basis. For your awareness, meetings are also streamed live on the District 300 YouTube channel beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Guidelines for public participation at board meetings are available on the district website.

District residents and members of the public can contact the board any time by emailing Board@d300.org. Any email sent to this address will reach all board members simultaneously.

As we build on a strong start to the school year, I look forward to the opportunities ahead for our students. Each new day brings another chance for them to discover a passion, reach a goal, or make a meaningful connection.

As a reminder, you can find our communication guidelines for parents and guardians on the district website.

Look for my next Superintendent Update on Friday, October 9.

Have a wonderful weekend!