• Attendance Matters: As we celebrate a great start to the school year, we also want to highlight the importance of being in school every day. Did you know that missing just 2 days of school each month adds up to nearly 10% of the school year? Consistent attendance makes a big difference for both academic growth and social connections.

  • Monday= 97%

  • Tuesday= 95%

  • Wednesday= 95%

  • Thursday= 96%

  • Friday= 95%

• Fire Drill: This Monday we will be having a fire drill in coordination with the Countryside Fire Department. We spent time practicing this week so our students and staff are prepared. Teachers have reviewed expectations with students, including how to safely exit the building and where to go once outside.

• Cell Phone Policy: Please review the following letter describing our cell phone policy and how it will be enforced through our Yondr program. Here is a short video outlining how the Yondr pouches work and how our procedures are implemented each day.  Please complete the D76 Cell Phone Acknowledgement Form and contact the Main Office if you have any questions. 

• Athletic Letters: Please review the following sports letters offering information regarding our fall sports beginning on Monday, August 31st. 

  • Girls Basketball

  • Girls Soccer

  • Boys Soccer

  • Boys/Girls Cross-Country

• Health Physical and Immunization Requirements:  As a reminder, all students entering Preschool, Kindergarten, 6th grade, and any student new to Illinois schools are required by Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1) to have a current physical examination (must be completed within one year prior to the first day of school) and up-to-date immunization records on file. The exclusion date is October 15, 2026.

  • Students who do not submit a completed physical and proof of required immunizations by this date will be excluded from school. They will not be allowed to attend classes or participate in school activities until the required forms are received. Please schedule any needed appointments as soon as possible and submit forms to the school office. If your child has an upcoming appointment, please provide written confirmation from your healthcare provider to the school nurse prior to October 15. If you have questions or need assistance accessing health services, please contact the school nurse or main office.

• Student Dropoffs: In an effort to keep students safe, we ask that all parents drive with care and reduce their speeds as they approach the school in their vehicles.

• PowerSchool Parent Portal: Parents will be able to view their child’s schedule for the year via our PowerSchool Parent Portal. Helpful login information for parents and guardians can be found here.

• ParentSquare: New to ParentSquare? ParentSquare is a user-friendly way for parents and staff to communicate throughout the year. Please review these helpful instructions on how to access your ParentSquare account.

• WOMS Schedule and Calendar: The West Oak Middle School day starts at 8:25am and ends at 3:25pm. Here is our district calendar and here is a document showing all of our bell schedules. 

• Bus Routes: Here are the bus routes which includes pick-up locations and times. Please make sure your child arrives a few minutes early as pick-up and drop-off times will fluctuate, especially at the beginning of the year. 

• Arrival & Dismissal Procedures: Please click here to view our arrival and dismissal procedures. Thank you in advance for following these procedures and the guidance of our bus supervisors to ensure a smooth and safe arrival and dismissal! 

• Breakfast/Lunch: As we welcome our students back for another exciting school year, we wanted to remind you you that Diamond Lake School District 76 participates in the ISBE Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which means all students receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, every school day, regardless of household income. No application is required, every enrolled student is automatically eligible. Also, our monthly food service menus, along with nutrition data, can be found on our district website.  For August, those menus can be found HERE. We're also committed to supporting our students' overall health and wellbeing. Our District Wellness Policy outlines how we approach nutrition, physical activity, and healthy habits across our schools. You can read the full policy HERE.  Thank you for being such an important part of the Diamond Lake community. We look forward to a great year ahead!

• Extracurriculars: In order to get the most out of middle school and the best experience possible, we always encourage students to get involved in the various sports, clubs, and activities that we offer throughout the year. Here is a list of some of the offerings we have and here is a discription of our different clubs. 

• D76 CARES: At D76, the well-being of our students and families is our top priority. Understanding the critical role mental health plays in student success, we have launched D76 CARES, a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving access to quality mental health services across our community. D76 CARES stands for Community, Advocacy, Resilience, Engagement, and Support. Treatment services are initially provided free of charge to district families for up to 8 sessions. Click HERE for treatment request.

• September Dine-Out: Join us at Taco and Burrito Express on September 15th for lunch or dinner! They are located at 400 E. Hawley St., Mundelein, IL 60060. Be sure to mention Diamond Lake School District when you order, and 15% of the proceeds will be generously donated to the D76 PTO.

• Spirit Wear Store: Getting ready for the new school year? Don't forget your spirit wear! Our D76 Spirit Wear Store is open now through September 20th. Shop now online to grab your school gear!

• Back to School Bash: The Back to School Bash will be held on Friday, September 25th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Weather permitting, this event will be held outdoors. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family of 4 or more. Pre-registering helps us plan a wonderful event and earns you a complimentary raffle ticket! Pre-registration is open now and ends on September 16th. You can return your completed form to the main office or enter your information alongside your Zelle payment.

• Tables Needed!: Do you have extra folding tables we could borrow? We are always looking for additional tables for the Back to School Bash. Please label your tables with your name and drop them off at West Oak Campus (Door #8) between September 22nd and September 25th. You may pick them up right after the event ends or during the following week. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at dist76pto@gmail.com.

Your student's classroom teacher should be your first point of contact. For building-related information, please call the front office at 847-566-9220 or contact the following individuals via email: 

• Front Office Staff: Mrs. Mitzy Mondroy: mmonroy@dist76.org & Ms. Jennifer Sanjines: jsanjines@dist76.org 

• Principal: Brandon Pedersen bpedersen@dist76.org 

• School Nurse: Julie Marchese: jmarchese@dist76.org