THE WHOOT!

Happy Sunday Willard Families,

FIRST, Thank You for a successful set of conference days!! It was lovely to see you in the building and engaged in student learning! Shoutout to the PTA that supported our staff with an amazing meal and such care through the gift of food!

With that being said, we want you to know that the safety and well-being of every student at Willard remains our highest priority—always! I want you to know that Principal Battle, myself, and our entire staff are deeply committed to creating a secure, supportive environment for all our students and families on every level.

We are acutely aware of the events unfolding in Chicago and surrounding communities, and we are being intentional, mindful, and proactive in our support. Please know that we are here for you. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us—your voices matter, and we are listening.

We also encourage all families to know your rights and seek support as needed. You are not alone in navigating these challenging times.

As we look ahead, we hope you enjoy your day off tomorrow! We're excited to welcome students back on Tuesday for what promises to be a meaningful week. From important community conversations and special board meetings to our HUGE Hispanic Heritage Celebration, we know there will be a range of emotions—joy, reflection, perhaps some heaviness—and we want to honor and make space for all of it.

Thank you for walking through this year with us and for entrusting your babies to our care!

We are truly grateful for this partnership!

With appreciation and care,

Best,

AP Ernvall

Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate and honor the rich cultural contributions, history, and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx communities. It’s a time to reflect on the impact Hispanic heroes, makers, and leaders have had in shaping our world—whether in the arts, sciences, politics, education, or everyday life. By recognizing these contributions, we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that make up our community. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month also helps our students feel seen, valued, and proud of their identities, while inspiring others to learn and grow from these rich cultural experiences.

To honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve invited all teachers and staff to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Door Wrap Challenge! This is a fun and creative way to celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx heroes, makers, and trailblazers with our students. I can't wait fill our hallways with pride, color, and inspiration as we honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities

📅 Friday, October 17th

🕕 6:00-8:00 PM

📍 Willard School

Here's What's Waiting for You: 🌟 Two hours of incredible entertainment showcasing our talented students, families, and staff 🍽️ Delicious dinner provided for all attendees 🎉 Exciting activities and special surprises throughout the night 💫 An unforgettable evening the whole family will love!

We can't wait to celebrate the incredible creativity and talent in our Willard School community. Get ready for an evening filled with inspiration, laughter, and joy!

⭐Proudly presented by the Willard School PTA ⭐

As we enter the week ahead, remember that advocating and letting your voice be heard is the strongest way to support! Please attend one of the following sessions below and to view the proposed boundary maps, feeder patterns, data tables, and financial impacts for each scenario, please visit the District 65 Phase III: SDRP Resource Hub.

How to Make Your Voice Heard: Please attend an upcoming community conversation to share your perspective. Free childcare and Spanish interpretation will be provided, and all members of the public are welcome:

• October 14, 6-7:30 p.m. at Chute Middle School (1400 Oakton St.)
• October 15, 9:30-11 a.m. at Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center (1655 Foster St.)
• October 15, 6-7:30 p.m. at Nichols Middle School (800 Greenleaf St.)
• October 16, 6-7:30 p.m. at Haven Middle School (2417 Prairie Ave.)

Can't attend in person? Share your thoughts virtually (survey closes 11:59 p.m. October 16).

We're still on a mission to get every Willard student their own Evanston Public Library card – and it's going to be amazing for your family!

An EPL card unlocks thousands of books, resources, workshops, and family events. Even better? Your card works at Wilmette and Skokie libraries too, giving you three incredible library systems to explore!

We've already talked this up during Library classes and the kids are excited. Application forms are available in our Willard Library, and we've attached one to this newsletter for easy access.

This is a simple way to open up endless learning opportunities and fun experiences for your family. Let's make this the year every Willard student gets their library card! - Ms. Harries

I am thrilled to announce that we'll be hosting two fantastic authors over the next month!

For the Upper Grades (3-5)

On Thursday, October 16, the 3rd through 5th graders will meet Kim Long, author of Catching Cryptids: the Scientific Search for Mysterious Creatures. Interested in a signed copy? You can pre-order through our local partner, Booked, using this link.

For the Lower Grades (K-2)

We'll welcome the incredibly popular Ben Clanton, author of the Narwhal & Jelly and Tater Tales series, on Tuesday, November 4. To snag a signed copy of one of his books, please use the pre-order link from Booked.

Thanks to our amazing PTA, we're adding a signed copy of Kim Long's book to every 3rd-5th classroom library, and a signed Tater Tales book to every K-2 classroom library!

Please reach out to Ms. Harries (harriesl@district65.net) if you have any questions.

Happy Reading!

Join us for an adults night out on the town!!!!

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend a community education session for topics such as safe touches, bullying and friendships, and basic anatomy.

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Learn more and review lessons at each grade level.

D65 provides comprehensive sexual health instruction in all classrooms, aligned to the National Sex Education standards as required by the State of Illinois in the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act (KYSHA).

Comprehensive sexual education is about helping students understand their changing body and build skills for healthy relationships. This is done in a manner that is developmentally and age appropriate, medically accurate, and provides information that fosters healthy physical and emotional development.

Please see the Willard PTA Weekly Newsletter for more information on Willard PTA happenings, membership, and directory. If you missed the most recent PTA Owl Notes, click here!

October:

• 13th: NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples Day
• 14th: D65 Special Board Meeting (Morning) / Community Conversation (Evening)
• 15th: Community Conversation (Morning / Evening)
• 16th: Community Conversation (Evening)
• 17th: Hispanic Heritage Family Event
• 21st: Human Body and Personal Safety Instruction Session
• 22nd: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee meeting
• 27th: D65 Regular Board Meeting (NEW DATE)