Academics

Back to School at IRVING! 2025-26

Welcome Back to School in D97 10 Things You Need to Know for 2025-26

Welcome back to Washington Irving

Back-to-School Resource Hub

You can also find important updates and documents in one central location at op97.org/back-to-school. We recommend bookmarking the page for easy access throughout the year!

📸 Share Your First-Day Smiles!
The first day of school is always full of energy and excitement, and we’d love to see it! Families and staff are invited to send photos of students, classrooms, and celebrations to communitynews@op97.org.

This year, District 97 is proud to launch our new Identity and Heritage Calendar, created in partnership with staff, families, and community members. The calendar highlights heritage months, identity recognitions, and major religious observances throughout the year, serving as a resource to guide celebrations, events, and planning across the district. It reflects our shared commitment to honoring student identities, amplifying student voice, and fostering an inclusive culture in every school.

Looking ahead, we aim to grow these recognitions into meaningful experiences that include student-led programming, community-wide arts and cultural events, and even career exploration opportunities. We’ll continue to update the calendar annually so it evolves alongside our community.

District 97 has updated the Student-Family Handbook for 2025-26. It contains important information regarding school policies, procedures, guidelines, student rights and responsibilities, and notifications required by state and federal law.

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Menus for our elementary and middle schools are available at

http://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service.

Bring a nut-free lunch from home.
Order school lunch.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

During the 2025-26 school year, all students will be required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2025-26 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (English/Spanish). We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the application as soon as possible. Please visit https://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service for more information.

Food Allergies/Nut-Safe Schools

Nuts and nut products are not allowed in any District 97 schools during the 2025-26 school year. This includes products that are labeled “processed in a facility that shares equipment with nut products.” Our schools have been nut-safe for the past two years—helping to create safer, more inclusive environments for all of our students.

Please visit http://bit.ly/460wpOb to access information about the district’s food allergy management program, as well as tips and options for identifying food that is safe for snacks and field trips. We appreciate your support of this important initiative!

Health Services and Requirements

Please visit the Health Services web page to find important forms related to physicals, screenings and medication, as well as information about our policies for illness, allergy and asthma management, concussion protocol, medication and more. For specific questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.

Safety Reminders

As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, let’s work together to keep our schools safe and welcoming for everyone. Below are important reminders to help ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. Please visit our District Safety Page for additional resources.

✅ Visitor Reminders

All visitors must check in through our Raptor Visitor Management System at the front office. Please bring a valid ID.
Once checked in, visitors will receive a temporary badge that must be worn at all times while in the building.

8)Technology Information and Resources

Please visit bit.ly/3PctavT for information from the district’s technology department about the deployment of student devices, online filtering at home, the district’s acceptable use policy, and the procedures and protocols that are used to set up accounts for students.

Visit the School Spirit Store

The School Spirit Store has been in existence for over 20 years. It is a not-for-profit, self-sustaining “business” that uses the profits to buy more products to sell. We sell mostly school supplies; pencils, erasers, sharpeners, etc. with some fun items thrown in such as key chains, bookmarks, and the occasional toy. Items cost anywhere from $.05 to $1.25. Most students don’t need more than a dollar or two to get what they want and we do not accept any bills over $10.00.

The store is run by 5th Grade students who go through a rigorous interview process at the beginning of the school year that tests their personal skills and ability to handle money. Currently there are 8 students who work at the store, which is open on Mondays and Wednesdays immediately after school for about 10-15 minutes. Located on the first floor by the 4th Grade/Middle staircase.

In recent years, some students have asked to sell items that they make for which they receive the profits with a percentage going to the school store.

If you need further information or have questions you can reach out to Mr. Packer at ppacker@op97.org

Registration Begins Tuesday, Jan. 24

The World Language Program at Irving School is an introduction to different languages and cultures. In these classes, students will learn basic communication vocabulary. This year we have EIGHT languages available: American Sign Language (ASL), French, German, Greek, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish. Classes will take place once per week during lunch/recess for approximately 12 weeks beginning January 30. Scholarships are available! Visit our World Language Program website to see the class schedule, registration information and more: https://irvingpto.com/world-language-program/

February PTO Meeting

Lately many families have been asking about what they can do to help with safety at the school during arrival and dismissal. After some initial discussion at the January PTO meeting, we have decided that the PTO meeting on Thursday, February 2 at 7pm will focus on school safety. Families will work together to brainstorm a list of proposals to bring to the village. We will have representation from the district office to ensure that the school district is communicating similar proposals. Families can attend this meeting in person in the school library (childcare will be provided!) or virtually via zoom. We hope to see you there!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89384341152?pwd=Q3FMZWoyc3VoSHF4ZEUvZXNQNTY4Zz09

Meeting ID: 893 8434 1152
Passcode: 639601
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,89384341152#,,,,*639601# US
+13126266799,,89384341152#,,,,*639601# US (Chicago)

First PTO Meeting of 2023!

Please join us for the first PTO meeting of 2023 at 7pm on Thursday, January 12. All new & returning students’ parents or guardians are welcome and encouraged to join, as ALL Irving families are a part of the Irving PTO! Join us in person in the school library (childcare will be provided) or virtually via zoom.