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Bus Information
Thank you to all those registered for transportation services for the start of the school year. Routes will be developed and emailed home approximately one week before the start of the school year. Bus stops will not be more than one block from the student’s home. Buses do not stop at individual homes, with a couple of exceptions, to create more efficient run times and reduce route times. This practice will also hopefully reduce the likelihood of late bus arrivals.
Bus passes will be provided as follows:
Winkelman - Bus passes will be distributed at school on the first day of school. If you have registered for bus service, you will be allowed to board the bus on the first day without the bus pass.
Field - The bus passes will be provided to students on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Field Material Pick Up Night.
The My Ride K-12 parent app, available here, will be used for the 2026-2027 school year. The My Ride K-12 app can be accessed or downloaded for free on your smartphone. Click Here for a user guide. This year, we will continue to use ID cards. Students will scan their ID cards when they board and exit the bus. This technology enables drivers to receive turn-by-turn route directions, ensuring all students board the correct bus. If a student attempts to board the bus not assigned to them, the driver will be alerted and will be able to provide the correct bus assignment.
If you did not request bus service by the registration deadline but are interested in being added to our waitlist, please contact Tina Blankenheim (tblankenheim@district31.net) as soon as possible.
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Parking Lot Safety
The safety of our students, staff, and families is our highest priority. During arrival and dismissal, hundreds of students are walking, riding buses, and being picked up by families. We ask all drivers to help us maintain a safe and orderly environment by following our established traffic procedures and the directions of school staff. Building-specific arrival and dismissal procedures will be shared at the beginning of the school year and periodically throughout the year.
Parking Lot Safety Reminders
Please DO:
 Slow down and remain alert at all times.
Follow the directions of school staff and crossing guards.
Pull all the way forward in the pickup line when directed.
Pick up and drop off students only at the designated curbside location.
Keep students with you until they are safely at the sidewalk or school entrance.
Use designated crosswalks whenever possible.
Be patient and courteous to other drivers, pedestrians, and staff.
Use accessible (handicapped) parking spaces only if you have a valid permit.
Please DO NOT:
✘ Stop or park in travel lanes or fire lanes.
✘ Allow students to walk through the parking lot or between moving vehicles without an accompanying adult.
✘ Wave students across traffic or encourage them to cross outside designated areas.
✘ Block driveways, sidewalks, bus lanes, or crosswalks.
✘ Leave your vehicle unattended in the pickup line.
✘ Pass other vehicles in the pickup or dismissal line unless directed by staff.
Remember
Student safety is always more important than convenience.
Arrival and dismissal procedures are designed to keep all students safe and traffic moving efficiently.
Failure to follow school traffic procedures or directions from District staff may result in involvement of local law enforcement and/or additional consequences in accordance with Board policy.
Thank you for partnering with District 31 to ensure every student arrives safely and returns home safely each day.
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Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Lauren Lipsey, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Welcome back to an exciting new school year! The District 31 Curriculum and Instruction Department is thrilled to embark on another year of empowering every learner and cultivating a love for learning. Our team is committed to supporting teachers with planning curriculum, assessments, and instruction in a multitude of ways this year!
Please take a few moments to review the District 31 Assessment Calendar for this school year. You will notice there are some state/nationally mandated assessments, as well as standardized assessments chosen by the district. Each assessment provides a unique data point that allows us to make data-informed decisions about how to best support student learning. Teachers and data teams use data from locally selected standardized assessments to make decisions about current instructional practices and how best to support student learning throughout the current school year. Conversely, the data from state and national standardized assessments are used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of our curricular programming to make overarching and long-term decisions to ensure the growth and success of District 31 learners.
This Fall, we are excited to launch the implementation of our newly adopted Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program, WayFinder! WayFinder is designed to support students in developing the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Through engaging, age-appropriate lessons, students will build self-awareness, empathy, resilience, communication, and responsible decision-making skills. By intentionally supporting students' social and emotional growth alongside academics, we are helping every child flourish. We invite all families to visit WayFinder’s family page, and look forward to presenting more information about the program during our Fall Curriculum Nights.
We value family partnerships as a vital component of supporting our students in their learning. Please feel free to reach out to the Curriculum & Instruction Department below at any time with questions.
We look forward to collaborating with our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and eager students to create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.
