D73 Digest!
Your Bi-Weekly Scoop on Hawthorn Happenings
Preschool & Early Childhood Resource Fair
Join Hawthorn Lincoln Early Learning Center at the Preschool and Early Childhood Resource Fair on Saturday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Aspen Drive Library. Discover the programs and benefits our school offers to support your child's early learning journey!
SAEBRS/MySAEBRS Social-Emotional Winter Benchmark Screening
Hawthorn School District 73 focuses on the growth and learning of the whole child. This includes programming that supports students’ social and emotional well-being. One way we help ensure that students’ needs are being met is by participating in benchmark assessments for social-emotional learning three times each year using the SAEBRS/MySAEBRS screening tool.
Kindergarten - Grade 5: Please click here to access information regarding our winter social-emotional screening.
Grades 6 - 8: Please click here to access information regarding our winter social-emotional screening.
Title 1 Compact: What You Need to Know
Hawthorn School District 73 is committed to ensuring learning for all students. As a Title I Schoolwide Program, our School of Dual Language receives federal funds to provide additional resources that support student success. The amount of funding is based on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
As part of this program, we create a "learning compact" — a voluntary agreement between families, school staff, and students that outlines how we work together to support student achievement.
Join us for a brief informational session to learn more about the Title I compact:
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 29
⏰ Time: 5:30 p.m.
📍 Location: School of Dual Language (before the BPAC event)
We hope to see you there!
Upcoming BPAC Event
The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) invites you to an informative session on ACCESS Testing, Seesaw, Google Classroom, and other learning applications available to our students.
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 29
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Dual Language/Townline Cafeteria
Light snacks and childcare will be provided.
If you would like to attend and need an interpreter, please contact Gabriela Cervantes at cervantesg@hawthorn73.org by Tuesday, January 21.
Hawthorn Food Pantry Distribution
Open to all our families January 15 from 4-6 p.m. at Middle North School - 201 Hawthorn Parkway. If you are in need of food, or have any questions please reach out to Gabriela Cervantes at 847-990-4245 or cervantesg@hawthorn73.org
If you are interested in donating to the food pantry, items can be dropped off at the District Office (841 W. End Ct.) or at Middle North. Thank you for your support!
Stay Healthy This Season: When to Keep Your Child Home from School
It is the cold and flu season! Children who appear ill should not be sent to school. In order for your child to be available for learning and to maintain a healthy environment, it is very important for you to keep your child at home if he or she:
Has any COVID-19 symptoms.
Has an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or more. He or she should not return to school until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications, since many children experience a recurrence of fever.
Has become sick with flu-like symptoms, or experiences fast or troubled breathing.
Is not drinking enough fluids.
Is not waking up or interacting.
Shows severe irritability.
Experiences a return of flu symptoms with a fever and worsening cough.
Has a fever with a rash.
Has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, conjunctivitis or impetigo. He or she should be on antibiotic medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Has vomited more than once or has had persistent diarrhea during the night or into the morning. He or she should be without these symptoms for 48 hours before returning to school.
Has chicken pox, he or she must be excluded from school until all lesions are crusted over.
Has head lice.
Has a rash of unknown origin.
The school nurse may require a note from the doctor stating that your child is not contagious and/or is clear to attend school.
Thank you for helping to minimize the transmission of illness in our schools!
6th Grade Glow Dance 🪩
All 6th graders from Hawthorn Middle North and Middle South are invited to join us for a night of fun on Friday, January 17th from 6:30-8:30 PM. The evening will feature a DJ, glow items, and snacks for the students.
Register now: https://services.hawthornpto.org/dance
Don’t miss out on this exciting event! 🎶✨
In Case you Missed It: PowerSchool Data Breach
On January 7, 2025 we were made aware of a data breach at PowerSchool, our Student Information System (SIS) provider. While we understand that some neighboring districts were impacted, PowerSchool directly notified us that Hawthorn was not affected, and our own internal audit confirmed this.
We want to reassure you that our district’s data remains secure.
Summer Programs 🌻
Please mark your calendar for next summer’s program dates!
Hawthorn Summer Program offerings include Hawthorn Enrichment Institute (HEI), Hawthorn Music Camp, Extended School Year (ESY), Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten. More information about program offerings and registration will be shared after winter break.
