Hawk Talk
Reaction Rockets
In an activity called "Reaction Rockets", students observed the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy as part of a Half Day science lesson. Students dropped their reaction rockets from height increments of 3 inches (gravitational potential energy), measured and recorded the height the rocket bounced upward (kinetic energy). Students were able to see that the greater the height from which the launcher was initially dropped (greater gravitational potential energy), the greater the height the rocket would bounce upward (due to more kinetic energy). This proved students’ essential question, "Can energy be transferred from one form, object, or place to another?"
“New concepts are best understood when linked to prior knowledge along with hands-on visual learning. The reaction rockets allowed students the opportunity to visualize and experience the effects of potential and kinetic energy first hand,” explained Fourth-Grade Teacher Tara Drazner.
Please visit the school's Facebook page or Google Doc folder for pictures.
Moving Ahead
Classroom placement is an important process for our students. Our teachers and staff invest significant time and effort to ensure the creation of healthy learning groups and environments. It is important to develop balanced classrooms by considering students’ gender, academic, social, and emotional needs. We strive to create an optimal learning environment for students in each of our teachers classrooms.
If you wish to share more specific information about your child's placement, please indicate your thoughts on this Optional Parent Input Form.
Please complete the form no later than midnight on April 30, 2022.
The input you provide will be reviewed and considered as we begin planning for your child for the 2022-2023 school year. While specific teacher requests cannot be accommodated, your insight is valued as we take many variables into consideration.
Please note, the input you share is not private between the principal and parent and will be shared during the placement process. Please complete a form for each of your children, if desired.
We look forward to providing your child with continued learning excellence! Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with our staff.
State Assessments Begin Next Week
Half Day students will begin taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test next week. This assessment, consisting of both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math sections, is required by the State of Illinois to be taken by all third- through eighth-grade students.
- The data from this assessment provides information to the State regarding how our schools are performing in the areas of ELA and Math.
- If you are interested in learning more about the IAR please view the Impact of Participation document.
- Please read this e-notice carefully to make sure your Half Day child and their iPad are ready for testing.
Mask Update
Congratulations to our students on the first full week of masks being optional/recommended. Students have adapted to this new norm and students are supporting each other’s choices. There have been a few instances where students have not been respectful regarding masks or other student’s nationalities, and those behaviors are not condoned. We encourage you to please continue talking with your children regarding treating others with kindness and respect.
Author To Sign Purchased Books
Register Now for Girls on the Run
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, April 4, and it will conclude on Friday May 28
- All current state and local COVID safety protocols will be communicated before the start of season and strictly followed
- 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 coordinators, Cat O’Keefe at seaglass13@gmail.com, or Jen Friedman at azjenf@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 Jen or Cat, or go to the GOTR website.
District 103 News
Summer School Registration
Summer School registration opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 9. Please review the summer school course descriptions to help guide you in your selection for programs offered to students in Grades K-7. (Students enroll in classes for the grade level most recently completed.)
Enrichment, Intervention, and the Extended School Year (ESY) program will be held in-person at Daniel Wright Junior High School from Monday, June 6, through Tuesday, June 28.
- Summer School includes four 50-minute periods that run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Students must register for the first two classes of the morning, the last two classes, or all four classes.
- The Summer School fee is $80 per class.
- Transportation will be available for an additional one time non-refundable fee of $150.00.
- Please visit the summer school website page for more information on the program and to sign up for the Camp 103 Club.
Board of Education Meeting
Partnerships
Register Now for 5K
We are back live and in person for the annual D103 PTO 5K! Race day is Saturday, May 21, and takes place at Daniel Wright. Join us to run/walk as a community to raise money for our favorite school district.
Go to the Run for D103 website for more information and to sign up to run and to volunteer. (many volunteer positions still allow you to run the race!)
Did you know family sponsorships are available? For $200, family sponsors receive up to 6 race registrations, your family name on the back of a T-shirt, and a portion of the entry fee is tax deductible!
Registration is now open, with early bird discounts ending April 15, 2022.
*Registration fees do not include RunSignup Processing Fee
PTO Open House
The PTO invites parents to an Open House from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Lincolnshire Swim Club, 2 Yorkshire Dr, Lincolnshire. Join us as we get together and celebrate a successful year! Meet our PTO Board and explore volunteer opportunities. As we celebrate, we will begin planning for the next school year!
Half Day Information
- Principal Jill Mau
- Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange