Student and Parent Handbook
All District 39 families should review our
D39 Student/Parent Handbook for important information regarding District policies, procedures, and many frequently asked questions. This informative document is a valuable resource for families, providing resources as well as answers to questions on a wide variety of topics. Our
Lechner Early Education Program (LEEP) Handbook is also available with information for families of our youngest D39 learners.
Parent Education Events
Please make plans to join us for our first District 39 Parent Education of the 2026-27 academic year titled “Responding to School Safety Incidents: The Standard Response Protocol,” scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 11 am. This event will be held virtually via Zoom and
online registration for this event is now open.
District 39 has adopted the
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for school safety. Under this framework, our learning community will use clear and consistent language so that students, staff, and families know what to do in an emergency situation. By using common and consistent terminology, everyone will be able to understand different situations and how to respond. The SRP includes five specific actions:
• Hold! — Stay in your classroom or area. Clear the halls.
• Secure! — Get inside. Lock outside doors.
• Lockdown! — Locks, lights, out of sight.
• Evacuate! — Move to a new location.
• Shelter! — Take protective action based on the situation.
Each action is used depending on what is happening at the school or nearby, helping everyone stay informed and safe. Join D39 and the Wilmette Police Department to learn about these actions and when they would be used.
Additionally, District 39 is proud to be a sponsor of the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS), a non-profit organization that presents free research-based information for families via Zoom on current topics to support positive youth development. GPS is hosting a parent education event titled “Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids” with Dr. Meredith Elkins. This event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at both
Noon and
7 pm. No registration is required. Interested families may access the presentation through the links provided above.
Technology in District 39
District 39 believes in purposeful screen use when infusing technology with instruction. Our commitment to this work includes focusing teaching and learning practices with an emphasis on
Active Learning, and limiting screen time during other portions of the school day. This includes refraining from student use of electronic devices during free time/choice time, including restricted access during lunch, indoor or outdoor recess.
• Active Learning/Use emphasizes higher-level engagement and participation in student centered activities. We are mindful about active use/learning when using technology with instruction.
• Passive Learning/Use involves receiving information with limited interaction and engagement. Although you may see this at times when reading an e-text or viewing video content, it is used in a specific and targeted way.
District-issued iPads remain at school for all elementary students, unless explicitly required for a specific Active Learning homework assignment. iPads will continue to be sent home daily with our students in grades 5-8 to charge and complete assignments with the goal of Active Learning/Use. Please
visit our website for more information on District 39’s commitment to purposeful screen use.
Transportation Information
District 39 makes optional transportation service available for its families. Bus service will be provided each day that school is in session, beginning For more information, please
visit our D39 Transportation webpage.
Next week,
Michelle McGregor, District 39 Transportation Liaison, will begin notifying families on our transportation waitlist of their updated status. Waitlist requests will be processed in the order in which they were received. Families who receive a spot on the bus are asked to remit payment by Thursday, Sept. 3. Their child(ren)’s bus pass will then be available for pickup in their school office on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and they will be eligible to ride the bus beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Board of Education
The Board of Education will next gather on Monday, Aug. 24 at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center for its monthly business meeting. In addition to committee reports, the Board will hear District 39’s response to the 2026 Community Review Committee report titled “Supporting Educator Well-Being,” which was presented to the Board during its May 2026 meeting, hear D39’s annual Enrollment Report, conduct its annual tax compliance review, and conduct a first reading of several Board policies.
Agendas and materials for Board of Education meetings are posted online the Friday prior to the meeting.
District 39 is Looking for a 6th Grade Girls Volleyball Coach
D39 is looking for a 6th grade girls volleyball coach for the fall. The season runs from Aug. 24-Oct. 8. Practices are tentatively scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday after school (3:45-4:45 pm) unless there is a game scheduled. Practice times are flexible depending on availability. A
tentative 2026 schedule is available with all games beginning at 4:30 pm. There is a $2,600 stipend for this position. Please visit our
D39 athletics webpage for more information and interested applicants may
apply online now.