Richmond Elementary E-News

Richmond Elementary School wrapped up its incredible One School, One Book journey with a vibrant, festival-style evening of culture and community. Families gathered to celebrate a shared love of reading with engaging activities for all ages. The grand finale included a fantastic live music performance from Mariachi Colima and families also participated in interactive music, art, dance, therapy dogs, and literacy stations, while student self-portraits transformed the hallways into an impressive gallery. We also had a bustling free book fair (giving away over 1,500 books!), family photo area and raffle basket station. Thank you to all the families, volunteers, and staff who made this spectacular evening of literacy and fun such a resounding success!

Thank you to our PTO for their generous donation of raffle baskets, popsicles and our Mariachi band entertainment for the evening!

Our raffle basket winners:

Jianna W. - 5th grade

Paxton Z. - 3rd grade

Emma F. - 3rd grade

Jovi L. - 5th grade

Brayden K. - 1st grade

Edgar M. - 1st grade

Harper G. - Kinder

Bennett W. - Kinder

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2026 One School, One Book program and celebration! We hope you and your students enjoyed reading together and participating in our evening literacy event.

To help us make future reading programs and events even better, we would love to hear your thoughts. Please take a few moments to complete our brief feedback survey using the link below:

Take the 2026 Feedback Survey Here

Your input is incredibly valuable to us. Thank you for your continued support of our Richmond reading community!

Hello Parents,

Our 2026 Spring Field Day will be Wednesday, May 20th. We would love to have you join us as a volunteer at a Field Day Station/Activity. There are slots available for AM, PM, or FULL DAY! Although most stations are outside, there are a few that are inside. Note, you are not following your student at each station, but will see them when they come through the station you are working. Please email gregory.born@d303.org with any questions. Thank you for your support!

Follow the link below to sign-up for Richmond Field Day! Registration closes Friday, May 15th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4CA4AB2BA5F94-63430421-richmond

Just a reminder we take i-Ready next week Tuesday-Friday. HERE is a link to our website if you would like more information regarding this assessment.

May 1, 2026

Dear D303 students, staff, families, and community,

Our D303 Core Value of Belonging states: “We honor the dignity of each person by accepting, validating, and appreciating them, and by treating every individual fairly.” This is not aspirational language; it is our standard. When that standard is violated, we have a responsibility to respond. This expectation is already part of our work, and we are reinforcing it with urgency.

Some students in our schools, elementary, middle, and high school, are using offensive, racially charged, derogatory, and harmful language toward Black, Latino, Hispanic, and Indian students. This is happening, and it is not acceptable in our schools or in our community.

I want to be clear. This language is not “funny.” It is not “joking around.” It is not “just words.” It is not, “no big deal.” It is harmful. And, it won’t be tolerated.

It is our hope that any student who has experienced this at school knows that you deserve better, and we will do better in supporting you.

The adults in our schools are here to support you. If this offensive language is directed at you, around you, or about you, tell a trusted adult. We will act.

You also have a voice. If you feel comfortable, speak up and tell others to stop. We recognize this can be difficult, and we will support you. This language is hurtful, and it does not belong in our schools.

We are here for you, and you are not alone.

To our educators and staff: When you hear or see this language, step in. Consistently and without hesitation. Every time, without exception. You are the adults in the room, and silence, even in the most uncomfortable moments, is understood by students as permission. Your intervention, done with care and conviction, is one of the most powerful lessons you will ever teach. You have my full support and the district’s. This expectation is part of our professional responsibility to every student.

To our students: The vast majority of you treat your classmates with dignity, care, and respect, and we see that. But decency also means speaking up when something is wrong. Being a bystander is a choice, and we are asking you to make a different one. Tell a trusted adult. Do not ignore it.

To our families and community: We need your partnership at home and in our community. Talk with your children about what belonging means, the harm hateful words cause, and the kind of community we want to be. When your child shares a concern, let us know. We will act.

When a student’s dignity is violated, our schools will act immediately and directly, with clear consequences, accountability, and a deliberate effort to repair harm and restore a sense of safety for the student who was targeted. We will address it directly.

No student can learn, grow, or thrive without feeling safe and valued. That is the floor, not the ceiling. We have built something excellent in D303, and protecting it requires all of us, every educator, every student, every parent, every neighbor, to take that responsibility seriously.

