District Digest

In this issue…

• Calendar Reminders
• Board of Education Meetings
• Family Resources
• Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council
• Kindergarten Preregistration
• Special Education Review - Facilitated Office Hours
• Veterans Day Performances
• Board of Education Book Club
• FLES Family Night
• Safety Session for Parents
• D41 Preschool Program Presents Jim Gill
• Hadley Hauntcert
• GECRC and Churchill School BBQ & Books
• Hadley Rugby

• GPS Series

• November 24-28 Fall Break
• December 19 SIP Day

All meetings are held at Hadley Jr. High School, 240 Hawthorne Blvd. unless otherwise noted.

• Monday, November 17, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
  NOTE: This meeting will be held at the Kindergarten Center (enter at 881 Bloomingdale Rd)

• Monday, December 15, 2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

For full Board Meeting agendas CLICK HERE. For Board Meeting stream archives CLICK HERE.

When experiencing financial hardship, immigration uncertainty, job loss, unexpected expenses, food insecurity, or other challenges that make it difficult to meet basic needs, families may need additional support. Accessing community resources can provide important support to ensure that all family members have adequate nutrition, stability, and a sense of well-being during difficult times.

A list of family resources has been posted on the district website for families in need of information and assistance. As always, if a family has a school-related concern regarding the need for resources, they are asked to reach out to the school social worker for support.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and would like to apply for fee waivers or free and reduced lunch in District 41, click here.

Thank you to Forest Glen School for hosting members of the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council on a school visit last week! The participants were impressed with the positive and welcoming learning environment, calm and respectful classroom culture, high level of student engagement, and effective and intentional learning practices. Thank you to the community members who took time out of their day to experience one of our schools in action.

As part of the Special Education review process, Dr. Lea Anne Frost of Frost Educational Consulting Services will be hosting facilitated office hours. Office hours are designated periods set aside for open discussion, collaboration, and assistance. They begin at a specific time, but have flexible end times which will be determined when all topics have been addressed and no further discussion is required. It is understood that some participants may need to arrive late or depart early. We ask that if you must do so, it be done as discreetly as possible to avoid disrupting the conversation.

The final Facilitated Office Hours session will take place on November 18, 5 p.m., Central Services Office, 793 N. Main Street in Glen Ellyn (Spanish Interpreter).

All individuals are welcome to attend any office hours, regardless of their physical location and home school boundaries.

The Glen Ellyn School District 41 Board of Education engaged in a book study last school year as they were exploring the impact of technology on children. Building on the success of last year’s book study, the Board recently announced a Board Community Book Club and selected What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith. The Goal of the Book Club is to strengthen community connections and dialogue by engaging in meaningful conversations about education related to District 41 inspired by the reading.

To make the book easily accessible to the community, the district has partnered with the Glen Ellyn Public Library , the Glenside Public Library and The Bookstore in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 9

Join the Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Jeff McHugh as they bring the community together to discuss the book at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, February 9, 6:30 p.m. at Hadley Junior High School, 240 Hawthorne Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

“We look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue with our community,” said Board President Dr. Robert Bruno. “Supporting education and the success of every student is a shared responsibility. The ideas explored in What School Could Be invite us to reflect on how we might continue to innovate and strengthen learning experiences here in District 41. I look forward to connecting with our community in this thoughtful way.”

Forest Glen School hosted their first Foreign Language in Elementary Schools (FLES) Family night last week. The open house event offered 1st- 5th grade families a chance to learn more about El día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a traditional Mexican holiday for celebrating and remembering family members and loved ones who have passed away. It is a tender, reflective time to tell stories, hear music, and reminisce about the time they were able to spend together.

Families visited four stations: They created their very own calavera (sugar skull) with air dry clay, used makerspace materials to recreate many of the symbols of this special day, posed for photos in front of a colorful arch of flowers, and searched high and low on an ofrenda to complete a scavenger hunt. There were also coloring stations and a reading room.

