Wescott Word
Friday, October 23, 2026
It’s been wonderful to be back at Wescott these past couple of weeks! Thank you for all of the warm messages and check ins over the last month. Drew is now a month old, and everyone is doing great! A special thank-you to the PTO for the Wescott swag. The sunglasses and bath towel were a big hit last night. My family and I are grateful to be part of such a thoughtful and caring community.
Principal Candela
We are delighted to share that Wescott joins all District 30 schools in being named among the best in Illinois in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Rankings. Wescott ranked No. 12 out of 1,360 elementary schools ranked in Illinois, putting it in the top 1% of schools in the state.
Additionally, of 846 middle schools ranked, Maple landed at No. 8, also putting Maple among the top 1% in state.
You can click the links below to read more about the methodology behind the rankings, as well as the data that informed these distinctions:
Now through Oct. 30!
The Wescott Library is hosting a children’s book drive to benefit Bernie’s Book Bank. With a goal of distributing books to 25,000 more children this year, they urgently need books.
We ask that you consider donating new and gently used children’s books (birth-6th grade reading level) during our book drive. Children’s picture books, board books, recent non-fiction, and chapter books are all appreciated. Please note, Bernie’s Book Bank cannot use activity books, coloring books, dictionaries, textbooks, religious books, or foreign language books other than Spanish.
Books can be placed in the collection bins in the Wescott foyer and outside the front office and the library from Oct. 19-30
For more information about Bernie’s Book Bank, visit their website: berniesbookbank.org
We look forward to celebrating Halloween with our Wescott community! Please review these reminders as you plan for the Friday, October 30.
Costume Parade: 2:00–2:15 p.m.
Each class will take two laps around Wescott Park. Families are welcome to watch along the parade route. We will share any weather-related changes before the event.
Classroom parties: 2:15–3:00 p.m.
Parties are limited to three registered parent volunteers (designated through PTO) per classroom, with no additional guests. Food is not permitted.
Room parents must submit volunteer names to the Wescott Office at least three days before the party and email any changes.
Volunteer check-in begins at 1:45 p.m. through the main entrance. Volunteers must wear their assigned name badge.
Volunteers must leave classrooms during the parade and reenter through the main entrance afterward.
Please use the front or back parking lots or street parking. No parking in the Front Circle.
Adults wearing costumes may not wear face coverings.
Parties end at 3:00 p.m., when volunteers must exit through the main entrance. Volunteers taking their children home may sign them out at check-in; no additional sign-out is needed when leaving. Taking another child home requires written permission or a phone call from that child’s parent. Regular dismissal is at 3:15 p.m.
Costume reminders
Students should arrive in their costumes and wear them throughout the school day. Please choose something comfortable, appropriate for school, and easy to move in.
Apply all makeup, hair color, and sprays at home.
No gory, bloody, violent, or overly frightening costumes.
No weapons, including toy weapons.
No masks
Please keep inclusion in mind when planning group costumes.
These guidelines apply to everyone participating in our Halloween festivities. Thank you for helping make the day safe, inclusive, and fun!
October Character Theme: Trustworthiness
We are introducing a new positive behavior theme each month. This month, during our assembly, we launched our October focus: Trustworthiness.
We discussed with students that trustworthiness means keeping your promises, telling the truth, and doing the right thing so that friends, teachers, and family members know they can count on you. We also emphasized that trustworthiness isn't about being perfect—it's about taking responsibility for our mistakes and making things right.
District 30 is seeking our next Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations! We know our District 30 families have strong professional networks, and we ask that you please consider sharing this opening with highly qualified candidates.
Those interested can apply directly at district30.org/apply, plus learn more about District 30 overall at district30.org/jobs.
Thank you for your support in helping to recruit a student-centered leader who will maintain District 30's strong finance and operations systems!
File nominating petitions Nov. 16-23
Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 will have four school board seats to be filled at the Consolidated Election on April 6, 2027. Candidates who are elected will fill four-year terms expiring in April 2031.
Candidates for the office of the school board can begin circulating nominating petitions for signatures. The period for filing nominating petitions runs from November 16-23, 2026.
A candidate for the school board is required to file the nominating petitions, Statement of Candidacy, and receipt for filing their Statement of Economic Interests with the applicable county election clerk and not with the school board secretary or the administrative offices of the school district. The county clerk may have petition forms available, or blank petitions may be downloaded from the State Board of Elections website.
Candidates may also want to consult the “2027 Candidate’s Guide,” which can be downloaded from the Illinois State Board of Elections website, or contact the county clerk or board of election commissioners regarding the requirements of filing. Candidates and voters can get information about District 30 from our website and learn about being a school board member from the Illinois Association of School Boards at: iasb.com/elections.
Candidates who are interested in seeking endorsement from the District 30 School Board Caucus should contact Katie Schick (kateschick0609@gmail.com) by Friday, October 16. The School Board Caucus is a committee of District 30 residents that includes families both with and without children enrolled in Willowbrook, Wescott and Maple schools. The Caucus' role is to source, screen and endorse potential school board candidates. To be considered by the Caucus, candidates will need to complete a detailed application as well as an interview. If you are interested in learning more about joining the Caucus, please contact Katie.
