Dear Parents and Community Members:

I hope you are as excited and optimistic as I am for the new school year. As summer flies by, we are eagerly anticipating the 2022-2023 academic year and our return to in-person programs, services, and traditions. This year we will continue our emphasis on building a culture of belonging. In a disconnected, divisive and distracted world, helping our students feel seen and heard is essential for their social and emotional wellbeing. We have developed new opportunities and ways for students to share their perspectives on building our school community. We also encourage students and families to explore the many options for school clubs, generously supported by the District 35 PTO, and get involved with the ones that spark your student’s curiosity.

• Sharing our theme of “belonging” - belonging to community; finding our place, path and people; and acknowledging how the safety of feeling like we belong helps us grow and learn. You’ll be hearing more about belonging from me throughout the year and I would love to hear from you about what gives you a sense of belonging.
• Welcoming our new staff and students. We have over 20 new staff members joining Glencoe School District 35 this year. Their expertise and talents will enrich and strengthen the learning environment for all of our children.
• Inviting increased in-person participation in our schools from family members and our community at-large as we reimagine our before-school clubs, cultural arts experiences, and lunch options with the Glencoe PTO. Rest assured that we will be following the guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education as we move to greater openness because the health and safety of students and staff remain our priority.

With the beginning of the school year comes a renewed commitment to our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, Educational Excellence. This plan will guide the District’s future with a clear focus on three strategic priorities: Advancing Learning and Innovation, Nurturing Health and Wellness, and Deepening Inclusion. We will keep the Board, families and the community updated on our progress during our monthly Board meetings.

Throughout the Strategic Plan period, we will have a theme of belonging. I invite you to share what makes you feel like you are part of our community and encourage you to have conversations within your family about how you can help others feel like they belong. As we start a new school year, there will be many opportunities for us to create deeper connections. Consider reaching out to a new family in your classroom or neighborhood to bring the idea of belonging to life. Let me know how it goes, how it made you feel and if it enriched your sense of community.

Please join me in celebrating the end of summer and welcoming the new start to our school year. We are so pleased to open our year with our students on August 25!

In partnership,

Catherine Wang
Superintendent