The District 25 Dish

This edition of the District Dish features the following

• Superintendent Message
  
• Need 2 Know
  Health Services & Medication Drop Off Information
  Food & Nutrition Services Update
• Calendar Updates 🔔 (UPDATE TO THE 25-26 CALENDAR) 🔔
  25-26 Calendar - UPDATED
  Calendario 25-26 - ACTUALIZADO
• Safety & Supports
  
• Celebrate with Us!
  
• Community Events
  

• Feel Good Story
  Follow Kindergarteners Into Their First Class!
  Hold on Tight! Rollercoasters at Dryden! 🎢

• Help Needed | We are hiring!
  Scroll for positions!
• Instagram | @ahsd25social
  
• Board of Education
• Strategic Plan 21-25, Dashboard
• #d25ItsPersonal

Thank you! Click around and enjoy!

Dear District 25 Community,

Today was the first day of school...YES! And wow, what a day! The halls, classrooms, and playgrounds were buzzing with energy, laughter, and that unmistakable first-day excitement.

Parents and guardians, I see you. I know mornings aren’t always easy getting the lunches packed, teeth brushed, backpacks ready, and everyone out the door on time. But you did it! You got your children to us today, and that matters more than you know. Thank you for trusting us with your most precious people.

And to our amazing staff, you blew me away today. From the warm hellos at the door to the patience, encouragement, and joy you bring to every classroom, our students could not be in better hands. You make the magic of a first day happen! Every smile, every kind word, every moment of learning.

So here’s my official welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! Today was just the start of something incredible. Our teachers and staff are doing what they were born to do, care for, inspire, and lift up our students every single day.

Here’s to a year full of learning, community, and unforgettable moments. Let’s make it amazing!

Dr. Brian Kaye
Superintendent, Arlington Heights School District 25

We are looking forward to a HEALTHY school year. Please refer to our Health Services webpage for additional information and any required health forms. Please refer to the Medication Drop Off Reference Sheet and reach out to the school nurse to schedule an appointment if you need to drop off medication

The first day of school is HERE, and our Food & Nutrition Services Department would like to welcome you all back as well as provide updated information for the 2025-2026 school year.

Please CLICK HERE for the Food & Nutrition Services Welcome Back flyer, which includes information on how to access the menu, how to order lunch, meal pricing, and more!

Paying for school meals is EASY. Please insert your student's first name and student's ID number listed below to create a Mealtime Online account to view your student meal account and/or deposit money.

Student First Name: <<First Name>>

Student ID: <<Student ID>>

Eligibility for Free/Reduced Price Meals

Our District participates in the USDA funded National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Those families that are directly certified for free or reduced meals have been notified via email. If you are not directly certified through participation in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, and feel you may qualify for free or reduced meals based upon your household income, please complete an application online. You will need your student ID # to apply, which is listed above. If you are unable to complete an application online, please visit our website for our paper application.

First Day of School

• August 21, 2025

Labor Day | All Schools Closed

• September 1, 2025

At the Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Board of Education meeting, a change to the 2025-2026 school year calendar was approved. The School Improvement Day originally scheduled for Monday, April 6 was moved to Tuesday, March 17. This means:

• March 17, 2026 → No school for students

• April 6, 2026 → Students will attend school

For more details on the change, click here for a letter sent to our community on July 17, 2025.

📅 View the updated calendar here:

• 25-26 School Calendar | English
• Calendario escolar 25-26 | Español

Did you know you can feed the District and school calendars into your personal calendar? There are easy steps located on our website, and for a video tutorial watch the video above!

Email Adam Harris (aharris@sd25.org) if you have any questions!

We’re excited to host a Community Safety Night at Thomas Middle School on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:00–7:00 p.m..

This event will focus on electronic bike and scooter safety, including local ordinances and expectations on school property. We’ll also highlight drop-off/pick-up routines and before- and after-school expectations. It’s a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect.

Have you ever visited our SAFE25 page? We invite you to check it out!

Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We are committed to creating and maintaining secure environments where learning can thrive.

