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There are many exciting things happening at Gemini and in our community in the coming months, including Spring Parent-Teacher conferences, McTeacher's Night, and a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt for all sixth graders. Maine East High School is hosting an Activities & Athletics night in April for eighth graders. Our very own Family Resource Center also has programming hosted by the Fig Foundation. To top it off, Gemini's Fine Arts department has upcoming concerts and our Spring Musical. Find out information about these events and more by reading below.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey

Please make some time to take the Illinois 5Essentials parent survey in the coming weeks before the window closes on March 31st. The input you provide through this survey is incredibly valuable, is used to guide our school improvement planning efforts, and is part of our state school report card.

The survey is available in English and Español.

Performing Arts Events

The Orchestra and Band had outstanding concerts last month. In addition to the Choir concert in March, there will be an Orchestra Concert and the Spring Musical in April as well as Choir and Band Concerts in May. More details on these performances will be in next month’s update. Students and families are encouraged to attend these events. Thank you for supporting our performers.

Spring Choir Concert for All Grades

Thursday, March 16 at 6 PM in the Gemini Auditorium
Enter Through Door 12
Admission is free

Shamrock Scavenger Hunt

Calling all 6th grade students! You're invited to join us for a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt hosted by the Gem Guides on March 16th from 3:30-4:40 PM. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team and there will be treats for all. We hope you can join us for this exciting event! Fill out this form to RSVP and arrange for your own ride home at 4:40 PM.

2023 Scholastic Writing Award Recipients

Three of Mrs. Phillips' students, Pal Patel, Nhumai Vu, and Madeline Marasas, participated in the 2023 Scholastic Writing Awards -The Midwest Writing Region. Judges looked for works that exemplify the Awards’ core values: originality, skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Pal submitted a personal memoir called "Last Glimpse," and Nhumai submitted a poem called "Hidden Meanings." Both ladies received an Honorable Mention recognizing their promising works. Madeline submitted a personal memoir entitled “Family Heirloom.” She received a Silver Key Award. Out of the 257 essay/memoir pieces submitted this year, only 26 received a Silver Key for exemplary works. Please congratulate these three young ladies on their tremendous accomplishments.

IAR & ISA Testing

All Gemini students will take the reading and mathematics tests for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) April 10 - April 14. In addition, all eighth-graders will also take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) from March 21 - March 23. Please ensure your child gets a good night's rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and brings their charged Chromebook to school on time each day!

Class of 2023 Graduation - Save the Date

Our Class Of 2023 Graduation Ceremony will be held this year on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 6 PM at Maine West High School. Due to summer construction beginning in mid-May, Maine East is unavailable this year.

All students will receive THREE tickets for graduation. The tickets are for family members/friends to attend the ceremony; the graduate does not need a ticket.

Morning Drop Off

This is a reminder for car riders, bikers, and walkers. Morning student supervision begins outside at 8 AM; if your child arrives before this time, there is no one supervising them. Also, with the colder weather upon us, we wanted to remind you that students wait outside for the doors to open at 8:15 AM if the temperature (with wind chill) is above 20 degrees. Please ensure your child has dressed appropriately.

Athletics

Home Sporting Events

Click here for a calendar of home basketball games and wrestling meets this month.

Student Spectators

Students staying for after-school sporting events must report to the cafeteria after school. Any student that leaves the grounds and returns must be with an adult that is staying at the event. Students need to be picked up by 6:45 PM.

Sports Physicals

If your child is interested in playing sports, we encourage you to visit the Gemini Sports page to learn more about our program and participation requirements. As a reminder, all students must have a valid physical on file with the nurses prior to tryouts. Contact one of our nurses if you are unsure if your child has a current physical.

Notes from the Gemini Library

General Gemini Library Information

As we approach the end of 3rd quarter, the library continues to be an active space for students! Many of our 6th grade classes joined us to create book advertisements (some of these will be posted on our website in the coming month) and to join Chefs Buican and Wahlers for a book tasting at the Gemini Book Bistro. 8th grade students have used our space as a place to further their studies of literary nonfiction. As always, please contact Kris Buican or Jill Wahlers if you have any questions.

March Book Madness

While March Madness will bring excitement to many this month, March BOOK Madness is what we love in the library! This fun event occurs every year and features an elimination-style bracket of great middle grades books. Students can vote on the March Book Madness website each week in March to determine which books should move forward toward the championship.

Scholastic Book Order

If you would like to order books for your student or as a gift, check out our Scholastic class page, or search through Scholastic’s digital flyers. The code to order is Z3GW2. All orders submitted earn bonus points, which are used to purchase new books for the Gemini library and ELA classrooms.

Local Libraries

Check out the teen pages of our local libraries:

Niles-Maine District Library

Morton Grove Public Library

Des Plaines Public Library

Glenview Public Library

Park Ridge Public Library

Calendar Highlights

March

2: D63 Board of Education Meeting at 7 PM

10: Early Dismissal at 11:25 AM

13: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

13: Spring Break Trip Pre-Departure Meeting - Mustang Gym @ 6:30 p.m. (Enter Door 12)

14: McTeacher Night 4:30-7:30 PM

21: End of 3rd Quarter

21-23: ISA Testing for 8th Graders

24: No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences

27-31: No School - Spring Break

April

4: Reports Emailed and Available in Parent Portal

5: Graduation Photo Retakes

6: D63 Board of Education Meeting at 7 PM

7: No School - Good Friday

10-14: IAR Testing for All Grades

11: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

13: D207 Career Services Presentation

14: Early Dismissal at 11:25 AM

24: Spring Orchestra Concert

27-29: Spring Musical

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