If you have concerns, please reach out to your school’s principal. We are listening, and we are committed to doing better, together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paul Gordon

Superintendent

At the April 27 meeting of the School Board’s Business Services Committee, D303 Leadership gave a presentation that includes a timeline of Board discussions about the D303 Communitywide Education Facilities Committee’s Final Report, which includes support for 16 facilities investments totaling an estimated $295.6 million. The presentation also includes an overview of D303’s budgeting process and strong fiscal stewardship.

https://district.d303.org/doc/1oVwS7XhD97eNSTMKs5xgw_ay3N83E_t9

En la reunión del Comité de Servicios de Negocio de la Junta Educativa del 27 de abril, el personal de liderazgo del Distrito 303 realizó una presentación que incluía un cronograma de los debates de la Junta Educativa sobre el informe final del Comité Comunitario de Instalaciones Educativas del Distrito 303, en el que se respaldan 16 inversiones en instalaciones por un total estimado de $295.6 millones de dólares. La presentación también incluía una visión general del proceso presupuestario del Distrito 303 y de su sólida gestión fiscal.

https://district.d303.org/doc/1oVwS7XhD97eNSTMKs5xgw_ay3N83E_t9

We want your feedback on the condition of your schools and learning facilities. In mid-May, we will be sending all of D303 a postcard that includes a Facilities Survey. Please keep an eye out for it and share your feedback!

Queremos conocer tu opinión sobre el estado de tus escuelas y las instalaciones educativas. A mediados de mayo, enviaremos a todo el Distrito 303 una tarjeta postal con una encuesta sobre las instalaciones. ¡Estate atento(a) a su llegada y comparte tu opinión!

The latest episode of the Voices of D303 podcast includes visits to Wild Rose Elementary School and North High School, to give the community a firsthand look at facilities challenges faced every day by D303 students, staff, and families. Check out this clip with North High School Athletic Director Joe Benoit.

El episodio más reciente del podcast del distrito incluye visitas a la escuela primaria Wild Rose y a la preparatoria St. Charles North, con el fin de ofrecer a la comunidad una visión de primera mano de los retos a los que se enfrentan a diario los estudiantes, el personal y las familias del distrito D303 en lo que respecta a las instalaciones. Echa un vistazo a este fragmento con Joe Benoit, Director Atlético de la Preparatoria St. Charles North

Join the Department of Student Services for the final SEPAC Event of the school year.
Empowering the Future: Post-Secondary Community Resource Fair for Individuals with Disabilities
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Lincoln Professional Learning Center (211 South 6th Ave.)
Please RSVP HERE

[RSVP Link = https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN-QZnhFSgFBt646t9-LYMqE5c1oWawTbkK5IFFzsbAX7Pzg/viewform]

ASL and Spanish Interpreters will be available. Child Care will be provided by the Interact Club from East High School and D303 Staff.

Asista al último evento de SEPAC del año escolar, organizado por el Departamento de Servicios Estudiantiles.
Impulsando el futuro: Feria de recursos comunitarios de educación postsecundaria para personas con discapacidades
Miércoles 6 de mayo de 2026, de 5:30 a 6:30 pm
Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional Lincoln (211 South 6th Ave.)
Por favor, confirme su asistencia AQUÍ
[RSVP Link = https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN-QZnhFSgFBt646t9-LYMqE5c1oWawTbkK5IFFzsbAX7Pzg/viewform]

Habrá intérpretes de lengua de señas americana (ASL) y de español. El servicio de cuidado infantil estará a cargo del Club Interact de East High School y del personal del Distrito 303.

• Thompson Middle School is turning 100! Please join us on May 13 to commemorate the school building’s 100th anniversary. Get your commemorative 100 year t-shirt now before they're gone and check out all the event details here.

• Summer is just around the corner and Camp registrations are under way. Don't miss out on these wonderful opportunities! Check out all the summer school and camp offerings on the District 303 website.

All current orchestra students are invited and encouraged to attend the Summer Strings Camp from June 15 - 25. This fun camp will help you keep up your playing skills over the summer and better prepare you for next school year. Sign up on Pushcoin today! Ask your orchestra director if you have questions or reach out to Angie Wifler, the camp director, at angela.wifler@d303.org.

Summer Camp Brochure for St. Charles North is available HERE.

Summer Athletic Camps for Thompson Middle School is available HERE.