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Parent Newsletter 3.19.2026

Posted Date: 03/19/26 (04:00 PM)
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A cartoon dolphin leaps out of the water, depicted in shades of blue.

The Dolphin Digest

March 19, 2026
The exterior of Devonshire School on a sunny day.

Dear Families,

We are one week closer to spring break, and it seems we have had a little bit of every season's weather this week. Our students continued to show kindness, flexibility, and a strong commitment to learning. A recent highlight has been students completing their pottery projects from the visiting artist a few weeks ago. Students took great pride in their work, and it was exciting to see their creativity come to life from start to finish. Check out the before-and-after pictures below. We are so proud of their effort and the care they put into their creations!

Reminder that there is no school tomorrow in honor of Eid al-Fitr. Please read below for details about other upcoming events and opportunities.
Students are engaged in a hands-on art class, sculpting with clay at a wooden table.
A collection of colorful, handmade ceramic figures including a penguin, a yellow creature, and a pink, textured animal.
 

Outdoor Education Parent Meeting Monday, March 23rd 6 p.m. @ Old Orchard Junior High

Please come to an informational meeting at OOJH for the 5th-grade Outdoor Education Trip. The details of the trip will be explained and there will be lots of time to get any of your questions answered.
Parent Information Night for Outdoor Education flyer with trees and event details.
 

State Testing (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) Parade April 8th 8:50 a.m.

April 8th starts the Illinois Assessment of Readiness for 3rd - 5th grades, and these students will be assessed in Math and Reading. To prepare our bodies and minds, we will have a Pep Rally, Door Decorating, and a short parade at 8:50 a.m. on April 8th. Parents are invited to attend the parade and join us in cheering on our dolphin scholars as they do their very best. See more information below.
A flyer announces the 'Every Dolphin Matters IAR Spirit Parade' on April 8th at 8:50 AM at Devonshire Small Playground.
Aerial view of Devonshire School with a highlighted parking area on N Kenneth Ave.
 

Spring Musical Concerts

Please join us for our Spring Chorus concerts. There is one on Thursday, April 23rd, at 7:00 p.m. at OOJH and on Wednesday, May 20th, at 6:00 p.m. at Devonshire. Ms. Patel and students have been hard at work preparing for their shows!
Spring Chorus Concert Dates announcement with floral border and strawberries.
 

Skokie Park District After School Clubs

Registration for the spring clubs opens on February 26 and closes on March 20th. Registration has reopened, allowing students to register for more than one club. Spring clubs start on April 7th. Use the QR code on the flyer below or this link to sign up.

Questions? Contact Leah Hurwitz at lhurwitz@skokieparks.org
A colorful flyer outlines after-school clubs at Devonshire Elementary School, detailing Winter and Spring sessions with days, activities, and registration info.
 

PTA Board Elections

Devonshire PTA Board Elections will take place on May 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the school library. A Zoom option will also be available and shared closer to the date.

We are currently seeking parents and guardians interested in serving in the following open positions:
  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Serving on the PTA Board is a meaningful way to support our school community and help shape the year ahead. If you are interested in running, please complete the Intent to Serve Form by May 1 using the QR code on the election flyer below.

For questions about the roles or election process, please contact the Elections Committee at devonshireptaelections@gmail.com.

Thank you for supporting Devonshire PTA!
 
Devonshire Elementary PTA Board Elections poster seeking candidates for President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
 

PTA Dolphin Fest March 25th.

Dolphin Fest is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it's just a month away! Mark your calendars for March 25th for a night of Bingo, raffles, silent auction and prizes! Festivities are from 6-8pm at Devonshire School. The PTA will host a pizza party for those who would like to attend form 5:30-6. It is $5 a person for the pizza party and RSVP is required. Just follow the QR code on the flyer below!
Poster for Dolphin Fest, a PTA fundraiser at Devonshire School on March 25, 2026, from 6-8pm.
Announcement for Dolphin Fest, highlighting prizes, a Prize Wheel, silent auction, and raffle.
 

Art Shows in March

  • D68 "Under the Sea" Art show: During the month of March, student artists from OOJH and the D68 elementary schools are featured in the "Under the Sea" Art Show. Check out their amazing works of art in the activity room at the Skokie Public Library. See the flyer below for more information.

  • Skokie Outstanding Arts Recognition Show: Select students have had their art chosen for the 2026 Skokie Outstanding Arts Recognition show, at Oakton Community College (Skokie location). Art will be available for viewing after 5 pm on February 27 through the month of March, and there will be an open house on Wednesday, March 18, from 4 pm - 6pm. See the flyer below.
Poster for the Skokie Public Library Art Show featuring "Under the Sea" artwork by District 68 artists in March.
Poster for the SOAR Art Show Open House on Wednesday, March 18, from 4-6 PM at Oakton College.
 