Please be advised that there is no left-hand turn traveling north on Western Avenue into our Circle Drive from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days. Please help spread the word and follow this in order to keep traffic flowing efficiently.
Event details
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Location: Feed My Starving Children, 742 E. Park Avenue, Libertyville
Who: Wescott families with children ages 5 and older
Cost: Free!
Cancellations and waitlist
Now that all 100 spots are filled, we've opened a waitlist for families who would still like to participate.
If your plans change and you or anyone in your group can no longer attend, please let Maria Milicevic (mariacmilicevic@gmail.com) know as soon as possible. We will have other families hoping to join us, and advance notice will help us make sure every available spot is filled. We really appreciate your commitment and consideration for those on the waitlist!
Adult-to-child requirements
For everyone's safety, FMSC requires the following volunteer ratios:
Grades K–2: 1 adult per child
Grades 3–6: 1 adult per 3 children
Grades 7–12: 1 adult per 4 children
Children under age 5 are not permitted in the packing area.
Ready to make a difference? Click here to join the waitlist!
Questions? Contact Maria Milicevic at mariacmilicevic@gmail.com.
The Scholastic Book Fair is October 26-29. Family Night is Wednesday October 28, from 5-7 p.m.
VOLUNTEERING: We'd love to have you volunteer with us during a fun and exciting week! Volunteer slots are organized by classroom. We will also need help with set-up, break-down and Family Night.
C0-CHAIR NEEDED FOR 2027: We’re looking for one co-chair for the 2027 School Book Fair! Co-chairs will help plan and run this fun and important Wescott tradition next school year. If you’re interested, we’d love for you to shadow this year’s book fair and see what’s involved. Reach out to wescottpto@district30.org for more information!
eWALLET: Make sure your child's eWallet is set up and ready to go! The eWallet is a digital payment system and a simple way to handle money at the fair! When you set up your eWallet, you will be prompted to donate to “Share the Fair”. This initiative was created by Scholastic to ensure all students can participate in the fair. These funds will go directly to Wescott students to make sure EVERY student can take home a new book!
Join us at Evereve in the Glen on Thursday, November 12 for a special Wescott shopping event!
Treat yourself to a new outfit or get some early holiday shopping done. 15% of your purchase will go directly to the Wescott PTO!
Shop anytime 10-4 p.m. or join us for Snacks & Sips 5-8 p.m. Grab a friend or meet fellow Wescott parents at the event. We hope to see you there!
Spirit wear on sale through Nov. 4
Fifth graders heading to Maple Middle School next year can show their future school spirit with Maple spirit wear! Check out the available gear and get a head start on representing the Maple community. Spirit wear is on sale through November 4. Click here or below to order!
Start the school day with a high five and a smile!
On Friday, October 30, first responders from the Northbrook Police and Fire Departments will be on the blacktop before school to greet Wescott students as they arrive.
Did your family receive a kindergarten "A New Wolf Pup Lives here" lawn sign welcoming you to the Wescott Crew? We would love to reuse these signs to welcome next year’s newest Wolf Pack members! If you’re able, please consider donating your sign back to the PTO. We realize we didn’t communicate this when the signs were distributed, so we completely understand if you no longer have your sign.
Signs can be returned to the collection bin in the front vestibule, or email wescottpto@district30.org and we’d be happy to arrange a pickup from your home. Thank you for helping us welcome our newest Wolves year after year!
We’ve had a lot of amazing events at Wescott this year so far! Upload all of your event photos from the Walk 4 Wescott at the link below to be included in this year’s Wescott Yearbook!
Photo sharing requirements:
Only share photos of Wescott students
Share photos where students are looking at the camera
We cannot print hand gestures of any kind (including peace signs, dabbing, fist bumps)
If you have multiple takes of the same shot, please select only the best photo for upload
Any time a student feels unsafe, any adult in their school can help!
But sometimes, students or parents wish to reach out for help in a different way or after school hours. Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe way to share information 24/7 that might help prevent any threat to school safety, including bullying, self-harm or other serious concerns.
The goal of this program is to get students to “seek help before harm;" it is not intended to suspend, expel, or punish. Safe2Help Illinois also offers a Mental Health Toolkit that provides resources for parents and educators reinforce the components of this program.
Safe2Help Illinois offers around-the-clock help via:
- Hotline: 844-4-SAFEIL
- Text line: 72332
- Email HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com
- Plus a website full of resources for young people seeking help for themselves or a friend. Its Ways To Get Help page is a directory of specialized hotlines, and other sections of its website provide practical steps for dealing with depression or helping a distraught friend. The checklist called "20 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Feel Like Giving Up" can help older children overcome a bout of anxiety or depression.
Wescott School
Wescott School is part of Northbrook/Glenview District 30, which exists to create an inclusive community that inspires learning, fosters resiliency, and cares deeply for every child. We honor childhood and foster intellectual, physical and social-emotional growth. District 30 serves more than 1,200 students in pre-K through 8th grade across Willowbrook, Wescott and Maple Schools.
We prohibit harassment and discrimination of all forms within our district and follows all policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for all.
Main office: 847-272-4660
Health Office: 847-400-8760
Location: 1820 Western Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
Website: district30.org/wescott
