We are thrilled to share some exciting news—our students have earned over 1,000 Happy Hearts! The Happy Heart Award recognizes students who go above and beyond to demonstrate the Hawthorne Way during the school day. Each award is a special ticket that includes the student’s name, the staff member who recognized them, and the reason for their recognition.

To celebrate this amazing achievement, the entire school came together for a special recess on Thursday! Students enjoyed time outdoors playing games and activities, while teachers joined in the fun by playing kickball, football, soccer, chalking, and swinging alongside their students.

This celebration is a wonderful reminder of the positive impact students have when they show kindness, respect, and responsibility—and the joy of coming together as a school community to celebrate each other’s efforts.

Way to go, Hawthorne students! Keep spreading those Happy Hearts!

Dear Hawthorne families,

Please know that all food service in CUSD 200, including free and reduced-price school meals will continue without interruption.  Additionally, if your financial situation has changed, you are encouraged to apply or re-apply for the free or reduced-price meal program here.

We are fortunate to live in a caring community with a number of resources. Local food pantries stand ready to help families who may be affected. You can find alist of area food pantrieshere. In addition, CUSD 200 and its foundation, the Student Excellence Foundation (SEF) host Mobile Food Pantries once a month to support families. The next Mobile Pantry is scheduled 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 at Johnson School, 2S700 Continental Dr., Warrenville. No registration is necessary – just stop by if your family needs the support. 

Many parents and community members have asked how they can help. One impactful way to help is to donate to SEF’s Essentials Needs Fund, which provides critical support to families in need. Donations are being sought specifically to make up for the loss of SNAP benefits and can be made by clicking here.

Another way to contribute is to volunteer at the Mobile Food Pantries. Volunteers can reach out to Alyssa Barry, Director of Community Engagement and Communications, at alyssa.barry@cusd200.org

As you may know, 28% of CUSD 200 students live in a low-income household, and more than 3,200 students receive a free or reduced breakfast or lunch every school day. Your generosity, whether through donations, volunteer time, or by sharing this information, can make a big difference.

If your family has questions or needs additional support, please reach out to Caren Talbot, our school social worker at caren.talbot@cusd200.org. At the bottom of our newsletter is a direct link to a list of local food pantries. 

Get ready to celebrate the joy of reading! The Hawthorne Elementary School PTA Book Fair is coming November 10–14 and it’s sure to be a week filled with excitement and discovery for our young readers.

Each class will enjoy a special “Preview Day” to visit the fair and create their own wish lists of favorite books. Before school the book fair will be open Tuesday from 8:30AM-9:00AM. On Wednesday the book fair will be open from 3:30PM-4:30PM. Evening shopping hours will take place on Thursday night from 5PM-7PM so families can stop by together or cross off items on those holiday wish lists! Students have access to purchase books from the book fair daily at recess time.

A huge thank-you to Kerri Mead and Emily Fedyski for organizing this year’s book fair. Their hard work helps bring the magic of reading to life for our students.

Want to be part of the fun? Check out the volunteer opportunities and join us in making this year’s Book Fair a success!

Our first graders have been busy becoming authors! This week students in Miss Mulligan's classroom have been learning how to write journal entries about what happens in the fall. Each student is working on staying focused on one topic and writing in complete sentences. We are learning how to start sentences with capital letters, use finger spaces, and end with punctuation. Students are also practicing stretching out words and listening for the sounds they hear to spell as many pieces of the word as they can.

The Notice and Wonder warm-up in Illustrative Mathematics is important because it builds the foundation for strong mathematical thinking before any direct instruction happens. Instead of being told what to look for or how to solve a problem, students learn to observe, question, and make sense of what they see. Here are the key reasons it matters:

1. It Encourages Mathematical Curiosity

When students begin by simply noticing and wondering, they are encouraged to be curious. They look closely, think deeply, and engage with the math in front of them without the pressure of having to get something “right” immediately.

2. It Gives Every Student a Way In

Notice and Wonder provides a low-floor, high-ceiling entry point.
All students—regardless of background knowledge or confidence—can notice something.
Some might notice shapes or numbers, while others notice patterns or relationships. Everyone participates.

We are excited to share a new learning opportunity blooming here at Hawthorne! Our Multilingual Learning teacher, Mrs. Hill, and PTA parent volunteer, Mrs. Anderson, have teamed up to launch the Hawthorne Spanish Club—a space for students to explore language, culture, and communication in a fun and engaging way.

Each week, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students gather in the library to practice new Spanish skills, play language games, learn about Spanish-speaking cultures, and support one another as they grow as confident communicators. At our very first meeting, we were thrilled to welcome over 40 enthusiastic students—a wonderful sign that our Hawks are excited to learn and connect! Even a few teachers joined in the fun!

We look forward to an amazing year of language learning, cultural curiosity, and lots of ¡sonrisas! (smiles!)

Gracias, Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Anderson, for making this enriching experience possible for our students!

This December Hawthorne will host a financial literacy club for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Our friends at Wheaton Bank and Trust will be guiding students participating through six of the following lessons:

Lesson 1. Money Matters-Buying Decisions

Lesson 2. Get Set for Goals-Setting Goals

Lesson 3. Make a plan-Budgeting

Lesson 4. Save Your Money-Saving

Lesson 5. Which Way to pay-Payment Options

Lesson 6. Get Invested-Introduction to investing

Lesson 7. It’s Great to Donate-Charitable Giving

Lesson 8. Careers Choices-Exploring Careers and Income

After completing the lessons, students will receive a Money Smart Certificate.

Students will enter door 1 and meet in the art/music room from 8:30am-9am Monday and Wednesday mornings in December. The dates and times for the club are as follows:

Monday, 12/1, 8:30-9am

Wednesday, 12/3, 8:30-9am

Monday, 12/8, 8:30-9am

Wednesday, 12/10, 8:30-9am

Monday, 12/15, 8:30-9am

Wednesday, 12/17, 8:30am - 9am

Students who want to participate are REQUIRED to return the bottom portion of this form by Monday, November 17. (Spanish Copy)  Please contact Susan Anderson with questions at susan.joyce.anderson@gmail.com. Susan Anderson will be at all club meetings.

Our Lost & Found is starting to look like it’s ready for its own zip code! 🧤🧣🥼 If your child is missing a jacket, sweatshirt, tie, water bottle, or that very important Hawthorne hat please stop by to take a look. All items will be on display near the lunchroom. Anything unclaimed by the end of the month will be donated. Thank you for helping us reunite these treasures with their homes!

Second graders will be screened for PACE in February 2026 using the Cognitive Abilities Test.

More information will follow in January 2026. Parents of second graders who are eligible for further PACE testing based on the Cognitive Abilities Test will be notified at the end of February to take further Iowa subtests as the next step for entry into the PACE program.

In late February, into March 2026, the PACE Office will host testing for currently enrolled 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Students in Grades 3-5 may be recommended for testing by the teacher and/or parent. The deadline for a parent to request PACE Testing is January 30, 2026. This testing, which will include the CogAT 8 and subtests from the Iowa Assessments. Testing will qualify elementary students for participation in one of the following 2026-2027 classes:

4th and 5th grade PACE Mathematics
4th and 5th grade PACE Reading
6th grade Fast-Paced Mathematics
6th grade Fast-Paced Language Arts

Please Note – Students currently in PACE Program Classes do not need to re-test. Students currently attending a private school or homeschooled, but reside in the District 200 attendance area, are also eligible for PACE Program Testing. Parents will be notified by their child's school about testing dates & times before testing. Parent Testing Referral Forms can be found on the District 200 website Questions? Contact the District 200 PACE Office at PACE@cusd200.org

Second graders at Hawthorne Elementary have begun Module 2 in the Bookworms curriculum, and excitement is building in the classrooms. In Mr. Miller's and Mrs. Liskovec's classes, students are learning about the Hopi, Cheyenne, Cherokee, and Mohawk people as they explore a new set of informational texts.

Throughout the lessons, students talk together about what they are learning, asking questions like, “How did this group use the land around them?” and “What traditions are important to this community?” They are also practicing how to use text evidence to support their ideas, saying things such as, “I know this because the author said…”

These discussions are respectful and thoughtful, with students listening closely to one another, building on classmates’ ideas, and showing curiosity about different cultures and ways of life. The conversations are rich with phrases like, “I wonder…”, “I noticed…”, and “Can you explain your thinking?” which help strengthen comprehension and develop academic language.

This new learning is sparking meaningful dialogue and curiosity as students build knowledge and strengthen their literacy skills, while deepening their understanding of Indigenous histories and cultures.

Hawthorne Buddies is an after school program supporting our multilingual learners and connecting them to positive peer role models in the community. This gives students the opportunity to work with Wheaton North High School students as well as Wheaton College students to read stories, play games, enjoy a snack together, and work on academic areas.

Each year, our generous community helps to provide snacks for the students. If you are able to help, please sign up to donate.You can find the sign up HERE. We have 40 students in the program and are looking for snack donations or Aldi gift cards. Thank you for supporting our community. 

The Wheaton Park District and the Wheaton Lions Club are hosting the14th Annual Lions Charities Reindeer Run 5K on Saturday, December 6!This festive run/walk is open to all ages and abilities, and everyone is encouraged to get decked out in their best holiday costume or ugly sweater. 

Returning this year, we are offering your PTA a fundraising opportunity through Reindeer Run registration. Each registrant will receive $5.00 off their registration, and your PTA will receive $5.00 back through the use of your personalized coupon code — HAWTHORNE25.

Students at Hawthorne Elementary School are always learning and growing. One of the things we pride ourselves on at Hawthorne is the work we do to ensure students understand, demonstrate, and reinforce schoolwide expectations. At Hawthorne, students learn about the Hawthorne Way during the first week of school with Mrs. Zimmer. During the year, we work to reinforce the things we learn about the Hawthorne Way.

The Happy Heart Award is a recognition ticket given to students who go above and beyond to demonstrate the Hawthorne Way during the school day. Students who earn this will receive a ticket with their name on it, the staff member who recognized them, and the reason they were recognized. The recognition portion will go home to celebrate with family.

Congratulations to this week's and last week's Happy Heart Award drawing winners!

November 10-14: PTA Book Fair
November 11:  Veterans Day
November 14: PTA Meeting in LLC @ 9:05
November 14: End of Trimester 1
November 14: PTA Meeting
November 17: Mr. Lee 3G
November 18: 5th Grade Field Trip-MSI
November 18: Mr. Lee 3H & CNO
November 21: 2nd Grade Field Trip
November 21: Report Cards Available
November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break

December 5: PTA Meeting 9:05AM in LLC
December 6: Reindeer Run
December 9: Winter Concert at Hawthorne
December 9: Mr. Lee 4C
December 10: Mr. Lee 4B
December 19: Winter Class Parties 2:15PM
December 22: Winter Break Begins

January 6: School Resumes
January 9: PTA Meeting 9:05AM in LC
January 19: No School, MLK Day

February 13: Friendship Classroom Parties
February 16: No School, Presidents Day
February 19: Variety Show Dress Rehearsal
February 20: Variety Show
February 27: No School, Institute Day

Phone: 630-682-2065
Address: 334 E Wakeman Ave Wheaton, IL

Health Office:
HawthorneHealthOffice@cusd200.org

School Hours:
A.M. Kindergarten
Doors Open: 9:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 9:05 a.m.
Dismissal: 11:35 a.m.

All Day Kindergarten & Grades 1-5
Doors Open: 9:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 9:05 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:30 p.m.

Hawthorne Website
Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Lunch: $3.75 Breakfast $1.50
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**New Resource: Local Food Pantries**