Hooper Happenings

Achieve excellence by empowering independent problem-solvers who are empathetic and respectful.

Check out our website calendar for all the dates.

2026 -2027 School Year Calendar

November 11 -Veteran's Day Assembly

November 13 - First Trimester Ends

November 16- Board of Education Meeting 7 PM @ Palombi Middle School

November 18- All Elementary School and Palombi Choir Fest

November 19- 5th Grade Music Concert

November 20 - Report Cards Posted to PowerSchool

November 20- Picture Retake Day

November 23-27 - No School

December 21-January 1 - Winter Break

November is all about Habit 2

This month, our school is focusing on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. At its heart, this habit teaches children to imagine where they want to go before they take their first step. Whether they are designing a science project, diving into a challenging book, or setting personal growth targets, having a clear destination helps students make purposeful, confident choices.

What It Means at School

• Setting Clear Goals: Visualizing what success looks like—academically, socially, and behaviorally—before jumping into a task.

• Planning Ahead: Breaking down big assignments into manageable steps and staying committed to the outcome.

• Value-Driven Choices: Recognizing that daily habits, focus, and kindness lay the foundation for long-term success.

How to Practice at Home

• Picture the Finish Line: Before kicking off a chore or project (like tidying a bedroom or organizing a backpack), ask: "What will this look like when it’s completely done?"

• Set "Target of the Week": Choose one achievable goal together—such as reading 20 minutes before bed or practicing math facts—and celebrate the progress made.

• Map Out Routines: Design a simple visual checklist for morning or evening routines to help your child navigate their day independently.

• Define Family Values: Talk over dinner about what your family stands for—like empathy, resilience, or teamwork—to create a shared compass for making everyday decisions.

As the trimester comes to a close, I wanted to share a quick reminder of how students are assessed here in District 41. For an overview of our assessment approach—including key information shared during Curriculum Night—please view our District 41 Assessment Guide.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s learning!

A Staff Shout-Out is an unsolicited special recognition that acknowledges a Hooper staff member who has really helped you or your student or has been highly effective and motivating. Our staff takes great pride in helping students achieve their potential. Take a few minutes and let a staff member know how much you appreciate their work! Here is the link.

A massive thank-you to our incredible PTO for transforming our library into a breathtaking "Under the Sea" wonderland. Between the amazing ocean decor and the rows of exciting stories, our Hooper Heroes were truly immersed in the magic of reading. Nothing beat seeing the proud smiles on our students' faces as they hugged their brand-new books!

We also want to give a huge shoutout to all of our dedicated PTO parent volunteers. From setting up the oceanic displays to running the registers during the school day and throughout Family Night, this event couldn't have happened without your time and support.

Thank you for making reading an adventure for our kids!

We are so grateful for the continued support and involvement of our amazing parents and guardians! As we plan for upcoming events and activities, we welcome volunteers to help make these experiences meaningful and memorable for our students.

In order to volunteer at Hooper School, we ask that ALL interested individuals complete a Volunteer Information Form and Waiver of Liability. These forms help us ensure a safe and organized environment for everyone. Some of the wonderful ways you can volunteer include:

• Field Day
  
  

• Mystery Reader in the classroom
  
  

• Chaperoning Field Trips
  
  

• And many more opportunities throughout the year!
  
  

Please complete and return the attached form if you are going to be volunteering at Hooper this school year!! Thank you for being a vital part of the Hooper School community. We look forward to working together to create great memories for our students!

Parent Volunteer Website

Please take a moment to review the Lake Villa 41 Parent/Guardian Student Handbook, linked below. Important information about school policies and procedures can be found inside.

Click here for a copy!

2026-2027 Student Handbook - Spanish

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. The Report a Concern form offers students and parents a confidential way to report any issues or concerns. Submissions are reviewed by the appropriate school staff, who will investigate and respond as needed.

This process helps ensure all reports are taken seriously, documented properly, and addressed promptly. It also allows the school to identify behavior patterns and take preventive action when necessary.

Imagine IM is a problem-based core curriculum designed to address content and practice standards to foster learning for all. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Teachers can shift their instruction and facilitate student learning with high-leverage routines to guide learners to understand and make connections between concepts and procedures.

Accessing the Family Support Hub:

Visit ilclassroom.com to access the Family Support Hub without logging in. Click the “Explore Curricula” button at the bottom of the screen and navigate to your student’s subject and grade!

Please click this link to access the Illustrative Mathematics Parent Information.

Hooper Illustrative Math Resources Website

Anne Middaugh

Health Coordinator

(847) 356-2151,21001

anne.middaugh@district41.org

Hearing and Vision Screenings:

During the school year, vision and/or hearing screenings are conducted for students. Please see the student/parent handbook for further information. Additional information will be coming home to families at a later date.

