D73 Digest

The D73 Digest is your go-to source for Hawthorn District news, updates, and events. Whether you're looking for important reminders, celebrations, or ways to stay involved, you’ll find everything you need right here.

We are so excited for you to join us in our first ever Hawthorn Hoptoberfest! Meet us at Mellody Farm for an afternoon of community spirit and charitable cheer!

Date: Saturday, October 11 | 1-4 PM

&& guess what?! There is now a KIDS DAY OUT option for those struggling to find childcare during this event!! Our trusted after-school and summer camp provider - KI Martial Arts - will be offering a day out for your kids with a flexible drop off and pick up between 12:30-4:30 PM, at just $20/child!

So no more excuses! Get your ticket for Hawthorn Hoptoberfest today!!

October - National Principal Month

10/2 - National Custodian Day

10/6 - National ‘Sports’ Coaches Day

10/24 - IPA (Illinois) Principal Day

10/27 - Occupational Therapist Day

Lincoln and HSYL had a wildly successful McTeacher Night! They raised $1590.86!

All Upcoming McTeacher Nights are on Tuesdays 4-7 PM

• Oct 7 - Dual Language, Townline, and John Powers
• Oct 14 - Elementary North
• Oct 21 - Aspen and Elementary South
• Oct 28 - Middle School South / Middle School North

Join us on October 6 from 6–7 PM at Hawthorn School of Young Learners for our first MPAC (Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee) meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet staff, connect with other families, and learn more about how we support our multilingual learners. We hope to see you there! (flyers: English/Español)

D73 is proud to partner with the Lake County State’s Attorney, Mano a Mano, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake County Clerk’s Office for a vibrant community celebration featuring:

• Local community organizations

• Free entertainment

• Delicious food available for purchase from local food trucks

• Ballet Folklórico Tayahua

• K-9 Demonstration

• Children’s arts & crafts

• Flu Shots from the Rosalind Franklin Mobile Clinic

• The Secretary of State Mobile Unit will be offering a limited number of DMV appointments for services like renewing your driver’s license/ID, obtaining a REAL ID, or updating your information. Register here!

A special thanks to the Mundelein Park District and Los Perez Supermarket for providing the space and donating to this event!

Click here for more information about Somos Lake County!

Saturday, Nov 1 - 11:00 AM at Century Park Sled Hill

Join the Hawthorn PTO and Community for the 10th Annual Hawthorn Hustle 5K Run or 1 Mile Walk/Stroll.

5K Early Bird Pricing through October 6th: $35 run, $30 fun run; $150 maximum per family.

***Both Races include a short sleeve t-shirt***

Per Illinois law, all students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, or new to Illinois schools must have a completed physical exam and updated immunization records on file. Forms must be signed by a physician and include a completed health history section by a parent/guardian.

🛑 Students not in compliance by October 15 will be excluded from school until all required documentation is submitted.

🏅 Planning to try out for a school sport? A current physical must be on file before tryouts or participation in any interscholastic team.

For full details, visit our School Health Forms page or contact your school nurse with any questions.

To support our commitment to student health and wellness, the Whole Child Wellness Committee has updated the snack list. Thank you for partnering with us to create a healthy learning environment for all students.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be visiting us on October 17. If your child still needs immunizations or a physical exam, please contact Sol Cabachuela at (224) 370-2090 or cabachuelas@hawthorn73.org for more information.

All Hawthorn families are invited to join us for a special Día de los Muertos celebration on Wednesday, October 23, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Hawthorn Dual Language building.

This district-wide event will be filled with culture, tradition, and community as we come together to honor and remember our loved ones.

Flyers available here: [English] / [Español]

Join D73’s volunteer program, Hawthorn Helpers, and be part of a caring and dedicated team of parents and community members who support our schools! We’re welcoming new volunteers for the 2025–2026 school year.