Glen Ellyn Police Department Sergeant Craig Holstead will present the annual Parent Safety Session on Wednesday, November 19, 6 p.m. at the District 41 Central Services Office at 793 N. Main Street in Glen Ellyn. Sergeant Holstead will share information about safety in District 41 and provide information about emergency response procedures. He will also provide a brief training for parents/community members on the Run. Hide. Fight protocol that the district also teaches students and staff in all school buildings. No RSVP necessary. All are welcome!

Families are invited to an interactive concert with Jim Gill presented by the District 41 Preschool Program on December 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Glen School. This free concert is perfect for families of preschool and kindergarten age families. Get ready to sing, clap, and dance-along with the award-winning musician and author Jim Gill!

WHAT: Jim Gill Family Concert visit jimgill.com
WHEN: Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 pm.

WHERE: Forest Glen School - 561 Elm Street in Glen Ellyn

Bring a blanket! This is an interactive family show!

The Hadley 8th Grade Band, 8th Grade Chorus, and Hadley String Orchestra performed at the 4th Annual Hauntcert (Halloween Concert) on Thursday, October 30. The evening began with a fun trick-or-treating event, where Hadley musicians happily handed out candy and treats to the young attendees. The Band, Orchestra, and Chorus each performed several musical numbers, delivering a thrilling and delightful experience for all. A lively Costume Parade took place on the Auditorium Stage, showcasing the creative costumes of many District 41 children. The entire evening was a perfect blend of spooky fun and joyful music that enchanted the audience throughout the night.

Hadley Jr. High Music Directors Georgia Alemis (Orchestra), Chris Cooper (Band), Paul Marchese (Chorus), and Samantha Tribley (Band) are incredibly proud of their students' dedication and musicianship. It was indeed a spooky good time for everyone involved!

The Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center and the Churchill School PTA are partnering with 5Bees Catering to offer ready-to-serve BBQ dinners on Tuesday, November 11 (perfect for Parent-Teacher Conference night). Skip the cooking, enjoy a hot meal, and support your community all at once!

Pre-order your meals HERE.

This year, Hadley Junior High School proudly introduced a new Physical Education unit: Rugby, developed in collaboration with the professional rugby team, the Chicago Hounds. Throughout the unit, students learned the fundamentals of the sport and practiced a modified, non-contact version known as flag rugby.

The unit culminated in a special event held on October 31, during which each grade level had the opportunity to go outside and participate in friendly flag rugby games. The day was made even more memorable by the presence of two professional players, Koby Baker and Lachlan McDonald, who joined our morning classes to coach, support, and inspire our students on the field.

Adding to the excitement, The Chicago Police Department’s Pipe & Drum Band led students to the playing fields with the stirring sound of bagpipes, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for this celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and community collaboration.

Hadley extends gratitude to the Chicago Hounds organization, Koby Baker, Lachlan McDonald, and The Chicago Police Department’s Pipe & Drum Band for their partnership and support in bringing this enriching experience to our students.

World-renowned authors and clinicians present relevant, research-based teaching to empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities by sharing practical strategies to help humans of every age thrive. GPS is *free* and open to all. No registration, no subscription! CPDUs are available to school staff, and clinicians in Illinois can pre-register to obtain CEUs.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, November 12 @ Noon and 7pm
Cathy Adams with Dr. John Duffy

HYBRID EVENT - Restoring Youth: Foster Communication, Conversation and Connection

SEE THE 2025-26 GPS PROGAM SCHEDULE HERE!

Facebook.com/glenellynd41
X(twitter.com)/glenellynd41

Instagram.com/glenellynd41

Get the District 41 app

Download for Android: http://bit.ly/2ZaCYtw

Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2GoCNDG.

Sign Up for District 41 E-News
CLICK HERE - includes District Digest, alerts, event information and other district news

Email: webmaster@d41.org
Website: www.d41.org
Location: 793 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL
Phone: 630.790.6400
Facebook: facebook.com/glenellynd41
X(twitter): @glenellynd41