Hooper Happenings

Achieve excellence by empowering independent problem-solvers who are empathetic and respectful.

On behalf of the entire team at B.J. Hooper School, I am thrilled to welcome our new and returning families to the upcoming school year! Great schools thrive on strong partnerships, and our staff is fully committed to working alongside you to support your child's learning journey. Together, we will model and instill our Hooper Hero values—community, kindness, respect, responsibility, and ownership—creating a vibrant, caring environment where every student feels known, valued, and empowered to excel.

We are so grateful for the continued support and involvement of our amazing parents and guardians! As we plan for upcoming events and activities, we welcome volunteers to help make these experiences meaningful and memorable for our students.

In order to volunteer at Hooper School, we ask that ALL interested individuals complete a Volunteer Information Form and Waiver of Liability. These forms help us ensure a safe and organized environment for everyone. Some of the wonderful ways you can volunteer include:

• Field Day
  
  

• Mystery Reader in the classroom
  
  

• Chaperoning Field Trips
  
  

• And many more opportunities throughout the year!
  
  

Please complete and return the attached form if you are going to be volunteering at Hooper this school year!! Thank you for being a vital part of the Hooper School community. We look forward to working together to create great memories for our students!

Parent Volunteer Website

Please take a moment to review the Lake Villa 41 Parent/Guardian Student Handbook, linked below. Important information about school policies and procedures can be found inside.

Click here for a copy!

At Hooper School, bullying of any kind, by any person, is unacceptable. All students should be free from worries about being bullied. Students who bully others must be taught other, appropriate ways of interacting with peers. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information concerning the School District’s anti-bullying program and to encourage you to help us identify students who are being bullied.

The School Board policy on bullying begins with this goals statement:

Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Preventing students from engaging in these disruptive behaviors is an important District goal.

Bullying is defined as follows:

Bullying means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

1. Placing the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.

2. Causing a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.

3. Substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance.

4. Substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

Bullying, intimidation, and/or harassment may take various forms, including without limitation: threats, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment, theft, public humiliation, destruction of property, or retaliation for asserting or alleging an act of bullying.

We ask for your active partnership in keeping Hooper School a safe, supportive space for every child. If you ever suspect or become aware that your child—or another student—is experiencing bullying, please report it to a school staff member, teacher, or administrator immediately. By working together to identify concerns early, we can address behaviors, support affected students, and ensure a positive learning environment where all children feel valued and secure.

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. The Report a Concern form offers students and parents a confidential way to report any issues or concerns. Submissions are reviewed by the appropriate school staff, who will investigate and respond as needed.

This process helps ensure all reports are taken seriously, documented properly, and addressed promptly. It also allows the school to identify behavior patterns and take preventive action when necessary.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. In accordance with the Illinois School Safety Drill Act, we conduct safety drills throughout the school year to ensure everyone is prepared for emergency situations.

To help our students and staff build familiarity with our safety procedures, we will be conducting several required drills during the first two weeks of school, with additional drills scheduled throughout the remainder of the academic year. These include:

• Fire Drills: Practice for safely and quickly evacuating the building.

• Bus Evacuation Drills: Instruction and practice for safely exiting school buses.

• Severe Weather/Shelter-in-Place Drills: Training on how to respond to severe weather, such as tornadoes.

• Law Enforcement/Lockdown Drills: Procedures to follow in the event of an active threat.

Please be assured that we approach these drills with great care. Lockdown drills are always announced to staff and students in advance. If you would like your child(ren) to opt-out of the lockdown drill, please complete this form by August 20th.

Anne Middaugh

Health Coordinator

(847) 356-2151,21001

anne.middaugh@district41.org

Hearing and Vision Screenings:

During the school year, vision and/or hearing screenings are conducted for students. Please see the student/parent handbook for further information. Additional information will be coming home to families at a later date.

Illinois State Health Requirements:

Incoming Kindergarten students ‘26/’27

Out of State Transfer Students any grade ‘26/’27

Health Requirements:

*Current Physical exam and up to date immunizations

*Dental exam dated 11/15/2025 to current

*Current Eye Exam (from Optometrist or Ophthalmologist)

At B.J. Hooper School, we believe that strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and school leaders create the best learning environment for our students. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to be part of our new Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)!

What is the Parent Advisory Committee?

The PAC is a group of parents and guardians who work closely with the school administration to provide input, share ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit our students and school community. This committee serves as a bridge between families and the school, ensuring that parent voices are heard and valued.

Why Join the PAC?

• Have a Say – Share your thoughts on school practices, programs, and initiatives.

• Stay Informed – Get updates on school events, curriculum, and upcoming decisions.

• Build Community – Connect with other parents and school staff to support student success.

• Make a Difference – Help shape the future of our school and create a positive learning environment.

How Can You Get Involved?

Please email Mrs. Nikson if you are interested in serving on the PAC.

Dates:

September 23rd 4:00-5:00 PM

January 13th 4:00-5:00 PM

May 18th 4:00-5:00 PM

Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!

