Half Day School
Black History Month
Fifth-graders shared their thoughts about a recent project they completed during Black History Month on Rosa Parks. Watch the brief video to hear their insight.
School Schedule Updates
- Friday, March 3: No school for students. (Teacher Institute Day)
- Thursday, March 16: Late Arrival Day
Late Arrival Time for Half Day School
- School starts at 10:30 a.m.
- Please do not drop students off at school before 10:10 a.m.
State Standardized Testing
Each spring, our students at Half Day School and Daniel Wright Junior High School are required by the State of Illinois to take the Illinois Assessment of Readiness and the Illinois Science Assessment. Half Day School students will test on the following dates:
IAR: Tuesday, March 7, through Wednesday, March 15 (third through eighth-graders)
ISA: Friday, March 17 (fifth-graders)
Please visit the district website for more information about the standardized testing.
Moving Ahead
Classroom placement is an important process for our students, and 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 teacher’s 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 Sunday, April 30, 2023.
The input you provide will be reviewed and considered as we begin planning for your child for the 2023-2024 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.
4th-Grade Outdoor Ed
Fourth-grade students will be attending Outdoor Education at the YMCA Camp MacLean in Burlington, Wisconsin, on Thursday May 25, and Friday, May 26. We are seeking parents to chaperone this amazing outdoor experience! Chaperone responsibilities include riding the bus to and from camp, as well as general support and supervision during meals, classes, games, and overnight in the cabins. A lottery to select chaperones will be held in early April, and all parents will be notified of selection by Friday, April 7. You may submit your name to the lottery by completing this Outdoor Ed Parent Volunteer Form. All lottery submissions should be made no later than Friday, March 31. This will be our 34th year attending Camp MacLean! Please consider joining the fun!
Join the School Musical
Half Day's musical this year is “Dig It!” The musical is open to all fourth- and fifth-grade students. To find out more about the musical please see the Musical Information Packet. If your child is interested in participating, please sign up by Friday, March 3, on RevTrak Web Store. Dig It! will take place on the Half Day Stage on Wednesday, May 17, and Thursday, May 18. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Smidt at asmidt@d103.org.
District News
Happy Holidays
Spring is full of holidays honored by our families. The District 103 staff wishes all of its families a Happy Passover, a Joyful Holi, a Happy Easter, a Ramadan Mubarak, and a Happy Orthodox Easter.
The first night of Holi is Tuesday, March 7
Ramadan begins the evening of Wednesday, March 22
The first night of Passover starts Wednesday, April 5
Good Friday occurs on Friday, April 7
Easter is Sunday, April 9
Orthodox Good Friday is April 14
Orthodox Easter is Sunday, April 16
Following are some educational sites that explain the holidays to children.
National Geographic provides an overview of Holi.
National Geographic for Kids provides an overview of Ramadan.
PBS Learning offers some interactive material that explains Passover.
History.com provides an explanation of Good Friday and Easter.
Parents Today provides an overview of Orthodox Good Friday and Easter.
We are fortunate to have such great diversity of cultures in our community so we can celebrate with our friends and neighbors!
We understand students may not be attending classes on religious holidays of all faiths, and we know how important it is for us to support our students as they practice their faith. Please refer to our procedure, Homework Procedures and Religious Holidays, that District 103 uses to guide students during their absence.
Please try to notify your child's school in advance of a planned absence using the following methods:
Sprague: 847-945-6686 or Ls_attendance@d103.org
Half Day: 847-634-1484 or Hd_attendance@d103.org
Daniel Wright: 847-604-5280 or Dw_attendancce@d103.org
District 103 is committed to being flexible to ensure all of our students can practice their faith and feel supported. Thank you for partnering with us as we raise our Leaders in Learning.
Teacher Conference Feedback
We are gathering feedback from families regarding their experience with remote conferences. Please take a moment to complete this short survey prior to Friday, March 24. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Summer School Fun
Summer school registration opens at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Please review the preliminary D103 Summer School offerings and D103 Summer School Schedule in preparation for registration. Courses are subject to change based on availability of teaching staff. Visit the summer school website for more details.
Your Opinion Matters
Parents, please participate in this state survey by giving feedback on school climate and learning conditions in District 103 through the state-administered, Illinois 5Essentials Survey.
This 20-minute survey is a great way for D103 parents to provide input into the five indicators from the survey that affect and predict school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
For more about the survey, please visit the D103 website.
LFF Partnership
Join the Foundation at a Mixer
The Learning Fund Foundation is holding a mixer to share information with families about its organization.
- 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9
- District Office, 111 Barclay Boulevard
PTO Partnership
Run for D103 5K Early Bird Registration Now Open!
Come join us Saturday, May 20, for the Run for D103 5k! This family-friendly annual fundraising event enables the PTO to provide D103 with programs and equipment for the benefit of our students. Now through Tuesday, March 14, don't miss your chance to lock in your registration at the early bird rate of just $30 per runner! Learn more and register at runford103.org.
Meet the Candidates for the D103 School Board
Come join the PTO for an opportunity to meet the dedicated individuals running for the D103 School Board in this virtual venue. We encourage you to submit questions for the candidates. Due to time limitations, not all questions may be presented to the candidates. Our goal of hosting this forum is to allow parents and constituents to get to know the candidates better and discover which individuals best represent their needs and ideals on the D103 school board.
- Reserve your spot today for the 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 13, virtual event.
Community News
30 Wonders of the 30th District
Do you have a park you enjoy walking through on sunny weekends? A public sculpture you find particularly interesting? A museum you love to visit or take your kids to? We want to hear about it! Senator Adriane Johnson's office is putting together a list of amazing locations in the 30th District. We invite you to tell us about your favorite places to visit.
Kelly Yang Contest
Author Kelly Yang (The Front Desk Series, New From Here) has invited students to enter a writing contest in honor of her new book, "Finally Seen." The deadline to participate in the writing contest is Saturday, March 25. Please send submissions to Library Media Specialist Rebecca Morgan at rmorgan@d103.org.
Summer Soccer
Learn more about the Chicago Rush summer soccer camps and clinics.
Half Day Information
- Principal Jill Mau
- Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange
- 847-634-1484
- Hd_attendance@d103.org