Back to School Center 2026-27

District 300 is excited to share our Back to School Center Message as students, parents, and guardians prepare for the first day of class on Tuesday, August 11, 2026!

This message includes key back to school information related to the 2026-27 school year. Topics are grouped into the following three categories based on audience, with topics within each category listed alphabetically:

• All Families (the topics in this category pertain to all families, unless otherwise noted).
  
  
• Middle School Families (the topics in this category pertain only to middle school families).
  
  
• High School Families (the topics in this category pertain only to high school families).

If you have questions about any of the items in this message, you can email BackToSchool@d300.org or use the contact information listed under the relevant topic, when provided.

Please note: The bottom of this message contains a listing of notable dates, as well as dates for, and details about, previous and future back to school messaging.

Earlier this week, the district sent phone and email communications to families of students eligible for bus transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Families were notified that their transportation information would be available in PowerSchool Parent Portal starting on July 24. Families can – and should – verify their student transportation information in the PowerSchool Parent Portal to confirm the bus stop information for their student(s) appears accurate.

Please note: Students who were registered after Monday, July 13, may not receive transportation information until after the second week of school.

Due to the volume of students the district transports daily, please understand that transportation change requests cannot be accommodated during the first few weeks of school.

On the first day of class, all preschool through fifth grade students will receive a “backpack tag” for the new school year from their teacher. This backpack tag will include the student’s afternoon bus route information and will also be used to board the bus. Please keep this tag on your child’s backpack throughout the school year.

District 300’s transportation provider, Durham School Services, provides a bus tracking app called BusZone.

BusZone allows parents, guardians, and students to monitor the location of a particular bus and/or possible delays in a bus arriving at a specific stop. Users can also adjust the app settings to have alerts sent to them via text.

BusZone prioritizes security: All user information is password protected within the app to prevent unauthorized users from opening the app and viewing a student’s bus information.

The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. A parent must have a smartphone, tablet, or similar device to download the app.

Use of the app is purely voluntary. No cost is associated with the app; however, data charges may apply and will be the user's responsibility.

Additional information about the app, including how it works with Zonar Z Pass, is available at www.d300.org/BusZoneApp. (Zonar Z Pass information is directly below this section.)

Please note: Parents and guardians should be sure to select both the a.m. and p.m. bus route information for their student(s) when setting up the app.

In addition to the "backpack tag" described earlier, kindergarten through fifth grade students assigned to a bus route where they ride a full-size bus will also receive a Zonar Z Pass card that should remain with their backpack tag for the school year. Zonar Z Pass provides school staff and parents with the time, date, and location information for when a student enters and exits a school bus, provided they swipe their Zonar Z Pass card.

This Zonar Z Pass card works with the District 300 bus tracker app, BusZone, which is described above.

Please note: Zonar Z Pass cards are not distributed to students who receive individualized transportation from District 300 via a smaller school bus or van. In addition, there may be a $3 fee charged to students who need to have their Z Pass card replaced more than two times during a school year. The fee would be charged to the student's PushCoin account for each additional replacement card issued after the first two cards have been issued to the student. (Additional details about PushCoin are available via this FAQ sheet and this PushCoin account instructions document.)

If you have general questions about transportation, please visit www.d300.org/transportation or email School.Bus@d300.org. If you have questions about your child’s bus route, please use the contact information below based on the route number:

• If the route number is between 001-199 or 1100-1199, call 847-426-1975.
  
  
• If the route number is between 200-399 or 1200-1299, or if your student does not have any information in PowerSchool, call 847-658-3262.

• District Calendar for Kindergarten through 12th Grade Students
  
  
• Late Start Calendar for Kindergarten through 12th Grade Students. Please note: Preschool students do not follow the district’s Late Start calendar; parents of preschool students should refer to the Preschool Calendar linked directly below. (For more Late Start information, please see the “Late Start” subsection of this message below.)
  
  
• Preschool Calendar

• Bell Times for Regular School Days
  
  
• Late Start Bell Times for Kindergarten through 12th Grade Students. Please note: Preschool students do not follow the district’s Late Start bell schedule; parents of preschool students should refer to the Preschool Calendar linked above. (For more Late Start information, please see the “Late Start” subsection of this message below.)

• Elementary A-B-C-D-E Schedule
  
  
• Middle School Schedules
  
  
• High School Bell Schedules
  
  
• Oak Ridge Schedule

For the 2026-27 school year, District 300 has scheduled six Late Start days. Each Late Start corresponds with a delayed bell time of two hours at all K-12 schools.

Late Start bell times and dates are available on this two-page PDF.

Other notable information regarding Late Start days includes:

• All students eligible for bus transportation services will continue to receive transportation on Late Start days; bus stop pick-up times will be scheduled two hours later in the morning to reflect the Late Start schedule for each respective level.
  
  
• Breakfast and lunch service will continue to be provided on Late Start days.
  
  
• Preschool students do not attend school on Late Start dates this year.

District 300 will be offering childcare services on Late Start dates for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information, please see the “Childcare for Late Start Dates” section below.

All student schedules and teacher assignments for the 2026-27 school year will be released on Monday, August 3. Parents can view student schedules using their PowerSchool Parent Portal account. If you have not activated your PowerSchool Parent Portal Account or cannot recall your username and/or password, please contact your school registrar for assistance.

For information on how to view your student’s schedule, please view the following step-by-step tutorial.

For more information about PowerSchool, please visit www.d300.org/powerschool-sis.

Please note: On August 3, families will receive the Student Schedules and Teacher Assignments Message. This message will also include details on how to view the schedules and related teacher information.

To assist our families, District 300 will provide free Late Start childcare for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Please note: Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the district will no longer offer Late Start childcare at our middle schools for sixth grade students, as there was little to no participation at that grade level in previous years.

Families interested in utilizing these services must complete this registration form by Thursday, August 6, at 5 p.m.

• Families will be responsible for transporting their students to Late Start childcare.
  
  
• Late Start childcare students are expected to arrive at their school between the window of 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m., which is the regular school arrival time window for District 300 elementary schools. This helps us ensure a safe and consistent routine for all children.
  
  
• If your child is already enrolled in regular before-school programming (e.g., Before the Bell, Circle of Friends, etc.) at their school, those community partners will still provide childcare up until 8 a.m. on Late Start dates, and District 300 childcare would begin immediately following the program.
  
  
• The 5 p.m. August 6 enrollment deadline will be final, as the supervisory staffing decisions will be made for the year based on the enrollment numbers provided at that time. Therefore, no late enrollments or mid-year enrollments will be accepted.

Those who complete the Late Start childcare enrollment form will receive confirmation of their Late Start childcare on or before Friday, August 14. Please note: While this confirmation date occurs after the start of the academic year, the first Late Start date does not take place until Wednesday, September 2.

Questions about Late Start childcare can be directed to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Melanie Gravel at melanie.gravel@d300.org.

Those with questions about any of the items in this message can email BackToSchool@d300.org or use the contact information listed under the relevant topic, when provided.

Please note: On August 11, families will receive the Communications Guidelines Message. This message will include details on how parents and guardians can effectively communicate with the district and our schools throughout the school year.

District 300 offers students a wide variety of extracurricular options throughout the school year. Parents and guardians are encouraged to learn about these opportunities and early registration deadlines by reviewing the information below.

High school fall athletics begin on Monday, August 10 (with the exception of football, which starts on Wednesday, August 5). Registration is now open online:

• Dundee-Crown High School – https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/dundee-crown-high-school
  
  

• Hampshire High School – https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/hampshire-high-school-2
  
  

• Jacobs High School – https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/jacobs-high-school

Additional athletic information and opportunities will be offered throughout the academic year, with details available via each high school. To learn more about high school athletics, please visit the following webpages:

• Dundee-Crown High School – https://dcchargers.org
  
  

• Hampshire High School – https://hhswhippurs.org
  
  

• Jacobs High School – https://hdjgoldeneagles.org

In addition, each high school offers extracurricular club, activity, and fine arts opportunities throughout the academic year. To learn more, please visit the following webpages:

• Dundee-Crown High School – www.d300.org/dchs/clubs-and-activities
  
  

• Hampshire High School – www.d300.org/hhs/clubs-and-activities
  
  

• Jacobs High School – www.d300.org/jhs/clubs-and-activities
  

Middle school athletics information will be provided on the first day of school: Tuesday, August 11.

Additional athletic information and opportunities will be offered throughout the academic year, with details available via each middle school. To learn more about middle school athletics, please visit the following webpages:

• Algonquin Middle School – www.d300.org/ams-athletics
  
  
• Carpentersville Middle School – www.d300.org/cms-athletics
  
  
• Dundee Middle School – www.d300.org/dms/athletics
  
  
• Hampshire Middle School – www.d300.org/hms/athletics
  
  
• Westfield Middle School – www.d300.org/wcs/middle-school-athletics

• For more information about athletic-related extracurricular activities, please contact Director of Athletics Dr. Tommy Parisi at thomas.parisi@d300.org.
  
  
• To learn more about fine arts-related extracurricular activities, please contact Director of Fine and Performing Arts Chris Columbaro at christopher.columbar@d300.org.
  
  
• For more information about other clubs and activities, high school families should contact their school's Athletic Office, and middle school families should contact their school’s main office.

Elementary schools offer a variety of club and activity opportunities. For more information, please contact the main office at your child’s school.

Parents and guardians of students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade, and 12th grade must submit required health forms – or proof of an upcoming appointment – to health.forms@d300.org or their school nurse by Saturday, August 1. Please note: If your student is in any other grade and has up-to-date physical and immunization records, no additional forms are needed before August 1.

For more details, please visit www.d300.org/health-requirements or view the Back to School Requirements Message that was sent to all families on July 1.

Questions about health requirements may be directed to Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Shelley Nacke at shelley.nacke@d300.org.

District 300’s food service provider is OrganicLife. Pricing information for meal items is as follows:

• Breakfast will be available at all schools at the cost of $2 per meal.
• Lunch will be available at all schools at the cost of $3.55 per meal.
• Milk will be available for breakfast and lunch and will cost $0.75 per carton.

Please note: The pricing information above does not apply to preschool students; for more information about preschool meals, please contact the school your student attends or email food.service@d300.org.

Meals can be purchased in cash, or meal accounts can be funded via PushCoin, the online payment platform used by the district that is accessible to families via www.PushCoin.com.

District 300 encourages parents and guardians to set up a PushCoin account before the first day of school by following these PushCoin account instructions. (Additional details about PushCoin are available via this FAQ sheet.)

Please note: For students making cash payments in the cafeteria, any remaining change will be added to the student's PushCoin account.

Meal menu calendars for all district schools are available at https://d300.nutrislice.com/menu. New menus will be added on a monthly basis.

During the 2026-27 school year, the following District 300 schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Program, which allows all students attending the schools listed below to receive breakfast and lunch meals at no cost each day school is in session. (A la carte items and second meals are not included.)

Participating schools are Carpentersville Middle School, the deLacey Family Education Center, Dundee-Crown High School, Golfview Elementary School, Lake in the Hills Elementary School, Lakewood Elementary School, Meadowdale Elementary School, Oak Ridge School, Parkview Elementary School, and Perry Elementary School.

Applications for meal benefits are not required to participate. To receive a meal, students simply join the lunch line and present their student ID card or number.

Please note: While students at these listed schools can obtain breakfast and lunch meals automatically at no cost, other school fees still apply unless a district Fee Waiver application has been submitted and approved to have school fee costs waived.

Fee Waiver applications are available at the schools listed above and can also be printed. Completed applications can be returned by email attachment to FnRapps@d300.org or to any district school.

Household Eligibility Applications can be submitted for consideration of free or reduced-price meals; applications are available on the district website.

Important student nutrition and meal program information for the 2026-27 school year can be viewed by accessing the Parent’s Guide to Student Nutrition PDF.

District 300 schools will host open houses for parents and guardians in late August and early September.

View a complete list of open house dates and times by visiting www.d300.org/OpenHouse.

Each school will send parents and guardians additional details about its respective open house as the event date approaches.

District 300 has a number of opt-out forms available for parents and guardians seeking to exempt their student(s) from various activities and other items.

