The 21 Ledger

The end of our first trimester is coming up on November 14, meaning report cards will soon be shared with families. New this year: Report cards will be both printed and shared electronically through PowerSchool and ParentSquare.

• Printed copies will be given to parents/guardians during Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 24 and 25. Any report cards not picked up at conferences will be sent home with students Monday, December 1.
• Electronic copies will also be posted in the Parent Portal and emailed to parents/guardians on Monday, November 24.

Students can log every minute they read—whether it’s picture books, graphic novels, articles, or chapter books—through Beanstack. For grades 3-8, Benny the Bean, an AI reading buddy, helps them set goals and celebrate progress. Logging minutes builds strong reading habits and turns reading into a daily adventure! Families, ask your child to show you their progress in the October Reading Challenge and cheer them on.

• English Log-In Directions
• Spanish Log-In Directions
• Russian Log-In Directions

Did You Know… As a district, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! Some of the celebrations, observances, and events taking place during the month of November include Native American Heritage Month, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints Day, Election Day, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving - If you’d like to learn more, click on the links! If there is a celebration that we missed, don’t hesitate to reach out and share it with our Language Services Department.

Our staff at Whitman Elementary School teamed up during the week of October 27 to make Halloween special for every Bulldog, regardless of financial challenges. Led by music teacher Lauren Reynolds, the initiative raised over $600 and involved more than 90% of staff contributing supplies or assembling 400 “goodie bags” filled with treats and stickers. Principal Samantha Roth praised the effort, saying it showed families how much the school cares. Read the full story here.

We’re excited to share that Field Elementary School has been officially recognized as a Distinguished Kindness School by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation! This honor celebrates the caring culture that shines throughout the school, from the friendly smiles in the hallways to the thoughtful actions in the classrooms. Our students and staff at Field show every day that kindness matters, creating a community rooted in empathy, inclusion and compassion.

The latest edition of Board Briefs is now available! Get a concise wrap-up of key discussions, decisions, and updates from the most recent Board of Education meeting. Stay informed on the topics that matter most to our schools and community.

Phishing emails are getting more sophisticated each year. Here are some clues to look out for when an email looks suspicious:

• Look at the sender’s email address domain. For example, an email from @csd21.org looks very similar to @ccsd21.org if you’re not looking closely.

• Any sense of urgency such as violating terms of use, suspensions, or compromised accounts should make you think twice. Phishing attacks often use fear to make you click without thinking, especially if you’re told you only have x number of days to respond.

• Look for awkward wording or incorrect grammar. For instance, the phrase “This is a matter of highly concern” sounds strange compared to “great” or “serious” concern.

• Hover over suspicious links instead of clicking them. Hovering gives you a preview of the URL the link leads to.

As Thanksgiving break approaches, many families may find extra free time turning into extra screen time. Too much tech use can affect children’s focus, mood, and sleep—but taking a “digital detox” together can help. Try setting clear screen limits, planning offline activities, and modeling phone-free moments as a family. This holiday season, make time to unplug and enjoy gratitude, rest, and connection. Read more about healthy screen habits here.

As the colder months approach, cold and flu season is in full swing. To help keep our students and families healthy, we encourage these simple steps:

• Get vaccinated: Annual flu shots are the best protection for your family.

• Practice good hygiene: Frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes help stop the spread.

• Stay home if sick: Children and adults who are ill should stay home to rest and prevent spreading germs.

• Keep routines healthy: Plenty of sleep, balanced meals, and staying active strengthen the immune system.

• Schedule a visit: The District 21 Health Center is always accepting appointments to help your family stay healthy this season.

Together, we can keep our community strong and healthy all season long!

Calling all young gymnasts! WHS is hosting a fun and engaging gymnastics clinic on Saturday, November 29. Kids will have the chance to work with Wheeling High School gymnasts and coaches on vault, bars, beam, and floor.

Details:

• Location: 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling (Enter through Door 25)

• Ages 2-7: 8:30-9:45 a.m. (check-in from 8:15-8:30 a.m.)

• Grades 2-8: 10:00-11:15 a.m. (check-in from 9:45-10 a.m.)

• Cost: $10 (cash or check made out to Wheeling High School)

Open to boys and girls. Sign up here!

Questions? Email Coach Hauck at brian.hauck@d214.org

Don’t miss this opportunity to tumble, flip and soar with the WHS Gymnastics Team!

The Indian Trails Library has many events and workshops for students and their families during November. Check out the calendar of events for specific activities and times this month.

Join Deb the Frog Lady for an entertaining, educational, up-close encounter with some awesome amphibians, radical reptiles and all-around amazing animals.

When: Saturday, November 15

Time: 11-11:45 a.m. OR 12:30-1:15 p.m.

Ages 5 and older with a caregiver. TR = Ticketed Registration for 40 children. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program on a first-come, first-served basis at the Youth Services Desk.