Congratulations to our 2025 Spring Gripp Grant recipient Kelly Shoemaker at Wilmette Jr. High School!
Appreciation Certificates Are Now Available!
Looking for a special gift to say THANK YOU to a special teacher, staff or administrator AND give back to our D39 schools? For your $39 donation, the staff member(s) of your choice will be honored with a personalized certificate sent via email and their name posted on our website’s virtual Wall of Honor. All donations will benefit our schools by funding the D39 Educational Foundation’s Gripp Grant program.
[Read more…] about Appreciation Certificates Are Now Available!
Trivia Night Spring 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 Trivia Night Champions “Slime Time Scholars, We Nose Stuff”! The D39 Educational Foundation’s annual Trivia Night was held earlier this month and raised over $15,000!
[Read more…] about Trivia Night Spring 2025
Family BINGO Night Was a Smashing Success!
On Friday, January 24th, 2025 the District 39 Educational Foundation hosted a fun-filled evening that brought together over 200 enthusiastic game lovers.
The event was full of energy, thanks to our incredible MC, Mr. Dave Lundy, who kept the crowd laughing and cheering with every “BINGO!” call. Generous donations from both participants and local businesses allowed winners to enjoy a wide range of exciting prizes. A special shoutout to Lou Malnati’s for providing the delicious pizza and salads that everyone enjoyed!
Thanks to everyone’s support, we raised nearly $5,000, which will go directly toward funding new and innovative educational programs for District 39 students.
A big thank you to the D39 community for helping make this event such a success!
4th Annual College Paddle Night Was a Success!!
The D39 Educational Foundation hosted its 4th Annual College Paddle
Night on November 16th. It was a beautiful night in Wilmette – perfect
for paddle and a little friendly competition! Sixty-four participants
played in a round-robin style tournament, sporting their favorite
college-themed gear. New this year was a “party” option for those who
wanted to support the Foundation, but were unable to play. It was a
huge success! The event featured more than $5,000 in raffle prizes,
and some great food and drinks. We extend a heartfelt thank-you to our
generous sponsors, local businesses, and volunteers. College Paddle
Night raised more than $8,000, which will fund new Gripp Grants that
bring innovative educational opportunities to D39 students. Thank you
to our participants and partners for another successful and fun event!
Yoto Player
The D39 Educational Foundation also awarded McKenzie elementary for $1,881 for Yoto Devices with audiobooks, music, and podcasts. The Yoto device offers a unique way to engage students through a screen-free, audio-driven platform. By using age-appropriate content such as audio books, music, and even educational Podcasts, students can immerse themselves in learning in a way that keeps their attention and curiosity. This engagement promotes focus, helps develop listening comprehension, and makes learning feel more like play, which is particularly appealing to younger students. One of the most empowering aspects of the Yoto device is its ability to promote self-directed learning. Students can use the device independently, selecting content that matches their interests and learning pace. This is especially beneficial in a differentiated classroom where students have varying levels of literacy and comprehension. The Yoto device gives students the opportunity to practice reading and listening skills in a non-intimidating environment, building confidence in their abilities.