Back-to-School Time is Just Around the Corner

Hey, parents – if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to get your kids registered for school, pay the fees and do some last-minute back-to-school shopping.

And kids, it’s time to make the most of the waning lazy days of summer.  So, get ready to meet your new teachers, greet your old friends, make some new ones  –  and to begin filling your brains with knowledge.  School begins in just a couple of weeks.

Here’s some information to help get you started for the 2012-13 school year.

Darien School District 61

Mark DeLay Elementary School (grades K-2)

Address: 6801 Wilmette Ave., Darien

Phone: 630-852-0200

Principal: Lisa Kompare

Lace Elementary School (grades 3-5)

Address: 7414 Cass Ave., Darien

Phone: 630-968-2589

Principal: Martin Casey

Eisenhower Junior High School

Address: 1410 75th St., Darien

Phone: 630-964-5200

Principal: Michael Fitzgerald

Get to know your school

Schools in Darien School District 61 will hold open houses from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, for parents and students who have already registered and paid their fees.

On that day, students and parents will have the opportunity to tour their respective schools, gather information about the parent teacher groups, kids clubs and lunch programs, as well as to pick up materials and supplies.

Eisenhower Junior High School students will also be able to visit their classrooms and practice their schedules by moving from class to class.

Parents who have not paid fees for the upcoming school year may do so beginning in August, when offices at each school will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those paying in cash must visit the district office at 7414 South Cass Avenue in  Darien.

The first day of school (full day of attendance) for District 61 students will be Thursday, Aug. 23.

School attendance times are:

• Mark DeLay Elementary School (grades K-2): 8:35 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
• Lace Elementary School (grades 3-5): 8:20 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
• Eisenhower Junior High School (grades 6-8): 7:50 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Curriculum nights are scheduled for the following dates:

• Mark DeLay, Wednesday, Aug. 22
• Eisenhower, Tuesday, Sept. 4
• Lace, Wednesday, Sept. 5

For more information, call the district office at 630-968-7505 or click here to visit the website.

Cass School District 63

Concord Elementary School

Address: 1019 Concord Place, Darien

Phone: 630-968-3026

Principal: Laura Anderson

Cass Junior High School

Address: 8502 Bailey Road, Darien

Phone: 630-985-1900

Principal: Christine Marcinkewicz

Cass School District 63 has not planned a formal registration day and will deliver specific information to parents via email.

The first day of student attendance for grades K-8 will be Friday, Aug. 24; and for preschool, Tuesday, Sept. 4.

School attendance times for Concord Elementary School (grades Pre-K through 4) are:

• B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Experience childcare program) opens: 6:45 a.m.
• School doors open: 8 a.m.
• School day begins: 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. (Pre-K and A.M. Kindergarten ends at 11 a.m.)
• Pre-K and P.M. Kindergarten: Noon-2:45 p.m.
• ENCORE: 3:45 p.m.
• B.A.S.E. closes: 6 p.m.

School attendance times for Cass Junior High (grades 5-8) are:

• B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Experience childcare program) opens: 6:45 a.m.
• Overture: 7:30 a.m.
• School doors open: 8:30 a.m.
• School day begins: 8:45 a.m.
• School day ends: 3:30 p.m.
• Encore: 4:45 p.m.
• Activity bus departure: 5 p.m.
• B.A.S.E. closes: 6 p.m.

Curriculum presentations are scheduled on the following dates:

• Kindergarten: 3:05-4:05 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Concord Elementary School
• First and second grades: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Concord Elementary School
• Third and fourth grades: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Concord Elementary School
• Fifth grade:  3:45-4:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Cass Junior High
• Junior High: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Cass Junior High

Our Lady of Peace Catholic School

Address: 703 Plainfield Road, Darien

Phone: 630-323-4333

Principal: Mickey Tovey

According to the school’s website, registration is still available for the 2012-13 school year.  

Click here for registration forms for kindergarten and here  for registration forms for grades 1-8.

For tuition and fee information, click here.

Attendance times for Our Lady of Peace are:

• 8:40 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (All-day Kindergarten dismisses at 3:05 p.m.)
• A.M. Kindergarten starts at 8:40 a.m. and dismisses at 11:20 a.m.
• P.M. Kindergarten starts at 12:25 p.m. and dismisses at 3:15 p.m.

Dates to remember at Our Lady of Peace:

• Kindergarten parents info meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, in the school library
• Back to School Bash: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14
• Kindergarten orientation 9-10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22
• First day of school for grades 1-8, Wednesday, Aug. 22 (dismissal at noon)
• Noon dismissal (Grades K-8) Thursday, Aug. 23
• First full day of school (Grades K-8) Friday, Aug. 24

Update: Our Lady of Peace has added a new preschool class. For details, click here.

Kingswood Academy

133 Plainfield Road, Darien

Phone: 630-887-1411

Principal: Richard P. Caro

Dates to remember at Kingswood Academy:

• Registration days: Thursday, Aug. 2 and Wednesday, Aug. 8
• Welcome Back Picnic:  1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at Darien Community Park, 71st and Clarendon Hills Road, Darien
• First day of school for grades 1-8: Monday, Aug. 27 (dismissal at noon)
• First day of school for pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Tuesday, Sept. 4
• Curriculum night for parents: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6

For more information, click here to visit Kingswood Academy's website.

Hinsdale South High School (District 86)

Address: 7401 South Clarendon Hills Road, Darien

Phone: 630-468-4555

Principal: Brian P. Waterman

Hinsdale South High School will hold its summer registration week from 7-11 a.m. and noon-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 16, in the student cafeteria.

Each student should visit the school website for detailed information about the specific date and time at which he or she is scheduled to register. Registration times are set up alphabetically by students’ last names.

The school website also provides detailed information about registration fees and acceptable forms of payment, textbooks, required residency information (for students who have recently moved) and required certificates of child health examination (which must be on file prior to registration for freshmen and within 30 days of registration for transfer students from out-of-state) and more.

Students will receive their ID cards at registration, for which incoming freshmen and transfer students will have photos taken. Upperclassmen will be issued IDs imprinted with photos that were taken in the spring.

For more information about Hinsdale South High School registration, call 630-468-4216 or visit the school’s website by clicking here.

The first day of school at Hinsdale South will be Wednesday, Aug. 22.