109 Family News

Welcome to the first (and longest) issue of D109 Family News for the 2025-2026 school year! It's the August issue, but we're sending it a day early because we know it's A LOT, so we want to give you extra time.

This monthly newsletter, which will hit your inbox the first week of every month, sets the stage for our connection with you throughout the year, but it's not the only resource for information. Here are the ways you will hear from the District:

• Email and text messages: You will receive all must-know information, including emergency notifications, directly to your email inbox and through text messages. That's why it's important to complete InfoCheck and update your contact information.
• Board Briefs: This newsletter-style summary of Board discussion and action will be sent after each regular Board meeting.
• The dps109.org website, which includes a 🔎 search feature on the top of each page, as well as a 💬 chatbot on the lower right of each page to answer questions.
• District 109 App & Two-Way Chat Coming soon! The District 109 mobile app will not only be a resource that makes the personalized information you choose even easier to reach from your phone, it also will have a secure two-way chat feature that coaches and club/activities sponsors will use for timely updates. We will roll out these features throughout the year and will ask for your feedback to make it useful for you.
• Peachjar Coming soon! Community groups and organizations that provide educational, recreational and enrichment opportunities for students and families can share information about their offerings through Peachjar. Programs are not sponsored or endorsed by District 109, and all programs must align with District guidelines and Board Policy 8:25. Families will receive a weekly email from school@peachjar.com with approved flyers. Visit the communications department page of the website to learn more.

Of course, you also will hear directly from principals and teachers. While your inbox may be limitless, your attention is not – and we know it's very valuable! So, we will work hard to be efficient in our outreach. You'll get "must know" info via email and text message, and we will make sure you can find what you need on our website. (If you can't, please let us know directly or by using the feedback form on the website.)

And now, here's the news you need!

• August 4, 2025: Grades 1-8 Class Placements & Schedules Posted in Family Access
• August 13, 2025: Middle School Locker Day
• August 14: Kindergarten Class Placements Posted in Family Access
• August 14: The Unstoppable Mindset: We Can Be Stronger Together!
• 6:30pm at Caruso Middle School (1801 Montgomery Road)
• Learn more below!
• August 18: First Day of School for K-8 students (1/2 day)
• Middle schools dismissing at 11:00am
• Elementary dismissing at 11:40am
• Early Learners DO NOT have school on half days
• August 19: First Day of School for Early Learners

• August 21: Kipling Connects: Back to School

• August 25: Wilmot Connects: Back to School

• August 26: South Park Connects: Back to School

• August 27: Walden Connects: Back to School

• August 28: Caruso and Shepard Connect: Back to School

Before we kick things off on the first day of school, Monday, August 18, 2025, we’ve put together a checklist of important back-to-school items to help you feel informed, excited and confident that this will be a great school year! Most of the information on the website is right here in this newsletter, too, because it's so nice we're sharing it twice (and in some cases, three or four times).

The InfoCheck process must be completed for every student and we encourage you to do so before August 4 to ensure you are able to access your child's teacher placement or schedule.

If you haven't yet done so, it's important to log into Family Access today to:

• Pay your 2025-2026 fees (find fee information)

• Verify your contact and other information

• Review the Student/Parent-Guardian Handbook

• Learn about new publication permission opt-out procedures

When you log into Family Access, click on the “2025-2026” InfoCheck tile. If you don't see the tile, it means you've already completed the process! Check out the how-to video for a step-by-step guide from the one who knows best, D109 Systems & Data Specialist Annette Maloney.

Families of 8th graders now have one new, extra step in their InfoCheck process (added just this week). Log into Family Access today and click on the "8th Grade Verification" tile.

To assist with your child’s transition to high school, Deerfield High School (District 113) requests information from Shepard and Caruso Middle Schools, such as demographic information, standardized test data and grades. To exchange this information about your child, we must obtain consent from you and your child. Completing the verification in Family Access provides this consent, and will support your child's smooth transition to high school.

(👆🏼☝🏽But First: InfoCheck☝🏻👆)

Class placements for 1st-8th grade students will be posted in Family Access on Monday, August 4. Kindergarten families can find their child's placement on Thursday, August 14. A great deal of time, thought, input and care went into building each classroom community, and every teacher is excited to welcome every one of their students on the first day of school! Please do not contact your building principal requesting a change in placement; The teacher/schedule you will see in Family Access is final.