Individual opt-out forms can be accessed below. All opt-out forms are available on the district website.

• Curriculum/Instruction
  
  
• General Directory Information
  
  
• Lockdown Drills
  
  
• Military recruiters, postsecondary educational institutions, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) (Grades 9-12 only)
  
  
• Surveys
  
  
• Using a Photograph or Video Recording of a Student

District 300 schools will host orientations in late July and early August for incoming kindergarteners. These orientations are an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with their new school building and classroom(s).

A list of orientations can be viewed by accessing this orientation schedule PDF.

The Parent/Guardian Handbook for the 2026-27 school year is now available and can be accessed by visiting www.d300.org/about/parent-handbook.

District 300 requires all parents and guardians to confirm they have received the 2026-27 handbook by completing the Parent/Guardian Handbook Acknowledgement Form located in PowerSchool Parent Portal. The deadline to submit this form is Tuesday, August 25.

Details on how to complete the handbook acknowledgement form can be viewed by accessing this instructional PDF.

If you experience any difficulties accessing or submitting the acknowledgement form, please submit a tech support form.

Questions regarding the 2026-27 Parent/Guardian Handbook can be emailed to Christine Allison, executive assistant to District 300 chief legal counsel, at christine.allison@d300.org.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24. Please be aware that these dates occur during the start of Fall Break.

Each school will share additional information with families at a later date.

As a reminder, District 300 has updated its personal electronic device policy for the 2026-27 school year, requiring that all student phones and personal electronic devices remain put away and not used during instructional and study time.

Our goal is simple: to reduce distractions so students can concentrate, learn effectively, and build strong relationships at school.

Additional communications with updated information about expectations, procedures, and implementation will be shared prior to the start of the new school year.

To ensure a smooth start to the academic year, each school has posted its pick-up and drop-off procedures to its respective website. This information is useful for the individuals who will be driving a child to school at the start of the school day and/or picking up a child at the end of the school day.

To locate your school's procedures:

• Visit your school’s homepage. (Please note: All school websites are accessible by visiting www.d300.org and clicking “Schools” near the top right corner.)
  
  
• Hover your mouse over the “About” channel toward the top of the page.
  
  
• Click “Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedures” from the dropdown menu.

As we begin the new school year, we want to ensure families are aware that, under certain conditions, District 300 may need to adjust school start or end times, or cancel in-person classes. While we hope for an uninterrupted year, weather or other emergencies may require changes to the regular school schedule, including one of the following options:

• School Closure: Schools are closed for the day. Students do not participate in any learning activities.
• e-Learning Day: Schools are closed, but students engage in remote learning from home.
• Late Start: The school day begins later than normal, typically by two hours.
• Early Dismissal: Schools open on time but release students earlier than usual.

If any changes are necessary, families will be notified promptly with detailed instructions and next steps.

Please note that school closures typically require make-up days, while e-Learning Days do not.

A school closure, weather-related late start, early dismissal, or e-Learning Day may be necessary during extreme weather (such as excessive heat, cold, or storms) or in the event of building issues (such as a power outage or water main break). While unique circumstances can occur, here is what to generally expect:

• August and September: Weather conditions can result in excessive heat.
• November through March: Weather conditions can result in extreme cold.
• Year-Round: Extreme storms and building issues can occur at any time.

Additional e-Learning Day information is available on the District 300 website. To view specific information about potential make-up days for the 2026-27 school year, please refer to the second page of the 2026-27 district calendar document.

Questions about e-Learning Days, school closures, weather-related late starts, and early dismissals can be directed to BackToSchool@d300.org.

District 300 is participating in Project Backpack 2026, a community-based initiative led by Elgin Community College (ECC) that provides students with backpacks, school supplies, and other resources to start the school year.

The event will take place on Saturday, August 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ECC, 1700 Spartan Drive, in Elgin – Building J/Events Center.

To learn more about Project Backpack, including details about eligibility requirements, please visit https://project-backpack.elgin.edu.

On July 21, 2026, the District 300 Board of Education voted unanimously, 7-0, to place a bond referendum question on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

The question will ask District 300 voters whether the district can borrow money for building additions, renovations, and safety and security enhancements across the district, as well as the construction of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, by issuing $355.5 million in bonds.

