1st Quarter EMSD Newsletter

• Welcome Back
• School Redistricting Update
• Backpack Nights
• Community "Back 2 School" Event a Success
• EMSD App + Rooms = Makes Communication Simple
• Exciting Summer Upgrades
• The Power of Attendance
• New Chromebook Policy for 2025-26
• Digital Backpack

• School Breakfast and Lunch Menus
• Important Dates

Hello, East Moline School District families!

As your Superintendent, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome everyone back for what promises to be an incredible year of growth. The energy in our schools is already buzzing, and we are so excited to see our hallways filled with the bright faces of our students once again.

We strive to provide an exceptional educational experience, fostering an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. Our educators are ready to partner with you on helping each child succeed each and every day. We know that a strong partnership between home and school is key to student success. We encourage you to stay connected, engage with your child's teachers, and participate in school activities. Your involvement makes a world of difference.

Here in the East Moline School District, we are incredibly proud of our vibrant and diverse community. Our differences truly are our superpower, enriching our classrooms, broadening our perspectives, and preparing our students to thrive in an interconnected world. We believe that every student, from every background, brings unique gifts that make our district stronger and more dynamic. You are all an essential part of our school district family, and we are so glad you're here.

I am confident that by working together, we will inspire each other, build support, and continue to cultivate positive learning experiences for all children in our schools. Let's make this a fantastic year, together!

Warmest regards,

Dr. Kristin Humphries, Superintendent

Arabic Welcome Back Video

French Welcome Back Video

Spanish Welcome Back Video

*EMSD #37 uses HeyGen AI to translate our videos from English to other languages

At the June 16, 2025 Board of Education meeting, proposed school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year were shared with the Board and the public. Following the Board of Education meeting, information about the proposed boundaries was sent out to all families letting them know and where they can see the proposal. Since then, the District has been busy taking that feedback and reviewing the proposed boundaries.

• You can see the proposed boundaries here

• You can submit feedback about the boundaries or the redistricting plan through this form

• You can review the updated Frequently Asked Questions here

On August 18, the Board of Education will hear a presentation on feedback that was received as well as any proposed changes and vote on final school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year. Once boundaries are finalized, the Administration will then begin the process of bringing stakeholders together to help us plan for the following school year as we bring 5th grade back into our elementary schools.

As a reminder, what’s changing for the 2026-2027 school year:

• All elementary schools will serve grades K–5
  

• Glenview Middle School will serve grades 6–8
  

• Elementary boundaries will be redrawn to allow more students to walk to their neighborhood school
  

• Ridgewood Elementary will grow to approximately 820 students
  

• All other elementary schools will be smaller, with enrollment around 225 - 275 students each
  

Thank you for your continued partnership as we plan for a strong future for all EMSD students.

On Thursday, July 31, Hereford Park in East Moline was buzzing with excitement for a fantastic community back-to-school event! Families enjoyed an evening packed with fun, including the annual basketball game featuring the East Moline Police Department and community members, delicious food, lively music, and bouncy houses.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with various community organizations offering valuable resources and essential school supplies. Our East Moline School District was there in full force, with a table for each school, ready to answer parents' questions and help prepare for the upcoming school year.

We're so appreciative to be part of a community that comes together to host events like this, ensuring all families have the chance to get their questions answered and learn about available resources. A huge "thank you!" goes out to our dedicated community organizers, all the organizations in attendance, and the East Moline Police Department for making this event such a success.

Check out a couple of pictures from the event below:

From morning drop-off to bedtime routines, our phones help us stay on top of it all—and now they’ll help you stay even more connected to your child’s school day.

The East Moline School District 37 app already makes it easy to stay updated on district news, events, and announcements. But now, we’re taking it a step further.

Rooms—a feature built right into our app that brings you closer to what matters most: your child’s classroom. With just a tap, you can switch from district and school updates to real-time class information and two-way communication with your student’s teachers.

You can access Rooms from the app or any web browser. It’s free, easy to use, and available for both Apple and Android devices. Just download the app, create your login, and you’re ready to stay informed, involved, and connected—anytime, anywhere.

Ready to explore? Download the East Moline School District 37 app today and unlock a smarter, simpler way to stay in the loop.

Click on the image below to learn more!

This summer, our dedicated teams were busy making significant improvements throughout the district, ensuring our facilities are in top shape for the new school year.

You'll discover fantastic updates like new kitchen equipment at the Early Learning Center for our incoming full-day program, a brand-new bathroom at Bowlesburg Elementary, and two beautifully renovated classrooms at Glenview Middle School.

A major highlight is the incredible transformation of the Wells Elementary gymnasium and cafeteria! It received a complete refresh, including a fresh coat of paint, brand-new bleachers, and enhanced soundproofing. This means a much better experience for students during gym classes, lunch periods, and school assemblies. Check out the photos of the updated Wells gym and cafeteria below:

As we kick off a new school year, we want to highlight one of the most critical factors for your child's success: consistent school attendance.

Every school day is a valuable opportunity for your child to learn, grow, and connect with their peers and teachers. Missing even a few days can create gaps in their understanding and make it challenging to keep up with the pace of instruction. In fact, research consistently shows a strong link between regular attendance and higher academic achievement, as the graphics on this page illustrate.

Beyond academics, being present in the classroom helps students build a sense of community, develop important social skills, and feel a greater connection to their school. Let's make this a year of strong attendance and incredible growth for all our students! Your partnership is key in ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

We are updating most of the Chromebooks across the district this fall with 2000 new devices to be used in our classrooms. This initial batch will mainly be used at Glenview. The biggest change for this school year will be that we keep these devices at school in the classrooms. Last spring, we asked parents, teachers and students about Chromebook usage to help guide how we will use our new Chromebooks and it was decided that we will keep them at school so students will always have a Chromebook available, they will be fully charged, and we are hopeful there will be less damage since they are not traveling from class to class or home.

We realize this is a change but it is something we've promised to look at each year to see if changes can be made in the future. We are excited about updated Chromebooks but more importantly we are excited about the training and support we will be giving our teachers to utilize these devices in the classroom. This will help ensure we develop tech balance, foster opportunities to create and consume, and build critical thinking and digital citizenship skills.

📚🎒 Looking for local community events and activities? The EMSD Digital Backpack is your go-to spot for community happenings!

Click the image to see this month's menus!

Aug 11 -12 - In-Service Day (No student attendance)

Aug 13 - First day of school (1 hour early dismissal: Glenview 1:25 pm, Elementary 2:00 pm)

Sept 1 - Labor Day (No attendance)

Sept 2 - In Service Day ( No student attendance)

Oct 3 - 1/2 Day Early Release (Glenview 10:55 am, Elementary 11:30 am, Early Learning Center - No School)

Oct 3 - UT Homecoming Parade, Downtown East Moline, 2 pm

Oct 6-10 - Fall Break

Oct 13 - Columbus Day (No attendance)

Oct 24 - End of 1st quarter