Hawk Talk
The Year of the Tiger
Each school personalizes year-round holidays in an age-appropriate way. At Half Day this week, Third-Grade Teacher Dena Chemers helped expand on students’ understanding of the Lunar New Year by discussing how it is represented by a cycle of 12 zodiac animals. This year is the Year of the Tiger, the first since 2010.
After explaining that the tiger is commonly associated with bravery, courage and strength, students in Mrs. Chemers’ class created personalized tiger bookmarks.
The Lunar New Year is an important festival and holiday for many families in our District. The New Year's Eve dinner is called the 'reunion dinner', and is believed to be the most important meal of the year.
Visit the school's Facebook page or the Google Doc folder to see pictures of the activities.
Celebrating Valentine's Day
Half Day students and staff will celebrate Valentine's Day on Monday, Feb. 14. Students may bring valentine cards to school for all of their classmates. The names of all students in the class will be provided by the classroom teacher. Please do not send edible treats to school with your child’s Valentine's Day cards.
Our classroom parties for Valentine's Day focus on friendship and exchanging cards with peers and teachers during the day at school.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Yearbook Art Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Half Day yearbook art contest. The artwork of fifth-grader Emma Lu was selected for the cover; the artwork of third-grader Shreya Bhave was selected for the back cover, and the artwork of fifth-grader Sarah Hu was selected for the title page. Congratulations to everyone who participated. To view the students' artwork please visit the school's Facebook page or Google Doc folder.
Celebrating Diversity
Each month Half Day families fill a hallway display case with items that represent their culture and traditions. Some of the countries represented include:
Food Donations
Thank you to all the families who helped the Half Day Student Council fill the Vernon Township food pantry. Students collected many canned and boxed items as well as household supplies.
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.
Student Advances to Regionals
Archit Killedar, fifth-grade, and Nisha Salian, eighth-grade, will move on to compete at the regional spelling bee competition. Archit placed first in the D103 spelling bee last weekend and Nisha was named runner-up. Close to 25 students in grades 4-8 competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition. They will now compete against other schools virtually at the Lake County Regional Spelling Bee Wednesday, Feb. 16.
District 103 News
2022-2023 Calendar Approved
The Board approved the school calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.
Lunch Menus
Please visit the Quest Food Services website for daily lunch menu entrees.
Parent Input Sought on Survey
Parents, students, and teachers are invited to participate in 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
Board of Education Meeting
Partnerships
Valentine Fundraiser
Please join the PTO in its second annual Valentine's Day Treats fundraiser with Max and Benny's. Ten percent of sales will be donated back to D103 PTO while you get to enjoy delicious treats just in time for Valentine's Day. It's a win-win! Choose from a selection of cookies, brownies, pretzels and more. There's even a DIY cookie kit for the creator in all of us. Valentine's Day orders are due by 5:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.
Increase Connections with your Child
The D103 PTO is offering an online parent education webinar on "Practical Tools to Increase Connection with Your Child and Simplify Your Parenting" by Child Development Specialist and Parenting Expert Dr. Siggie Cohen. The virtual presentation is divided into two sessions for parents of children of different grade levels.
- Preschool through Third-Graders: 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 9 - Developing Emotional Regulation Skills; Register for and add this event to your calendar.
For questions or more information about PTO Parent Education events please reach out to Michelle Kowalski at kowmichelle@gmail.com.
PTO Meeting
Please join the PTO Board for its monthly meeting at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. The meeting will be virtually only.
Community News
Audition for Midwest Young Artists Conservatory!
MYAC is open to all ages K-12, and provides instruction and performance opportunities in the areas of orchestra, chamber music, jazz, and choir. This is a great supplement to your student’s school music program. For more information or to register for an audition, please visit the MYA Conservatory website.
Coding Opportunity
HER Academy and Olive are partnering to bring you our third all-girl HERO Code Camp, expanded to include girl-identified and nonbinary students in grades 3 – 12. This event takes place Feb. 26-27. There is a $5 participation fee that will be waived upon request. Money will not be a barrier to participation for any student.
Choose one of six virtual classes.
Students who register by Feb 1 are guaranteed to get their swag bag before the event. Registration closes Feb. 18. Those who register after Feb. 1 may not receive their swag bag before the event.
Half Day Information
- Principal Jill Mau
- Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange