Everett Newsletter - 10.16.26

For easier navigation on any device, use Smore’s built-in menu (top-left on mobile or the sidebar on desktop).
October 16, 2026
Table of Contents
Our Building News
- Everett CommUNITY Day
- Veterans Day Slide Show
New District FAQ
In Case You Missed It
- (Rerun) Spooky Stroll Details
- (Rerun) Boo Bash Registration
- (Rerun) Boo Bash Volunteers
- (Rerun) Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- (Rerun) Pumpking Decorating
Need to Know
- D67 Bus Route Information
- MySchoolQuest Lunch Menu
- D67 Board of Education Meeting and Materials
Health Requirements Reminder
DSS Parent Newsletter: Celebrating Inclusion, Communication, and Belonging
The Crosstown Challenge Is On!
Parent Voice Survey: Strengthening Family Partnerships
Support the Great Full Market
Nice to Know
- LFHS Fall Play: The Outsiders
- D67 Brainstormers Take the Stage
- FAN Events
- Register Today for Lake Bluff's "The Promise of Liberty" Event
- LF Open Lands: Family Campfire
- LF/LB Chamber of Commerce Holiday Button Contest
- Learn More About Girl Scouts
- Parent Resource: GPS
- Community Events
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
I hope everyone had a wonderful short week! I’m looking forward to conferences next week, as it is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our Everett families. I always enjoy hearing about all of the celebrations from this first trimester, and as always, I’m here to help if there are any challenges. We appreciate you and your partnership so much!
A thank you in advance to our amazing APT for providing our teachers dinner on Thursday for their late evening. We appreciate all of our incredible volunteers and the donations from families!!
Sincerely,
Megan
Our Building News
📅 Week at a Glance
Looking Ahead...
- October 27 - Dr. Montgomery reading to Ms. Flentye’s class
October 29 - Fire Drill
October 30 - Spooky Stroll 8:45 am
October 30 - Boo Bash 5:00 - 6:00 pm
November 3 - No School
November 6 - Half Day (Teacher Institute in PM)
📝 To Do
Wear orange or Everett Spirit Wear on October 22nd
Send decorated pumpkins in by October 29th
📣 Building Announcements
Everett Unity Day
October 22nd is Everett CommUNITY Day. Please encourage your child to dress in orange OR wear Everett spirit wear to help bring awareness and take a stand against bullying. CommUNITY Day is about bringing about a sense of community in the school and reiterating the message that our school community will not tolerate bullying and that Everett is a place for all students!
Veterans Day Slide Show
We are honored to celebrate Veterans Day with our annual Veterans Day assembly on Wednesday, November 11th. This ceremony will recognize the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. If you or a family member have served in the military and would like to be recognized, we encourage you to complete a slide to honor your/their contributions to our country. We look forward to celebrating all of our Everett community heroes on Veterans Day!
If you are interested in creating a slide, please click here to access the slide show. If you submitted a slide last year, it will be updated with your child's new grade and displayed again. Slides are due November 6th.
For each slide, please either create your own slide or duplicate the template. Please add:
The Veteran's name
A picture of the Veteran
Any information about their service that you'd like to include (time of duty, military branch, etc)
New District FAQ
The new District 67 and District 115 FAQ brings together information on timely topics and questions we’re hearing from families and community members. It is not meant to answer every question. Instead, the FAQ serves as a touchpoint for the topics currently in the community conversation. We remain committed to sharing timely, accurate, and transparent information.
Watch Superintendent Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery’s introduction and visit the FAQ to learn more.
In Case You Missed It
(Rerun) The Spooky Stroll
Halloween Costume Details
Students should wear their costumes to school if they wish to be dressed up for the Spooky Stroll on October 30th. Please ensure that costumes are school-appropriate (avoid costumes with masks that restrict visibility, violent themes, or imitation weapons) and easy to remove to use the restroom.
Spooky Stroll Details - October 30 from 8:45-9:15 am
This is going to be the same as years’ past, students will walk the south loop around the field. There will be an alternative rain/cold weather route that is shorter or indoors depending on the weather that morning. I will communicate more as we get closer to the event. Please keep an eye on your email on Thursday, October 29th for the finalized plan.
(Rerun) ❤️ Want to Help with the Fall Parent/Teacher Conference Dinner?
When our teachers and staff stay late for Fall Conferences, the APT provides them with dinner as a small way to say thank you for everything they do for our kids.
🙌 Ready to Help?
💸 Make a monetary donation of any amount through Omella. Your donation will help the APT purchase the food and supplies needed for the dinner. Any monetary contributions not used for this meal will go towards a future meal for the staff. If you’d like to learn more about Omella, click here.
Please note that the monetary donation window will close at midnight on Tuesday, October 20th.
🍪 Sign up to bring in a dessert, drink, or snack through the SignUpGenius.
Please drop off all donated items at the Everett main office by 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 22nd.
If you have any questions about using SignUp Genius or Omella, please feel free to reach out to Courtney Oriti at courtneylee1984@gmail.com.
🤍 Thanks, as always, for helping make Everett such an awesome school community. ❣️
(Rerun) Down Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! This special month is all about celebrating individuals with Down syndrome, spreading kindness, and building a school community where everyone belongs. Every person has unique talents, strengths, and abilities that make our world a brighter place. Throughout October, we honor our classmates, family members, and community members with Down syndrome by promoting inclusion, learning more about one another, and remembering that our differences are something to celebrate! We’ll do this at the beginning of the week on the morning announcements.
(Rerun) Pumpkin Decorating
Our annual pumpkin decorating contest has officially begun! Submissions due October 26th. Please see flyer for details!
Need to Know
📗 D67 Board of Education Meetings and Materials 📗
Education Committee
Regular Meeting: Agenda | Livestream | Superintendent's Report
Budget Hearing: Agenda | Livestream
Health Requirements Reminder
Kindergarten Students (K)
Physical Exam and Updated Immunization Record on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Dental Exam on Illinois Form dated between November 15, 2025 - May 15, 2027
Eye Exam on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Second Grade Students (2nd)
Dental Exam on Illinois Form dated between November 2025 - May 15, 2027
Students New to District 67
Physical Exam and Updated Immunization Record on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Dental Exam on Illinois Form dated between November 15, 2025 - May 15, 2027
Eye Exam on Illinois Form completed by October 15 of the current school year
Religious/Medical Exemptions: If your child does not receive immunizations for religious reasons, a parent and health care provider must complete the “Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations” form prior to the first day of school.
October: Celebrating Inclusion, Communication, and Belonging
Welcome to the October edition of the DSS Parent Newsletter!
Happy October! As we settle into the school year, we are excited to see our students building relationships, growing in confidence, and finding new opportunities to learn and belong. October is a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of celebrating differences, strengthening connections, and ensuring every student feels valued and supported.
This month, we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. Both remind us that every learner brings unique strengths and abilities to our school community and that communication comes in many forms. Whether through spoken words, gestures, pictures, or assistive technology, every student deserves a voice and opportunities to connect with others.
As we continue celebrating the Magic of Belonging, our October focus is on including others and making room for one more. Together, we can create welcoming classrooms and communities where every student is seen, heard, included, and empowered to thrive.
The Crosstown Challenge Is On!
The friendly competition between Cherokee, Everett, and Sheridan is officially underway! From now through December 31, District 67 families can help their school race toward the top while supporting the Spirit of ’67 Foundation.
Remember, it's all about participation, not donation size! Every family that contributes brings their school one step closer to reaching its participation goal and winning a special all-school prize.
If you haven't donated yet, now is the time! Every family counts, and every contribution makes a difference. Let's see which school comes out on top!
Parent Voice Survey: Strengthening Family Partnerships
District 67’s Partners for Every Learner Council invites parents and guardians to share their experiences with school-based problem-solving, 504, and IEP meetings. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. Your feedback will help guide Council discussions on ways to strengthen communication, collaboration, and family engagement before, during, and after these conversations.
Support the Great Full Market
The Great Full Market, a free farmers’ market and festival, will take place Sunday, October 18, at Beacon Place in Waukegan, providing fresh produce, pantry staples, and personal care items to Waukegan community families experiencing food insecurity. Hosted by students from Districts 65, 67, and 115 in partnership with Beacon Place and Quest Food Management Services, the event relies on community support. Consider making a tax-deductible donation or signing up to volunteer to help make this year’s market possible.
Nice to Know
Stay Gold: The Outsiders Oct. 15-17
A rumble, a lot of hair gel, a sunset worth talking about, and a story that readers have loved for almost sixty years. LFHS Theater is bringing S.E. Hinton's unforgettable story to life, so grab your friends, round up your family, and get ready for a night you won't forget.
Whether you've read the book over and over or you're meeting Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally for the first time, this show will stay with you long after the lights go down.
D67 Brainstormers Take the Stage
Our after-school District 67 Brainstormers took the stage at Cherokee, Everett and Sheridan, turning the room into a full-on concert and dance party! From practicing harmonies to showing off their favorite choreography, these kids brought 100% energy and pure joy.
Enrollment is now open for Session 2 of "Acting, Singing and Dancing", featuring a Beauty and the Beast theme.
Register Today for Lake Bluff's "The Promise of Liberty" Event
The Lake Bluff History Museum and Lake Bluff 250 Committee invite the community to “The Promise of Liberty” on Thursday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the Raymond Moore Auditorium at LFHS.
The program will feature Seth Kaller, a leading expert on historic American documents, who will present early printings and replicas of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
As part of the educational experience, 8th-grade and high school students will attend a daytime presentation with Kaller, giving them an opportunity to engage with these historic primary sources and learn more about the ideas and principles behind them.
Admission is free, but advance reservations are required.
Parent Resource: GPS
This school year, we’re continuing to connect families with helpful resources, tools, and learning opportunities to support students at every age and stage.
One resource available to our community is the GPS Parent Series, a free parenting education and family support network that has served families for more than 30 years. GPS brings nationally recognized speakers and experts to parents, caregivers, educators, and community members, with topics focused on raising and supporting children and young adults from infancy through age 25.
Programs are completely free, and no registration is required. Families can participate in upcoming programs or explore past presentations, clips, and Q&A sessions on the GPS Parent Series YouTube channel.
Community Events
Friday, October 16 | 6:30 PM
Deerpath Golf Course
Bring your family and friends, along with blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy a free outdoor showing of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in a beautiful setting.
Fall Family Happy Hour at Gorton Center
Saturday, October 17 | 5:00 pm
Join us outside the Oktoberfest tent for Fall Family Happy Hour, a festive outdoor gathering for all ages. Enjoy kid-friendly activities, fall crafts, and quality time with family and friends.
Friday, October 23 | 5:00 pm
Lake Forest Rec Center
Bring the family and join us for an evening full of Halloween fun at the Recreation Center! Step into the spooky Haunted Gym, wander through the thrilling Scare Zone, and take a ride on the always-popular Hayride. These highlights are sure to get everyone into the Halloween spirit.
Wednesday Afternoons with Mr. V
Wednesdays, September 30 - November 18
Attention kids! This fall, join award-winning music educator and composer Bill Vaananen for 8 educational and inspirational Wednesday afternoon sessions of exciting songs and activities. Classes will wrap singing and movement into a tapestry of history, geography, and adventure!
Gorton Center Class: Comics Lab
Thursdays from October 1 - November 5
Bring your ideas to life in Comics Lab! This supportive six-week class gives students the space to start or continue their comics journey.
Upcoming Community Events at Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Glassman Symposium Reception and Poster Session
Friday, October 30 | 4:30–7:00 pm
Engage with students during an opening reception, then take the opportunity to review posters and exhibits featuring original student/faculty research conducted at Lake Forest College, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and several other Chicago area research universities.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Exhibit Opening Reception of Sonic Revolutions: The Photography of Paul Natkin
Thursday, November 12 | 5:30–7:30 pm
Enjoy an incredible exhibit featuring the works of rock and roll photographer Paul Natkin and his collection of live performance photography. View the photographs, speak with the artist, and interact with the students who helped curate the exhibit.
Lake Forest College Community Engagement Event: Band and Orchestra Concert
Friday, December 4 | 7:00–9:00 pm
Start your weekend with a spirited Forester reception followed by an evening performance of student music at the Gorton Center, featuring a special collaboration between the College’s band and orchestra ensemble.