Your bi-weekly source for the latest Hawthorn District news, updates, and events. Stay connected with important reminders, upcoming activities, and everything happening in our vibrant school community. Take a moment to explore and stay in the loop!

With illness going around, we want to remind our families that we are committed to maintaining a clean and safe learning environment for our students and staff. Our cleaning crews work diligently to keep our facilities sanitized, and we follow a regular deep cleaning routine to help prevent the spread of germs. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community healthy!

Stay connected with the latest resources, events, and important updates in the February Family Liaison Newsletter! Don't miss out on helpful information designed to support our students and families. Read it here.

On Monday, February 10, we recognize and appreciate our school crossing guards for their dedication to keeping our students safe! Their commitment and hard work ensure that every child gets to and from school securely each day. Thank you for all that you do—we truly appreciate you!

February 15 is SRO Appreciation Day, a time to recognize School Resource Officer Casey Bergschneider for her dedication to keeping our schools safe and supporting our students. We are grateful for her commitment to our school community!

Parents and guardians are invited to attend "Setting Healthy Boundaries" with Hilary Davis of Touchstone Therapy in Vernon Hills.

Struggling with tantrums, screen time battles, or constant negotiations? Boundaries aren’t about control—they’re about teaching kids respect, responsibility, and emotional regulation.

Join us for a parent workshop on how to set clear, age-appropriate boundaries that actually work! We’ll cover:

✅ The importance of boundaries in child development
✅ Practical strategies for setting and enforcing limits
✅ How to handle pushback without guilt or power struggles

We will spend the first 30 minutes talking about setting healthy boundaries and 30 minutes with a Q & A session.

Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Virtual Link: Click here.

The Hawthorn Board of Education discussed and approved the 2025-2026 school calendar during the January 16 meeting.

Open to all our families February 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Middle North School - 201 Hawthorn Parkway. If you are in need of food, or have any questions please reach out to Gabriela Cervantes at 847-990-4245 or cervantesg@hawthorn73.org

If you are interested in donating to the food pantry, items can be dropped off at the District Office (841 W. End Ct.) or at Middle North. Thank you for your support!

It is the cold and flu season! Children who appear ill should not be sent to school. In order for your child to be available for learning and to maintain a healthy environment, it is very important for you to keep your child at home if he or she:

• Has any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Has an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or more. He or she should not return to school until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications, since many children experience a recurrence of fever.

• Has become sick with flu-like symptoms, or experiences fast or troubled breathing.

• Is not drinking enough fluids.

• Experiences a return of flu symptoms with a fever and worsening cough.

• Has a fever with a rash.

• Has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, conjunctivitis or impetigo. He or she should be on antibiotic medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

• Has vomited more than once or has had persistent diarrhea during the night or into the morning. He or she should be without these symptoms for 48 hours before returning to school.

• Has chicken pox, he or she must be excluded from school until all lesions are crusted over.

• Has head lice.

• Has a rash of unknown origin.

• The school nurse may require a note from the doctor stating that your child is not contagious and/or is clear to attend school.

Thank you for helping to minimize the transmission of illness in our schools!

Please mark your calendar for next summer’s program dates!

Hawthorn Summer Program offerings include Hawthorn Enrichment Institute (HEI), Hawthorn Music Camp, Extended School Year (ESY), Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten. More information about program offerings and registration will be shared after winter break.

Summer Program Dates: Monday, June 9 - Tuesday, July 2.

• Session 1: June 9 - June 18 (HEI, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)

• Session 2: June 23-July 2 (HEI, Music Camp, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)

No School: Thursday 6/19, Thursday 7/3, all Fridays

Lincoln Early Learning Center ESY Dates: Wed, June 4th - Tues, July 1st

No School: Thursday, June 19, all Fridays

*If all of Hawthorn’s Emergency Days are used dates will shift to June 5th - July 2nd*

Looking for new D73 clothes and accessories for your students for this school year? Look no further! Be sure to check out the D73 Spiritwear Site: https://www.wamiswag.com/shops/hawthornd73

Join D73’s volunteer program, Hawthorn Helpers, and be a part of a dedicated team of caring parents and vibrant community members! We are welcoming new volunteers for our new school year! To learn more click on the following link: Hawthorn Helper Information. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Family Liaison Gabriela Cervantes at cervantesg@hawthorn73.org.

Visit our LINQ Connect page to discover all the features, how-to guides, and essential eligibility information you need to manage your child's school meal experience seamlessly. LINQ Connect provides a comprehensive suite of tools that allows you to access your account safely, whether through our app or online. Enjoy features such as automatic payments, low balance notifications, and detailed real-time transaction reports. With a unified dashboard, you can effortlessly manage funds and monitor meal activities for all the district students in your household. Experience convenience at your fingertips with LINQ Connect!

