An Update from Hough Elementary
A Winter Message to Hough Families
Dear Hough Families,
As we head into the winter break and holiday season, I want to take a moment to thank you for being such an important part of the Hough community. This time of year can be joyful, busy, and sometimes exhausting, and we hope the days ahead offer opportunities for rest, connection, and meaningful time for family and friends. We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a healthy, happy start to 2026!
As we look ahead to January, we also want to share a few important reminders to help support a strong start to each school day. School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m., and students are expected to be in their seats and ready to learn at that time. Recently, we have seen an increase in tardiness—approximately one out of every five students was tardy this week. Being on time is important not only for learning, but also for helping students feel settled, confident, and connected to their classroom community during morning meeting time and the first class of the day.
In the new year, our school social worker will be reaching out to families who have experienced consistent tardies to better understand any challenges and to see how we can support you. I know firsthand the mornings are so hard! I drop-off my sleepy middle-schooler and pack up my elementary son! Despite my best efforts, they don't always have their iPads and water bottles. We are here to help! Our goal is always to partner with families and problem-solve together in a supportive and respectful way.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Hough truly is a magical place to work! Enjoy the break, take time to relax and recharge, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.
Warmly,
Heather Schumacher
Principal, Hough Street School
Hough Street School News!
Message from Mrs. Koegel:
Parents! We are seeing a noticeable increase in students of all ages not charging their iPads nightly. They need these every day just like they need pencils or gym shoes. Please help your students start a habit of charging in a set spot before bed and then packing the iPad as they would pack their lunch for school. Also, if your student is a 3rd-5th grader, we need wired headphones that stay at school for district and state assessments. USB-C would be optimal, but I do have adapters for the kind with a regular audio jack. We have some loaner headphones in the library, but not enough to support the large number of students who don't have these currently. What a great idea for a stocking stuffer! Please don't get anything super pricey or that needs blue tooth. The state assessments block bluetooth capabilities. Thank you for your support!
Ready, Set, Kindergarten 2026 !!
We are gearing up to welcome in our newest kindergarteners next year, also known as the BHS Class of 2039 . If you have a rising kindergartener, please fill out this informational questionnaire to begin the process and plan on joining us at one of the dates below!
Monday 2/2 - General kindergarten session at each elementary school
Wednesday 2/4 - Chinese Immersion Info Night at North Barrington Elementary
Thursday 2/5 - Spanish Dual Language at Lines Elementary
Tuesday 2/10 - K-Lab (Kindergarten Lab) at BHS
All meetings begin at 6 p.m. You can read more information on our website. To register your incoming kindergartener for the 2026-27 school year, please contact the Central Registration Office at registration@barrington220.org or call 847-842-3534.
District 220 News
DUE NEXT FRIDAY: Info Needed for Rising 6th Graders!
5th grade families....your student's 6th grade selections for Colt Time, Band, Choir, Orchestra and a Language are available in IC from Wednesday, December 10 - Friday, December 19th. Please be sure to go into IC and make your choices in the survey.
Attention all D220 Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families!
Did you know that students across D220 can join the Chinese Immersion Program until winter break of 1st grade? There is still time to join this wonderful program!
* No experience with Mandarin necessary
* No additional fees
* Free bus transportation provided
If you’d like to learn more or connect with a current CI parent, please visit www.bcic220.org or email ErinLales@bcic220.org.
SEPAC update We invite all community members to sign up for our upcoming D220 SEPAC book discussion. Our first book is Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities by Meg Zucker — an insightful and uplifting read featuring real stories and practical guidance to help families support children in understanding and embracing their differences.
Participation is flexible, with no ongoing commitment beyond this event. If you're interested, please sign up here:
https://forms.gle/XX539D1JzpZm9prn8 by December 15th. Our discussion will take place in January, and meeting details will be shared with all participants later in December.
Operation North Pole- Operation North Pole Christmas train I coming through on Saturday 12/20 for children battling life-threatening and terminal illnesses. It rolls through Barrington at 12:44 p.m. and they are trying to get a crowd to come out and wave! Here is more information if needed.
Winter Wonderfest Information!
Winter Wonderfest returns to BHS on December 12 and 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Our very own Harmonizing Hawks will be performing on Saturday night at 6:30pm. Families can also check out the Hough School tree with the students' book ornaments that they created. Enjoy live performances, interactive art stations, games, holiday crafts, DJs, Santa visits, and more. All craft and game activities are included with admission. We hope to see you there! Head here to purchase tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/?show=288826
PTO Update
Hough Class Holiday Parties:
We’re so excited for our annual class parties full of joy, laughter, and holiday cheer on Friday, December 19th! Our Room Parent Leads are already gearing up to make this celebration magical.
As always, our hardworking and wonderful PTO members will be on-site with smiles, cheer, and help if you need anything.
Stay tuned for more festive updates and ways you can help from your amazing Room Parent Leads in the coming weeks!
YEARBOOK: Hello! It's never too early to start compiling photos for the yearbook. Have a great pic you want to share? Please upload it to Google Drive here. Email houghhawksyearbook@gmail.com with questions. Thanks! Click HERE to Add Pictures
Stay in the Know with your PTO- Email any questions to hellohoughpto@gmail.com.
Important Dates
-Friday, 12/12- Girls Basketball Practice (7:05am), Silly Hat Day for Change
-Monday, 12/15- 3-4th Grade STEM club (until 3:15) 4th Grade Girl Scouts (until 3:30), Boys Basketball Practice (until 3:35)
-Tuesday, 12/16- Choir 7:10am, Boys Basketball Practice (7:05am)
-Wednesday, 12/17- 2nd Grade Girl Scouts (until 3:30)
-Thursday, 12/18- 3-4th Grade STEM club (until 3:15), Girls Basketball Practice (until 3:35)
-Friday, 12/19- Girls Basketball Practice (7:05am)
-Monday, 1/5- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
-Tuesday, 1/6 –WELCOME BACK! Chess Club (until 3:34pm), 1-2nd Grade STEM Club (sign up information coming soon!)
-Thursday, 1/8- 1-2nd Grade STEM Club (sign up information coming soon!), Boys Basketball Game @ Hough
-Friday, January 30th- Save the Date for Snowball Family Dance
-Friday, February 6th- Parent's Night Out
- Wednesday, February 11 – Classroom Valentine’s Day Parties — 12:45–1:45
-Saturday April 11th- Save the Date for Big Hawk Little Hawk at Canlan- 1:00pm-4:00pm
