Orrington Elementary School

Tuesday morning the third, fourth, and fifth-graders were able to enjoy a performance for Orrington's own chorus! They sang an African lullaby, the Freedom Song (with help from the audience), and My Favorite Things.

Thank you for the amazing performance!

Letter P Day (Pie a Teacher Day) was delayed from last week to this Tuesday when the weather was beautiful! The kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, Ms. Bushroe, and Ms. Yoo were on board for being pie'd in the face. Kindergarteners and first graders then got to get pick which teacher they wanted to pie with a plate of whip cream.

Each year we read a book together as a community, this summer we will be reading When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller. Your child (the oldest child in families with multiple children) will be bringing home a copy of When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller. We hope you all enjoy reading this book!

Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger won the 2021 Newbery Medal. It's about an 8-year-old Korean American girl named Lily and her family. Having recently and suddenly moved away from California to be closer to her halmoni (grandmother), Lily must be brave and trap a tiger -- only this tiger is magical, and conventional traps might not work. The novel has fun with magical realism, Korean folklore, and the imagination of an awesome hero, and it also deals with death, family loss, and grief. The novel has positive themes of courage in the face of uncertainty, perseverance in the midst of despair, and personal and cultural integrity through loss and grief.

When we return in the Fall we will spend time as a school community engaging in activities related to the story.

Happy reading!

Orrington's Field Day will be on Wednesday, May 29th! At the conclusion of the Field Day, we will take our school rainbow picture!

Each grade level should wear their color on this day!

Kindergarten - Red

First Grade - Orange

Second Grade - Yellow

Third Grade - Green

Fourth Green - Blue

Fifth Grade - Purple

If you are available to volunteer for the water station next week, check out the sign up link below!

Parent Volunteers: Field Day Volunteer (signupgenius.com)

Rainbow club will have its annual Orrington Pride Parade Friday May 24th at 3pm. Students received a brief lesson from Rainbow Club on what it means to be proud of something and what they are proud of themselves. Students then brainstormed their own reasons to be proud of themselves, and will showcase their pride at the parade with banners, posters, flags, and art. It’s a great way to build our school community stronger and share our accomplishments at the end of another great school year!

If you are available to come and watch, feel free to join us and watch outside!

Dear District 65 Parents/Guardians,

I hope this email finds you well.

This is a gentle reminder of any outstanding student fees that may still need to be addressed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Financial Service Department at 847-859-8015 for payment assistance.

Student Fee Payments

Student fees can be paid in a variety of ways:

• Online via RevTrak or through PowerSchool

• If you are paying through RevTrak for the first time, you will need to create a login by clicking “Create New Account.”

• If you are paying through PowerSchool, instructions are available in English and Spanish. For questions related to enrollment, please contact Registration at 847-859-8065 or via email: registrationinfo@district65.net

• Via phone: 847-859-8015

• In person (via credit/debit cards, a money order, or check) at the JEH Education Center (1500 McDaniel Ave, Evanston, IL 60201)

Warm regards,

Clara Estrella

Dear District 65 Families -

I am excited to share information about a new summer benefit program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), called SUN Bucks. SUN Bucks will provide a $120 annual benefit to eligible children via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) issuance by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) later this summer.

This means free money for meals for your child(ren) this summer! Please see the attached flyers for details on how to apply and for more information.

In order to be eligible for this program, your student must be qualified for Free or Reduced lunch. If you feel you may qualify and have not completed an application, you will need to complete this before May 31. Please follow this link to the application. After school has ended, you will need to apply directly through the state of Illinois. Applications will no longer be processed at the district level at that time.

Thank you!

To Parents of Orrington’s Junior Coaches:

Hey there!

Get ready to join the excitement at Playworks IL's upcoming event, where we'll be celebrating our incredible Junior Coaches, families, and schools across the vibrant Chicagoland area! Mark your calendar for Playworks IL"Junior Coach Takeover" on Saturday, June 1st, from 11 am to 1 pm. We'll be gathering at the fantastic Phillip Park located at 7345 N. Washtenaw, Chicago, IL 60645.

This year, our theme is "Level Up!" It's all about taking things to the next level, and our Takeover promises an action-packed day of fun and celebration for our inspiring youth leaders. Picture this: engaging activities, thrilling games, scrumptious snacks and refreshments, and special shoutouts for their fantastic accomplishments in the program.

And here's the best part: this event is completely free! Plus, we'll have plenty of snacks and refreshments to keep the energy high and the smiles wide all day long. Remember to secure your spot by registering on Eventbrite HERE!

We can't wait to have you join us as we celebrate and express our heartfelt gratitude to these extraordinary students. Together, let's continue building safe, inclusive, and positively vibrant school communities across Chicago.

See you there!

Excitedly,

Coach Rashada Dawan

IL ProTrainer

Playworks

P.S. Let's make sure we have enough goodies and games for everyone. See you soon!

The 5th graders went to visit Haven on Monday to take a tour and find out what middle school will be like!

Mr. Latting shared THIS newsletter for new families for our rising 6th graders - Check it out!

May is here, and it's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Let's honor the vibrant tapestry of cultures, traditions, and achievements within the Asian Pacific American community. Whether it's through sharing stories, cooking delicious dishes, or learning about influential figures, let's celebrate diversity and unity together this month!

Educational Insights: Let's take this opportunity to learn and grow together! Discover fascinating stories, historical milestones, and influential figures who have shaped the Asian Pacific American experience. Knowledge is key to understanding and appreciating the richness of our heritage. Check out the following websites to learn more and get ideas!

Asian & Pacific American Heritage

History.com

Britannica Kids

Noggin

Community Events: Check out the Umbrella Arts Festival tomorrow (5/11) at Fountain Square from 12PM to 4PM. Choose Chicago has a list of events in Chicago throughout the month of May as well HERE.

May is also Jewish American Heritage Month! This month brings the the wonderful opportunity to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation and the world.

Educational Insights: Dive into the stories of resilience, innovation, and triumph that define the Jewish American experience. From the arts and sciences to politics and activism, Jewish Americans have left an indelible mark on every facet of society. Let's delve into their inspiring journeys and celebrate their enduring legacy.

Jewish Heritage Month.org

Jewish Heritage Month.gov

Britannica Kids

Nickelodeon Parents

Community Events: The Jewish United Fund has compiled local Chicago area events that are occurring in May. You can find them HERE.