School safety is an ongoing process, and your input is invaluable. Share your feedback with us at safe25@sd25.org. Together, we can build a safer future for our students.

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

As part of the commitment of safety, we are transitioning to the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) this fall. This shift, made in partnership with the Arlington Heights Police Department, will help ensure a clear, consistent response to emergencies across all of our buildings. Please check out the SRP one page guide below.

Community Camera Registration:

Residents can opt to register their security cameras with the AHPD to assist in investigations. More details: Connect Arlington Heights Camera Registration.

Link Together Coalition Mission: Promote healthy youth, families, and communities by decreasing teen alcohol and drug use through education, advocacy, and access to community resources, and policy awareness, implementation, and change.

Working with D25: South and Thomas Middle Schools are provided with prevention initiatives that are targeted at youth to empower them to be drug and alcohol free.

Lets Talk More: In the past year, 52% of Wheeling Township high school students answered YES that their parent/guardians have talked to them about not using alcohol. See attached PDF below to learn more.

For more information and resources, visit our Parent Academy page.

District 25 is a partner in the Link Together Coalition, which gives our community access to the Glenbard Parent Series. Please check out the various Glenbard Parent Series presentations that work to engage top experts, parents, and school staff to become proactive and informed in pursuit of the mutual goal of strengthening our communities. Programs are free and open to the public. No registration required.

District 25 is committed to supporting the whole child and their family. We’ve created a new webpage to share community resources that offer assistance with food, housing, health services, and more. Visit the community supports page by clicking here to explore support options.

Care Solace is a free, confidential 24/7/365 Mental Health Care Coordination Service.

Call (888) 515 - 0595, or go to caresolace.com/site/northcook to complete a brief screening to be matched with a provider. Available for students, families and staff.

For more resources, visit our parent academy page: www.sd25.org/ParentAcademy.

BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) is a centralized resource for Illinois youth and families seeking services for behavioral health needs. It’s common for young people to struggle with behavioral and/or mental health challenges. Please know you are not alone, and neither is your child. Click HERE for support.

Ukraine Independence Day takes place on August 24 and it marks Ukraine's declaration of independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is the most popular day of the year for Ukrainians around the world.

Established by Congress in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote, and to encourage the ongoing efforts for women’s equality in all areas of American life.

A legal holiday in all states and Canada observed the first Monday in September. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Below you'll find a snapshot of upcoming events in the area that may be of interest to our students and families. This is just a sampling so be sure to visit each organization’s website for a full list of activities and details.

The Park District wants to hear from you! AHPD is developing a master plan for Flentie Park and your feedback will help guide the park concept design being prepared. A virtual meeting will be held on August 27 from 5:30-7PM. A link will be provided closer to the date so check the "Learn more here." link below.

You can also provide input in this survey.

When: August 27, 2025 | 5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Where: Virtual (click link below for more information)

Learn more here.

Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your best tropical shirt and set sail for a summer night to remember.

Join the AHPD at North School Park as Anchors Away brings all the laid-back hits from the 70s and 80s that you know and love. With breezy harmonies, mellow grooves, and free leis and frozen treats, it’s a guaranteed good time!

When: August 27, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.

Where: North School Park

Learn more here.

Looking for something to do in the evening? Join us for our LAST Wednesday Fun Night until June! AHML Staff plan something different each week. It could be building with blocks, family game night, stories and songs, dance party... Come and join the fun!

When: September 3, 2025 | 6:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Where: Lindsey Room

Who: Min age 6 with caregiver

Learn more here.

Beginners are welcome at this short Dungeons and Dragons one-shot. Pre-generated characters and materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.

When: September 5, 2025 | 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Where: Cardinal Room

Who: Grades 7-12

Learn more here.

Learn more about adult education offered by District 214!

Click here to learn more: https://www.ce.d214.org/

From tiny backpacks to giant smiles, our kindergarteners were absolute shooting stars on their very first day of school! 🌟

Follow along as they shine, laugh, and step into a galaxy of new adventures. 💙

#D25ItsPersonal #FirstDay25

We’re rolling it back to an interview recorded last year to help us kick off this school year with a smile!

