Evanston/Skokie School District 65

Students and staff packed the field for the annual Kingsley staff v. 5th grade kickball game! Amid lots of cheering and posters rooting for both sides, students took home the victory 🏆 🥳

Willard Elementary 5th graders celebrated a meaningful milestone with a tree planting ceremony! As part of their “Tree Detectives” ecosystems unit, students researched tree health, explored species selection, and created posters before voting on which trees to plant.

The trees, a chinkapin oak and a white oak, were dedicated to Willard’s Two-Way Immersion (TWI) program and to this year’s graduating monolingual students. Students also added a personal touch, writing observations and words of encouragement on biodegradable, popsicle sticks placed around the trees. 🌳

"Can we have a diner?" a student asked Kingsley Elementary kindergarten teacher Randy Heite after their class read "In the Diner" by Christine Loomis. That simple question inspired a 30-year tradition: Room 101 Diner, which includes job descriptions, want ads, menu creation and tasting, and LOTS of teamwork! This tradition creatively helps students on their literacy, math, and teamwork skills in quite a delicious way!

Lincolnwood Readers Theatre returned for the fourth year! This free, eight-week before-school program teaches storytelling through voices, expression, and physical movement — but no props or set. About 60 students in grades 2-5 performed adaptations of "Hidden Figures," "The Sandlot," "Dog Man," and "Rodzilla." Way to go! 🎭

Every Orrington Elementary student participated in the creation of the school's new mural, which was celebrated today at an school-wide ice cream party! Students worked with multiple artists on the imagery (students helping each other, themes of nature, and the Orrington eagle), and grades 3-5 got to cut and place the tiles! Nice work! 🦅

Today District 65 celebrated our 22 retirees! Together these individuals have more than 490 combined years of service to D65 students and families 👏 Please join us in thanking them for their dedication and wishing them well in their next chapter! 🎉 See more on the D65 website: https://shorturl.at/59rp2

Students at Oakton Elementary and King Arts arrived to school in style this week 🚲 🛴 Both schools held "Bike, Walk, and Roll" events to encourage families to try biking, walking, or scootering to school, complete with stickers corresponding to your mode of transportation. The first-period walking parade was also quite a hit!

Congratulations to this year's Justin Wynn Award recipients! These 28 fourth-graders were honored last weekend for their leadership, citizenship, and sportsmanship. We are so proud! 🎉 Learn more on our website: https://shorturl.at/iN7vh

Photo credit: Genie Lemieux of Evanston Photographic Studios

Please join us in congratulating the Dawes Elementary team on being invited to apply for the 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School designation 🎉💙 Only 50 schools statewide are invited to apply!

This honor highlights schools that demonstrate strong academic achievement or meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps. Honorees will be announced this fall.

Superintendent Dr. Angel Turner visited with Dawes staff yesterday to celebrate this accomplishment! For more information, please read Principal Teresa Quinn's announcement: https://shorturl.at/YE2IA

For more than 5️⃣0️⃣ years, Evanston In-School Music Association EISMA has ensured that every D65 student has access to high-quality live music. This season’s concerts featured “Ruan & Hide,” an engaging duo blending Chinese and Taiwanese folk traditions with contemporary fusion influences. We are grateful for EISMA's commitment to diverse music and intentional listening!