3rd Quarter EMSD Newsletter

• A Message from the Board of Education
• Young Voices, Big Vision
• Students Guiding the EMSD Essentials
• Launch of the Exploration Station
• EMSD Redistricting Update
• Cooking Up Success!
• Making a Difference One Day At a Time
• WIDA ACCESS Testing: Measuring Our Students’ Language Progress
• Digital Backpack
• Family Resources
• Parent/Guardian Communication Survey
• 3rd Quarter Calendar of Events

At the December Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kristin Humphries publicly announced his plan to retire on June 30, 2027.

By the time of his retirement, Dr. Humphries will have served the East Moline School District for 24 years, including 17 years as our Superintendent. His dedicated leadership has guided EMSD 37 through years of significant growth, and while we will certainly miss his presence in our hallways, his advanced notice allows the Board of Education the gift of time to conduct a thorough, thoughtful search for our next leader.

“To have spent more than two decades serving the children and families of this community is the greatest honor of my career,” Dr. Humphries shared in his announcement. “East Moline is truly a special place.”

The Road Ahead: We Want Your Input

The Board of Education is committed to a transparent search process that reflects the values and priorities of our community. We believe that the best way to find our next leader is to listen to the voices of those who know our district best: our families, staff, and community members.

What happens next?

Over the next several months, we will begin the first phase of the search process. This phase is all about engagement. We want to know:

• What leadership qualities do you value most?

• What should the top priorities be for our next Superintendent?

• What makes EMSD 37 unique to you?

Stay Tuned!

In our next newsletter, we will share information regarding upcoming opportunities to provide your input. Your feedback will be used to create the "Candidate Profile" that will guide us as we recruit and interview candidates later this year. We invite you to follow our progress on our dedicated Superintendent Search page here, where you can find the full retirement letter from Dr. Humphries, a detailed search timeline, and regular updates.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we embark on this important journey for the future of East Moline School District 37!

The journey to define the EMSD Learner is moving forward, and this quarter, the most important voices took center stage: our students!

Recently, student leaders from across the district—representing every grade from 2nd through 8th—gathered to help us refine the EMSD Essentials. This isn’t just a project for the adults; it’s a roadmap for the future of every child in our schools. These young leaders didn't just sit and listen—they rolled up their sleeves and dove deep into the data collected from parents, staff, and their peers. Seeing a 2nd grader and an 8th grader collaborate to analyze community feedback was a powerful reminder that leadership has no age limit. Their insights were thoughtful, sharp, and truly reflected the heart of our district.

What’s Next?

We are entering the final stages of polishing this "Portrait of a Student." We remain on track to unveil the finished EMSD Essentials to the Board of Education in March 2026. Thank you for being part of this journey to define what success looks like for our learners!

If any parents would like to contribute their input to the EMSD Essentials, we invite you to a collaborative meeting on January 22 at Glenview. To reserve your spot, please fill out this Google Form.

Launched this fall, the district now has an innovation lab called the Exploration Station housed at the Early Learning Center. It is part of a larger complex of spaces, available both to teachers and students. Inside are two smaller spaces, The Studio (a multimedia lab and podcast studio) and The Shop (a to-be-outfitted space focused on woodworking). Next door is the Learning Lab, a flexible professional learning space that students have described as "fancy," "so cool," and "like being in a boardroom at an office." These spaces offer low-tech to high-tech opportunities for students to immerse themselves in learning that expands the classroom, offering exploration with real-life opportunities. Think about it like an in-district field trip opportunity.

A group of 5th grade students recently worked on digital design, hands-on cardboard cutting, and laser engraving to create tombstones with epitaphs for their gruesome biographies project. Students were able to practice a variety of skills, collaborate with their peers, and create a culminating product that supported the learning in their classroom. We look forward to working with additional classes and students on relevant projects and learning.

As we move closer to the 2026-27 school year, the EMSD Redistricting Project is hitting several exciting milestones. We are committed to ensuring our facilities are ready to provide the best possible environment for our students and staff.

