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Dear District 31 Community,
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As we enter April, it is hard to believe we have fewer than 40 days left in the 2025–2026 school year. While time is short, the final months are filled with energy and excitement as we look ahead to many meaningful end-of-year traditions and celebrations. One of our favorite events is the PTO’s Around the World event, which celebrates the rich diversity of our District 31 families and brings our community together in a powerful way.
We also look forward to spring concerts, Farewell to Fifth, and Graduation. Congratulations to our Field Middle School students who participated in this year’s spring musical—their talent, hard work, and dedication were on full display, and we are incredibly proud of them.
Thank you as well to the Education Foundation for a successful fundraiser. Their continued support has a direct and positive impact on our students and staff, and we are grateful for this strong partnership.
As a reminder, registration for the upcoming school year is now open. Thank you to the many families who have already completed registration. We appreciate your prompt attention. For those who have not yet registered, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible (see information below). If you know families new to the district, please also encourage them to begin the registration process so we can plan effectively for the year ahead.
In the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for communication from the PTO and your school principals with additional details about upcoming spring events.
In Partnership,
Dr. Erin Murphy
District 31 Superintendent
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2026-2027 Registration
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for all students in grades PreK-8! Please plan to register early, as this helps with school planning. Register today at www.district31.net/registration.
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Along with registering, please plan ahead to ensure that you have all medical forms ready for the 2026-2027 school year. The required forms are listed below.
Summary of Medical Form Requirements
Pre-K: Physical
Kindergarten: Physical, Dental, and Eye
1st grade: No forms required
2nd grade: Dental
3rd, 4th, & 5th grade: No forms required
6th grade: Physical (exam also covers interscholastic sports physical) and Dental
7th & 8th grade: No forms required
Physical Exam and Immunization Record
A physical exam, with an updated immunization record on the “State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Examination” form, must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider and parent/guardian. Proof of the exam must be submitted upon entering Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 6th grade and/or when transferring from out of state.
If you have any questions about medical forms, please reach out to Field/ District School Nurse Adriana Rivera at arivera@district31.net or 847-313-4454.
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March Board of Education Recap
Board Meeting Highlights:
- Recognition - The District 31 Board of Education was excited to celebrate and recognize teachers who will earn tenure on the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. You can read the list here. The Board of Education also recgnized staff excellence, honoring individuals who had been chosen to present at national and regional conferences. You can read the list here.
- Presentations and Discussion Items:
- Nicole Randolph, Director of Finance and Operations, presented on the Amended 2025-2026 Budget. You can find more information here.
- Director of Finance and Operations, Nicole Randolph, reviewed the Monthly Financial Reports for February, as well as the need to transition to a new auditor for the 2026-2027 school year since our former firm is no longer providing audit support for schools. It was recommended that we work with Lauterbach and Aman for the 2026-2027 school year.
- The Board of Education had a discussion about the standards based grading update presented by Lauren Lipsey, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Field Principal Nino Alvarez. You can see that update here.
- The Board of Education reviewed the Superintendent's Report, as well as the True North update.
- The Board of Education made the following approvals:
- Approved the tenure of teachers for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Approved the Intergovernmental Agreement Amendment with the Northbrook Public Library
- Adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 Amended Tentative Budget for Public Display a Minimum of Thirty (30) Days prior to a Public Hearing set for May 28, 2026
- Approved Contract Extension for Quest Food Management Services for FY27 through FY29
- Approve Bid Recommendation to Edwin Anderson Construction Company in the amount of $278,000 for Exterior Entrance Door Replacement
- Approve the resolution for Non-Renewal of Probationary Teacher Not in their Final Year of Probation - Jennifer Noncek-Eastman
- Approve the Consent Agenda
The Board of Education meets monthly, usually on the last Thursday of the month, at 7 p.m. in the Field Middle School Learning Center. We welcome any member of our community to attend in person or virtually via our live stream. Agendas, minutes, and the link to the live stream are available here. The District 31 Board of Education is composed of seven elected representatives from the District 31 attendance area. Each is elected for a four-year term. Meet the members of the District 31 Board of Education here.
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April Board of Education Meeting
The next regular Board of Education meeting is Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7 p.m., in the Field Learning Center. The agenda is posted two days before the meeting here. The Policy Committee Meeting will take place prior to the Board of Education Meeting at 6 p.m., also in the Field Learning Center.
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Standards-Based Grading Parent Focus Group Recap
In March, the District held its first of several Standards-Based Grading (SBG) Parent Focus group sessions. These sessions are an opportunity for district and building administrators to gather feedback from our parent community on the resources and information they need to better understand SBG, the questions they have about how SBG works, and specifically address concerns raised about this transition. We were grateful for the feedback the focus group provided on how we can improve communication about this shift at Field.
During our first session on Tuesday, March 10, we discussed:
- The district’s why for transitioning to SBG
- The core grading principles that guide our work
- Parent perspective on SBG, including what feels clear and what feels unclear about the system
- Practical ways the district can better communicate with parents regarding SBG
During our second session on Monday, April 6, we continued to address concerns raised by parents, and invited families to engage in a more open dialogue about Standards-Based Grading. Parents raised concerns regarding preparation for High School, the length of the report card, and how to help their child at home in a Standards-Based system. Administrators listened openly to our parent’s perspective and addressed questions specifically. Our parent focus group provided insights to Administrators regarding the type of information, research, and data our families need to continue to build trust in this system. As a result of the first two parent focus groups, more information will be provided regarding the impact on high school success, resources to help students at home, and we will also form a student focus group to gain more insights on students’ perspective throughout this transition.