Illinois State Health Requirements:

Incoming Kindergarten students ‘26/’27

Out of State Transfer Students any grade ‘26/’27

Health Requirements:

*Current Physical exam and up to date immunizations

*Dental exam dated 11/15/2025 to current

*Current Eye Exam (from Optometrist or Ophthalmologist)

At B.J. Hooper School, we believe that strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and school leaders create the best learning environment for our students. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to be part of our new Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)!

What is the Parent Advisory Committee?

The PAC is a group of parents and guardians who work closely with the school administration to provide input, share ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit our students and school community. This committee serves as a bridge between families and the school, ensuring that parent voices are heard and valued.

Why Join the PAC?

• Have a Say – Share your thoughts on school practices, programs, and initiatives.

• Stay Informed – Get updates on school events, curriculum, and upcoming decisions.

• Build Community – Connect with other parents and school staff to support student success.

• Make a Difference – Help shape the future of our school and create a positive learning environment.

How Can You Get Involved?

Please email Mrs. Nikson if you are interested in serving on the PAC.

Dates:

January 13th 4:00-5:00 PM

May 18th 4:00-5:00 PM

Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!

District 41 puts students and staff first. Our goal is always to have students at school, when we can do so safely. Therefore, the district considers several factors when determining whether to close schools due to extreme weather, including data provided by the National Weather Service, including the temperature, windchill, and warnings. Although we strive each and every time to make the best decision regarding in-person or remote learning, oftentimes, no perfect decision exists. If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school. Additionally, parents/guardians may choose to drop off/pick up their child from school.

The following are some criteria that are used when making school closure decisions. Invariably, there will be situations that do not fit into these guidelines, in which case the administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible.

LATE START - School begins and bus pick-ups are approximately 90 minutes later than normal. (Monday - Thursday Only)

COLD DAYS - The National Weather Service predicts wind chills below -30 degrees, with other conditions considered.

SNOW DAYS - Heavy snow or icy conditions overnight or that worsen during the day.

E-LEARNING DAYS - An E-Learning Day may be an alternative to being fully closed. These days do not need to be made up at the end of the year. Students and staff would be notified before the end of the preceding day to bring their Chromebooks home. The e-Learning Plan is available on the District website under ‘Parents and Guardians Resources.’

Other Considerations

Multiple conditions that may include blowing snow, winds greater than 20 mph, heavy snow accumulations during travel times, hazardous driving conditions, ice accumulation, the ability of buses to start due to extreme cold, and power or phone outages.

A district-wide alert will be sent out via phone and email as early as possible. Parents can also check the district’s website. If schools are open due to weather, parents may keep a child home. They will be marked as excused.

If schools are closed...

District 41 Administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible. District 41 will notify parents by 1:00 PM the previous school day of an e-Learning Day due to extreme weather. Parents will be notified with a target by 5:30 AM if schools need to close entirely for the day. The district makes every effort to inform parents as soon as possible. If schools are closed for the day, all after-school activities in the district, including sports and evening events, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated.

If schools are not closed…

If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school in a timely manner. If school is already in session and conditions begin to worsen, the district will decide by 1:00 PM whether after-school activities will be canceled for that afternoon.

How is the decision to cancel school made?

Superintendents from area districts start communicating with each other as soon as the weather reports start to look threatening. District 41 collaborates with the Millburn, Emmons, Grass Lake, Lakes High School, Woodland, Grayslake Elementary, Grayslake High School, Gavin, Big Hollow, Fox Lake, and Grant High School superintendents. The superintendents generally attempt to reach a consensus on school closures. When area school districts make various decisions, the full District 41 administrative team finalizes the decision.

Attendance in elementary school is essential for academic success, skill development, and socialization. Regular attendance ensures children do not miss critical lessons, helping them perform better academically and develop foundational skills in reading, writing, and math. It also fosters social skills and friendships, establishes routine and discipline, and provides access to necessary support systems. Consistent attendance also encourages parental involvement and sets the stage for long-term educational and career success. Your children need to be at Hooper School all day, every day!

At the beginning of each school year, school districts, charter schools, and non-public schools are required to notify parents and guardians of the availability of ISBE’s Resource Guide:

Don’t forget to check out the school lunch menu below via the QR code! Reviewing the menu ahead of time is a great way to help your child plan their lunch choices for the week.

Healthy snacks are essential in schools for maintaining energy levels, improving concentration and academic performance, supporting physical health and growth, regulating behavior and mood, developing lifelong healthy eating habits, providing educational opportunities, and creating a health-focused school environment. With this being said, District #41 has updated the snack list to reflect additional items. Approved Snack List