The plan would cost the owner of a $400,000 home an estimated additional $8.41 per month, or an additional $101 per year, in debt service property taxes.

The funding would support more than 20 projects across all three of District 300’s high school feeder patterns – Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, and Jacobs – identified through the district’s yearlong Together for Tomorrow community engagement process.

In the weeks ahead, the district will share factual information about the referendum on its website, www.d300.org, including project details, cost estimates, and frequently asked questions. In the meantime, the full presentation and Board discussion from the July 21 meeting are available to watch at www.d300.org/BoardMeetingVideoArchive.

District 300 is thrilled to report that, as of July 23, 97% of our returning students were registered for the upcoming school year – our highest percentage in years!

If you haven't completed your returning student registration yet, please do so promptly at www.d300.org/ReturningStudents to ensure a smooth start to the academic year.

Meanwhile, those who have not yet registered a student new to District 300 are asked to contact their child's school registrar. For additional details on how to register a new student, please visit www.d300.org/NewStudentRegistration.

Please note: Students cannot attend class until registration is complete.

If you have questions, or if you experience any difficulties with the registration process, please contact your child's school registrar or email OLR@d300.org.

District 300 student report cards are currently scheduled to be issued on the following dates via PowerSchool Parent Portal:

• Monday, October 26, 2026 (elementary and middle school only)
• Friday, January 15, 2027 (elementary, middle, and high school)
• Thursday, March 25, 2027 (elementary and middle school only)
• Friday, June 4, 2027 (elementary, middle, and high school)

Please note: These dates are subject to change. Additional communication pertaining to student report cards will be issued by each school shortly before each set of report cards is made available.

School safety is one of District 300’s top priorities.

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, District 300 will continue to implement the protocols developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation that provide a shared vocabulary and clear set of actions that guide schools in responding to a range of safety-related incidents.

The implementation of the “I Love U Guys” protocols began last school year.

To learn more about the district’s commitment to student and staff safety, please view the section directly below and visit www.d300.org/support-services/school-safety.

District 300 continually evaluates its safety resources and makes adjustments as appropriate.

As such, the district is introducing the following new safety enhancements for the 2026-27 school year.

SpeakUp is a confidential digital tipline that enables students, parents, and community members to report safety-related concerns such as bullying, self-harm, suicide, violence, substance use, and other threats. It replaces the Safe School Tip Line and is part of an ongoing effort to identify potential risks earlier and support timely intervention. Additional details about SpeakUp can be found on the District 300 website at www.d300.org/StudentSafety.

ReachOut provides all district students with 24/7 access to live mental health support. By calling or texting 224-407-3203, students will be connected with trained crisis responders who are ready to listen and help. Whether students are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, ReachOut helps ensure they receive immediate, compassionate support at any hour. ReachOut can be accessed via ClassLink on student-issued Chromebooks, with additional details available on the District 300 website at www.d300.org/StudentSafety.

Gaggle Safety Management monitors the district’s digital environment, including email, Chrome, and Google Drive, by identifying signs of self-harm, violence, and other safety concerns. When potentially harmful content is detected, Gaggle’s 24/7 safety team reviews and escalates it to district staff based on severity, helping schools act before issues escalate. Gaggle replaces the district’s Securly student-safety monitoring service.

Each building will also host its own school supply drop-off event in early August.

Please note: Although students in preschool and high school do not have required school supply lists, these schools will also host supply drop-off events and locker load events for those who have purchased any school items. In addition, middle schoolers and high schoolers will be able to walk their class schedule during these events.

One of District 300’s highest priorities is to keep students healthy and in school. Information regarding our sick day guidelines for the 2026-27 school year can be accessed by visiting www.d300.org/SickDayGuidelines.

Parents and guardians who intend to keep their child home from school due to health reasons should call their school’s respective attendance office before the start of the school day and provide the student’s name, grade, and reason for absence.

As a reminder, after five years during which District 300 did not charge student-related registration fees, the district has resumed charging registration-related fees this school year. Please note: These fees do not apply to students entering preschool or kindergarten.