We are excited to announce that our district has access to ReferralGPS, a valuable resource designed to connect families with a Care Navigator. Whether you have insurance or not, ReferralGPS will help you find the right therapist or provider for your needs. This program is funded by a grant through the Regional Office of Education (ROE).

Site: https://referralgps.com/find-help/hawthorn73

Missed the January 16 board meeting? Check out the highlights here.

Join us for the February PTO Meeting at Middle School North on Tuesday, February 11, at 7:00 PM in the Library.

• Free on-site childcare will be available in Room 135.
• Parking is available in the lot marked with the blue star (see image). Follow the yellow arrow along the sidewalk to the entrance. You may need to ring the bell if the door helper is assisting others.
• A virtual meeting link is available upon request—email secretary@hawthornpto.org for access.

We hope to see you there!

Get ready for an action-packed Kids Night Out at Ultimate Ninjas on Friday, February 28, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM! Kids will enjoy pizza, drinks, and a sweet treat, all included in the $25 per student fee.

Be sure to include your child’s name(s) and any allergies in the "Additional Notes" section during registration. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Discover tips, resources, and a glimpse of SEL activities happening around our district. Strengthen the home-school connection and nurture well-rounded, resilient kids!

Looking for summer camp options for your child? Check out the 2025 Summer Day Camp Guide for a variety of exciting programs to keep kids engaged and active all summer long!

Explore camp options and find the perfect fit for your family here: 2025 Summer Day Camp Guide.

The Vernon Hills Park District has some exciting news to share! Their recent newsletter introduces their new Executive Director and announces the release of the Winter/Spring Program Guide. Explore a variety of programs and activities for the upcoming seasons and get to know the leadership guiding the Park District forward.

Check out the newsletter for all the details and start planning your winter and spring fun!

The Vernon Hills Park District is excited to announce that registration is open for Spring Recreational Soccer! This program is perfect for players of all skill levels to develop their skills, make new friends, and enjoy the game.

Don’t wait—sign up today! For more details and to register, visit: Spring Recreational Soccer Information. ⚽✨

The Vernon Hills Park District has an exciting lineup of programs for February, and registration is now open! From creative activities to active adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today! For more information and to register, visit: February Program Details. 🎉✨

Spring sports are just around the corner! Baseball (Grades K-8) and Softball (Grades K-11) are open for registration, but don’t wait—registration closes on March 1!

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the registration page to sign up. Don’t miss the chance to hit the field this season!

Looking for a fun and educational summer activity? The Libertyville Summer Chess Camp is open to children ages 6-13 and welcomes players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.

📅 Camp 1: June 16-20
📅 Camp 2: June 23-27

📍 Location: Libertyville Civic Center
🕐 Time: Monday – Friday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
💰 Cost: $349 per child ($50 early bird discount available until April 15)

Camp activities include interactive lessons, practice games, and tournament play with prizes. Chess boards, pieces, and clocks will be provided.

For more details or to register, click below or email contact@neighborhooodchess.com​

Congressman Brad Schneider's initiative to inspire young readers! From now until February 1st, students in grades K-5 are encouraged to read 10 books, with the help of family members, and log their progress. Once completed, simply fill out the online form on the Congressman’s website.

Students who complete the program will be invited to a special ceremony with Congressman Schneider to celebrate their achievement! They’ll also have the chance to participate in a bookmark design contest, with the winning design shared with other readers. Let’s get reading!

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting? You’re not alone. Join a virtual parent support group, meeting Mondays at 7 PM, where you can connect with others who understand. Sessions are $35 for 12 weeks. Drop in when available. Sign up at: info@touchstonetherapycenter.com.

Are you passionate about education and looking for a flexible way to contribute to our community? Hawthorn District 73 is on the lookout for enthusiastic and dedicated substitute teachers to join our team! Whether you’re looking to inspire young minds occasionally or more frequently, we have opportunities that fit your schedule. Learn more about how you can make a difference and check out the perks of becoming a "Super Sub" by visiting our substitute teacher page at Hawthorn Substitute Careers. Join us in shaping futures—one class at a time!

Stay up-to-date with Hawthorn District 73 events! Tap the calendar icon to access our District calendar webpage, where you can discover all the upcoming activities across our nine schools. Don’t miss out on any important dates – visit now to plan ahead!

FYI Upcoming Celebration Days

2.15.25: Nat’l School Resource Officer Day

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