Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 is preparing to welcome 4,360 students for a full day of school on Tuesday, August 26. Elementary students attend from 8:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., while middle school students attend from 8:05 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bus service will be provided on the first day.
Kindergartners follow an orientation schedule personalized for each student; their first regular day will be Friday, August 29.
Elementary students should have learned their teacher and classroom assignments by personal letters, which were mailed to families on Friday, August 15. Middle school students received their homeroom assignments either with their final report cards or by mail this summer.
The back-to-school countdown actually got underway earlier this month when the 2014-15 Student-Parent Handbook was mailed to all families. Showcasing student artwork on the cover, the handy guide covers day-to-day essentials, safety information, important school contacts, and tips for keeping kids healthy, among other useful topics.
As summer vacation comes to an end, District 64 suggests families consider helping their children ease back into school routines a few days prior to the start of the school year.
These suggestions will help smooth the return to school year schedules:
- Rehearse the day-to-day essentials with young students. Preview your child’s daily school schedule, including the early release Wednesday routine.
- Plan a safe route to school for each child. For students who do not ride the bus, establish a car pool or consider walking or biking to and from school with others in the neighborhood. Always follow your school’s designated safe walking route that shows crossing guard locations; routes are available at each school office.
- Review the safety guidelines around school. Learn drop off, pick up and parking zones, and make sure caregivers and other occasional drivers are aware of them, too. Please remember school zones are no cell phone zones. This law will be strictly enforced by local Police Departments.
- Be “in the know.” Visit and bookmark the newly redesigned District and school websites (www.d64.org) for quick access to helpful and timely information.
Finally, be sure to mark your calendar for the parents-only school Curriculum Nights scheduled during the first weeks of class.
“Back-to-school nights for parents provide a wealth of information about their child’s teacher and classroom expectations, and help set the tone for the year ahead,” according to District 64 Superintendent Laurie Heinz. “Such nights are designed to start the year off building home-school partnerships, which play a vital role in helping every child stay challenged, engaged and reaching their fullest potential,” she noted.
“We are truly looking forward to an exciting year of learning in Park Ridge-Niles District 64. My door is always open, so please do not hesitate to contact me with a compliment or concern,” Dr. Heinz added.