Dear Parents and Community Members:

We are pleased to welcome our students and staff members to the 2020-2021 school year. We have been challenged to reimagine daily routines and to find new ways to connect, all while keeping safety front and center of all decisions.

While the school year began in an unconventional manner, staff and students have embraced the safety protocols and procedures that have allowed them to return to in-person learning with our hybrid model. Warm weather days have allowed students across the District to engage in outdoor learning activities to enjoy collaborative nature play as well as academic learning. Human interactions have had to shift so much in 2020 that even just being in the same classroom together can bring back a small slice of normalcy. These human connections made in-person may be the most valuable component of this entire school year.

In addition to the safety and instructional routines this year, we continue to place an equal emphasis on ensuring our children develop the social-emotional skills to be self-aware and care for others. We continue to embrace the Welcome and Inclusivity Pledge (adopted by the Glencoe Board of Education on April 6, 2017).

“From our schools to our neighborhoods and our government buildings, Glencoe must be a place that respects our differences and believes that diverse perspectives create better outcomes.”

As we strive to foster care, awareness, and responsible decision-making within our community, District 35 continues to seek opportunities to hear your voice in our mission. Please join us in-person or listen in to our monthly Board of Education meetings. Despite the challenges presented as we navigate the pandemic, we are dedicated to teaching the whole child and celebrating excellence across our schools whether that be through in-person, remote, or hybrid learning.

On behalf of our Board of Education, teachers and support staff, thank you for joining us as a partner towards this mission.

In partnership,

Catherine Wang
Superintendent