May 2025 EMSD Newsletter

• School Redistricting for the 2026-27 School Year
• Leading With Service at Ridgewood Elementary
• EMSD: Growing Well-Rounded Learners - Elementary Music & Library Spotlight
• SY25/26 Registration - Now Open!
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• Glenview's 4th Annual Multicultural Family Day
• Spotlight on Business Office: Supporting the District's Financial Needs
• Parent University
• 3D Printing with QCC TEC & the LTC
• Digital Backpack

• School Breakfast and Lunch Menus
• May, June, and August Calendar of Events

As part of the EMSD Forward Strategic Plan, we will begin the process of redistricting for the 2026-27 school year. For the 2026–27 school year, EMSD will adjust elementary boundaries and grade configurations to strengthen student learning and ensure long-term sustainability. These changes were shared at the Board of Education meeting on May 19, and a proposal to move forward will be considered for approval at the June 16 Board meeting.

We understand that changes like this can affect your family in many ways, and we are committed to providing clear communication and opportunities for you to share feedback throughout the process.

What’s changing for the 2026-2027 school year:

• All elementary schools will serve grades K–5
  

• Glenview Middle School will serve grades 6–8
  

• Elementary boundaries will be redrawn to allow more students to walk to their neighborhood school
  

• Ridgewood Elementary will grow to approximately 850–900 students
  

• All other elementary schools will be smaller, with enrollment around 250 students each
  
  

We invite families to visit our redistricting webpage often to learn more and stay involved:

• Watch the EMSD FORWARD Redistricting Plan video

• Review our Frequently Asked Questions

• Submit feedback through this form

Attend one of our upcoming family listening sessions to share feedback:

• Thursday, June 5 – 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary
  (For families in the Spanish bilingual program)
  

• Monday, June 9 – 6:00–7:00 p.m. at the District Administration Center
  (Open to all EMSD families)
  
  

Thank you for your continued partnership as we plan for a strong future for all EMSD students.

For the past eight years, Ridgewood Elementary has fostered a spirit of giving and leadership through its student-led service club. Formerly known as KKids, the newly rebranded RWESL Club (Ridgewood Elementary Student Leaders) continues its strong tradition of making a positive impact on both the school and the wider community. Meeting twice a month for an hour, this dedicated group of young individuals, guided by staff members Bryce Lack, Lindy Slyer and Erich VonThun, embodies the true meaning of service. While the club was previously affiliated with Kiwanis, this year marks an exciting new chapter as the students take even greater ownership of their initiatives.

The list of their accomplishments speaks volumes about their commitment to Ridgewood and the community. By organizing a "Pet Scavenger Hunt" to collect essential supplies and raise funds for the local animal shelter and The Oasis, the RWESL Club demonstrates a deep care for their community. Their efforts extend within the school walls as well, with students raising money for new recess equipment, creating uplifting posters tied to school goals, and showing appreciation for staff through thoughtful cards for teachers and bus drivers. They also extended their warmth to the wider community by caroling and creating cards for a local nursing home and honoring veterans with special cards. Their fundraising efforts have further supported the local Food Bank, and they even hosted a fun Skate City Night for the Ridgewood community.

This year holds special significance as the students themselves took the lead in designing their club logo for their new t-shirts and thoughtfully chose the name RWESL Club, reflecting their growing leadership and dedication to service. The RWESL Club truly exemplifies the power of young leaders making a difference, one thoughtful act at a time.

Ready to discover more about the exciting learning happening in our elementary specials? Last month we featured elementary PE and Science, and this month we focus on Music and Library. Learn how these specials fuel imagination, foster a lifelong love of reading, and introduce fundamental musical concepts, enriching their overall educational experience.

Music

In music our students dive into the world of music, exploring rhythm, beat, and the diverse voices of instruments! They learn not just how music is made, but also how it tells stories, evoking emotions and sparking imaginations.

A highlight of their musical journey was the introduction of ballet in third grade. Our third graders had the opportunity to attend the Quad City Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker, a first ballet experience for many. Witnessing the graceful movements and hearing the enchanting music brought a whole new dimension to their understanding of storytelling through art.

The musical adventures didn't stop there! Our fourth graders were treated to a performance by the Quad City Symphony. This experience allowed them to appreciate the power and beauty of orchestral music, exposing them to a world of sound they might not otherwise encounter. We were proud to provide these enriching cultural experiences, fostering a love of music and the arts in our students.

Beyond the traditional library skills of book checkout and how the Dewey Decimal System helps organize books, students learn about Digital Citizenship. This reflects the modern library's transformation into a dynamic Learning Center, a space that goes beyond physical books. In today's interconnected world, students must also master the safe and responsible utilization of digital resources. This includes understanding online privacy, evaluating information credibility, and fostering respectful digital interactions. We equip students with the tools to navigate both the physical and digital landscapes of information, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Our dedicated media specialists (librarians) play a vital role in cultivating a love of reading and an understanding of the different genres of literature through engaging activities both with physical and digital materials. They bring stories to life with read-alouds, inspire creativity with fun book-themed projects, and motivate students with exciting reading incentive programs. These initiatives ensure the Learning Center is not only a hub for information, but also a vibrant and enjoyable space where students discover the joy of reading.

Arabic

Chin

French

Hausa

Spanish

Swahilli

Huge THANK YOU to our incredible teachers and staff for everything you do! ❤️ We loved celebrating you during Staff Appreciation Week with district-wide cookouts, showing the Board's support for your amazing work! It was wonderful to connect with all of you and celebrate the vital role you play in shaping the future of our students. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to education and for making a positive impact every single day.

Glenview's 4th Annual Multicultural Family Day was a day of family fun, great food, and COMMUNITY. Over 30 community partners were present, providing families with valuable resources, free clothes, an ethnic-inspired lunch, and school physicals offered by CHC. It was an inspirational day of celebrating the diversity we have in our community.

The Business Office is a proud partner in the success of the East Moline School District. We work collaboratively with all departments to manage the district's financial and operational needs. We manage everything from budgets and payroll to facilities and purchasing. Our goal is to ensure that resources are managed effectively so that our schools can focus on what matters most: providing an excellent education for every student. We're proud to support the students, staff, and families of the East Moline School District!

Meet the Business Office Team:

Behind the scenes, our dedicated team members work diligently to ensure the financial and operational health of the East Moline School District. Here's a closer look at their key responsibilities:

• Silvia Gutierrez, Bookkeeper (sgutierrez@emsd37.org): Silvia plays a crucial role in maintaining the accuracy of our financial records through daily bookkeeping tasks. She ensures timely submission of grant expenditure reports, and processes the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) report every pay period. Additionally, Silvia is the district's authorized agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
  
  

• Lori Willhite (lwillhite@emsd37.org) & Jessie Lopez (jelopez@emsd37.org), Purchasing & Accounts Payable/Receivable: Lori and Jessie are essential to the district's purchasing process. They handle all purchase orders, meticulously process and enter invoices, and issue accounts payable checks. They also manage the recording of accounts receivable payments and provide crucial support for student and activity funds.
  
  

• Julia Neal, Payroll Specialist (jneal@emsd37.org) : Julia is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all district employees. Her duties include processing payroll, federal/state quarterly tax reporting, processing annual W2’s, and processes payroll payables.
  
  

• Casey Kyser, Business Manager (ckyser@emsd37.org) : As Business Manager, provides strategic direction and oversight for all financial and operational functions of the district. This includes managing grant expenditures and reporting, preparing and managing the district budget, overseeing annual audits, ensuring internal controls.

The Business Office is proud to contribute to the success of East Moline School District and looks forward to continuing to support our schools in the future.

Check out the wide variety of offerings for the 2024-2025 school year from authors, speakers, and other experts by clicking the image. These are learning opportunities for parents/guardians are sponsored by the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) and offered virtually via Zoom.

The Quad City Career & Technical Education Consortium (QCC TEC) recently hosted a 3D printer workshop for teachers in the region with the Learning Technology Center of Illinois (LTC). EMSD 37 took a team of teachers from five buildings to learn more about 3D printing, designing files for print, and how to embed these skills with students. Many of the participants are new to 3D printing and have been brainstorming how they can continue to make learning relevant with this technology. Stay tuned to see students will be creating in the coming school year!

Click the image to see summer camps and activities!

Click the image to see this month's menus!

May 26 - Memorial Day (No Attendance)

May 28 - Last Day of School

June 5 - Spanish Bilingual Program at Hillcrest Listening Session for 2026-27 Redistricting Plan (Hillcrest Library, 6 pm)

June 9 - Community Listening Session for 2026-27 Redistricting Plan (Administration Center, 6 pm)

June 16 - Board of Education Meeting (Administration Center, 6 pm)

August 13 - First Day of School!