Good morning, Evanston.

Evanston Community Cares will hold a food and gift card drive with drop-off 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov.

7 at the ETHS Field House. Donations will be distributed noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 on Wildkit Drive and Church Street; organizers hope to raise $15,000 to help 500+ families.

The Block Museum will present Chicken in the Car: 70s Chicago Street Films, a program of seven short works spotlighting Chicago filmmakers and city life, on Friday, Dec.

4, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Block Museum (approx. 83 minutes) — RSVP requested.

Artist Teresa Parod is presenting a large Day of the Dead installation at 2319 Thayer St., with a tented altar, illuminated skulls, a glowing orange crescent moon, and marigold garlands made from recycled materials.

The display will be open to the public Nov. 1–3 (Day of the Dead is Nov. 1–2) and visitors can leave photos or mementos at the altar.

Día de los Muertos ofrendas and events run through Nov.

2 at Robert Crown, Northwestern's Rock 2:30–8 p.m. Sunday, U Taco, and Taco Diablo 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Nov. 2, with music + food, family activities, and a community altar where residents can add photos under 5 by 5 inches.

District 65 will hold a Virtual Community Gathering on Nov.

5 at 6:30 p.m. to gather input for its superintendent search (consultant Alma Advisory Group held three lightly attended in-person sessions), and the online survey deadline has been extended through Nov. 6. Acting Superintendent Eric Witherspoon will remain while the board likely selects a permanent superintendent between late January and early March to take office July 1.

District 65 parents who are attorneys sent a demand letter Friday threatening to sue over planned closures of Lincolnwood and Dewey (citing equity and program impacts).

The board plans a Nov. 9 vote to advance the budget and start state hearings, and parents say they will file suit Nov. 10 if it proceeds.

A retired ETHS administrator is urging the district to consider ending the 113-year rivalry with New Trier after ETHS students reported racist and homophobic slurs, spitting, and threats at the Oct.

16 football game at Ryan Field; school districts and the IHSA are investigating.

Illinois changed State School Report Cards to five categories, expanding “Exemplary” so six District 65 schools and Evanston Township High School moved up; lowered proficiency cut scores mean 2026 results aren't directly comparable to earlier years (categories: Exemplary, Approaching Exemplary, Commendable, Developing, Comprehensive).