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2026-2027 Standards-Based Grading Workshops and Dialogue Sessions
Parent Workshops & Support Opportunities
We believe families are essential partners in their child's learning, and we invite you to join us throughout the year for a series of workshops, drop-in Q&A sessions, and community conversations focused on Standards-Based Grading. To make participation convenient, we are offering both in-person and virtual options, along with opportunities to ask questions during key school events. Sessions have been thoughtfully scheduled around important milestones—such as back-to-school events, parent-teacher conferences, and report card periods—so families receive timely information and support when it matters most. Whether you are new to Standards-Based Grading or looking to deepen your understanding, these sessions are designed to answer your questions, provide practical information, and strengthen our partnership in supporting every student's success.
Check out the options below! For any questions, please reach out to Lauren Lipsey (llipsey@district31.net) or Nino Alvarez (nalvarez@district31.net)
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Department of Student Services
Dr. Janine Gruhn, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
The Student Services Department is committed to recognizing that each student is a unique learner and that differences are celebrated. We believe that families are an essential part of a child’s educational journey. Our goal is to ensure each student receives an education that is safe, effective, and highly engaging, and assists all students in achieving their full academic and social-emotional potential.
If you have concerns about your child’s progress in school, please follow the steps in the parent checklist. For more information regarding special education, please contact our special education coordinator, Laura Schoenfield, or Dr. Janine Gruhn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services.
If your child is 3-5 years old and you suspect a disability, please contact Anabel Santiago, for a preschool screening or the school psychologist, Dr. Lisa Dreyer. If your child is in grades K-8, and you have a question or concern, please contact the school psychologist, Stefanie Bauer.
We are excited to partner with you this school year.
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504 Plan & IEP Case Manager Letters
If you are a parent or guardian of a child who has a 504 plan or an IEP (Definition of 504 vs. IEP), case manager letters and “save the date” information for the annual reviews and/or reevaluation dates will be emailed on August 14.
Case managers will be your primary contacts for communication and will be responsible for:
- Monitoring classroom achievement and social-emotional growth.
- Maintaining consistent communication with your child’s general education teachers and with parents/guardians,
- Informing your child’s general education/co-curricular teachers about the contents of his/her individualized education plan (IEP) or 504 plan.
- Monitoring delivery of special education and related services as indicated on the IEP.
- Reviewing progress on IEP goals.
- Advising general education teachers of student needs, accommodations, and modifications.
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Department of Multilingual Services
Sandra Luna, Director of Multilingual Services
Multilingual (ML) Services support students in developing English language proficiency while providing equitable access to grade-level learning. Eligible students receive specialized language instruction and support designed to strengthen listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while building academic success.
Our district is proud to serve a diverse multilingual community, with students representing more than 50 language backgrounds. We are committed to partnering with families to support students' language development, academic achievement, and multilingualism.
If you have questions about ML or bilingual services, please contact Sandra Luna, Director of Multilingual Services, at sluna@district31.net.
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District 31 Back-to-School Night Community Resource Fair
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Kick off the new school year on Tuesday, August 18, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Field Middle School. Held during Field's Material Pickup Night, the Community Resource Fair is a great opportunity to connect with local organizations, learn about valuable programs and services, and get ready for a successful school year. Families are also invited to attend a Standards-Based Grading Q&A Session to learn more about grading practices and have their questions answered. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Hunger Resource Network's Students Helping Students’ Campaign
Holds its 7th Annual Community Drive in Partnership with Bean Bar and Sunset Foods
In collaboration with Bean Bar and Sunset Foods, the Hunger Resource Network (HRN) Students Helping Students Campaign will host its 7th annual community donation drive on Sunday, August 23, from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Bean Bar, 1901 Cherry Lane, to collect personal care items and nutritious, non-perishable food bags for more than 500 Northbrook and Glenview students in need.
Here are the many ways you can help our Northbrook students and their families in need:
- Purchase Personal Care items and Donate a Bag. Buy the essential household items. Click Here for List—each bag costs approximately $35. Items are available at local dollar stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, or big box retailers. Please fill a double brown bag with all of the items and drop it off at the Bean Bar on Sunday, August 23.
- Purchase Food Bag Items and Donate a Bag. Buy the non-perishable food items. Click Here for List– each bag costs approximately $35. Please fill a double brown bag with all of the items and drop it off at Sunset Foods on Sunday, August 23.
- Help pack a Personal Care Item Bag with us at Bean Bar. Bring your family and pack a personal care bag for our students in need on Sunday, August 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Bean Bar, 1901 Cherry Lane, Northbrook.
- Buy a Pre-packaged Food Bag at Sunset Foods. For those who don’t have time to shop for the items, buy a pre-packaged bag of non-perishable food items for $35 at Sunset Foods on Sunday, August 23, from 9:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.
- Monetary Donation – any financial contribution helps. We will buy the items and put together more bags.
View more information on the donation drive and how to contribute.
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