Summer Program Dates: Monday, June 9 - Tuesday, July 2.
Session 1: June 9 - June 18 (HEI, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)
Session 2: June 23-July 2 (HEI, Music Camp, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)
No School: Thursday 6/19, Thursday 7/3, all Fridays
Lincoln Early Learning Center ESY Dates: Wed, June 4th - Tues, July 1st
No School: Thursday, June 19, all Fridays
*If all of Hawthorn’s Emergency Days are used dates will shift to June 5th - July 2nd*
D73 Spiritwear!
Looking for new D73 clothes and accessories for your students for this school year? Look no further! Be sure to check out the D73 Spiritwear Site: https://www.wamiswag.com/shops/hawthornd73
Hawthorn Helpers
Join D73’s volunteer program, Hawthorn Helpers, and be a part of a dedicated team of caring parents and vibrant community members! We are welcoming new volunteers for our new school year! To learn more click on the following link: Hawthorn Helper Information. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Family Liaison Gabriela Cervantes at cervantesg@hawthorn73.org.
Explore LINQ Connect: Your Hub for Managing School Meals
Visit our LINQ Connect page to discover all the features, how-to guides, and essential eligibility information you need to manage your child's school meal experience seamlessly. LINQ Connect provides a comprehensive suite of tools that allows you to access your account safely, whether through our app or online. Enjoy features such as automatic payments, low balance notifications, and detailed real-time transaction reports. With a unified dashboard, you can effortlessly manage funds and monitor meal activities for all the district students in your household. Experience convenience at your fingertips with LINQ Connect!
Looking for Mental Health Support?
We are excited to announce that our district has access to ReferralGPS, a valuable resource designed to connect families with a Care Navigator. Whether you have insurance or not, ReferralGPS will help you find the right therapist or provider for your needs. This program is funded by a grant through the Regional Office of Education (ROE).
Next PTO Meeting - Tuesday January 14th: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Please join us at our next monthly PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 14 from 7 - 8 p.m. The meeting will be held at Elementary North (301 W Hawthorn Pkwy, Vernon Hills, IL 60061) in Vernon Hills.
On-site, FREE childcare will be provided, so feel free to bring your children.
A virtual link to the meeting is available upon request (please email secretary@hawthornpto.org).
Updates from Vernon Hills Park District!
The Vernon Hills Park District has some exciting news to share! Their recent newsletter introduces their new Executive Director and announces the release of the Winter/Spring Program Guide. Explore a variety of programs and activities for the upcoming seasons and get to know the leadership guiding the Park District forward.
Check out the newsletter for all the details and start planning your winter and spring fun!
Vernon Hills Park District Awarded $600,000 OSLAD Grant
We’re thrilled to share that the Vernon Hills Park District has been awarded a $600,000 OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) Grant to fund significant upgrades at Grosse Pointe Park. These improvements will include renovated ballfields, a new picnic shelter for large gatherings, a basketball court, and a ninja course. Additional enhancements will feature upgraded restrooms, parking lot improvements, retaining wall reconstruction, and walking paths with integrated fitness stations. Construction is set to begin in 2025, offering even more opportunities for our community to enjoy outdoor activities.
8th annual Brad’s Bookworms
Congressman Brad Schneider's initiative to inspire young readers! From now until February 1st, students in grades K-5 are encouraged to read 10 books, with the help of family members, and log their progress. Once completed, simply fill out the online form on the Congressman’s website.
Students who complete the program will be invited to a special ceremony with Congressman Schneider to celebrate their achievement! They’ll also have the chance to participate in a bookmark design contest, with the winning design shared with other readers. Let’s get reading!
We Need Super Subs Like You!
Are you passionate about education and looking for a flexible way to contribute to our community? Hawthorn District 73 is on the lookout for enthusiastic and dedicated substitute teachers to join our team! Whether you’re looking to inspire young minds occasionally or more frequently, we have opportunities that fit your schedule. Learn more about how you can make a difference and check out the perks of becoming a "Super Sub" by visiting our substitute teacher page at Hawthorn Substitute Careers. Join us in shaping futures—one class at a time!
