From now through March 28, 2025, staff and families are encouraged to complete the survey, which usually takes about 10 minutes. Data from the 5Essentials Survey provides our school leaders with valuable insights that are used to develop effective school improvement plans.

The survey gathers data related to the five indicators below that can affect and predict school success:

• Effective Leaders

• Collaborative Teachers

• Involved Families

• Supportive Environments

• Ambitious Instruction

We use these areas to help identify areas of growth for our school, and your feedback is truly important!

Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you. School reports will be available to the public in June and Illinois State Report Card in the fall.

We are aiming for at least 20% response rate from our community - your honest feedback helps us continue to grow as a school.

Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

At this time of year, staff begin considering classroom placements for the upcoming school year. This is a thoughtful and intricate process, taking many factors into account to create the most supportive learning environment for each child. These factors include:

• Gender balance
• Academic strengths and areas for growth
• Learning styles
• Social dynamics
• Identified special needs
• Student-teacher compatibility
• Class size

Placement decisions are made through a collaborative effort, with classroom teachers working closely with special area teachers to assess student needs and group dynamics. This process requires significant time, care, and teamwork.

If you would like to share any relevant information about your child to assist us in this process, you are welcome to do so through THIS SURVEY. Since children grow and change each year—along with their social interactions—any information provided in previous years is not referenced during this year's placement process. You may wish to share insights related to your child’s learning style, social relationships, or academic strengths and challenges.

We kindly ask that you do not request a specific teacher for your child. Please refrain from making such requests to your child’s current teacher, as these cannot be accommodated. Staffing assignments may change before the new school year, and we strive to ensure a fair process for all students.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

We need your help! This April, our school is launching an exciting project that encourages creativity and sustainability, and we’re asking families to donate recyclable materials to support our students’ learning.

If you have clean, reusable items such as cardboard tubes, egg cartons, plastic containers, bottle caps, or other craft-friendly recyclables, please send them in with your child or drop them off in their classroom. Your contributions will help bring this project to life and inspire students to think creatively about reusing everyday materials.

If you can donate hot glue guns, packing tape, masking tape, etc. to help us put it all together, we would also appreciate that!

Thank you for your support—we can’t wait to see what our students create!

In District 65 we are committed to helping all students reach their full potential and to provide opportunities that accelerate learning. Accelerated learning is available to all students; educators accelerate learning through grade-level differentiation, enrichment, and small group instruction. D65 also offers the possibility of alternate placement - which may grade skipping, single subject skipping or early entrance into grades K or 1st. You can find more information about acceleration HERE.

The window to request an Alternate Placement for the 2025-2026 school year is closing on April 11th. Any requests made after April 11th will not be reviewed until the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Help Shape the Future of District 65 - Apply to join the Finance, Facilities, or Student Programming committee

The work on the Structural Deficit Reduction Plan (SDRP) continues! When July rolls around, the district will have taken decisive action to reduce its operating budget by $20 million over the past two years alone, putting D65 on a path towards much needed financial and organizational stability.

Despite the significant reductions already made, it will not be enough to put the district on solid financial footing in the long term. As we embark on the next phase of this journey, we invite you to be an integral part of the planning process by applying to serve on one of our three administrative committees.

While difficult decisions lie ahead, they present an opportunity to reimagine a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving District 65 for current and future generations of learners. Your voice, experience, and engagement are essential as we navigate this next phase.

Applications are open now through 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2025. To learn more about the purpose and structure of these committees, visit the SDRP page of our District 65 website (accessible right from the homepage at district65.net).

BUTTON: Complete the online application!

Trimester 2 ended on March 7th, so our Fine Arts, P.E., and Library team has published their newsletter for your reading enjoyment! Check out what students learned in each space by reading the newsletter

FAPEL Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’ve noticed an increase in common illnesses among our students, and we need your help to keep everyone healthy! By following these simple guidelines, we can work together to prevent the spread of sickness and keep our school a safe and thriving place for all.

When to Keep Your Child Home

If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, please keep them home from school until they are feeling better:

✅ Fever (100.4°F or higher)
✅ Vomiting
✅ Diarrhea
✅ Chills or body aches
✅ Persistent cough

When It’s Safe to Return

Your child is ready to come back to school when:

✔️ They’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
✔️ Any rash with a fever has been checked by a healthcare provider, and the fever is gone.
✔️ It’s been at least 24 hours since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
✔️ They’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, if prescribed.
✔️ Their symptoms are improving, and they feel well enough to participate in daily activities.

Healthy Habits to Prevent Illness

Encourage your child to practice these simple habits to stay healthy:

🧼 Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
🚫 Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
🤧 Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
🗑 Throw tissues away immediately and wash hands afterward.
🥤 Avoid sharing personal items, food, or drinks.

By working together, we can help keep our students, teachers, and staff healthy. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Stay well!

Check out this information!

Location: Kingsley Elementary School

Dates: 6/9/25-7/25/25

Full Day: 7AM-6PM

Part Day: 9AM-4PM

Half Day AM: 7AM-12:30PM

Half Day PM: 12:30-6

Grades: Incoming K-8th

No Camp Days: 6/19 & 7/4

Link to register: HERE

Use the promo code SUMMER10 and register by February 28th to save 10% on camp tuition.

It's time to get ready to celebrate our 5th grade graduates!

Action items for all parents and caregivers:

*Send in photos for the Memory Book! orrington2025memories@gmail.com

*Donate if you can to help pay for every child to receive a Memory Book and T-shirt: $35 suggested donation to info@orringtonpta.org or check made payable to Orrington PTA, memo-"5th Grade Celebration"

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.