Multicultural Night

The PTA is planning Devonshire's third annual Multicultural Night. It will be even bigger and better than previous years. Please see the flyer below to learn more about the event. Please only fill out the Google Form that interests you and your family. 

We're taking sign ups for the following: 
2. A Cultural Showcase station (in the main hallway)
3. A Performance (in the Cafeteria)

Please click here to access translated flyers in our top languages.
Poster for 'Multicultural Night' presented by The Devonshire PTA, featuring colorful handprints.
Flyer for Devonshire's Multicultural Night with instructions to sign up for food, showcase tables, and performances via QR codes and links.
 

Important: Arrival and Dismissal

Drop off and pick up occur on Kenneth Avenue. Please only stop at the playground entrance closest to Davis. For the safety of our students, please do not double park, do not park on the side of the street with the houses, and stay in a single line. Students will line up according to grade level. Click here to see a map and detailed directions for picking up and dropping off.

Students should be dropped off between 8:30-8:37 a.m. If you arrive after 8:40 a.m., please park and bring your child to the main entrance. Please note that if the weather is bad (under 15 degrees with windchill, rain, or wet/blowing snow), students will come into the school building beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

3rd - 5th grade students can walk home or walk to a parent in a parked car, if they have a signed permission slip. If you choose, you may submit this permission slip to your child’s teacher.
Illustration of school arrival and dismissal, featuring a school building, bus, car, and bicycle.
 
A graphic with the words 'IMPORTANT INFORMATION' in bold letters.

School Information


SCHOOL HOURS: Students are escorted into the building at 8:37 a.m. daily. School on Mondays runs 8:40 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays are 8:40 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

PLAYGROUND: While we encourage families to enjoy our community play space after school hours, the park and playground are closed to the public during school hours from 8:25 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 8:25 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Monday. This rule is grounded in student safety, and we appreciate your cooperation in enforcing this safety measure.

TARDY TO SCHOOL: If your child is late to school, you must escort your child into the main entrance and sign them into school for the day. The sign-in sheet will also include the reason for the tardiness. Please note that you will be asked to sign your child in late, beginning at 8:40 a.m.

ATTENDANCE: If your child will be absent, you must report the absence, including the reason for the absence. If your child has a medical appointment and will come in late or leave early from school, we ask that you report that information as well. Absences or early/late arrivals due to appointments may be communicated through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK: Please review our District 68 Parent-Student Handbook for more detailed information.
 

Student Spirit Dress Up Days

Every Friday, we encourage staff and students to wear blue or their dolphin t-shirt. Thank you again, PTA.

We also have some fun Wednesdays every month to share. See the flyer to the right for all the details.
Poster announcing Devonshire Spirit Days for 2026, featuring a mascot and upcoming themed days.
 
A plate is divided into sections, each filled with a variety of healthy foods.

Meals

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served daily from 8:25 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. Students may enter through door 8 for breakfast. A staff member will be there to greet students starting at, but not before, 8:25. There is no early drop-off unless you are registered for SPACE. If a student arrives after 8:35 a.m. they will need to enter their grade level’s entrance to start the school day. Parents must pay for breakfast through their Infinite Campus account unless they qualify for meal benefits.

Lunch: Students may choose to bring lunch from home or receive a school lunch. We will provide hot lunches through our provider, Organic Life. Students who bring lunch from home, may purchase milk only. Parents must pay for lunch through their Infinite Campus account unless they qualify for meal benefits.

Menus and other information can be found on our meals website.   
 

Upcoming Events

  • March 23: Outdoor Education parent meeting for 5th-grade parents 6 p.m. @ Old Orchard
  • March 25: Dolphin Fest 5:30 p.m.
  • March 26: Grades are available on the parent portal
  • March 30 - April 3: Spring Break: NO SCHOOL
  • April 7: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committe @ Stenson Elementary 4:30 - 5:30
  • April 15: Dental Clinic
  • April 19: Board of Education meeting 7:00 p.m.

For more information about events, see the Devonshire Elementary School Calendar on the school website
Colorful graphic with the words 'Upcoming Events' in bold text.
 
Devonshire Elementary PTA logo with a dolphin and text.

Parent Teacher Assocation

Please visit https://www.devonshirepta.com to sign up for the PTA, see events, purchase Devonshire gear, and more!
 

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

847-568-4901
Brian Ritz | Principal
Vicki Chappell | Secretary
Danielle Lashay | Health Clerk