While we remain confident in the educational value of SBG—its ability to provide more accurate, consistent, and meaningful information about student learning—we acknowledge our responsibility to continue to support teachers and families as we move through this change. We are grateful for the focus group's participation, the critical questions raised, and our families' commitment to engage in these conversations in partnership with the district.
We invite all families to visit our SBG page to learn more, including our implementation timeline and family resources.
Our May session will take place on Monday, May 4 from 5:00 - 6:15 pm in the Field Middle School library. While all current 5th and 6th-grade parents are invited, we ask that parents complete the RSVP form in advance so we can plan accordingly. The RSVP forms were previously emailed to all 5th and 6th grade families, and they will be reshared over the next week to ensure all families have an opportunity to attend. Reminders are shared before the session. The RSVP form includes questions about preferred meeting day/time/location. If you are interested in attending, but cannot meet on May 4, please indicate your preferred meeting format in the RSVP form. Building Principals also post information about the focus groups on their respective school calendars. If you have any questions about the SBG parent focus groups, please reach out to Lauren Lipsey (Director of Curriculum & Instruction) at llipsey@district31.net.
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Overview of District 31 Talent Development and Advanced Learning Program
District 31 believes in providing differentiated, rigorous education for all students. We invite parents and caregivers to learn more about our District 31 Talent Development and Advanced Learning Program (ALP) by visiting the District 31 Talent Development and ALP webpage.
District 31’s Talent Development model aims to provide opportunities that cultivate a student’s emerging strengths and talents in many different areas. The goal is to provide contexts for giftedness to emerge and give every student the chance to develop their talents, no matter where they start. To achieve this, all students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade receive whole-class biweekly lessons (25-30 minutes) with the Talent Development Coach, while the classroom teacher engages in “talent spotting.” Then, in 4th grade, enrichment is specifically supported in math and English language arts through flexible grouping based on unit pre-assessments.
Starting in 5th grade, students who demonstrate readiness will have the opportunity to participate in our Advanced Learning Program (ALP) for math and/or English language arts. We believe that talent is dynamic and can be found in students from all backgrounds. As a result, we take a thoughtful, ongoing approach to identifying students for advanced learning.
Each year, District 31 uses a student profile process to assess readiness for accelerated instruction. This approach ensures multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their strengths and be considered for placement in ALP courses. Through this process, we strive to provide appropriate challenges and support for students who are ready for advanced learning in grades 5–8.
Placement letters for math and English language arts will be sent to all incoming 5th and 6th-grade students by the last day of school.
If you have questions about Talent Development, the Advanced Learning Program, or acceleration in District 31, please reach out to Lauren Lipsey (llipsey@district31.net), Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
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Upcoming State Testing in April
Upon returning from Spring Break, students in 3rd through 8th grade began the state-mandated assessments used for accountability in all public school districts in Illinois. The District thanks you for your support as students wrap up this important and required state testing. Learn more about the testing here.
Students in 3rd through 8th grade took the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR).
- Winkelman testing dates: April 6 - April 9, 2026
- Field testing dates: April 6 - April 9, 2026
In addition, students in 5th and 8th grade will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA).
- Winkelman testing dates: Week of April 13
- Field testing dates: Week of April 13
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Special Education Parent/ Guardian Checklist
If you have a concern about your child’s progress or suspect your child needs specialized instruction or support, follow the steps in the attached Parent/ Guardian Checklist.
Questions: Contact Dr. Janine Gruhn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services at jgruhn@district31.net.
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Multilingual (ML) Services
We are excited to share the ongoing work happening across our schools to support multilingual learners as they grow in their English language development.
At Winkelman, continuous review of our ELA curriculum (CKLA) by our ESL teachers is helping strengthen how students transition from ESL services into their general education ELA classrooms. This ensures students feel confident and prepared as they move into more independent, grade-level learning.
At Field, we are introducing and refining our Transition to Proficiency class. This course is designed for multilingual learners who are developing higher levels of English proficiency. In this class, students receive targeted ESL support tailored to their individual language needs, helping them continue building academic language while finding success across their core classes.
This work reflects our commitment to providing inclusive, supportive learning environments where all students can thrive as they build both language and content knowledge.
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First Student Introduces High-Visibility Safety Vests for Bus Drivers
Our current bus company, North Shore Transit, has been purchased by First Student. They have reassured us that the current team that supports District 31 will continue to be our team, even if they are officially working for another question. As a part of this transition, school bus drivers will be wearing bright yellow, high-visibility safety vests while performing their daily duties. This includes times when they are assisting with student loading and unloading, addressing roadside situations, or stepping outside the bus for any reason.
The new safety vests are designed to make drivers more visible to motorists, particularly in busy or low-light conditions. Increased visibility helps alert drivers on the road to the presence of children nearby, supporting safer loading and unloading at bus stops. The vests also make it easier for parents, school staff, and emergency responders to quickly identify bus drivers if needed.
This initiative strengthens an already strong safety culture and adds an extra layer of protection for everyone involved in student transportation.
There will be no changes to bus routes, schedules, or service. This update simply reflects District 31’s bus transportation service, First Student’s continued dedication to maintaining a safe and professional environment for students and the community.
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Parent Engagement Committee
The Family Engagement Committee will meet on Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m. During the meeting, the committee will review an updated draft of the Family Engagement Handbook, which includes a catalog of available volunteer opportunities throughout the year. If you are interested in joining the Family Engagement Committee, please contact Hayley Garard at hgarard@district31.net.
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