Right from the start, there’s a message we can all carry with us: keep learning and use your imagination to have fun. These girls are the perfect example of support, friendship, and joyful learning in action. Watch as they dive into the world of forces (including G-force!) and bring their creativity to life by designing their very own rollercoasters.

Sometimes, the best lessons come with a little laughter, a lot of teamwork, and a whole bunch of imagination. 🎢✨

#d25ItsPersonal

District 25 is a great place to work — with opportunities to inspire, support, and impact students in a variety of roles. Whether you're in the classroom, behind the scenes, or on the front lines of support, there's a place for you here.

Explore opportunities at www.sd25.org/apply and see how you can make a difference in our schools and community!

Our Assistant Principals and Teaching Assistants didn’t just roll into Opening Day…they rode bikes built by our administrators and destined for donation to @famforward, a local nonprofit empowering families here in Arlington Heights. 💙

The flags they carried represent the pride and spirit of each school.

The bikes symbolize the journey of learning, the freedom of discovery, and now, a gift of hope and support for families in our community.

To our APs and TAs: you are the heartbeat and the engine room of our schools. Thank you for the steady hands, patient voices, and tireless dedication that make District 25 shine. 🌟

Here’s to a year of rolling forward, together. 🚲💚

#WeAreD25 #FamilyForward #OpeningDay #BetterTogether #d25ItsPersonal

🎵 Summer Band wrapped up the first week of August, and what a week it was!

Students from Thomas and South Middle got to brush up on their skills, rehearse together, and just have fun making music. 😎🥁🎷

Huge thanks to our amazing staff for creating such an energetic, inspiring space as our bands bring pride and vibes to the whole district! 💛✨

#District25 #SummerBand #MusicMatters #SchoolPride #BackToSchoolVibes #d25ItsPersonal

Middle school jitters? Elenor, a Thomas 7th grader, is here to help! 🌟

She covers it all…lockers, older students who’ve got your back, amazing teachers, exciting new classes just for you and what it’s really like to join the D25 Middle School community.

You’ve got this, incoming 6th graders! Welcome to Middle School in D25! 🐺 🔴🐦

#d25ItsPersonal

Our Board Agendas are made public 48 hours before each Board meeting and can be accessed via our BoardDocs online program. To access BoardDocs, visit our website: www.sd25.org/BoardAgenda or click here.

What: School Board Meeting

When: Tuesday, September 30, 2025*

Where: Dunton Administration Building, 1200 S. Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights

*The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. at which time the Board will move into Closed Session until approximately 7:00 p.m. Following Closed session, the Regular Open meeting will begin.*

Description

This meeting will be live streamed via YouTube. The link for this can be found on the Board Agenda page (www.sd25.org/BoardAgenda#Livestream) the week of the meeting.

This meeting will allow audience members in the room. Please note each individual agenda can be viewed on our BoardDocs program.

Public Comments:

Anyone who wishes to make a public comment can do so, in person, at our Board of Education meetings. The Board hosts two public comment opportunities on their agenda: 1) at the beginning of the meeting, prior to any agenda items; 2) at the end of the meeting after the agenda items have been discussed/presented.

The Board can be reached outside of Board meeting hours by emailing boardfeedback@sd25.org.

Follow along with our progress on the following goals within our Strategic Plan, 21-25:

• Student Achievement
• Family & Community
• Learning Environment
• High-Quality Staff
• Stewardship of Resources

You can stay up to date on the progress of our goals and strategies that guide us in our everyday work: www.sd25.org/StrategicPlan.

Our teachers teach from a personal place. #d25ItsPersonal has become a way for our teachers and staff to share daily occurrences, and reasons why they do what they do for a living, and why it's fulfilling, right here in District 25.

Together Today 2 Transform Tomorrow

Website: www.sd25.org
Location: 1200 South Dunton Avenue
Phone: (847) 758.4900
Facebook: facebook.com/ahsd25
Twitter: @ahsd25

Instagram: @ahsd25social