Dear Lincolnwood School District 74 Learning Community:
 
On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty, and staff of School District 74, we are so pleased to welcome all of our families to the 2023-2024 school year! A great education is the cornerstone of this community. We are extremely proud of the partnership established by our community and schools to both work collaboratively and in support of each other -- ensuring students have access to high quality programs and opportunities so that our young people are prepared for bright futures at the next level of their education. As I enter my seventh year in the District, I have seen first hand the incredible support the community has for our schools. 

I became an educator over 20 years ago because I love everything about the positive energy of the classroom: the enthusiasm for a topic, the expression of joy when the light of understanding goes off, and the unbridled pride experienced when one overcomes a learning roadblock. As educators, we have the unique opportunity to positively influence the lives of students. 

As the year begins to unfold, our dedicated, professional, caring teachers and staff are focused on building relationships and creating learning experiences designed to help students flourish and reach their unlimited potential. The first goal of the District’s Strategic Plan is to develop curriculum and extracurricular activities to personalize student learning, advance rigor, and promote creativity. Through a regular cycle of review, we are committed to building upon current practices to ensure that all students have opportunities to explore topics which complement their interests, and excite their individual passions. This year will include implementation of a new middle school math program (Carnegie Learning), along with continuation of the very popular Mystery Science general science program for grades K-5. Later in the year, teams will hold discussions on the materials used in our K-5 math program and we will begin reviewing our practice related to developing students’ literacy skills.

Additionally, we enter this new school year with a number of campus improvements, ranging from new and renovated playgrounds to remodeled library and physical education spaces. The District is committed to regular schedules of maintenance and renovation to keep our campus looking and functioning at a high level to support students’ learning. 
 
The teachers, administrators, and I value the trust that you place in us educating your children and, in the coming months, we look to create collaborative partnerships that will enhance the classroom experience. Throughout the year, there are many school-based experiences that bring families into the learning experience and many others designed to bring families and staff together to create strong communities.

Please consider joining the nonprofit organization called PALS (People Active with Lincolnwood Schools). PALS was created to strengthen and enrich the educational and social environment of Lincolnwood School District 74. The group will spearhead the planning of a number of events and all parents, guardians, and community members are welcome to participate in the coordination and/or implementation of any, or all, of the activities on our calendar.

Our goal is to ensure you are aware of the happenings in and around campus; therefore, regularly check this website (sd74.org), our Twitter feed (@Lincolnwoodsd74), and the electronic newsletter called Tuesday Newsday (https://www.smore.com/app/my/newsletters) for announcements, reminders, and calendars of events.

Students, remember there are boundless opportunities this school year to discover unexplored skills, develop new friendships, persevere through challenges, and uncover hidden talents. The achievements that you make and the growth you demonstrate are constant reminders to us all that you are the reason we do what we do, and we are committed to providing academic and extracurricular experiences that will enhance later portions of your education. You are constantly rising to meet new challenges and achieve a high level of success whether that be in the classroom, in the arts, or on the fields of play. 

Over this next school year, we look forward to the amazing learning and academic growth that our students will achieve. We are here to partner with you to provide a productive and safe learning environment that inspires and supports them in that goal.  

In educational partnership,

Dr. David L. Russo, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools