Sprague School

Kindergarten students begin building STEM skills through hands-on activities that encourage them to create, explore, and solve problems as seen in these pictures. Working together, students learn to share ideas, test different solutions, and make changes when something does not work as planned. These early experiences introduce engineering and design while strengthening creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and perseverance. Through play and exploration, our youngest learners discover that STEM is about asking questions, trying new ideas, and learning together.

Do you want to spend time with your child, to build their reading skills and help them learn to love books? You can do all three when you read aloud! Here are some tips:

• Read Regularly - Try to read to your child everyday for 10-15 minutes. Bedtime reading is relaxing and makes for a peaceful end to the day. Bring along a book and read to them during a sibling’s sports practice or when you get home from work.
• Take Turns Choosing Books - Your child may want to hear old favorites again and again. Use your turn for new titles and variety such as non-fiction or poetry.
• Let Them Participate - Ask your child to turn the pages while you read. Also, they can finish sentences that rhyme or fill in words they know. Go slowly so they have time to understand the story and look at the illustrations. They will enjoy read-aloud time more if they play an active role.
• Be Playful - You can use different voices for characters (a high, squeaky voice for a mouse or deep, booming voice for a horse). Or, substitute your child’s name for the main character’s name and use family members’ names for other characters. You don’t have to be an expert reader! Your child will love it when you read aloud because it’s you!

Vision and hearing screenings are conducted annually in D103 schools based on age and Illinois requirements. We send out this courtesy reminder yearly, no action needs to be taken unless you are filing a religious exemption to decline a vision and hearing screening. To review the state mandates we follow, please review the vision and hearing notice on our website.

• We need your help to restock prizes for our Roar Store so students can continue to be rewarded for living our school values.
• Since opening last fall, the Roar Store has been a big success. Students earn Roar Bucks by demonstrating Respect, Open-Mindedness, Responsibility, and Safety throughout the school and then redeem them at the store.
• Thanks to the generous support of our PTO and the district, this program has thrived. To keep it going strong, we are asking for community donations to help replenish prizes. Your contribution directly supports student motivation and reinforces positive behavior.
• If you would like to help, please donate from our Amazon wish list.
• Thank you for supporting a positive, encouraging school environment for our students.

Next Wednesday, Sept. 23, we celebrate Educational Technology Appreciation Day and the incredible people who help keep learning moving forward every day.

From technology specialists and network administrators to data managers, technology coaches, and administrators, our Technology Team members often work behind the scenes to ensure devices work, systems run smoothly, apps are ready, and our schools stay connected. Their expertise, dedication, and problem-solving make a meaningful difference in the learning experiences we provide for our students.

“Please join me in celebrating our innovative and dedicated Instructional Technology Team members who dedicate their time to providing exceptional support and service to so many different stakeholders each and every day. This team tirelessly looks for ways to better support the systems and people that make up the incredibly special learning and working environments within D103,” said Craig Chatham, Director of Technology and Assessment.

Three full term seats (2027-2031) and one unexpired term seat (2027-2029) on our seven-member Board of Education will be filled at the April 6, 2027 elections. Candidates may circulate petitions now. For more information, please read the e-notice that was sent out.

The fourth two-year seat became available Monday, Sept. 14, with the resignation of member Joy Anes. District 103 residents who are interested in being considered for the existing vacancy position may pick up an applicant packet at the District office. The individual appointed to this position will serve until the next consolidated election on April 6, 2027. For more information about this vacancy, please read the e-notice that went out this week.

On Monday, Sept. 14, community members, students, teachers, administrators, and Board members came together for the first session of our Strategic Planning process.

During the session, we examined future workforce trends and the skills and competencies students will need over the next 10–20 years. We also reviewed a high-level summary of our stakeholder survey results and discussed what the feedback, combined with future workforce trends, may mean for our students and schools.

Participants engaged in cross-stakeholder table discussions and began reviewing the District’s Core Values to consider potential revisions.

This is the first step in a collaborative process, and we will continue to share updates as more work is accomplished.

Our strategic planning process is designed to build consensus through a series of structured phases. We are gathering stakeholder input, analyzing our district’s current strengths and future trends, identifying long-term strategic priorities, and ultimately defining what success will look like for District 103 over the next two decades.

From 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, the D103 PTO Parent Education committee and the Vernon Area Public Library are offering a virtual presentation on educating families about AI literacy, tools and features students may be using, an a practical guide for evaluating new technology. This event is free and open to all. Please register for the Zoom event.

Enjoy a refreshing walk with family, friends, and neighbors from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Spring Lake Park. Enjoy live music and interactive activities while connecting with people and organizations in our community. Sponsored by District 103, the village, and library.

Scarecrows of the Shire is back for a second year! This community scarecrow building contest invites residents and businesses to create their most imaginative, spooky, or silly scarecrow and drop it off at Village Hall, 1 Olde Half Day Rd. You must complete the registration form in person via a QR code just outside the front lobby to register your drop-off.

The scarecrow drop off window is through Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The Village will display scarecrows at intersections around town as part of Lincolnshire’s seasonal décor beginning in early October. Residents will then have the opportunity to vote for their favorite scarecrow to be crowned the 2026 Scarecrow of the Shire. A winner will be chosen from family/individual entries and one from business entries. The winners will be recognized at Boo Bash and will receive an award. Review the complete contest rules for guidance on building your scarecrow”

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• Julia Pemberton, Principal
• Jennifer Arroyo, Assistant Principal

• 847-945-6686
• Ls_attendance@d103.org