Walker Wolverines PTA

The community is invited to gather together on Thursday evening, January 30 (6:30-8:30) at RPC meeting house.  All 15 candidates running in the District 65 race for board service will be present.  

The below schedule outlines the event (free and public):

D65 Candidate Meet and Greet
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 6:30 PM–9 PM
Reba Place Church
620 Madison St., Evanston

Schedule:

• 5:00 PM: Event Setup and Candidate Access (15 tables for candidates)
• 6:00 PM: Yo Fresh Treats/Sound Check
• 6:30 PM: Neighbors/Candidates Relationship Building
• 7:30 PM: 3-Minute Candidate Introductions
• 8:30 PM: Dr. Michael Nabors’ Closing Remarks
• 9:00 PM: Firehouse Grill Social (optional)

Note: Everyone is invited to this event so please share this invitation with your school communities via email, newsletters, Facebook pages.  
If questions, please reach out to Mr. Dan Coyne at Dancoyne1957@gmail.com. 

Dear District 65 TWI, Dual Language, and Spanish Language Arts parents/caregivers,
As our first class of sixth graders begin District 65’s Dual Language program at Bessie
Rhodes, we are excited to continue engaging with families about plans for future expansion
in the district’s middle schools. The Multilingual Services team is forming a Dual Language Committee as part of Student Assignment Planning (SAP) Phase III. Details were presented at the December 16 Regular Board Meeting (watch recording and view presentation in English and Spanish).

The Committee:

• Will examine data and experiences of the multilingual community to make a recommendation to the superintendent for the next location of the Dual Language Middle School program.
• Will be made up of parent/caregivers of TWI, Dual Language and Spanish Language Arts students; school leaders and staff from D65 TWI schools, middle schools, and Multilingual Services; and subject matter experts.
• Will meet three times in February and March 2025. The kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, February 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the JEH Board Room. Meetings will be held in a way accessible to both English and Spanish speakers.

Learn more about the Dual Language Committee on our SAP III website, Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. January 17, 2025. Apply to be part of the Dual Language Committee

It’s so important that we have a representative group of participants. We value your perspective and strongly encourage you to apply!

Join us on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 7:00–10:00 PM at Palmhouse on Howard for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection, and community.

Enjoy great food, drinks, and fun, including an open beer and wine bar and mouthwatering bites from Evanston’s own Soul & Smoke.

• Individual Tickets: $120
• Party Pack: Enjoy a discount by bringing a group of 6 for $600!  

Foundation 65 invests in our educators, funding innovative programs that address racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps while creating environments where every student can thrive. By attending My65, you directly support the educators who make a difference for our children every day.

Space is limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot now!

Visit www.foundation65.org/my65-25 to register or become a sponsor.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Any student in D65 can receive warm clothing from Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association (ESCCA). The volunteer-run organization, now in its 94th year, provides new and gently used warm clothing, coats, shoes, boots, undergarments, and more to any D65 student at no cost.

To start the process, parents/caregivers and students are encouraged to talk to their school health office personnel or social worker. Families are then scheduled with an appointment to come select clothing in the ESCCA shop, which is located in the Joseph E. Hill Education Center. Each student goes home with a large selection of warm clothing.

Anyone can help ESCCA fulfill its mission! Please consider:

• donating new or good quality gently-used clothing to the ESCCA bin outside on the west side of the JEH building (1500 McDaniel Ave., Evanston) (see donation guidelines)
• making a contribution via the ESCCA website
• volunteering

From the District:

On Monday evening the School Board unanimously approved a four-year agreement with the District 65 Educators’ Council (DEC). A high quality school system is the direct result of a team of caring, talented educators. We are so grateful for the many who have chosen to make District 65 their professional home.

Since March, bargaining teams representing DEC and D65 have worked collaboratively, largely through Interest Based Bargaining, to reach a fair and equitable agreement. The teams reached a tentative agreement on November 18 which was later ratified by the DEC membership on December 12, with nearly an 80% vote of approval.

The contract honors the hard work and dedication of our educators and will continue to foster high quality teaching and learning while offering competitive compensation. The four-year contract will provide needed stability for both educators and the community.

More information and contract highlights are available on the District 65 website. Once the review process has been completed by both parties, a final contract will be posted.

From the District:

We are so grateful to the hundreds of staff members, parents/caregivers, and community members who shared their thoughts as we develop the district’s Structural Deficit Reduction Plan, both in person and virtually these last few weeks! It is so clear that our community cares deeply about the future of our children’s schools. See meeting summaries from the Listen & Learn sessions

At the January 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, several scenarios will be presented to the School Board for consideration as part of the district’s structural deficit reduction plan. As a reminder it will be necessary to reduce our budget by approximately $13.2 million before the start of next school year. We are committed to engaging with the community to gather feedback and know that we all have a shared goal to minimize the impact on students. Please save the date for these community forums:

• January 15, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at Haven Middle School – 2417 Prairie Ave., Evanston
• January 16, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at Nichols Middle School – 800 Greenleaf St., Evanston
• January 17, 9:30 a.m-10:45 a.m. at South End Community Center (Gym) – 430 Asbury Ave., Evanston
• D65 staff: Save the date for staff-specific meetings on January 15 and 16! Details will be sent after winter break.

Spanish interpretation will be provided and more details are forthcoming. We hope to see you there!

5th Grade Yearbooks have already been purchased by the PTA. Log in to create custom pages. Contact Customer Service if you need help! K-4 can purchase yearbooks and design custom pages too.