Hawk Talk

Fourth-graders wrapped up their study of Earth systems with an earthquake challenge. Students were tasked with engineering an earthquake resistant structure. After learning about tectonic plates, faults, and boundaries, students researched engineering techniques. Students planned, built, and revised their structures.

This activity is part of the state’s Next Generation Science Standards where students are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions.

To see pictures of students conducting the Earthquake challenge, please visit the school's Facebook page or Google Doc folder.

Please note the change in D103's school schedule. Students will not be in session from Monday, Dec. 20, through Monday, Jan. 3, due to winter break. Classes will resume for students on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Next week teachers have planned a variety of spirited activities to celebrate Winter Week. Please participate by wearing the following:

• Monday: Wear Your favorite holiday hat, headpiece, or just your favorite hat!
• Tuesday: Winter is here! Grab your white clothes and let’s make it a Half Day White Out!
• Wednesday: Wear warm, fuzzy clothing.
• Thursday: Wear your favorite holiday sweater to school.
• Friday: It's pajama day. Wear your favorite PJs to school.

Limited Registration for After School Activities opens at 6 p.m. Monday, December 13. After School Activities have limited space and registration is on a first to register basis. More information will follow in an e-notice.

Winter Chorus Concert Approaching: Half Day's Winter Chorus Concerts are on Thursday, Dec. 16, Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center, 1 Stevenson Dr., Lincolnshire. The Gold Choruses are performing at 6:30 p.m. (Bichkoff, Chang, Cohen, Grayes, Dwyer, Gordon, La Roi, Lau, Logan, McCafferty, Pardini Prace, Reed) and the Blue Choruses are performing at 7:30 p.m. (Chemers, Cosgrove, Drazner, Friend, LaBelle, McCraren, McLelland, Nach, Rendl, Powell, Surin, White). The 285 students who will perform were each given tickets that they can share with family and friends who would like to attend. Due to social distancing restrictions, only individuals with tickets may attend the concert.

Yearbook Cover Contest: The Half Day Yearbook Committee is seeking artists to design a cover for the 2021-2022 school yearbook. The yearbook cover designs should be related to our school and may include our mascot, school colors (blue, yellow, and white), students, the school building, class subjects, etc. Please review the Yearbook Cover Design Contest flyer for detailed information. Designs are due no later than Friday, Jan. 7.

Lake County is experiencing a surge of COVID cases. Our D103 community is seeing the same surge. Please stay vigilant and wear masks, watch your distance, and wash your hands so we can keep COVID out of our schools. Please be sure masks are worn properly so that they fit over the nose and mouth. Additionally, please conduct an assessment of your child for COVID-like symptoms every day before they come to school. We have seen more students coming to school showing COVID-like symptoms and needing to be sent home. We have done an excellent job this year and we wish to continue that trend.

As always, thank you for your partnership as we work through this pandemic together.

Our D103 PTO provides assistance through a program called, D103 PTO GIVES, to families who are experiencing financial difficulty. If your family is in need of support, please complete this Google form and a member of the district will be in contact with you.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will occur at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14. The notice and agenda can be found on the District 103 Board meeting website page. D103 board meetings will be held in-person and live-streamed each month on our YouTube Channel. Members of the community should attend the meeting at 111 Barclay Boulevard, Lincolnshire if they would like to make a public comment. The public can also contact the Board at board@d103.org.

A new brick legacy display at Daniel Wright is being created by the donations of families who purchased them on behalf of the Learning Fund Foundation. District 103 will install the bricks in front of the school sometime in spring 2022. Families raised $13,400 for the District 103 LFF brick legacy fundraiser with 134 bricks purchased. The funds will help pay for furniture for a Daniel Wright outdoor cafe and for Sprague library bookshelves.

This is the first round of an ongoing brick fundraiser that the LFF established. To donate to the fundraiser and leave your family's legacy in D103, please visit the foundation’s website to learn more.

The Learning Fund Foundation is a group of volunteers who collaborate to bring innovative learning programs and experiences to students across all D103 schools.

Do you often have to search the school's “lost and found” bins for missing items? Save the hassle and label your child’s things. D103 PTO teams up with Mabel’s Labels.

1. Go to mabelslabels.com
2. Click ‘Support Fundraiser’
3. Enter ‘District 103 Parent Teacher Organization (Lincolnshire)

The Midwest Young Artist Conservatory is hosting several free concerts at local venues, including Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, Highland Park. The events are open to all ages.

The 40th Illinois Arts Education Week is March 14-18, 2022. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and ISBE have collaborated to create more visibility for young Illinois artists and showcase their talent, as well as reinforcing the importance of the arts in the growth and development of our students.

The contest includes four entry levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. A panel of judges will select a winner and two runners-up in each entry level. All winners and runners-up will have their work displayed by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum from Feb. 12 through March 18, 2022. The student whose work is chosen as "Best in Show" will be featured on a poster to celebrate Illinois Arts Education week. They will also be recognized at an ISBE board meeting and their framed work will be displayed in the Board office.

All entries must be received by mail, postmarked no later than Friday, Dec. 17. Mail entries to:
Arts Contest
Student Care
100 North First Street, E-222
Springfield, IL 62777

Buffalo Bills football and cheer registration is underway.

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Principals

• Principal Jill Mau
• Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange