Parent Resources
Welcome, Hillel Torah Parents! Here you will find easy access to the tools and information you’ll need throughout the school year to support your child’s educational journey and strengthen the connection between home and school.
School Calendar
Stay up to date with programs and events throughout the school year.
Summer Workbooks
Looking to help your child stay sharp over the summer? Our summer workbooks are a great way for students to review skills, build good reading habits, and get a head start on next year’s learning.
- Incoming 1st Graders: Judaic Studies | General Studies
- Incoming 2nd Graders: Judaic Studies | General Studies
- Incoming 3rd Graders: Judaic Studies | Kriah Review | General Studies
- Incoming 4th Graders: Kriah Review | General Studies
Middle School: All middle school students are required to read two books over the summer. One is an assigned book and one is free choice.
- Incoming 5th Graders: Rules by Cynthia Lord | Optional Summer Workbook
- Incoming 6th Graders: Restart by Gordon Korman
- Incoming 7th Graders: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
- Incoming 8th Graders: The Wave by Todd Strasser
Parent Handbooks
We encourage you to review the handbooks carefully, paying special attention to any new or updated policies. They’re a helpful guide to ensure a smooth and successful school year for you and your child.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are vital opportunities to discuss your child’s progress and collaborate with teachers. They are held twice yearly, in the fall and spring. Instructions for scheduling appointments will be sent prior to each conference.
Parent Locker
Our comprehensive school information system allows you to view your child’s attendance, homework assignments, class calendars, and, for middle school students, gradebooks. You can also access the online parent directory.
*Questions about Parent Locker? Email [email protected] with a detailed subject heading.
School Forms
2025-2026 Medical Forms:
- State of Illinois Health Form – Required for students entering Pre-Nursery, Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and all New Hillel Torah students in Pre-Nursery through 8th Grade
- Dental Form – For all students entering Kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grade
- Vision Form – For all students entering Kindergarten and students new to Illinois
- Allergy Action Plan
- Asthma Action Plan
*Please email all forms directly to [email protected] by August 16.
2025-2026 School Supplies
- Pre-Nursery-4th grade: School supplies are provided by the school.
- Grades 5-8: Middle School Supply List
- Grades 2-8: Judaic Book List
Technology Requirements:
- All Kindergarten through 8th grade students will receive a school-issued device.
- Headphones: All K-8 students are required to have headphones or earbuds with a microphone for voice recording.
- Suggested: Device Case/Screen Protector: Protecting devices with a case and screen protector is highly encouraged
*Please contact Mr. Goldman ([email protected]) for all technology-related questions.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Resources:
Planning for this significant milestone is an exciting time for families. Our Resource Booklet offers guidelines to assist you in preparing for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Additionally, consult the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Calendar to coordinate dates and avoid scheduling conflicts.
Who to Contact
Who should I contact with my question about . . .
Academic and Classroom
Questions about your child in the CLASSROOM: Your child’s classroom teacher is your primary point of contact for any questions or concerns related to your child—academic, social, emotional, or behavioral.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT: Your child’s resource teacher is your primary point of contact for any questions regarding your child’s academic support services.
GENERAL STUDIES: Miriam Kopelow, Director of General Studies, [email protected]
JUDAIC STUDIES: Rabbi Dov Pianko, Director of Judaic Studies, [email protected]
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Jennifer Wasserman, Director of Early Childhood, [email protected]
STUDENT SERVICES: Rivka Varnai, Director of Student Services, [email protected]
School-Wide Questions
Rabbi Menachem Linzer, Principal, [email protected]
Student Life and Behavior
STUDENT LIFE ISSUES that can’t be addressed by the classroom teacher:
Primary School: Sari Kravitt, Primary School Dean of Student Life, [email protected]
Middle School: Hannah Kowitt, Middle School Dean of Student Life, [email protected]
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL NEEDS, after first speaking to your child’s teacher: Rebecca Gillett, School Social Worker, [email protected]
Logistics Questions
K-8 Absences, late arrivals, or early pick-ups: [email protected]
PN-N Absences, late arrivals, or early pick-ups: [email protected]
Illness or medical questions: Rena Meisel, School Nurse, [email protected]
ParentLocker technical issues: Rena Litwack, [email protected]
Hot Lunch and PTA involvement: [email protected]
Administrative Questions
Tuition, financial assistance, and busing: Dov Shandalov, Business Administrator, [email protected]
(847) 674-6533 Ext. 204
Admissions and school tours: Karin Felix, Director of Admissions, [email protected]
(847) 674-6533 Ext. 209
Donations, fundraising, alumni, grandparents: Morrine Sweer, Director of Development, [email protected]
(847) 674-6533 Ext. 214
Communication and Highlights newsletter: Chaya Gordon Burstyn, Director of Communications, [email protected]
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
On behalf of our PTA, we welcome all HT Families to the Hillel Torah PTA! We are thrilled you are part of the Hillel Torah family. Our active PTA is a great way to get involved and support our students, staff, and community in meaningful ways.
Through fundraising and volunteer efforts, the PTA helps enhance your HT experience by:
- Showing appreciation for our incredible teachers and staff throughout the year
- Organizing family programs that bring our community together
- Supporting building improvements and classroom materials that enrich learning
- Planning special events and treats for students and staff
- Leading chesed initiatives that give back to the broader community
Home Tested
Get your Hillel Torah Cookbook!
Released in May 2023, Home Tested is a collection of 115 original, approachable, and adaptable recipes for both new and accomplished home cooks. From breakfast to dinner to weekday to Shabbat there is something for every cook, every family, and every appetite.
We hope you use this book as an inspiration and as a guide to putting a meal on the table. We know many of these recipes will become your new go-to staples much as they have ours.
