Romona Review
Friday, February 3, 2023
News from the Andersons
Dear Romona Families,
This week, we celebrated World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday! Our Mustangs listened to a lot of wonderful stories told by Romona staff and Eti from the Wilmette Public Library. They also had an opportunity to learn about the Winter Reading Club at the WPL. We encourage all of our Mustangs to join in the reading fun!
Have a super weekend,
Cindy & Lisa
Valentine's Day
We are looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day on Tuesday, February 14th! We will be celebrating with fun activities and crafts throughout the day.
We encourage our Mustangs to share valentines with each member of their class. However, please do not attach candy or food items to the valentines. This is a safety precaution for students with food allergies and other health needs. You may attach fun trinkets, such as stickers, pencils, tattoos, erasers, etc. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, February 8
- NWEA MAP reports sent home (2nd-4th grades)
Thursday, February 9th
- Progress Reports available online
Tuesday, February 14th
- Valentine's Day Parties
Friday, February 17th
- Second Grade Music Show
Monday, February 20th
- No School: President's Day
Tuesday, February 21st
- No School: Staff Institute Day
Saturday, February 25th
- Romona Benefit
SAVE THE DATE:
Wednesday, May 24th
- Romona Open House (5:00-6:00)
D39 Updates
Student Registration for 2023-24 Academic Year
Registration remains open for the 2023-24 school year. For returning students, visit the PowerSchool parent portal, click on the registration link and follow the instructions. For students who will be new to D39, including incoming kindergarteners, www.wilmette39.org/enroll provides detailed instructions on the registration process. Parents with incoming kindergarten students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible and more information on the KEEP39 program is available on our website.
Information on 2023 Summer Enrichment Program
It is never too early to start thinking about summer enrichment opportunities for your child(ren) and the District 39 Summer Enrichment Programs (SEP) 2023 website is now updated with our information, tools, and timelines. The program brochure will be available on the website on Feb. 13, with registration set to open on Monday, Feb. 20 at 9 am. For families of students who qualify for review & reinforcement courses, letters will be sent home by Feb. 17, before the opening of the registration window. This year’s Summer Enrichment Program will take place from June 29-July 28, with no classes on July 3-4. This year, we will be offering our extended school year, review & reinforcement, academic classes, and hobby/themed courses. Stay tuned for more details!
Parent Education Opportunities
Join us via Zoom or in-person next Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 11 am for our next Parent Education event, “Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills.” Register for this event now. On Wednesday, Mar. 8, we will host the second part of our three-part series focused on supporting inclusivity and approaching difficult conversations at home. Registration is also open for this upcoming event. Please visit our D39 Parent Education webpage to learn more about our upcoming parent education events.
The Family Action Network (FAN) is hosting a Zoom conversation with Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action, discussing gun safety in our communities. This is taking place on Feb. 9 at 7 pm. Visit their website for more information and to register.
The District 39 Educational Foundation Proudly Presents Bingo Night!
After being held virtually each of the last two years, the District 39 Educational Foundation is proud to have Bingo Night back IN-PERSON this year! This event will be held on Friday, Feb. 10 in the Highcrest cafeteria. Bingo, pizza, prizes, and fun for the entire family are on the agenda so get your tickets now. Please visit the Educational Foundation’s website to purchase your tickets and pre-order your food. See you there!
Community Review Committee (CRC) Is Looking For Feedback
Each year, the District 39 Community Review Committee (CRC), which is composed of parents, teaching staff, and administrators from the district, chooses a focus area to research and provide recommendations to the District 39 Board of Education to help support the needs of students and families. This year’s topic is “A Culture of Connectedness: An Empathic and Inclusive Community for Neurodivergent Students."
The Committee is asking families to complete this short survey to help us learn about parent understanding of neurodiversity and how teachers and staff can best partner with families to create an equitable learning environment for neurodivergent students across all grade levels. Thank you for your participation.
The Illinois 5Essentials Student and Parent/Family Survey
The 5Essentials Survey provides school districts with information on school culture and climate.
Students in grades 4-8 will participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey during the school day.
