Half Day School
Researching MLK Achievements
As part of Martin Luther King Junior’s birthday recognition this week, third-graders researched the civil rights activist’s life and accomplishments. They shared their findings with their classmates. While February is Black History Month, Half Day students used the MLK holiday to learn about the history and accomplishments of black Americans. Please visit the school's Google Doc folder for pictures.
HAWKS ‘Chews’ Kindness!!!!
Students and staff are celebrating a week (Jan. 23-27) of kind acts to celebrate the Great Kindness Challenge. Throughout the week, students will be involved in a variety of activities centered on tolerance, unity, and respect. The goal of the project is to instill kindness in children until it becomes a habit. The Challenge developers believe by performing simple acts of kindness, students could become instruments of peace for a healthier, happier community.
As part of the Kindness Challenge, the Half Day Student Council invites you to donate to the Vernon Township food pantry. Please review the list of items needed for the food pantry.
Following are the Kindness Week Activities:
Monday: Words that hurt can't be taken back!
Wear your shirt backwards to remember.
Compliment the first three people you see.
Tuesday: Kindness TIES us together!
Wear a tie, bows, bowtie, and/or tie dye.
Write a kind note to a family member or adult.
Wednesday: Kindness is our Super Power!
Wear Superhero clothes.
Tie a random act of kindness in with a fitness workout.
Thursday: Let Kindness Shine!
Wear sparkles, neon, and/or shiny clothes.
Perform random acts of kindness.
Friday: Celebrate being a Hawk!!
- Wear Half Day blue spirit wear.
- Attend the Half Day Fun Fair from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please purchase your ticket in advance.
Fun Fair Tickets - Advance Purchase Required
The Half Day Fun Fair is happening next Friday, Jan. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Half Day School. Each child's $10 ticket includes over 30 different carnival games, inflatables, and activities along with prizes, snacks and fun! This is not a drop off event; all students must come with an adult but an adult can bring multiple students. Adults are free. Groups and carpooling are encouraged.
Yearbook Design Contest
- The yearbook cover designs should be related to our school and may include our mascot, school colors (blue, yellow, and white), students, the school building, class subjects, etc.
- Complete the design on 8 ½” by 11” plain white paper only, using the portrait orientation.
- Include the phrase: Half Day School 2022-2023.
- Color using crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
- Draw and write by hand (no computer generated images or letters are permitted).
- Write your first name and last name, grade, and teacher’s name on the back of the design in pencil.
Be sure all designs are neat and clean. They should be creative and eye-catching, but easy to read. Lettering should be consistent in size and carefully spaced. Check for correct spelling and capitalization.
For questions, please email Mrs. Grayes (agrayes@d103.org) and Mrs. Reed (jamireed@d103.org).
Districtwide Spelling Bee
Girls on the Run Registration
Registration is open for the spring Girls on the Run (GOTR) team for third- through fifth-grade girls.
GOTR is a non-profit, national program that inspires girls to be healthy and confident by using a fun, experienced-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running. The lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development.
Sessions will be held 3:40 to 5:00 p.m. Mondays and 7:30 to 8:40 a.m. Fridays.
Practices will be held both indoors and outside as weather permits.
The season will begin on Monday, March 13, and it will conclude on Friday, May 19.
The girls are encouraged to participate in the Run for D103 5K on Saturday, May 20, as a cumulation of their efforts (registration for this run is done separately).
Cost of the program varies based on household income. Please see the GOTR registration page for the fee structure. The registration fee includes a T-shirt, water bottle, journal, and participation medal.
There are limited GOTR spots. They will be allocated on a first come, first served basis through the registration process. Be sure to choose Half Day School as the site.
Please feel free to contact the program coordinator Cat O’Keefe at seaglass13@gmail.com with any questions.
We are also looking for volunteer coaches – no experience necessary; just a desire to work with girls and have fun! Send questions to Cat, or go to the GOTR website.
District News
Veterans & First Responders dinner
Daniel Wright Leaders in Learning Club invites first responders and veterans to The Heroes Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at DW. Please let us know you can attend. Questions? Email Erinn Vincent at evincent@d103.org.
LFF Partnership
Join Your Friends for a Sports Outing
Join the Learning Fund Foundation for an afternoon of fun hockey at a Chicago Wolves game on Sunday, January 29 at 3 p.m.
The Wolves are an exciting and competitive minor league hockey team playing at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. LFF will hold a raffle for all paid attendees and one lucky family will win a Legacy Brick! A portion of each ticket will benefit D103 LFF.
Don't delay, buy your Wolves game tickets before they are sold out.
PTO Partnership
Volunteers Needed for Tomorrow
We are excited for Half Day's Colonial Day for fifth-graders this Friday, Jan. 20, and we are looking for a few more volunteers for the day. Colonial day is a full day program. During colonial day the students will rotate through activities simulating what daily life may have looked like during colonial times. Each activity/group will last 30 minutes. The plan is for the teaching staff to run the activities and the volunteers to assist.
Fostering Grit & Growth Mindset: A look into the SEL Curriculum at DW
Learn about the importance of a growth mindset in our children’s success and see how D103 is teaching students about these ideas at DW.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
7:30 p.m.
In Person Event at Daniel Wright
Siblings: Reducing Rivalry and Building Connection
Dr. Siggie is back to discuss how parents can help navigate sibling rivalry and build better relationships through increased connection.
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023
8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
All Staff Chili Lunch
PTO is celebrating our D103 staff by treating them to a chili and soup luncheon. We are looking for a few people to volunteer by making a crockpot of chili or soup (your recipe of choice!) for the luncheons. This year the chili lunch will take place on Monday Jan. 30, at Sprague, Half Day and Daniel Wright schools. We know not everyone is a chef, so if you would prefer to contribute financially, any donation will allow us to provide salads, decor, and all of the "trimmings". Thank you so much for helping show the fabulous D103 staff our appreciation for all that they do for our children!
Community News
Path to Citizenship
The Vernon Area Public Library offers residents information about preparing for citizenship via a Zoom class.
Safety Poster & Essay Contest
Metra has launched its 16th Annual Safety Poster and Essay Contest, asking students across Metra's service area to illustrate through posters and essays the importance of safe behaviors near the railroad. This year's theme is "Stay Safe, Stay Off Train Tracks." Deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 20.
Half Day Information
- Principal Jill Mau
- Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange
- 847-634-1484
- Hd_attendance@d103.org