News from District 153
August 28, 2026
A Message from the Superintendent
The 2026-27 school year is off to a great start! I enjoyed meeting some of our families as they dropped off students for the first day. The teachers and staff were excited to welcome the students to school. They spent the first few days helping students get to know the teachers, the rules and procedures, and one another. This week, students began to hear about some of the great experiences they will have this school year.
This month, we will invite families to join us for Open House at each school. Open House is a great time to visit your child’s classroom and learn about classroom activities and procedures. Willow School will host Open House on Thursday, September 3 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. The Churchill School Open House will take place on Thursday, September 17 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
Can We Reach You?
The district or school may contact you with reminders, updates, and important information. We will also reach out to you in case of an emergency. It is very important that we be able to reach you at all times.
When we need to send out important information or emergency updates, we will use Infinite Campus to send information by phone, email, and text message. We may also call you directly from a school phone. Here are a few reminders about ways to help us reach you when needed.
1. Please make sure that all your contact information (day-time phone number, email address, and cell phone number) and emergency contacts are up to date. You can check this information in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at any time.
2. Please make sure that you have provided contact information for Emergency Contacts for your family. We will reach out to your Emergency Contacts if we are unable to reach you or if there is a very important announcement or change (e.g., We have to close school due to inclement weather.) Be sure to inform your emergency contacts that they are on the list.
3. Please be sure to always answer phone calls from your child’s school as soon as possible. After phone calls go out, schools often receive a lot of return phone calls. This can mean the phone lines get flooded quickly and it may take longer for staff to answer and/or return your call.
Come Celebrate with Us!
Tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, we will celebrate the start of the school year at the Back-to-School Party from 3:00 – 6:00 PM in the Village Hall parking lot. This annual event hosted by the Village of Homewood and Homewood School District 153 is a great way to have some family fun to kick off the school year. We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Dr. Teresa Hill
Superintendent of Schools
All children can learn . . . Period.
District 153 First Day of School
Sharing ideas at Churchill
Getting to know you
1st grade story time
Welcome to 1st grade
7th Grade Welcome Assembly
Welcome to Churchill
Welcome to Willow
Ready to start the day
Welcome to James Hart
2026-2027- Updated Bus Routes
Back to School Party- August 29, 2026
PTA Welcome Back
Welcome back! We are so excited to kick off a fresh school year together. The PTA has lots of fun events, activities, and opportunities in the works to bring our families together, support our teachers and staff, and make this a memorable year for our students.
Support the Organizations that Support Our Kids!
Join the PTA!
Join the Parent Music Association!
Show your School Spirit
School District 153 Spirit Wear 2026
The Spirit Wear Online Store is now open!
Show your school spirit with a variety of apparel and accessories available for students, families, staff, and supporters. Browse the selection and place your order before the store closes on September 13, 2026.
Shop the store: https://championsportswear.itemorder.com/ Sale Code: VTFZ8
Please see the attached Product Listing Flyer for featured items and available spirit wear options.
Thank you for supporting our schools!
Community Announcements
In early March of 2025, Tom was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which is an aggressive
form of blood cancer. If you are interested in being a blood donor in honor of him, please see the information on how you can support.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Aug. 29: Homewood Back to School Party
Aug 31: (Churchill School) Picture Day
Sept. 3: (Willow School) Open House 5:30-7:00PM
Sept 4: School Improvement Day (Early Dismissal)
Sept. 7: No School, Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 14: School Board Meeting, 7:00 PM
Sept. 15: (Willow School) Picture Day
Sept. 17: (Churchill School) Open House, 5:00-7:00PM
Sept 21: Yom Kippur (District Closed)
Sept 30: Staff Institute Day (No student Attendance)
Oct. 9: No School-Fall Break
Oct. 12: No School-Indigenous Peoples' Day
Oct. 13: School Board Meeting, 7:00 PM
Oct. 28: School Improvement Day (Early Dismissal)