THE WHOOT!

The 5th Grade Student Council threw the ultimate party this weekend just for 3rd–5th graders! It was our way of bringing everyone together to have fun, celebrate all the awesome things we accomplished this year, and show off our school spirit in the freshest way possible.

✨Everyone wore their best sneakers, dressed to impress, and kept it fresh! 👟💫

There was music, dancing, and good vibes all around. Plus, we added some heart to the fun. The 5th Grade Student Council asked for a suggested donation of $1 to support Rainbows For All Children, an organization that helps kids who are going through grief or loss. It was truly a time to remember!

Make sure to follow our Instagram (Willardowlsd65) to see a full recap of the Sneaker Ball! 🕺💃

Starting April 30th, we’re kicking off our ABC Countdown to summer! Each day will feature a fun activity or theme based on a letter of the alphabet.

On Thursday, April 24th (4:15-5:15) at ETHS in Beardsley Gym, we hosted a special event for all new families and Willard alumni who are now playing volleyball in middle school or at ETHS — many of whom first started playing back in 5th grade at Willard! We combined 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders into four teams for a fun game, coached by ETHS volleyball players (including some former Willard students). It was a great opportunity to visit ETHS, meet coaches and current players, and reconnect with old friends!

To entice students to keep reading after the Read-a-thon and through the summer months, the Willard Library is hosting a Literati Book Fair!! The book fair opened online on April 7th and will be open for in-person shopping from May 5th through May 9th. All purchases benefit our library. Look out for more information through emails and flyers in the coming weeks.

The Kuumba Evanston Olympic Games are BIGGER & BETTER than last year (watch video)!

Aimed at fostering a love of sports, teamwork, and personal growth among current 3rd to 6th-grade students, the games bring children from all across Evanston together for 3 weekends of fun at Evanston Township High School. There are 21 different Olympic sports including ours!! In addition to competitive, Olympic style games and challenges, experienced coaches and mentors from Evanston will not only teach their sport but also instill the Core Values of the games: Spirit, Effort, Teamwork and Sportsmanship.

Save the Dates

• Sports Carnival: May 3 (4-6pm) & 4 (3-5pm) - each date offers 10 different sports experiences (not mandatory)
• Kuumba Olympics Family Festival presented by Girls Play Sports: Sunday, June 1 (3-5:30pm) - kids meet their teammates and nation leaders and get their uniform, and the whole family gets to play fun games and have a pizza party
• Olympic Games: Begin Friday, June 13 and end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, June 29 - kids participate in one or twelve sports over three weekends

*Register here

You will need to create an account. Once an account has been created, you will be prompted to fill out 3 quick forms. Please complete the forms in their entirety. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been submitted.

Evanston, IL – Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) is excited to expand its Summer Program for 2025, offering youth in Evanston a summer full of learning, creativity, and fun. The program will run from June 16 to July 25, with a Special Field Trip Week from July 28 – August 1. Youth entering grades 2–8 this fall are welcome to join, with free and paid options available based on household income. Registration opens to the community on March 29, with priority given to Y.O.U. families, and early registration is encouraged due to limited space.

This year’s program features creative workshops in art, music, and writing, STEM projects that foster curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math, and weekly field trips to exciting locations around Evanston. Participants will also engage in sports, games, mindfulness activities, and other recreation and wellness options designed to keep them active and engaged. The program fosters community building by providing youth with opportunities to connect with peers and caring mentors in a safe, supportive environment.

Program Details
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (Field Trip Week: July 28 – August 1)
Location: Oakton Elementary School (Elementary), Chute Middle School (Middle School)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Opens March 29, closes May 1.
For more information about Y.O.U. or to learn how to support our programs, please visit www.youthopportunity.org.

Looking to volunteer at Willard? Click here for our district's volunteer process!

May:

• 7th: School Improvement Half Day
• 9th: AAPI Celebration
• 23rd: Field Day
• Grades 3-5: 9:30-11 am
• Grades K-2: 1:45-3:15 pm
• 26th: Memorial Day-No School
• 30th: Hootenanny

Willard Welcome Packet

• English
• Spanish

District 65 Back to School Guides

• English
• Spanish