Preschool Pages
August 20, 2026
📰In This Issue:
📆School Calendar
Welcome Back + Message from the Director
Pack the Place at Quonset TONIGHT! Restaurant Fundraiser & Queen of Hearts Bash
Queen of Hearts Raffle! Still searching for that pesky queen! The pot is growing!
New Family Orientation & Teacher Meet & Greet: Monday, August 24th @ 6pm
A Day at AAUW Preschool: A Social Story
Parent Handbook: Bookmark & Review!
Developmental Screenings: Have you signed up?
School Supplies & Donations Lists
Back to School Family Picnic: Saturday, August 29th from 4-6 PM
Registrar Position: We're Hiring! Please Share!
Join the Board of Directors! Openings Available!
Register for Classes Before They Fill + Refer-A-Friend! Please share!
Parent-Participation Opportunities! So many wonderful ways to get involved
Join Our Private Facebook Group Page: Just for Families!
💟Follow Us & Stay Connected on Facebook & Instagram
🔗Community Connections + Local Events
Dear AAUW Preschool Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
It is with great excitement that I welcome both our returning and new families to AAUW Preschool. We are honored that you have chosen to be part of our preschool community and we look forward to partnering with you during this important year of growth, learning and discovery.
My name is Denise Romero, and I am honored to serve as the Director of AAUW Preschool. This school has been a part of my life for many years. I attended AAUW Preschool as a child, returned as a teacher and now have the privilege of leading the program. Watching generations of children and families experience the same warm, nurturing environment that shaped my own childhood is truly special.
For nearly 75 years, AAUW Preschool has proudly served the Waukegan community by providing high-quality early childhood education in a caring and welcoming environment. As a nonprofit cooperative preschool, we believe that children thrive when families and teachers work together. Your involvement through volunteering, classroom participation, school events and our parent board help create the strong sense of community that makes AAUW Preschool so unique.
Our nature-focused program encourages children to wonder, explore and discover through meaningful play and hands-on experiences. We believe some of the best learning happens outdoors, where children build confidence, solve problems, develop friendships and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Whether children are exploring our outdoor learning spaces, creating with natural materials, observing wildlife, or engaging in imaginative play, every day is filled with opportunities for joyful learning.
Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential. We recognize that every child develops at their own pace and we strive to foster independence, curiosity, kindness and a lifelong love of learning.
Strong partnerships between home and school are at the heart of everything we do. We encourage open communication and invite you to share your questions, ideas and feedback throughout the year. Together, we can provide the best possible preschool experience for your child.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's early education. We are excited to begin this journey with your family and look forward to a school year filled with laughter, exploration, new friendships, and wonderful memories.
Welcome to the AAUW Preschool family!
Warmly,
Denise Romero
Director
💓Queen of Hearts!💓
Join us Thursday, August 20th at 7PM at Quonset Pizza to get in on the live drawing OR watch the livestream on the AAUW Facebook page!
Families can receive FREE Queen of Hearts entries just by selling tickets each week! Details are on the weekly order form in cubbies. https://www.aauwpreschool.org/queen-of-hearts/
Parent Orientation and Meet & Greet
A Parent Orientation slide show will be available in the AAUW Preschool website Parent Portal after August 14, 2026, for you to watch when convenient. Please review the slide show and join us at the Q&A to review school policies or procedures Monday, August 24, 2026, 6:00-7:00pm.
Teachers will supervise children in one classroom during the Parent Orientation while parents meet in the other classroom. Parents will then collect their child(ren) and go to their child’s classroom for the Meet & Greet.
Meet & Greet will immediately follow the Parent Orientation from 7:00-7:30pm. This is an opportunity for families to see the classroom and meet the teachers before the first day of school.
Developmental Screenings
Each child will receive a developmental screening the week of August 24th.
Teachers use developmental screenings to demonstrate children are meeting developmental milestones, assist teachers in planning for individual and class needs, and guide program planning. Schedule your child’s Developmental Screening through the links below.
School Supplies
Your child will need the following items for the school year. All supplies, including outdoor apparel, should be labeled with your child’s first name and last initial. If you need assistance purchasing any of these supplies, please contact the office. There is no storage available to leave children’s items at school when they are not in class.
- Backpack or tote bag
- Change of clothes including socks and under pants (weather relevant)
- Personal water bottle (with mouth-piece cap or cover) – To be sent to school each day clean and filled with fresh water
- Sketch Pad (blank pages, size ~ 8” x 10”, write child’s name on front) – To be left at school
- Rain boots (every day for outdoor play in wet/sandy/muddy areas)
- Weather appropriate apparel for outdoor play year-round (i.e., hat and sunglasses for sun protection; raincoat for rainy days; winter coat, snow pants, boots for cold/snowy weather)
Donations - Thank you!
If you are able to donate any items, please see the list below. We appreciate your help with stocking these supplies throughout the school year. Please be aware we are asking for brand specific products due to allergens and health and safety standards per DCFS and ISBE.
- Paper towels
- Softsoap clear hand soap with pump top or refill bottle (no antibacterial, scented, or other brands can be used)
- Resealable bags in snack, sandwich, quart or gallon size
- 6” Paper plates
- Large coffee filters
- Facial tissues (Kleenex, Puffs, etc.)
- Gloves – Powder Free Vinyl, size large
- Clorox Performance Bleach
- Walmart/Sam’s Club Gift Cards denomination of your choosing
View our wish list on Amazon for additional supplies and school materials.
Parent Participation Volunteer Opportunities
Click Here to discover a list of various opportunities for parent participation credit.
AAUW Preschool is a Parent Cooperative Preschool!
By participating in the parent co-op, families earn parent participation credit hours. These efforts maintain our facility, improve our programs, and keep tuition costs affordable.
We are nearing the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Please be sure you are keeping track of your Parent Participation hours by recording them after completion. Reminder that you need 4 hours of maintenance which includes indoor &/or outdoor cleaning as well as 2 hours for carnival.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Mobile Diaper Pantry
Wednesday, September 02
10:00am - 11:30am
Registration with Keeping Families Covered, as well as identification (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, certified birth certificate, medical card) required for parents & children. Families will receive one supply of diapers and wipes for each child wearing diapers. Restrictions apply. First come, first served.
For more information, please call 224-637-1644 or visit their website at https://www.keepingfamiliescovered.org/get-help
Warren-Newport Public Library Fall Newsletter
The fall edition of the Inside Angle newsletter is here! Read up on library news, upcoming events, book discussions, and so much more! Stay in the loop with everything happening at WNPL!
Citizenship Classes at Waukegan Public Library
These classes will help prepare you for the citizenship test. If you have any questions or to register, call Rosa Elena at 224-628-5953 or HACES at 847-244-0300.
Deje que un profesional de HACES lo ayude a prepararse para el examen de ciudadanía. Si tiene alguna pregunta o desea registrarse, llame a Rosa Elena al 224-628-5953 o HACES al 847-244-0300.
Storytime!
Step into the world of Ray Bradbury!
Join in for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ray Bradbury Library Exhibit on Friday, August 21, 2026, starting at 12pm at the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, located at 1 N. Sheridan Road. Explore exclusive artifacts, animated storytelling, selections from his personal library, and bilingual learning access. Admission is free following the ceremony until 6pm. For more information, go to waukeganhistorical.org
Family Fun: Celebrate Three Brothers Theatre
Three Brothers Theatre is proud to launch our 13th season in spectacular fashion: with hot air balloon rides! Join us at Stiner Pavilion for a celebratory fundraiser of Three Brothers featuring selections of our next season, music, popcorn, desserts, soft drinks, raffle baskets, a booze pull, and - for the adventurous - a ride in a hot air balloon!
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank is hosting 8 mobile distributions this week, August 17, 2026 – August 22, 2026. Anyone needing help is welcome to join us to receive free groceries. No ID, documentation or pre-approval needed. All are welcome. Distribution is first-come, first-served, while supplies last.
For more information, visit https://solvehungertoday.org/get-groceries-resources/
Friday Family Fun Activities
The library offers a wide range of STEM, craft, and literacy classes for youth; storytimes every weekday; and a variety of seasonal events and performances for families. To learn more about our upcoming programs, check out our program calendar, sign up for our eNews, and browse a copy of our Newsletter (mailed quarterly to Waukegan households).
Waukegan Park District Fall/Holiday 2026 Program Guide
Local Resources for You & Your Family
- Check out your local library for children and adult activities
- Northern IL Food Bank
- For diapers and formula, Keeping Families Covered
- Lake County Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): www.ilrc.org/know-your-rights
ACLU Know Your Rights: www.aclu.org/know-your-rights
National Immigration Law Center: www.nilc.org/know-your-rights
