Hawthorne Elementary

Hawthorne Elementary School

The Little School with the Big Heart September 12, 2025
  • At the top right of the newsletter, you will find a button to translate this message into your preferred language.

  • En la parte superior derecha del boletín, encontrarás un botón que te permitirá traducir este mensaje a tu idioma preferido.

  • Newsletter pan khaan tang ah, na duh mi holh ah na thu thuhna kong a sim khawh ding i button pakhat na hawng khia a si.

  • في أعلى يمين النشرة الإخبارية، ستجد زرًا يتيح لك ترجمة هذه الرسالة إلى لغتك المفضلة.

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Run-A-Thon News from our PTA

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent school fundraiser! Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers, teachers, families, and runners, we raised a total of $20,826. With 336 donors contributing and an average donation of $58, this event was a true community effort that will directly benefit our students.

The PTA is already hard at work planning enriching activities and experiences for the student body. From assemblies and field trips to clubs and special programs, these funds ensure that our children’s learning extends far beyond the classroom.

We also want to hear from you. If you’d like to have a stake in how the money is spent or share ideas for new opportunities, we invite you to get involved. Together, we can create diverse and memorable experiences for every student.

Thank you again for your generous support and dedication to our school community! A very special thank you to Maggie Zmuda for organizing the Run-A-Thon and to Mr. Quarto for training our incredible runners!

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Picture Day is Monday

Picture Day is Monday, September 15, 2025. Don't forget to order your pictures at Color Portraits. You will need to enter our school code: 10041401 and enter your student's information. Color Portraits has a variety of packages to choose from that you can preorder or order on picture day.

Ordering will be closed at midnight the day of Picture Day to process the orders. If you miss prepaying you will have a chance to order pictures with your child's Ticket Code. When placing an order after Picture Day with a Ticket Code a shipping fee will be added on and picture packages will be shipped directly to the home. Ticket Codes will be delivered to Hawthorne Elementary School with the bulk picture package order approximately three weeks after Picture Day.

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Friday in the Library

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Have You Joined the PTA Yet?

Hawthorne Elementary School's PTA is the strong partnership between staff, parents, and our community. Our PTA supports field trips, student assemblies, staff appreciation, fundraising, community building activities, and so much more. Please USE THIS LINK to join the PTA Today! Every bit helps make Hawthorne such a special place to learn and grow.

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A Special Message from Nurse Jodi & Nurse Brooke

Snack Smart for Success

Did you know that a healthy snack can significantly impact your child's concentration in the classroom? Nutritious foods help regulate energy levels and prevent sugar crashes that can affect mood and focus. Let's work together to provide our students with "brain food"  to support their academic performance.

Let's make every bite count! 

These smart choices will keep your child's energy steady and their mood happy.

Here is a list of healthy, school-friendly snack ideas, categorized by food type for easy reference. Note: Always double-check your classroom’s policy on allergens, especially nuts, before packing

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh fruit: Grapes (cut in half for younger children), berries, sliced apples, clementines, or a small banana.

  • Dried fruit: Raisins, dried apricots, or low-sugar fruit leathers.

  • Vegetable sticks: Carrots, cucumbers, or bell peppers with a side of hummus or yogurt-based dip.

  • Fruit and veggie pouches: Squeezable pouches of applesauce or blended fruit and vegetables are a convenient option.

  • Frozen grapes or berries: A refreshing and simple treat, especially on warmer days.

  • Baked apple chips: A crunchy, sweet, and simple snack made from sliced apples and cinnamon. 

Dairy and protein

  • Yogurt or yogurt tubes: Low-fat yogurt, Greek yogurt, or yogurt tubes are packed with protein and calcium.

  • String cheese or cheese cubes: A quick and easy source of protein and calcium.

  • Hard-boiled eggs: A great source of protein to keep kids feeling full and focused.

  • Cottage cheese: Pair with fresh or canned fruit for a balanced snack. 

Grains and carbohydrates

  • Whole-grain crackers: Serve with cheese, a nut-free spread, or hummus.

  • Mini bagels: With a smear of cream cheese or a nut-free seed butter.

  • Homemade or nut-free granola bars: Ensure they are school-safe by using seeds like sunflower or pumpkin instead of nuts.

  • Air-popped popcorn: A whole-grain snack that is crunchy and fun to eat.

  • Whole-grain pretzels: A satisfying and crunchy snack.

  • Roasted chickpeas: A savory and crispy snack that is easy to make at home. 

Combination and specialty snacks

  • Nut-free "trail mix": Create a blend of whole-grain cereal, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

  • Hummus with dippers: Pack individual servings of hummus with whole-grain pita chips, pretzels, or sliced vegetables.

