Half Day School
School Board Recognizes Retiring Staff
Sharyn Powell
Ever since playing ‘teacher’ in her friend’s basement as an 8-year-old, teaching has been Sharyn Powell’s passion. After 33 years in the profession, primarily teaching 8-year-olds at Half Day School, Mrs. Powell is retiring her position as a third-grade teacher.
Before starting her teaching career Mrs. Powell managed a jewelry store serving customers such as Whitney Houston and Bob Seger. “Selling jewelry to (sometimes celebrities) was like managing a classroom full of third-graders! I had to use my bag of tricks to convince them that the sparkling diamond nugget bracelet was really cool and they just had to have it,” she said
After three decades in the profession, Mrs. Powell is ready to trade in her lesson plans for some leisurely activities. “I want to engage in my passion for drumming and be ready to one day join a rock band. I will begin my pickleball career and maybe even take up hip-hop dancing and horseback riding. I am ready to make every moment count as I embark on this new chapter in my life.” She also plans to visit her children and out-of-town family more often.
"I sure will miss the wonderful D103 community and my amazing Half Day family. #HawkStrong," shared Mrs. Powell.
Tracy Twardowski
Tracy Twardowski has been an integral part of Half Day School. Since 1998 she has served the school in different capacities. She started out as the school’s lunch coordinator. More recently, Mrs. Twardowski helps out in the office with clerical work, as needed. Upon reaching a more than two decade milestone, Mrs. Twardowski made the tough decision to retire at the end of this school year.
“The children and the staff are amazing, kind, and happy. But after 25 years, it’s time to retire,” Mrs. Twardowski said.
What she most looks forward to in retirement is sleeping later than 5 a.m. and not having to travel to and from school every day.
"Peace Love and Half Day Hawks forever," said Mrs. Twardowski.
Other District Retirees Include:
Deborah Buchweitz - Daniel Wright Special Education Associate
Susan Larson - Daniel Wright Occupational Therapist
- Gayle Larcom - Sprague Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Diane Ferron - Sprague Second-Grade Teacher
Board Recognizes Years of Service
30 Years
- Robynn Bryant (103 Club Director)
- Tracy Pardini (Fifth-Grade Teacher)
25 Years
- Rebecca Clay (Kindergarten Teacher)
- Cassandra Horvath (Nurse)
- Mickie Naughton (Literacy Specialist)
- Dawn Ripoli (Secretary)
- Lance Rockstroh (Custodian)
- Tracy Twardowski (Lunch Coordinator & Clerical Associate)
20 Years
- Richard Booker (Custodian)
- Katie Fender (Math Teacher)
- Laura Lunardi (Kindergarten Teacher)
- Rebecca Rendl (Fourth-Grade Teacher)
- Elizabeth Richter (Literacy Specialist)
- Simon Vasey (Instructional Technology Coach)
15 Years
- Christine Abrego (Kindergarten Intervention Teacher)
- Christopher Bernard (Custodian)
- Katrina Catullo (Associate)
- Rachel Chiesa (Second-Grade Teacher)
- Julie Gaunky (English Language Arts Teacher)
- Amy Grayes (Third-Grade Teacher)
- Anthony Hafner (Science Teacher)
- Christina Jaslikowski (Second-Grade Teacher)
- Heather Korah (First-Grade Teacher)
15 Years Continued
- Susan Larson (Occupational Therapist)
- John L'Heureux (Physical Education Teacher)
- Debra Maske (Transportation)
- Pamela Orals (Music Teacher)
- Jami Reed (Fourth-Grade Teacher)
- Kenneth Seger (Custodian)
- Katie Snowden (Spanish Teacher)
- John Solis (Physical Education Teacher)
- Jodi Weiss (Operations Supervisor)
- Shirley Williamson (Math Specialist)
10 Years
- Eleanor Kahn (First-Grade Teacher)
- Patrick Kerns (Transportation)
- Gayle Larcom (Occupational Therapy Assistant)
- Marisa Makowskyj (103 Club Supervisor)
- Kathy Ryan (Learning Behavior Specialist Teacher)
- Jeanne Sposito (Transportation)
Don't Miss the Musical
A cast of 128 performers in the Half Day Musical Dig it will go back in time to some of the most famous civilizations including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, and more! Performances take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, and Thursday, May 18 on the Half Day stage. Tickets are required.
Cast members rehearsed for seven weeks before, during, and after school to prepare for the upcoming musical. "The cast is so excited to share with you Half Day's 2023 Musical - Dig it! I'm very proud of our cast members as they've learned choreography, acting, and singing roles," said Ashley Smidt, Music Teacher.
5th-Grade Parent Meeting
On Monday, May 15, at 6:00 p.m. the Daniel Wright Administrators will host an in person, informational meeting for the parents of incoming sixth-graders, at Daniel Wright Junior High School.
Fifth-grade students will tour the building during the school day on May 15. For this reason, students do not have to attend the evening event. The parent meeting, for current fifth-grade parents, will be recorded and made available on the district website for those family members who can not attend.
Medication Pick UP
Parents will need to pick up student medication that has been stored in the school nurse's office. Unclaimed medication will be properly disposed of after Thursday, June 15, 2023. If your child is attending summer school, you will need to pick up your child's medication and take it to Daniel Wright or Sprague. The medication should be picked up at the end of summer school or it will will be properly disposed of by Friday, July 7. Please contact your school nurse if you have any questions.
Library Books Due
Students should return their library books by Friday, May 19. Students may check out books that week as long they are returned on time.
Camp 103 Club Spots Available
There are spaces still available for Camp 103 Club. If you would like your child to attend Camp 103 Club, please register using the RevTrak Web Store for the waiting list and we will contact you and let you know if there is a spot for your child. First come first serve. Please read the Camp 103 Club document for more information about the camp.
District News
Board Welcomes New Members; Says Farewell to Retirees
The Board of Education gave a heartfelt farewell to board members Mrs. Rana Hashemi-Haeri and Mr. Michael Odongo for their dedicated service to the district.
Dr. Scott Warren, Superintendent, highlighted some of the accomplishments during their tenure on the Board:
Renovation and addition of Daniel Wright.
The development of a five-year Strategic Plan and creation of the Portrait of Graduate competencies.
Leadership throughout the pandemic and commitment to the health and safety of our students and staff.
The Board’s decisions focused on the best interests of students.
LFF Partnership
What a wonderful way to leave your mark in the district by gifting your student a legacy brick that will be installed in the Daniel Wright walkway. Please visit the LFF website to purchase your special brick today from the D103 Learning Fund Foundation.
PTO Partnership
Time is running out to register for the Run for D103 5K Run/Walk
The D103 5K Run/Walk will be here before we know it! If you have not registered yet, now is the time. Food, music and fun are all on the agenda. Register today to avoid the lines on race day. Individual registration is only $35 per participant and includes a race T-shirt along with swag bags provided by businesses within our community. Family and Team registrations are also available. Learn more and register at runford103.org
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week was a success!!! Thanks to the generous donations of our parents, we were able to show our teachers just how much we appreciate them! They enjoyed popcorn, breakfast from Eggspresso, snack day, school supply grab, refrigerators stocked with drinks all week and a $10 gift card! Check out some photos here.
Community News
STEMgirls Camp
The 2023 STEMgirls Camp will be held June 19-23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, Waukegan. STEMgirls Camp is for girls entering grades 3-8 in Fall 2023. The registration fee is $35. Please fill out our camp registration form.
Summer Music Camp
AMI Summer Music Camp (July 17-21) takes place at American Music Institute's (non-profit org) Clarendon Hills Campus.
- Beginner through Advanced Camps
- Open to ages 5-18 years-old
- Tuition ($500)
- All instruments welcome
- Aftercare available
Half Day Information
- Principal Jill Mau
- Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange
- 847-634-1484
- Hd_attendance@d103.org