D73 Digest

Academic growth is only one part of a child’s success. This fall, Hawthorn students will participate in our social-emotional benchmark screening, which helps our schools better understand student needs and identify where additional support may be helpful. The screening is completed three times throughout the school year using SAEBRS/MySAEBRS.

Learn more about the fall screening:
🔹 Kindergarten–Grade 5
🔹 Grades 6–8

Three choices? So last year. 😎 Students now have four daily entrée options, thanks to the addition of a new rotating Snack Pack! Along with meat, vegetarian, and SunButter & Jelly options, students can choose the Snack Pack of the week. The Snack Pack stays the same all week before switching things up the next.

The BrightArrow ParentHub app is more than a place to find school messages! We’ve added direct links to some of the resources families use most, so you can quickly:

• 📅 Check your school calendar
• 🍎 View the lunch menu
• ✏️ Report an absence
• 🚌 Submit a transportation change

All from your phone, without hunting around the website.

Already using ParentHub? Help us make it better! If there’s a resource you’d like to see added, click the Contact button at the bottom of this newsletter and send your suggestion directly to District Communications.

Illinois law requires current health examinations and immunization records for students entering school for the first time, preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and students enrolling from outside Illinois. Required records must be on file with the District by October 15. Students who are not in compliance by the deadline may be excluded from school until all required documentation is submitted. Visit our School Health Forms page to review requirements, access forms, and find contact information for your child’s school nurse if you have questions.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is coming to Hawthorn on October 2, offering FREE physicals, sports physicals, and vaccines for eligible students ages 2–18. Services are available to students who have Medicaid or no health insurance. Students with private insurance are not eligible. Still need to check a physical or immunization off your back-to-school list? Contact District Family Liaison Sol Cabachuela at 224-370-2090 | cabachuelas@hawthorn73.org for more information.

We’re excited to kick off another year of The Connection Corner, a parent/guardian newsletter focused on supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of our students. In this first edition, we’re sharing practical strategies and resources to help families support their children at home, including information about SOAR expectations, Community Circles, and more. We hope these resources help families stay informed and connected as we support the whole child together!

Hawthorn District 73 has partnered with Youth & Family Counseling to provide additional support for student well-being. Through this partnership, a licensed therapist is available on-site at Hawthorn each week, making counseling services more convenient and accessible for families who choose this option.

Learn more about Youth & Family Counseling and how to schedule an appointment →

Looking for mental health support for your child or family? ReferralGPS is a free, confidential resource that helps Hawthorn families find local providers based on location, specialty, insurance and other needs. Families can search for services on their own or connect with a Care Navigator for help finding providers and scheduling appointments.

Explore ReferralGPS →

Hawthorn School District 73 uses Securly to help keep students safe while using their school-issued devices. Families of students in grades 6–8 also have access to tools that provide greater visibility into their child’s online activity. With the Securly Home App, parents and caregivers can monitor activity at home and sign up for weekly email reports with a snapshot of their child’s internet use. This information can help families better understand digital habits and support conversations about safe and responsible technology use.

Learn how to download and use the Securly Home App →

Questions about your Securly account? Email help@securly.com

Interested in getting involved with Hawthorn’s Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC)? Formerly known as BPAC, MPAC brings together families, staff and community members to support our multilingual students and families and help strengthen connections across our community. The first MPAC meeting is October 7 from 6–7 p.m. at the District Office, 841 West End Court. Food and childcare will be provided, and interpreters are available to support families. Interested in getting involved? Contact Sol Cabachuela at cabachuelas@hawthorn73.org | 847-990-4245, or Nicole Merryfield Coy at merryfieldcoyn@hawthorn73.org | 847-990-4219.

Students participate in a variety of academic assessments that help us understand their strengths, areas for growth, and progress over time. Two key assessments are summarized in our Fall Assessment Letter for Families. Specific assessment dates will be communicated directly by your child’s school principal.

We are aware that the emergency notification test scheduled to go out by text, phone, and email on Aug. 20, did not deploy as planned. Families will be notified once a new test date has been scheduled. In the meantime, families are encouraged to log in to PowerSchool to make sure their contact information is current, including phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contact information.

There was plenty to celebrate at this month’s Board meeting! The Board recognized generous support for Hawthorn students and schools, including checks presented to the District that will help support our students and programs. The meeting also included updates on preparations for the new school year, summer facility projects, transportation, technology, the FY27 budget, and more. Want to keep up with what’s happening at the Board meetings? Check out the latest Hawthorn Board Highlights and subscribe to have future editions delivered right to your inbox! 🔔

• September 17, 2026
• October 15, 2026
• November 12, 2026
• December 16, 2026 (Wednesday)
• January 14, 2027
• February 4, 2027
• February 18, 2027
• March 17, 2027 (Wednesday)
• April 15, 2027
• May 13, 2027 (Originally May 20)
• June 17, 2027

The Nest is ready to welcome families back for the new school year! District families are invited to stop by for food, household essentials, hygiene items, and helpful resources. The Nest is open on the first Wednesday of each month from 3:30–5:30 p.m. Families should park in the Hawthorn School of Dual Language parking lot at 810 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, and enter through Door 20 of the Middle North building. Upcoming pantry dates include October 7 and November 4. Families can also follow The Nest on Facebook for updates. For questions, please contact Sol Cabachuela at cabachuelas@hawthorn73.org | 224-370-2090.

Vernon Hills and Libertyville now use WeatherWarn, which automatically activates outdoor warning sirens for tornado threats and severe thunderstorms with predicted winds over 70 mph.

This means hearing a siren does not always mean there is a tornado. If sirens sound during the school day, students and staff will be brought indoors. If there is a tornado warning, we will follow our normal shelter procedures. We will continue to follow guidance from local emergency services and weather authorities to keep students and staff safe.

The Key to 73 Hawthorn Education Foundation is bringing the laughs with Bad Momz of Comedy on October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Austin’s in Libertyville! Bad Momz of Comedy is a nationally touring stand-up showcase featuring hilarious women saying the things moms are probably thinking, but might not always say out loud. Best of all, it’s a night out that also helps support the students of Hawthorn 73!

Grab some friends, plan a night out and get your tickets today! Men are welcome, too. We’re told they’ll survive. 😄

📅 October 6 | 7:00 p.m.
📍 Austin’s, 481 Peterson Rd., Libertyville

The Foundation is still looking for a Treasurer to join the team. This is a meaningful opportunity to get involved, support districtwide initiatives, and help advance the Foundation’s mission to advocate, promote, and fund opportunities that support the success of every student, every day, across Hawthorn District 73. Interested or know someone who may be a great fit? Please contact Sol Cabachuela at cabachuelas@hawthorn73.org.

The Key to 73 Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming Golf Outing at White Deer Run on June 18, 2027! Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information about registration, sponsorship opportunities, and ways to join the fun while supporting Hawthorn students.

There are many exciting things ahead with the Hawthorn PTO this school year! From family nights and student socials to book fairs, staff appreciation, and community events, the PTO helps create meaningful experiences for students, staff, and families across Hawthorn District 73.

Join Hawthorn families for Chicago Dogs D73 Family Night on Sunday, September 6 at Impact Field. The game begins at 3 p.m., and gates open at 1:30 p.m. Families can enjoy catch on the field and player autographs from 1:30–2:15 p.m., along with special concession options.

Families are invited to attend PTO meetings throughout the school year to learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support Hawthorn students and schools. The first fall PTO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8 from 7–8 p.m. Free childcare will be provided.

The PTO has several student and family events planned throughout the year, including grade-level socials, Trunk or Treat, family nights, skating, and more. Upcoming events include the 7th Grade Dance & Social on Saturday, September 26, Mellody Farm Fall Fest on Saturday, October 24, and Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 25.

Curious about Cub Scouts? Pack 273 is inviting families to an informational meeting on September 16 to meet pack and den leaders, ask questions and learn what Cub Scouts is all about. Families can learn about meetings, activities, costs, how to join and youth safety. You can also check out information about the Pack’s Raingutter Regatta!

Learn More About Cub Scouts →
Check Out the Raingutter Regatta →

Whether you are looking to learn American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time or build on existing skills, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at John Powers Center invites you to join our Fall 2026 ASL Classes!

Program Overview

• Dates: Wednesday nights, Sept. 23 – Nov. 11 (8 weeks)

• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location: In-person at John Powers Center (Vernon Hills) or Virtual via Zoom

• Registration Deadline: Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:00 PM

Class Options

• Adults & Teens (In-Person): Levels 1, 2, and 3

• Adults & Teens (Virtual): Level 1 via Zoom

• Kids ASL Class (In-Person): Play-based learning for ages 5–12 (Exclusive to SEDOL/DHH families; capped at 10 students)

Tuition & Grants

• SEDOL Families & Staff: FREE (Fully funded by generous grants from the SEDOL Foundation)

• Community Members & Member Districts: $80.00 per person (Paid as a donation to the SEDOL Foundation)

Family Support Services

To ensure our sessions are accessible to everyone, we proudly offer free on-site childcare and free Spanish interpretation for SEDOL families during class times.

How to Register

Ready to join us? Reserve your spot today by completing registration at the following link.

For additional information, visit the John Powers Center Website. If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Stockwell directly at astockwell@sedol.us.

Calling all young artists in grades 1–5! Countryside Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Fire Safety Poster Contest. This year’s theme is “Charge Into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower.”

Posters are due Friday, September 25 by 4 p.m. Students can turn them in at their school or Countryside Fire Protection District Station 2. Winners will be selected at each school, with one grand champion advancing to the regional competition!

Families may be interested in a new local performing arts opportunity for students in grades 2–6. Foundations Performing Arts is launching its first production, Cinderella… If the Shoe Fits, and registration is now open. Families can review the flyer below for details.

Hawthorn 73 and the Cook Memorial Public Library District are sharing a reminder for families whose students visit the Aspen Drive Library after school. The Library is a public space and does not provide a structured after-school program. Students ages 10 and older may visit independently and are free to come and go as they choose. While Library staff enforce policies and address behavior concerns, they do not supervise individual students.

To help keep the Library welcoming for everyone, students visiting independently will be asked to provide a parent or guardian’s contact information during their first visit of the school year. Students are expected to remain in designated middle school areas, follow staff directions, treat others respectfully, and comply with Library policies. Families are encouraged to review these expectations with their children and make sure students have a way to contact a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if needed.

Questions may be directed to Library Director David Archer at 224-513-7402.

North Shore Water Polo is offering Splashball, a beginner-friendly introduction to water polo for elementary-aged students. No previous experience is required. Practices are held at Highland Park High School, and interested families can contact hello@northshorewaterpolo.com to learn more or join a free tryout session.

📸: Ms. Balmes