Once again, all D65 schools received “Commendable” and “Exemplary” designations from the Illinois State Board of Education! Summative Designations are intended to show progress in overall academic performance and student success. A special shout out to the Orrington community for maintaining their “Exemplary” designation over the last few years.

The Exemplary designation on an Illinois Report Card indicates that a school is in the top 10% of schools in the state in terms of overall performance:

• Performance: The school is in the top 10% of schools statewide.
• Student groups: The school has no underperforming student groups.

Thank you to our amazing staff and students who show up as their best selves each day, ready to take on new learning and give it their all!

Orrington is looking to launch a Diverse Books Committee that will celebrate diversity and inclusion in our district to help put more diverse books in the classrooms and the library.

Volunteers for this committee will read and review books for our committee book recommendation list, and brainstorm new and exciting ways to get the Orrington community excited about books!

Members who are interested in this committee will attend meetings approximately every other month, held in person or over Zoom. If you are interested in being a part of this committee, fill out the Google form HERE.

At the end of October, millions of people around the world celebrated Diwali, the vibrant festival of lights observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. During this five-day celebration, homes are adorned with colorful rangoli patterns and illuminated with diyas (clay lamps), symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Families celebrate by sharing special meals, exchanging gifts, and participating in cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. Each faith tradition associated with Diwali has its own significant stories and customs, making it a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about different cultures and perspectives.

Learning Resources for Families

Books for Young Readers

• "Binny's Diwali" by Thrity Umrigar (ages 3-7)
• "Let's Celebrate Diwali" by Anjali Joshi (ages 4-8)
• "The Diwali Gift" by Shweta Chopra (ages 4-8)

Educational Activities

• Create your own paper diya crafts
• Design rangoli patterns using colored rice or chalk
• Practice counting with a Diwali-themed number game
• Write poems about light and new beginnings

Online Resources

• National Geographic Kids' Diwali Guide
• Smithsonian Institution's Diwali Information Page

We encourage families to share their Diwali traditions with their children's classes. If you would like to contribute to our multicultural learning activities or share your family's celebration story, please contact your child's teacher.

Wishing all those who celebrated a joyous Diwali filled with light, love, and prosperity!

As autumn leaves fall, many in our community prepared to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a beautiful Mexican cultural tradition observed on November 1st and 2nd. This is not a sad occasion, but rather a joyful celebration where families honor their departed loved ones through vibrant traditions, music, and memories.

During this time, families create colorful ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigolds, papel picado (decorative paper cutouts), photographs, and favorite foods of their deceased loved ones. This tradition teaches us meaningful ways to remember those we've lost while celebrating the continuing bonds of family and community.

Learning Resources for Families

Books for Young Readers

• "Día de los Muertos" by Roseanne Greenfield Thong (ages 4-8)
• "Ghost Wings" by Barbara M. Joosse (ages 5-9)
• "The Day of the Dead/El Día de los Muertos" by Bob Barner (bilingual, ages 4-8)

Educational Activities

• Make paper marigolds
• Create papel picado designs
• Decorate sugar skull drawings
• Write memory stories about special family members
• Practice Spanish vocabulary related to the celebration

Online Resources

• Smithsonian Latino Center's Day of the Dead Resources
• National Museum of Mexican Art's Educational Materials
• PBS Learning Media's Día de los Muertos Collection

Cultural Sensitivity Note

While Day of the Dead coincides with Halloween, it is a distinct cultural celebration with its own meaningful traditions. We encourage families to learn about and respect the deep cultural significance of this holiday.

Community Participation

We welcome families who celebrate Día de los Muertos to share their traditions with our school community. If you would like to contribute photos of your family's celebration or help with educational activities, please contact your child's teacher.

¡Feliz Día de los Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead!

November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. This month provides an important opportunity for our students to learn about Indigenous peoples' past and present, their sovereign tribal nations, and their vital role in shaping our nation's story.

We acknowledge that our school stands on the traditional lands of Potawatomi, Odawa (Ottawa) and Ojibwe Tribes, also known as the Niswi-mishkodewinan (Council of the Three Fires), an alliance of Anishinaabeg peoples. The area of Evanston also served as an important crossroads and meeting place for a number of other Indigenous tribal nations, including the Ho-Chunk, Illinois, Inoka, Kickapoo, Miami, Menominee, Peoria, and Sac and Fox Nations. We encourage our community to learn about the Indigenous peoples who have long been stewards of these lands.

Learning Resources for Families

Books by Native Authors

• "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" by Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation)
• "We Are Water Protectors" by Carole Lindstrom (Ojibwe)
• "We Are Still Here!" by Traci Sorell (Cherokee)

Educational Resources

• Native Knowledge 360° (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
• Illuminative's Education Resources
• PBS Learning Media's Native American Heritage Collection

Learning Activities

• Study contemporary Native American artists and their work
• Learn about Native American innovations in science, agriculture, and medicine
• Explore Indigenous place names in our local area
• Study Native American contributions to environmental conservation

Local Connection

• Check out the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian for their exhibits - see their website HERE

Continuing Learning Beyond November

While we highlight Native American cultures and contributions during November, we encourage year-round engagement with Native American histories, cultures, and contemporary issues. We invite Native American families in our community to share their perspectives and experiences throughout the year.

Further Learning

• Teaching Tolerance's Native American History Month Resources
• National Archives Native American Heritage Month Collection
• Local tribal nation websites and educational resources
• American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) website for book recommendations

We are committed to fostering respect, understanding, and appreciation for Native American peoples and cultures throughout the year. If you would like to contribute to our educational activities or share resources, please contact your child's teacher.

At Orrington, we highly value open communication and community collaboration. Our greatest success comes from working together with parents to address student concerns.

Recently, we've noticed a troubling trend of inappropriate language among our students, much of which seems to be influenced by social media content, particularly from TikTok. We know that both parents and faculty agree on the importance of maintaining a respectful and positive school environment to support every child's well-being and academic progress.

While we recognize the widespread use of these platforms among young people, it's essential to guide them in using appropriate language, no matter what they encounter online. We kindly request your help in reinforcing this at home by:

• Discussing with your child the importance of using respectful language and the potential effects inappropriate words can have on others
• Monitoring your child's social media activities
• Encouraging critical thinking about the content they see online and how it may influence their behavior

Our staff will continue to address this issue at school, and we appreciate your cooperation and ongoing partnership with Orrington. Thank you for your support.

Check out more information about our Winter Gear Drive in partnership with the Gary Comer Youth Center HERE.

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Orrington,

You are invited to

A school-wide parent/caregiver night out!

Evening for Orrington

November 21st, 7-10pm

Firehouse Grill, Evanston

Dinner, Live Music, and More!

We need your RSVP!

RSVP Here:

https://orrington-events.squarespace.com/

Orrington Cultural Arts Festival is moving to December! Everyone is welcome! Join us in celebrating the many cultural identities in the Orrington community.

Orrington Cultural Arts Festival

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 1-3 pm

Orrington Gymnasium

Families are invited to share about their cultures. Some examples include sharing or teaching about:

• Culturally significant holidays

• Crafts from your country

• Foods from your country

• Cultural family traditions

• Traditional dress

• Historical events that shape your country

• Games, sports, or activities from your country

• Similarities and differences between schools in your country and Orrington

• Songs, music, photographs, and artwork from your country

Want to participate and showcase your family's cultural heritage? Fill out this form or contact Liz Adames (lizfey@gmail.com).

We also need general volunteers to make the day a success. Please sign up here if you can help out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4FAFAB2FA3FD0-52396136-orrington

Sign-up for the Orrington Directory!

Once you have signed up for the directory, you will be able to edit your information and indicate your information-sharing preferences. We also use this system to distribute our Orrington PTA E-Newsletter that contains information and updates you will not want to miss!

Follow this link to access the Orrington Elementary School Directory site: https://orringtonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Questions? Contact us at orringtonelementarydirectory@gmail.com

1) Click "Register/Login" and "Create Account"

Create your family's account and click "verify my email". Non-work emails are preferred as work based emails frequently are bounced because of employer firewalls

2) You've got mail!

Check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours.

3) Finish your registration

Parent/Family and Student Info

Directory/Publish Preferences

Volunteer during Lunch!

Want to make your kid's or kids' day? Volunteer to serve lunch with your fellow friendly Orrington parents!

What: Parent volunteers help students properly compost and recycle their lunch waste. One volunteer are scheduled per day. Bring your ID for check-in in the school front office.

When: Volunteers are needed from 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM.

IMPORTANT: Please sign up only for yourself! Sign up HERE.

Questions: Contact Orrington PTA (info@orringtonpta.org)

Want to know what's going on around the community? District 65 uses a "Digital Backpack" to share community information. Please click the button below to view upcoming community events and activities.