If you are in a paid area and want your child to ride the bus for the 2025-2026 school year, email transportation@dps109.org with your child's name and school. Please note that during the summer and early in the school year, it may take up to two business days for the Transportation team to respond. If you choose bus service after August 11, it will take at least 48 hours to add new riders to routes/stops. Bus riders in free areas will automatically be assigned to their routes/stops.

On or before August 11, you will be able to find your child's bus number, bus stop and estimated pick-up/drop-off times for the school year in Family Access (select "Transportation").

Please arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled time (10+ minutes early in the first few weeks). Students who have registered for bus service will receive their bus pass the first week of school.

When there are last-minute delays (due to traffic issues or bus breakdowns, for example), the Transportation team will send text and email notifications to families as quickly as possible. Please complete the InfoCheck process in Family Access to make sure your contact information is up to date!

The event that you’ve known in the past as “Open House” or “Curriculum Night” has a new name—and a renewed purpose. Your School Connects: Back to School reflects our District’s commitment to building strong partnerships between families and schools as we kick off the year Stronger Together in Deerfield. This evening is about more than just classroom routines and curriculum. It’s a chance to connect meaningfully with teachers, principals and fellow parents; to explore how we can collectively support our children’s academic, social, and emotional growth; and to lay the foundation for a successful school year built on trust, communication, and collaboration. We can’t wait to welcome you!

• Kipling Connects: Back to School: Thursday, August 21

• Wilmot Connects: Back to School: Monday, August 25

• South Park Connects: Back to School: Tuesday, August 26

• Walden Connects: Back to School: Wednesday, August 27

• Caruso and Shepard Connect: Back to School: Thursday, August 28

Throughout the year, other programs will be part of the District 109 Connects series. We hope you'll put them on your calendar, show up and connect!

District 109 has implemented new opt out procedures. If you do not want your child photographed or videotaped for District 109 use, or have his or her name included when he or she is honored for achievement, you must submit, in writing, a signed statement that you do not grant any publication permissions to District 109 to the Chief Communications Officer. Full details are in InfoCheck, but if you have any questions, please email Cathy Kedjidjian.

Students new to District 109, as well as all Early Learners, kindergarten students and sixth grade students must submit a health examination form before the start of the school year. Note that if the form is not submitted as required, students will be excluded from school on October 15th.

See all health requirements below, and find detailed information and the forms you need on our health information page.

Starting this year, District 109 will promote Safe2Help Illinois as a primary resource for student support (replacing Text-a-Tip). Safe2Help IL is a state-wide resource that offers students a safe and confidential way to share information that may help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence and other threats to student safety. The program also includes educational resources for students aimed at fostering a culture of kindness and resources for educators and parents..

Safe2Help IL features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app and dedicated website (www.Safe2Helpil.com). Students can use Safe2Help Illinois to share concerns about themselves or others in a confidential (but not anonymous) environment.

At Caruso and Shepard, students will learn about Safe2Help IL early in the school year, and will have stickers with information about:

• Safe2Help IL
• The D109 Tip Line: Allows students, staff, families or others to anonymously report a range of concerns. Building administrators and student support staff members receive, review and respond to each submission.
• The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988): Counselors are available 24/7/365 for those facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns or just need someone to talk to.

To enhance student safety, the District has established new and consistent procedures at all schools, and implemented a new, easy-to-use system to make the process as quick and efficient as possible.

All students who arrive late or leave early must be signed in or out by a parent, guardian or authorized emergency contact at the kiosk located in the school foyer.

Students will not be called to the office until they have been signed out through this process. Plan extra time when picking up your child early.

As the school year begins, we’re asking all families to help keep our students safe during pick-up and drop-off. School zones are especially busy in these early weeks, so please keep the following safety reminders in mind:

• Stay alert: Avoid using phones or other distractions while driving

• Follow posted signs and staff directions: They’re there to keep everyone safe and organized

• Use designated drop-off and pick-up areas: Do not stop in crosswalks or bus zones

• Be patient in the car line: A few extra minutes ensures student safety

• Yield to pedestrians and crossing guards: Always stop for children in crosswalks

• Stop for school buses with extended stop arms: It’s the law. Vehicles in both directions must stop when the bus arm is out and lights are flashing, unless there is a physical barrier or median.

