News from District 153

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year! We are looking forward to seeing all our students at Willow, Churchill, and James Hart on Monday, August 24.

This summer’s storms and tornadoes have made the end of the summer very difficult for everyone in our community. I hope you are all safe and recovering well.

All our schools lost power during each of the tornados. While the power outages caused multiple problems, we are grateful that none of our buildings were severely damaged. Our buildings will be open, safe, and comfortable when the students arrive on Monday.

Our teachers, staff, and administrators have been working hard to get everything ready. Please help your child get off to a great start by taking the time to:

1. Sign in to Parent Portal as soon as possible. While you are there:

• Please check to make sure that you have submitted your child’s registration and paid their school fees.
• School fees are due by the first day of school. If you would like to apply for a fee waiver, please remember that application forms are due by the first day of school.
• Please look at your child’s schedule and teacher information.
• If your child will be riding the bus to school, please review your child’s bus route and pick up and drop off times. Remember that buses may run a few minutes late at the start of the school year. We thank you for your patience as students, families, and bus drivers get used to the new schedule.
• Please make sure that all your contact information and emergency contacts are up to date. In case of future storms or other emergencies, we need to make sure we can get in touch with you immediately.

2. If your child’s sleep schedule has been disrupted by the summer schedule and the recent storms and power outage, please take a few days to help them adjust. It is important that they get a good night of sleep on Sunday night, so they can get off to a great start on Monday morning.

3. Join us during Supply Drop Off and Locker Move-In times at Willow, Churchill, and James Hart on Thursday, August 20. This will ensure that your child has what they need for the first day and help them get excited for the start of the school year.

4. Help us to remind your friends and neighbors that school is starting. It is important that everyone in the community be on the lookout for our children, obey speed limits, watch for buses and other vehicles dropping off children, and be careful of children riding bikes and scooters, playing, and running near streets and parkways.

We will send you information and important updates in multiple different ways. Our goal is to keep you informed and support your participation in your child’s education. This year, you can expect to get important information through:

· School and District Newsletters

· Parent/Family Letters

· Homewood School District 153 Social Media Posts – Facebook and Instagram

· HSD 153 Website

· Infinite Campus Parent Portal

These are our official methods of communication and the best way to stay up to date with what is taking place at your child’s school. Please follow us on social media and ensure that your phone number(s) and email address(es) are up to date in Parent Portal.

If you have questions or concerns about your child or things happening in your child’s class or school, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the Principal or Assistant Principal directly. Our teachers, staff, and leaders are committed to helping your child grow in a safe, caring, and supportive environment. Working together as partners with every family helps us to do that.

More to Come . . .

We are looking forward to greeting all the children on Monday for the first day of school. Please be on the lookout for our upcoming Open Houses and Family Night events.

On Saturday, August 29, we will celebrate the start of the school year at the Back-to-School Party from 3:00 – 6:00 PM in the Village Hall parking lot. This annual event hosted by the Village of Homewood and Homewood School District 153 is a great way to have some family fun to kick off the school year. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Dr. Teresa Hill

Superintendent of Schools

All children can learn . . . Period.

We are excited to bring everyone together for an afternoon of fun, activities, resources, giveaways, and getting ready for the new school year.

Bus routes are now available on our website. All routes are subject to change, especially during the first few weeks of the school.

Buses often run a bit late during the first week or two of school as students, families and drivers get used to new routines. Thank you for your patience!

Aug 19: (James Hart)- 6th Grade- New Family & Parent Night- 6:00PM or 7:00PM

Aug 19 (James Hart)- 6th Grade Open House/Locker move-in- 6th Grade- Last Names A-J – 5:00-6:00PM

Aug 19 (James Hart)- 6th Grade Open House/Locker move-in- 6th Grade- Last Names K-Z – 6:00-7:00PM

Aug. 20: (James Hart) 7th & 8th Grade Locker Move-In, 4:00-7:00PM

Aug. 20: (Willow School) School Supplies Drop Off- 2:00-4:00PM

Aug. 20: (Churchill School) School Supplies Drop Off- 4:00-5:00PM

Aug. 24: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, ALL GRADES

Aug. 26: (James Hart) Picture Day

Aug 27: (James Hart)- Open House- 7th & 8th Grade- 5:00PM-7:00PM

Aug. 29: Back-to-School Party

Aug 31: (Churchill School) Picture Day

Sept. 3: (Willow School) Open House 5:30-7:00PM

Sept 4: Early Dismissal

Sept. 7: No School, Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 15: (Willow School) Picture Day

Sept. 17: (Churchill School) Open House, 5:00-7:00PM