Students’ identities are completely confidential; however, if you do not want your child to participate, please email your child’s 4th grade classroom teacher or 5-8 Grade Level Administrator.
Parents also have an opportunity to respond to this survey. Please follow this link to take the survey. Select the appropriate survey to begin.
Questions? More detailed information can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials website. Please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 866.440.1874.
Shine on 39
This edition of our “Shine on 39” series centers on social-emotional learning. Thank you to all of our faculty and administrators who help our students with this important part of their educational journey.
Highcrest Transition Information
FOURTH GRADE PARENTS: Thank you to everyone who attended last night's transition webinar! You will receive an email today with information about the World Language Selection process from Ms. Moric (moricl@wilmette39.org), which will answer many of your questions, and link to the important resources for you and your child as you make this decision. The due date for the World Language Selection Survey is February 17, 2023.
Here is a link to last night's webinar if you missed it, or want to rewatch!
News from the Romona PTA
ULTIMATE NINJAS
This was a favorite last year, so we decided to do it again! We’ve rented out the gym for our Romona families February 11th! Come support Romona PTA and watch your kids jump, swing, and climb at Ultimate Ninjas in Glenview. Cost will be $15 per child (siblings are welcome). Please bring cash to pay onsite.
7:20-8:20 Sign up here!
8:20-9:20 Sign up here!
VALENTINE’S DAY STOCK THE LOUNGE
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and the PTA would love to show our amazing teachers and staff how much we LOVE them all! Please help up stock the lounge with some yummy treats!
ROMONA BENEFIT
Join us for Dinner, Drinks and Dancing at our biggest event of the year, the Romona Benefit and silent auction! This year's event will be hosted February 25th, 6:30pm. Get your tickets today!
OPEN GYM/LIBRARY/TECH NIGHT
Romona PTA will be hosting a combined Open Gym/Library/Tech night for our students. Save the Date Thursday, March 9 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. More Details coming soon!
MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
The Multicultural Committee is happy to invite everyone who would like to participate in the 2023 Multicultural Festival to sign up and host a table to represent your country of origin. Share a bit of your cultural background and heritage with all Romona families on Sunday, March 12th from 2:00pm-4:00pm.
2023-2024 ROMONA PTA OPPORTUNITIES
Romona PTA is looking for volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year. Please let us know any positions you are interested in learning more about here!
VOLUNTEER
Help serve lunch in the Cafeteria or sort/file books in the Learning Commons. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES *Must be logged in*
BOXTOPS
Download the BoxTops App and start scanning your receipts. Watch this video and get started today!
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
Family Bingo Night is BACK!
February 10, 2023 from 6-8pm at Highcrest.
Tickets are available starting at 10am on January 17th for $15 per person at d39foundation.org
Bring the entire family for a night of bingo! Enjoy pizza, snacks, and great family fun. All bingo winners will be able to select from our prize table featuring exciting options for adults and children. Go to d39foundation.org to purchase tickets and pre-order your food, starting 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 17th. Don't miss out on the fun!
Community Events
The Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission is sponsoring a poster, essay/poetry, multimedia/music contest commemorating Black History Month The theme for 2023 is 'Black Resistance’ which include stories about the fight for freedom, justice and equality. The contest runs from January 16-February 16. All winners receive a gift card, certificate of recognition, and have works displayed at the Village Hall.
BLOOD DRIVE! Donate blood on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12 at St. Francis Xavier Gym 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wilmette Historical Museum presents MEET THE LINCOLNS on Sunday, February 19 from 2:00-3:00 pm.
Wilmette Baseball Association Spring House League registration is open for K-8th grades. www.wilmettebaseball.org
Loyola Youth Lacrosse Program is taking registrations for students in Kdg-8th grades. Contqact Greg Sprenzel for more information.
New Trier Township offers a Food Pantry 10am - 4pm weekdays for families that live/work in the township. NT Township also offers Emergency Financial Assistance, Legal Aid Clinic, property tax assistance, social service referrals and other available resources. Go to www.newtriertownship.com for more information.
Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Romona Elementary School
Lisa Anderson, Assistant Principal
Website: http://romona.wilmette39.org
Phone: 847.512.6400