Reintroducing the Key to 73 Foundation!
We’re excited to announce the relaunch of the Key to 73 Foundation with their new newsletter, your go-to source for updates on their mission, upcoming events, and ways to support ready-to-learn initiatives for Hawthorn District 73 students.
In this edition, learn more about their impactful programs, get the latest details on the 2025 D73 Golf Outing, and find out how you can get involved.
Stay connected and make a difference—subscribe to the newsletter today to ensure you never miss an update!
Meet Larry & Lauren Watts, the dynamic duo of Hawthorn!
It’s the month of love, so what better time to celebrate one of Hawthorn’s very own educator couples?
Lauren, Principal at Elementary North, and Larry, P.E./Health Teacher at Townline, met at a staff social thanks to a little matchmaking by a colleague. Eleven years later, they’re still going strong—and raising their three kids right here in the district!
Hawthorn isn’t just where they work—it’s home. 💙
Share Your Feedback: Illinois 5Essentials Survey
Hawthorn is participating in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, which helps assess school climate and culture. Your input matters! The survey gathers feedback from parents, students, and teachers to guide school improvement efforts.
The parent survey is now OPEN, and will be available until March 28. Click the button below to take a few minutes to share your thoughts!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
ISBE Parent Survey for Families of Students with Disabilities
Hawthorn District 73 is part of the 2025 Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Parent Survey, which gathers feedback on how well schools involve parents in their child’s education. The results help shape school improvements and are included in ISBE’s Annual Performance Report to the U.S. Department of Education.
Between February and May, selected parents/guardians may receive a letter from Measurement Inc. with a survey link, QR code, and a student-specific ID number to complete the survey online. The letter also provides assistance options for completing the survey in English or Spanish or retrieving a lost student ID.
Your participation is important—thank you for your feedback!
LCHD Respiratory Illness Guidance for Families
As respiratory virus season continues, the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) has shared important information on preventing and managing respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, and pertussis. The letter attached below outlines key symptoms, when to keep your child home, and steps to reduce the spread of illness.
Thank you for helping keep our school community healthy!
Rock the Bald with VHPD to Honor a Hawthorn Eagle!
Join the Vernon Hills Police Department in honoring Lilley Sloniker, a proud Hawthorn Eagle, at this year’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation event!
- Saturday, March 22
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Hawthorn Mall
Sign up or donate to the VHPD team here: St. Baldrick’s Team Page. Let’s show our support for Lilley and all kids battling cancer!
Newest Podcast Episode: INNOVATE
How can we try something new – either new apps, tools, or resources… or featuring the stories of other innovators?
In this episode we talk with two of our Hawthorn Aeries (Madison and Katie) about how they've been innovating in their classrooms and using the Apple Education Forum to level up the resources in their teacher tool belt!
Virtual Lunch & Learn: Setting Healthy Boundaries
Parents and guardians, if you missed the Feb. 19 "Setting Healthy Boundaries" with Hilary Davis of Touchstone Therapy, you can now watch the session online! Learn practical strategies for setting clear, age-appropriate boundaries that promote respect, responsibility, and emotional regulation.
📌 Watch here
March PTO Meeting – All Are Welcome!
Join us for the March PTO Meeting at Middle School North on Tuesday, March 11, at 7:00 PM in the Library.
- Free on-site childcare will be available in Room 135.
- A virtual meeting link is available upon request—email secretary@hawthornpto.org for access.
We hope to see you there!
Commitment to a Healthy Learning Environment
With illness going around, we want to remind our families that we are committed to maintaining a clean and safe learning environment for our students and staff. Our cleaning crews work diligently to keep our facilities sanitized, and we follow a regular deep cleaning routine to help prevent the spread of germs. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community healthy!
2025-2026 Calendar Approved
The Hawthorn Board of Education discussed and approved the 2025-2026 school calendar during the January 16 meeting.
Stay Healthy This Season: When to Keep Your Child Home from School
It is the cold and flu season! Children who appear ill should not be sent to school. In order for your child to be available for learning and to maintain a healthy environment, it is very important for you to keep your child at home if he or she:
Has any COVID-19 symptoms.
Has an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees or more. He or she should not return to school until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications, since many children experience a recurrence of fever.
Has become sick with flu-like symptoms, or experiences fast or troubled breathing.
Is not drinking enough fluids.
Experiences a return of flu symptoms with a fever and worsening cough.
Has a fever with a rash.
Has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, such as strep throat, conjunctivitis or impetigo. He or she should be on antibiotic medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Has vomited more than once or has had persistent diarrhea during the night or into the morning. He or she should be without these symptoms for 48 hours before returning to school.
Has chicken pox, he or she must be excluded from school until all lesions are crusted over.
Has head lice.
Has a rash of unknown origin.
The school nurse may require a note from the doctor stating that your child is not contagious and/or is clear to attend school.
Thank you for helping to minimize the transmission of illness in our schools!
Summer Programs 🌻
Please mark your calendar for next summer’s program dates!
Hawthorn Summer Program offerings include Hawthorn Enrichment Institute (HEI), Hawthorn Music Camp, Extended School Year (ESY), Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten. More information about program offerings and registration will be shared after winter break.
Summer Program Dates: Monday, June 9 - Tuesday, July 2.
Session 1: June 9 - June 18 (HEI, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)
Session 2: June 23-July 2 (HEI, Music Camp, ESY, Summer Scholars, and Early Start Kindergarten)
No School: Thursday 6/19, Thursday 7/3, all Fridays
Lincoln Early Learning Center ESY Dates: Wed, June 4th - Tues, July 1st
No School: Thursday, June 19, all Fridays
*If all of Hawthorn’s Emergency Days are used dates will shift to June 5th - July 2nd*
Hawthorn Helpers
Join D73’s volunteer program, Hawthorn Helpers, and be a part of a dedicated team of caring parents and vibrant community members! We are welcoming new volunteers for our new school year! To learn more click on the following link: Hawthorn Helper Information. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Family Liaison Gabriela Cervantes at cervantesg@hawthorn73.org.
D73 Spiritwear!
Looking for new D73 clothes and accessories for your students for this school year? Look no further! Be sure to check out the D73 Spiritwear Site: https://www.wamiswag.com/shops/hawthornd73
Explore LINQ Connect: Your Hub for Managing School Meals
Visit our LINQ Connect page to discover all the features, how-to guides, and essential eligibility information you need to manage your child's school meal experience seamlessly. LINQ Connect provides a comprehensive suite of tools that allows you to access your account safely, whether through our app or online. Enjoy features such as automatic payments, low balance notifications, and detailed real-time transaction reports. With a unified dashboard, you can effortlessly manage funds and monitor meal activities for all the district students in your household. Experience convenience at your fingertips with LINQ Connect!
Looking for Mental Health Support?
We are excited to announce that our district has access to ReferralGPS, a valuable resource designed to connect families with a Care Navigator. Whether you have insurance or not, ReferralGPS will help you find the right therapist or provider for your needs. This program is funded by a grant through the Regional Office of Education (ROE).
2025 Vernon Hills Park District Summer Day Camp Guide
Looking for summer camp options for your child? Check out the 2025 Summer Day Camp Guide for a variety of exciting programs to keep kids engaged and active all summer long!
Explore camp options and find the perfect fit for your family here: 2025 Summer Day Camp Guide.
Updates from Vernon Hills Park District!
The Vernon Hills Park District has some exciting news to share! Their recent newsletter introduces their new Executive Director and announces the release of the Winter/Spring Program Guide. Explore a variety of programs and activities for the upcoming seasons and get to know the leadership guiding the Park District forward.
Check out the newsletter for all the details and start planning your winter and spring fun!
Girls' Night of Code – Free Event for Grades 5-8!
Join the Vernon Hills High School Girls Who Code chapter for a fun and empowering night of coding! This free event is open to female and non-binary students in grades 5-8 who want to explore coding in a supportive environment.
📅 Wednesday, February 27
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Vernon Hills High School
Sign up here!
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, create, and connect with other students passionate about technology!
Libertyville Summer Chess Camp
Looking for a fun and educational summer activity? The Libertyville Summer Chess Camp is open to children ages 6-13 and welcomes players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
📅 Camp 1: June 16-20
📅 Camp 2: June 23-27
📍 Location: Libertyville Civic Center
🕐 Time: Monday – Friday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
💰 Cost: $349 per child ($50 early bird discount available until April 15)
Camp activities include interactive lessons, practice games, and tournament play with prizes. Chess boards, pieces, and clocks will be provided.
For more details or to register, click below or email contact@neighborhooodchess.com
We Need Super Subs Like You!
Are you passionate about education and looking for a flexible way to contribute to our community? Hawthorn District 73 is on the lookout for enthusiastic and dedicated substitute teachers to join our team! Whether you’re looking to inspire young minds occasionally or more frequently, we have opportunities that fit your schedule. Learn more about how you can make a difference and check out the perks of becoming a "Super Sub" by visiting our substitute teacher page at Hawthorn Substitute Careers. Join us in shaping futures—one class at a time!
