As we celebrated Staff Appreciation Week last week, it was wonderful to take a moment to thank each of the staff members for the heart, dedication, and passion they bring to our school every day. Their impact on our students goes far beyond the classroom, and their hard work never goes unnoticed.

Huge thank you to the PTA for providing special treats throughout the week and the gifts! The staff thoroughly enjoyed their spirit wear gift. Check out a few photos of staff with their new gear!

The mural has been successfully completed! Designed by students to reflect their creativity, values, and community spirit, the mural was brought to life by the talented hands of 5th-grade artists. The students worked together to carefully paint each detail, transforming their vision into a colorful and inspiring display. This collaborative project not only beautifies the space but also celebrates the power of student voice and teamwork. We cannot wait to see it hung up!

A heartfelt thank you to all the students for their incredible effort, teamwork, and artistic eye—your dedication truly shines through every brushstroke. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing art teacher, Ms. McDermott, whose guidance, support, and passion made this project possible.

On Friday, May 9, our second-grade class, together with the Orrington PTA, sprouted joy during a tree-planting event led by Leslie Shad from Natural Habitat Evanston (NHE). With help from NHE's team of tree experts, our 2nd graders helped plant six native trees. Students learned proper planting techniques and about the specific trees being planted. They even took turns digging holes, watering the trees, and spreading mulch. Plus, our creative students came up with clever names for the trees—check the tags to see them!

Why Are Native Plants Important?

Supporting Local Wildlife:
Native plants offer essential habitats for pollinators, birds, and wildlife, attracting colorful birds and butterflies. Some species, like monarch butterflies, rely exclusively on native plants like milkweed.

Sustainable Choice:
Well-adapted to our region, native plants require less water and no added fertilizers. Their deep roots prevent runoff and erosion, purifying water for our waterways.

A special thank you to the Chicago Region Trees Initiative for donating six native tree saplings to Orrington and to our tree experts, volunteers, and enthusiastic 2nd graders for helping make our school and local habitat greener!

On behalf of our District 65 Technology Team, we want to make you aware of a dangerous social media trend emerging in some school districts, where students are encouraged to intentionally damage their school-issued Chromebooks—particularly by puncturing lithium batteries or tampering with charging ports to cause short circuits.

Thankfully, we are not currently aware of any District 65 students participating in this trend. However, we want to be proactive in reminding our students and families that this type of activity is extremely dangerous and can be especially hazardous to our students and schools. Lithium battery damage can result in fires that are fast-spreading, hard to extinguish, and pose serious risks to students and staff.

Please take a moment to talk with your student about the importance of using school technology safely and responsibly. Deliberate damage to devices is a violation of our Acceptable Use Agreement and would be considered as vandalism according to our student handbook. It may lead to disciplinary action and replacement fees due to intentional damage as defined in our Device Protection Plan and Replacement Procedure.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping our school community safe and informed.

What is Summer EBT?

Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks, is a nutrition program authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. Summer EBT for 2025 will provide a $120 annual benefit to eligible children via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) issuance by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Complete Summer EBT information for Illinoisians can be found on the IDHS Summer EBT webpage.

Is my child eligible?

Your child is eligible for Summer EBT without an application if they meet one of the following

requirements:

• The child’s date of birth is between July 2, 2006, and August 13, 2019, AND they received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); foster care; or Medicaid (income under 185% Federal Poverty Level) any time between July 1, 2024, and August 13, 2025; or

• The child attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2024-25 school year and was deemed income-eligible to receive a free or reduced-price lunch through direct certification or a school meals application at the school.

A child that does not meet one of the requirements above can apply for Summer EBT if they attend an NSLP school during the 2024-25 school year and believe they meet the income threshold. See below for more information on submitting a Summer EBT Application.

Note: Beginning in Summer 2025, if your child attends a school operating the NSLP under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), alternative applications (such as fee waiver applications) processed at the school cannot be used for Summer EBT issuance. Therefore, all households are encouraged to check the IDHS Summer EBT screener to determine if a Summer EBT application may be needed.

Households should be encouraged to visit the IDHS Summer EBT webpage where they can access Summer EBT 2025 program information, as well as the Summer EBT Screener to check eligibility. If not determined automatically eligible and believe that you meet the requirements, complete and submit a Summer EBT application.

CHECK OUT MORE INFO ON THE ATTACHED FLYER.

Y.O.U. Expands Summer Program for Evanston Youth

Evanston, IL – Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) is excited to expand its Summer Program for 2025, offering youth in Evanston a summer full of learning, creativity, and fun. The program will run from June 16 to July 25, with a Special Field Trip Week from July 28 – August 1. Youth entering grades 2–8 this fall are welcome to join, with free and paid options available based on household income. Registration opens to the community on March 29, with priority given to Y.O.U. families, and early registration is encouraged due to limited space.

This year’s program features creative workshops in art, music, and writing, STEM projects that foster curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math, and weekly field trips to exciting locations around Evanston. Participants will also engage in sports, games, mindfulness activities, and other recreation and wellness options designed to keep them active and engaged. The program fosters community building by providing youth with opportunities to connect with peers and caring mentors in a safe, supportive environment.

Program Details:
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (Field Trip Week: July 28 – August 1)
Location: Oakton Elementary School (Elementary), Chute Middle School (Middle School)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Opens March 29, closes May 1.
For more information about Y.O.U. or to learn how to support our programs, please visit www.youthopportunity.org

MetroSquash is hosting a free summer camp for rising 6th - 9th grade D65 and D202 students this summer! We will be exploring topics like STEAM, environment, literacy, learning the sport of squash, and going on weekly field trips. This would be a great program for students who want to try something new over the summer and/or might be interested in our after-school program. The camp will be for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch and will occur from June 23rd through July 25th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Parents can use this link to fill out the interest form: https://www.tfaforms.com/4973674

It's time to get ready to celebrate our 5th grade graduates!

Action items for all parents and caregivers:

*Send in photos for the Memory Book! orrington2025memories@gmail.com OR add photos into THIS GOOGLE DRIVE

*Donate if you can to help pay for every child to receive a Memory Book and T-shirt: $35 suggested donation to info@orringtonpta.org or check made payable to Orrington PTA, memo-"5th Grade Celebration"

The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. By banding together, this will decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over the kids having a smartphone. There are so many reasons to wait.

Many parents say “yes” to the smartphone early because so many other families have said “yes.” What if we said "not yet” together though? What difference would it make if our kids had a few more years smartphone free?

Please note that this pledge is for smartphones only. If you would like your child to have a basic phone that just calls and texts, you still can sign the pledge! The basic phone avoids many of the distractions and potential dangers of the smartphone.

To learn more and sign the pledge, please visit www.waituntil8th.org.

Want to know what's going on around the community? District 65 uses a "Digital Backpack" to share community information. Please click the button below to view upcoming community events and activities.