Additional fees that pertain to the beginning of the school year may also apply to students entering middle school and high school.

Registration-related fees (the fees covering annual instructional and technology costs) for the 2026-27 school year will be added to each student’s PushCoin account later this July.

Once the fees have been posted, the district will notify families using the email address provided during registration. At that time, families will be able to view and pay their registration-related fees through PushCoin.

Please note that these fees cannot be paid until they are posted to student accounts later this month. However, parents and guardians can preview the registration-related fees that will apply for the 2026-27 school year now by visiting www.d300.org/StudentFees.

Parents and guardians of students entering middle school and high school may have additional fees to pay via PushCoin, such as physical education shirt/lock fees, athletic fees, and some specific course fees (such as driver’s education fees and Flex physical education fees). Please note: Students will no longer be required to wear District 300 P.E. shorts during gym class starting with the 2026-27 school year; any athletic shorts or pants that also adhere to the District 300 dress code will suffice. Specific details regarding dress will be presented to students during the first week of school by their physical education teachers.

Any additional fees (for example, the fees associated with replacing a student ID card) that students accrue during the school year will also be posted to their respective PushCoin account. Please be sure to regularly check these accounts for any posted fees.

The full list of school fees can be viewed at www.d300.org/StudentFees.

Additional details about PushCoin are available via this FAQ sheet and this PushCoin account instructions document.

For more details, please visit www.d300.org/StudentFees or view the Back to School Requirements Message that was sent to all families on July 1.

District 300 utilizes SchooLinks, a college and career readiness platform for students in grades six through 12.

SchooLinks enables students to discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their postsecondary goals – all through an online platform that is also accessible to parents and guardians.

• Access career interest, strength, and mindset surveys
• Explore two-year and four-year colleges
• Take virtual reality college campus tours
• Search for scholarships
• Learn about financial aid
• Find internship, employment, and volunteer opportunities, in addition to other work-based learning experiences
• Explore traditional, emerging, and military career fields
• Create digital portfolios and resumes
• Communicate with school counselors and other staff

Students will use SchooLinks during designated school days throughout the year, as well as through activities embedded in select courses. Students are also encouraged to access the platform from home, giving families additional opportunities to participate in conversations and planning related to postsecondary goals and life after high school.

Parents and guardians of students in grades six through 12 automatically receive their own SchooLinks accounts. To log in, use the email address listed in PowerSchool and the same password used to access your PowerSchool parent account.

For additional information, including an overview of SchooLinks features available to parents and guardians, please visit www.d300.org/SchooLinks.

Each District 300 middle school will host a Recognition Night for those completing eighth grade. Recognition Nights are currently scheduled to take place on the following dates:

• Wednesday, May 19, at 7 p.m.

• Algonquin Middle School (event will take place at Dundee-Crown High School).

• Dundee Middle School (event will take place at Jacobs High School).
  
  

• Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m.

• Carpentersville Middle School (event will take place at Dundee-Crown High School).

• Hampshire Middle School (event will take place at Hampshire High School).

• Westfield Community School (event will take place at Jacobs High School).

Additional information will be provided to families as each date approaches.

District 300 utilizes SchooLinks, a college and career readiness platform for students in grades six through 12.

SchooLinks enables students to discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create an individualized career and academic plan that best reflects their postsecondary goals – all through an online platform that is also accessible to parents and guardians.

• Access career interest, strength, and mindset surveys
• Explore two-year and four-year colleges
• Take virtual reality college campus tours
• Search for scholarships
• Learn about financial aid
• Find internship, employment, and volunteer opportunities, in addition to other work-based learning experiences
• Explore traditional, emerging, and military career fields
• Create digital portfolios and resumes
• Communicate with school counselors and other staff

Students will use SchooLinks during designated school days throughout the year, as well as through activities embedded in select courses. Students are also encouraged to access the platform from home, giving families additional opportunities to participate in conversations and planning related to postsecondary goals and life after high school.

Parents and guardians of students in grades six through 12 automatically receive their own SchooLinks accounts. To log in, use the email address listed in PowerSchool and the same password used to access your PowerSchool parent account.