Building Enhancements

In December, the Board of Education reviewed interior renovation plans for Ridgewood Elementary. These include:

• Workspaces: New configurations for office areas and a new staff lounge to better support our educators.

• Playground Upgrades: We are exploring potential enhancements to our outdoor play spaces to encourage active, safe and accessible play.

• Accessible Facilities: At Glenview North, we are planning to replace aging lockers with new, modern units designed specifically for better accessibility for our Ridgewood students when we make the switch this summer.

Looking Ahead

Our team is currently working on the logistical details of our new school boundaries. Later this winter, we will be finalizing walking zones for all of our new school boundaries to ensure a smooth transition for all families. We are especially thrilled to welcome 5th grade back to our elementary schools starting in the fall of 2026! This shift is a cornerstone of our redistricting efforts, and we can’t wait to see our elementary communities grow. Have questions? Follow along at our Redistricting FAQ page here.

Cooking Club is a program that brings students together in small groups to engage in tailored, hands-on functional activities—like making "Not So Hot Cocoa" or "Fall Trail Mix"—that turn simple recipes into powerful learning moments. By working together, our specialists help students build vital life skills such as independence, stamina, and self-regulation while exploring new experiences in a supportive setting.

The benefits of the Cooking Club extend across all areas of student development. From an Occupational Therapy perspective, students strengthen their fine motor skills through scooping, pouring, and mixing, and improve executive functioning by planning and organizing their work. Simultaneously, Speech Therapy goals are addressed as students practice sequencing, follow multi-step directions, and use expressive language to communicate with peers and request items. Skills such as sharing, positive self talk, handling mistakes, and being flexible are addressed from the social work domain. Beyond these goals, the club fosters a strong sense of community and pride, as students complete jobs and build the confidence they need for future success. Here is a recipe you can try at home!

In the East Moline School District, our educators are the heart of our classrooms, but our Substitute Teachers (Guest Teachers) are the pulse that keeps our schools running smoothly. Today, we want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the dedicated individuals who step in to ensure our students never miss a beat in their learning journey.

Whether they are providing stability during a teacher’s absence or offering extra support in a busy classroom, our substitutes are essential members of the EMSD family. Their flexibility, passion, and commitment allow our district to provide a consistent, high-quality education for every child.

Find the Path That Fits Your Life

One of the best things about joining our sub pool is the variety of ways you can serve. We offer several pathways to fit your schedule and career goals:

• Day-to-Day Subbing: Enjoy ultimate flexibility! Choose the days and schools that work best for your personal schedule.
• Paraprofessional Support: Prefer a supportive role? Work alongside a lead teacher to assist students—this is a great way to gain classroom experience.
• Permanent Building Sub: For those looking for more consistency, our permanent subs report to the same school every day, becoming a familiar face and a vital part of a specific school community.

Start Your Journey Today

Did you know you don’t need a teaching degree to get started? In Illinois, you can obtain a Short-Term Substitute License with just 60 college credit hours. It is a fantastic opportunity for retirees, stay-at-home parents, or college students looking for meaningful work.

Ready to join us?

1. Apply for your license: Visit the Illinois ELIS website to create and account and apply for regular or short-term substitute license.

2. Join the EMSD team: Fill out our EMSD Substitute Application here.

Starting January 14, 2026, our English Learner (EL) students will participate in the WIDA ACCESS assessment. This is an important test and we are excited to see how much our multilingual learners have grown! This test measures students' progress in learning academic English (the language used for math, science, and social studies) across four areas: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

Helping Students be successful:

• Attendance matters: Please make sure to be at school on time.

• Have your child rest well and eat breakfast.

• Students do not need to study for this test.

Results will be sent home at the beginning of the next school year.

Jan 12 - 3rd Quarter Begins

Jan 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No Attendance

Jan 29 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (After School)

Jan 30 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (No Student Attendance)

Feb 16 - Presidents' Day - No Attendance

Feb 17 - In-Service Day - No Student Attendance

March 11 - 1/2 Day Early Release (Glenview 10:55 am, Elementary 11:30 am, Early Learning Center - No School)

March 16 - 20 - Spring Break

March 27- End of 3rd Quarter