District 41 puts students and staff first. Our goal is always to have students at school, when we can do so safely. Therefore, the district considers several factors when determining whether to close schools due to extreme weather, including data provided by the National Weather Service, including the temperature, windchill, and warnings. Although we strive each and every time to make the best decision regarding in-person or remote learning, oftentimes, no perfect decision exists. If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school. Additionally, parents/guardians may choose to drop off/pick up their child from school.

The following are some criteria that are used when making school closure decisions. Invariably, there will be situations that do not fit into these guidelines, in which case the administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible.

COLD DAYS - The National Weather Service predicts wind chills below -30 degrees, with other conditions considered.

SNOW DAYS - Heavy snow or icy conditions overnight or that worsen during the day.

E-LEARNING DAYS - An E-Learning Day may be an alternative to being fully closed. These days do not need to be made up at the end of the year. Students and staff would be notified before the end of the preceding day to bring their Chromebooks home. The e-Learning Plan is available on the District website under ‘Parents and Guardians Resources.’

Other Considerations

Multiple conditions that may include blowing snow, winds greater than 20 mph, heavy snow accumulations during travel times, hazardous driving conditions, ice accumulation, the ability of buses to start due to extreme cold, and power or phone outages.

A district-wide alert will be sent out via phone and email as early as possible. Parents can also check the district’s website. If schools are open due to weather, parents may keep a child home. They will be marked as excused.

If schools are closed...

District 41 Administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible. District 41 will notify parents by 1:00 PM the previous school day of an e-Learning Day due to extreme weather. Parents will be notified with a target by 5:30 AM if schools need to close entirely for the day. The district makes every effort to inform parents as soon as possible. If schools are closed for the day, all after-school activities in the district, including sports and evening events, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated.

If schools are not closed…

If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school in a timely manner. If school is already in session and conditions begin to worsen, the district will decide by 1:00 PM whether after-school activities will be canceled for that afternoon.

How is the decision to cancel school made?

Superintendents from area districts start communicating with each other as soon as the weather reports start to look threatening. District 41 collaborates with the Millburn, Emmons, Grass Lake, Lakes High School, Woodland, Grayslake Elementary, Grayslake High School, Gavin, Big Hollow, Fox Lake, and Grant High School superintendents. The superintendents generally attempt to reach a consensus on school closures. When area school districts make various decisions, the full District 41 administrative team finalizes the decision.

Attendance in elementary school is essential for academic success, skill development, and socialization. Regular attendance ensures children do not miss critical lessons, helping them perform better academically and develop foundational skills in reading, writing, and math. It also fosters social skills and friendships, establishes routine and discipline, and provides access to necessary support systems. Consistent attendance also encourages parental involvement and sets the stage for long-term educational and career success. Your children need to be at Hooper School all day, every day!

Healthy snacks are essential in schools for maintaining energy levels, improving concentration and academic performance, supporting physical health and growth, regulating behavior and mood, developing lifelong healthy eating habits, providing educational opportunities, and creating a health-focused school environment. With this being said, District #41 has updated the snack list to reflect additional items. Approved Snack List

Meal Prices 2026-2027

BREAKFAST

Student Breakfast $2.20

Reduced Price Breakfast $0.30

LUNCH

Student Lunch $3.85

Reduced Price Lunch $0.40

Second Entree W/Lunch Only* (When Available) $3.20

Milk (No Fat Chocolate Or 1% White) $0.65

Menu

Check out our website for more information

Registration Fees must be paid in full by 8/31 to avoid an increase on 9/1.

For more information click here

At the beginning of each school year, school districts, charter schools, and non-public schools are required to notify parents and guardians of the availability of ISBE’s Resource Guide:

Check out our website calendar for all the dates.

2026 -2027 School Year Calendar

August 17- Board of Education Meeting District Office 7:00 PM

August 18- Grades 1-5 Curiosity Day 2:45-3:45 PM (Drop Supplies Off)

August 19- 1st Day of School Grades 1-5 (Half Day 12 PM Dismissal))

August 19-21- Kindergarten Round-up

August 21- Kindergarten Curiosity Day 2:50-3:50 PM

August 24- 1st Day of school for Kindergarten

August 25- September 11- Fall NWEA Window Opens K-5 (Mathematics & Reading)

August 25- Curriculum Night Grades K-2 5:45-7:00 PM

August 27- Curriculum Night Grades 3-5 5:45-7:00 PM

September 4-Teacher Institute Day-No School

September 7- Labor Day-No School

September 14- Board of Education Meeting District Office 7:00 PM

September 23- PAC 4:00-5:00

September 28- Board of Education Meeting District Office 7:00 PM

September 30- Picture Day

October 8- Parent Teacher Conferences-Noon-8:00 PM - No School

October 9- Parent Teacher Conferences-7:30-12:30 PM - No School

October 12- Columbus Day - No School

November 3- Non Attendance Day - No School