  • Fruit and yogurt parfaits: Layer yogurt with berries and a small amount of low-sugar granola.

  • Sunflower seed butter with fruit: For nut-free schools, sunflower seed butter is a great alternative to pair with apple slices.

  • Fruit sushi rolls: Spread a nut-free seed butter on a whole-wheat tortilla, add sliced fruit, roll it up, and slice into rounds. 

SAIL Buddies

We are excited to share the success of our SAIL Buddies program! This initiative provides a wonderful opportunity for our 4th grade students and SAIL students to come together and engage in meaningful social interactions. Through fun, structured activities, students are practicing important skills such as communication, turn-taking, and cooperation — all while building lasting friendships.

The SAIL Buddies program fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and connected. We're proud of the positive relationships forming and look forward to seeing these connections continue to grow throughout the year!

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Check our Parent Information Page for Digital Tools

Hawthorne Parents,

We hope this message finds you well! As our students continue to use technology like Chromebooks to support their learning, we want to partner with you to ensure they stay safe and responsible online.

To help you navigate internet safety and Chromebook use at home, we’ve put together some key information and resources that you may find useful:

CUSD200 Parent Resources

Department of Technology & Innovation

LightSpeed Sign-up

Information for Filtering Home Networks

How to get Google Classroom Notifications

Parent Digital Resources Home

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Franklin Cross Country’s 5th grade One Mile Race

All current 5th graders who attend Franklin feeder schools are invited to participate in a 5th Grade XC Race!

When: Wednesday, October 1, at 4:00 PM
Where: Northside Park; runners should meet at the bottom of the sledding hill
What: a one mile race! FMS 6-8th graders will be there too to encourage, cheer, and maybe even run with our guests
Who: any registered 5th graders attending one of Franklin’s feeder elementary schools (registered 5th graders ONLY please--no siblings!)
Why: to promote fitness and allow 5th graders to experience the sport of cross country running
What else: runners are encouraged to wear a t-shirt or colors to represent their schools

How to sign up? PARENTS should fill out this Form please
Questions? Please contact FMS cross country coaches Dan Nielsen and Ashley Atchison

The Happy Heart Award

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 Happy Heart Award drawing winners!

-Mrs. Zimmer

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Notes From Our PTA

September 12: Fall Movie Night is tonight! Bring your family members, chairs and/or  blankets to enjoy a movie on the big screen under the stars on the field at Hawthorne. Pizza slices and other concession items will be available for sale. The concession stand is generously run by parent volunteers. This is not a drop off event and child supervision is required. We look forward to seeing you at our annual gathering. This year’s showing of Lilo & Stitch is rated PG.

September 18: Almost every month the Parent Teacher Association partners with a local restaurant to raise funds for our school through an event called Cooks Night Out (CNO). Purchase a meal at the highlighted restaurant on the determined date, mention that you are with Hawthorne Elementary School, and Hawthorne is able to take a portion of the money made and put it towards PTA spending for the year. The September CNO location is on Front Street in downtown Wheaton. The restaurant is called Billy Bricks and you can find their menu here. Please consider enjoying a night out or take out on this day!

September 25:PNO “Parents' Night Out” is a chance for Hawthorne parents and caregivers to get to know each other outside of the PTA student-focused events. Hosted at Common Good Cocktail House (a business owned by a Hawthorne family), this low-key event is an excellent chance to get to know more about the grown-up faces you may see at pick-up and drop-off. There is no cost to attend this event unless you decide to purchase any spirit-free or spirit-full cocktails or snacks.Join the fun and leave the kids at home.

Important Dates

September 12: Fall Movie Night at 7:00PM
September 15: Picture Day
September 18: Billy Bricks CNO
September 19: Dancing Drum Assembly
September 23: PTA Reflections Workshop
September 25: Safety Drill
September 25: Parents' Night Out
September 26: No School, Institute Day

October 1: Franklin 5th Grade Run
October 2: Custodial Appreciation Day
October 3: PTA Meeting in LLC at 9:05
October 7: Wheaton College Field Trip-Concert
October 9: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-8PM
October 10: Parent/Teacher Conferences 8-12PM
October 13: No School
October 20: Bus Evacuation Drill
October 31: Fall Festival

November 7: No School, Teacher Work Day
November 10-14: PTA Book Fair
November 14: PTA Meeting in LLC @ 9:05
November 14: End of Trimester 1
November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break

School Information

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
PushCoin
ParentVUE
BASP Information
E-Learning Plans
LightSpeed Parent Portal Sign-Up
Previously Published Newsletters
Join the PTA Today!

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