• Drive slowly and cautiously: Expect heavy foot traffic near the school

• Remind your child to use sidewalks, cross at corners, and stay aware

• WILMOT : Pay attention to signage to help you follow new traffic patterns

Thank you for doing your part to create a safe start (and middle and end) to the school year!

Stronger Together Deerfield is a community-wide collaboration uniting the Village of Deerfield to support mental wellness, resilience and meaningful connections. An extension of the community conversations over the last year about the Anxious Generation and productive struggle, Stronger Together Deerfield will be a touchpoint to foster dialogue, shared learning and coordinated action across the community.

Organizations throughout our community will commit to this initiative, and take action to further its goals.

District 109's first Stronger Together Deerfield program is set! Author, speaker, marathon runner, triathlete, champion bodybuilder, former educator Molly Kennedy will provide actionable steps that parents and other caring adults can take to increase resilience, confidence and mental wellness of the children in our community.

Molly is the keynote speaker for the District 109 staff kickoff that morning, so her family program will set the stage to connect key messages between school to home!

As you may have seen in the last issue of Board Briefs, at the July 24 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mike Simeck introduced a comprehensive update on the District’s facilities, finances, and future planning efforts under the banner of Redefine 109. This initiative aims to share information with and gather feedback from the community to inform a long-term solution to address aging and failing infrastructure, growing space needs and modern learning environments to match and support the high-quality instruction that our teachers provide.

A Referendum Task Force of more than 30 parents, staff, community members and community leaders met throughout the spring to study the issues and explore viable solutions. The Task Force unanimously recommended moving forward with the “2+2 Plan,” which includes building two new elementary schools (Walden and Wilmot), renovating the other two (Kipling and South Park), and updating both middle schools. The plan’s estimated cost is $245 million, with a projected tax impact of approximately $539 per $10,000 in property taxes.

Throughout the fall, the District will engage the community through in-person and virtual information sessions, videos, digital outreach and mailers. In November, a public opinion poll of all community members will assess the understanding and perception of this plan. In December, the Board will review the results of the engagement and research before deciding whether to place a referendum on the March 17, 2026 ballot.

We encourage families to visit www.dps109.org/redefine to learn more, follow updates, ask questions and share feedback.

There’s no better way to kick off a Friday than with a smile and a high five! Starting this fall, students will be greeted by Deerfield police officers and firefighters at arrival for High-Five Fridays.

This simple gesture spreads positivity, builds connections with our local first responders, and starts the day on an uplifting note. Feel free to give and get your own high-fives!

(If you've read this far into the newsletter, you definitely deserve a high-five or three: ✋🏼✋🏾✋)

You know that DPS 109 is a supportive school community for students and families. The District also cultivates a community where staff feel valued, and they can pursue their career interests, whether they are teachers, administrators, support and office staff or guest teachers – all of whom play an important role in the education of our students. The District is currently hiring the following roles:

• School Counselor (Elementary School)
• Lunchroom Supervisor (Elementary School)
• Guest Teachers

If you're looking for meaningful work in a supportive environment, close to home, visit dps109.org/DefineYourself – and share these jobs with friends and family!

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a nine-week program designed to enhance communication between the Deerfield Police Department and the community. Participants are instructed in a variety of law enforcement topics by officers who specialize in those areas. The Academy is FREE to attend!

The Fall 2025 session will be held Wednesday evenings 7:00pm-9:30pm from September 10 through November 5. Registration closes August 25 or when session is full.

Register online.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is open to anyone who is 18 years of age or older and lives or works in Deerfield. A background check is completed on all applicants. The session will be limited to 10 participants. The Deerfield Police Department reserves the right to deny enrollment for any reason.

Registration for Deerfield Park District fall enrichment programs is open! View the Enrichment Guide for your school:

• Kipling
• South Park
• Walden
• Wilmot

Contact the Park District at 847-945-0650 with any questions.

It's hard to imagine given the word count of this newsletter, but we may have missed answering all of the important back-to-school questions. If that's the case, please email Cathy Kedjidjian and she will track down the information you need.