📌 Learn more here: Hawthorn Helper Information
📧 Questions? Contact Family Liaison Sol Cabachuela at cabachuleas@hawthorn73.org

Hawthorn District 73 is continuing its partnership with Lakeside Transportation to bring families the My Ride K-12 mobile app, designed to enhance your student’s transportation experience through real-time tracking and timely updates.

App Features Include:

• Real-time bus tracking for arrival and departure times

• Timely notifications when your child gets on or off the bus

• Bus tags for secure check-in/out using bus-mounted tablets

We encourage all families to download the free My Ride K-12 app to stay informed and connected.

Hawthorn District 73 partners with ReferralGPS, a free and confidential service that connects families with mental health providers matched to their needs—regardless of insurance status. A Care Navigator will guide you through the process to ensure you find the right support. This service is made possible through a grant from the Regional Office of Education (ROE).

Never miss an important date! You can subscribe to your school’s calendar and have events automatically sync to your personal device.

Visit our Calendars page, select your school, and click the RSS or iCal icon to add it to your preferred calendar app (Google, Outlook, Apple, etc.). It’s the easiest way to stay up to date on school events, holidays, and more!

We've added "Contact" and "Subscribe" buttons at the bottom of this newsletter for your convenience. Whether you have feedback, questions, suggestions, or compliments, reaching out to us is now just a click away. D73 Digest is exclusive to Hawthorn families, but if you know someone interested in joining our community and receiving updates, please share this issue with them and encourage them to subscribe. Let's keep the conversation going!

We’re excited to welcome families to our Educate & Empower series—designed to equip parents and guardians with valuable tools and strategies to support the whole child socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. When schools and families partner, students SOAR!

Hawthorn is proud to partner with the Stevenson High School consortium of feeder schools to host a special community event featuring Dr. Doug Bolton, author of Untethered: Creating Communities to Help Our Kids Feel More Connected, Less Anxious, and More Grounded.

📅 Date: Wednesday, November 6
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: West Auditorium, Stevenson High School

This evening will focus on how a teen’s community impacts wellness and academic success. All parents, guardians, and caregivers are welcome!

The Connection Corner is your go-to space for insights and resources that strengthen the home–school connection while supporting your child’s social, emotional, and behavioral growth.

Stay connected with all the exciting happenings, events, and opportunities from our amazing Hawthorn PTO! The latest edition of their newsletter is now live—don’t miss out on important updates and ways to get involved.

📬 Read it here: Hawthorn PTO Newsletter

Thank you to our PTO for their continued support of our students, staff, and school community!

The Friends of Cook Memorial Public Library District are hosting their annual Fall Book Sale at Aspen Drive Library on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. Don’t miss out on fantastic deals on books for all ages—fill a bag for just $5 on Sunday!

📍 Aspen Drive Library, Vernon Hills
🗓️ Saturday, October 18:

• 9:30–11:30 AM: Members' Preview

• 11:30 AM–4:30 PM: Open to the Public
  🗓️ Sunday, October 19:

• 12:30–4:30 PM: $5 Bag Sale

📚 Teacher Bonus: On Sunday, educators with a valid school ID can select books free of charge—a great way to stock your classroom library! All proceeds benefit the Cook Memorial Public Library District.

Ready for a year of adventure? Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is hosting an information meeting for families in Hawthorn District 73 on October 16! Come learn how your child can become part of a fun, empowering program that builds confidence, leadership, and friendships that last a lifetime.

🌐 Learn more at girlscoutsgcnwi.org/join
💬 Financial assistance is available.

• VHHS is planning to test 8th grade students who reside within their boundaries on Saturday, October 18, with a make-up on Saturday, October 25.

• Here is a Smore with information for families

• If you have questions, please reach out to Charlotte Eames, Director of Data and Assessment, charlotte.eames@d128.org or Shannon Garcia, Assistant Principal, VHHS, shannon.garcia@d128.org

Calling all 4th–8th grade girls! Come try out for the Vernon Hills Cougar Girls Feeder Basketball program and take your skills to the next level! This season, the program is planning for smaller team sizes to maximize playing time and development opportunities.

📅 Tryout Dates:

• Monday, October 20

• Wednesday, October 22
  ⏰ Check-in: 6:00 PM (please do not arrive before 6:00 PM)
  ⏰ Tryouts: 6:30–8:00 PM
  📍 Location: Vernon Hills High School – Main Gym & Field House

👕 All players will receive a numbered tryout t-shirt.
🚫 Parents and siblings are not allowed in the gym during tryouts.

📣 Teams will be announced Friday, October 24 at vhcougars.org

💰 Tryout Fee: $25 per player

For questions, contact Commissioner Mike Wagrowski at mgwagrowski@yahoo.com. Let’s grow the program together! 🏀

Mundelein High School is excited to invite families from our feeder schools to experience the energy and excitement of Friday Night Lights this fall! These community events are a great way for younger students to get a taste of Mustang spirit in a safe and family-friendly atmosphere.

🎉 Upcoming Highlights:

• October 10 – Marching Band Senior Night & Neon Theme

• October 17 – Community Night & White Out

⚽ Additional Community Nights:

• Boys Soccer – September 25 (with a community cookout!)

• Football – October 17

🎟️ Reminders for Game Day:

• K–8 students must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult

• Clear bag policy in effect

• All tickets must be purchased via GoFan

Don’t forget to check out the Red Rage theme nights and matching t-shirt store to show your Mustang pride!

Go Mustangs! 🐴

The Vernon Hills Park District is celebrating fall with a lineup of special events throughout October! From festive family fun to seasonal activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

🎃 Check out the full list of Harvest Happenings here:

Don’t miss out on the autumn fun happening in our community!

We’re excited to share a new tutoring opportunity for D73 middle school students, organized by Vernon Hills High School’s National Honor Society! This program is open to all students, including English learners, and will take place at the Aspen Drive Library. Students can drop in as needed, but are encouraged to fill out the interest form ahead of time.

📍 Location: Aspen Drive Library
🗓️ Drop-in format – flexible and welcoming

Parents/Guardians of 8th Graders: It’s never too early to start preparing for the transition to high school!

Wanderlight Pathways, founded by Golden Apple Award–winning educator Todd Katz, offers one-on-one and small group coaching for students in grades 9–11. This program focuses on executive functioning, leadership, and building confidence to help students thrive in high school.

Wanderlight complements the strong foundation built in middle school by empowering students with the tools they need to navigate increased independence.

🌐 Learn more at wanderlightpathways.com
📞 Contact: 224-255-3087

Looking for a fun and meaningful way for your K–5th child to learn, grow, and make friends?

Join Cub Scout Pack 273 — where adventure, character-building, and lifelong memories begin!

This fall’s lineup of hands-on activities include:

• McHenry Farm Stroll

• Boo Camp

• Halloween Party

• Zoo Field Trip

• Snacks Thanksgiving

• Community Service at Feed My Starving Children

… and so much more!

Give your child the chance to explore, lead, and thrive — all while having a blast. Come be part of the Pack 273 family! Scan the QR code on the flyer or click this link to find out how your child can join the fun with Pack 273!

Ela Soccer Club is now registering for its Winter 2025–2026 youth soccer programs at the SoccerPlex & Sports Center in Lake Zurich! Programs are available for ages 3 through 14, with opportunities for beginners and competitive players alike.

🔹 Recreational Leagues (U4–U14)
🔹 Total Skills Academy (K–8th grade)
🔹 Junior Academy (ages 3–5)
🔹 3v3 League & Futsal for travel players
🔹 Half Day & Full Day Camps
🔹 Special Winter Break Camps

💻 Learn more & register: www.elasoccer.com
📅 Sessions begin as early as October 22!

Programs fill quickly—space is limited! Don't miss your chance to kick off the winter season with fun and skill-building on the field