For additional information, including an overview of SchooLinks features available to parents and guardians, please visit www.d300.org/SchooLinks.

High school final exams are scheduled to take place in December and May. Additional details can be viewed by accessing the final exam schedule PDF.

District 300 will host three graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2027 on Saturday, May 22, at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates as follows:

• Jacobs High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.
• Dundee-Crown High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
• Hampshire High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.

Additional graduation information will be provided to students and families this winter and will also be available at www.d300.org/Graduation.

Homecoming activities will take place at each high school according to the following schedule:

Jacobs High School

• Friday, September 18 – Homecoming football game
• Saturday, September 19 – Homecoming dance

Dundee-Crown High School

• Friday, September 25 – Homecoming football game
• Saturday, September 26 – Homecoming dance

Hampshire High School

• Friday, October 2 – Homecoming football game
• Saturday, October 3 – Homecoming dance

Each school will share additional information with families at a later date.

District 300 is introducing a new morning check-in routine to enhance campus safety at our high schools.

Starting this year, all high school students must scan their physical student ID card upon entering the building each day. Please note the following details to ensure a smooth transition:

• Physical IDs only: Students must keep their physical ID on their person at all times (once they receive them). Please note: Digital IDs cannot be used during morning check-in.
  
  
• Expect delays without an ID: Students without an ID will be re-routed for manual identity verification in PowerSchool, which may cause entry delays.

We expect to implement this procedure once students have received their new IDs for the school year. Families will receive more specific information from each school in the coming weeks.

High schools have communicated parking permit information to eligible families with registered email accounts. High school students (as well as their parents or guardians) may contact their high school’s main office about parking permit availability, applications, and payment should they have interest and not have received communication.

Prom is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 24, for all three District 300 high schools. Each school will share additional information with families at a later date.

District 300 would also like to remind families of the following notable dates:

Saturday, August 1:

• Health requirements deadline – Date that parents/guardians of students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade, and 12th grade must submit required health forms – or proof of an upcoming appointment – to their school nurse or health.forms@d300.org. To learn more, please refer to the “Health Requirements” section above.

Thursday, August 6, at 5 p.m.:

• Late Start childcare registration deadline – Families interested in District 300 Late Start childcare must complete this registration form by Thursday, August 6, at 5 p.m. To learn more, please refer to the “Childcare for Late Start Dates” section above.

Tuesday, August 11:

• First day of school – The first day of school for the 2026-27 school year.

Tuesday, August 25:

• Parent/Guardian Handbook Acknowledgement Form deadline – To learn more, please refer to the “Parent/Guardian Handbook” section above.

Wednesday, September 2:

• Late Start – Late Start day for all K-12 schools. Please note: Preschool students do not attend school on any Late Start dates this school year.

Tuesday, November 3:

• Referendum – Date that District 300 voters will be asked to consider a ballot question on funding that would support more than 20 projects across all three of District 300's high school feeder patterns: Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, and Jacobs. To learn more, please refer to the “Referendum” section above.

View additional calendar information on the district's website.

Please note: This is the second back to school message District 300 has shared about the 2026-27 school year. The first message – titled the Back to School Requirements Message – was sent to parents and guardians on July 1 and provided information about health requirements, the updated personal electronic device policy, school supply lists, the student dress code, and student fees.

Additional back to school details will be shared according to the following schedule:

• Monday, August 3: Student Schedules and Teacher Assignments Message – This message will coincide with the anticipated date that student schedules and teacher assignments for all grade levels will be released in PowerSchool. The message will include details on how to view the schedules and related teacher information.
  
  
• Tuesday, August 4: Essential Information/Notable Changes Message – This message will include any essential updates not covered in previous summer communications. In addition, any notable changes for the upcoming school year compared to the previous year will be highlighted.
  
  
• Tuesday, August 11: Communications Guidelines Message – The message will include details on how parents and guardians can effectively communicate with the district and our schools.

District 300 looks forward to celebrating our first day of school with students, staff, parents, and guardians on Tuesday, August 11. Look for our next message – the Student Schedules and Teacher Assignments Message – on Monday, August 3!