1/10/20
In This Issue

CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
Dear Friend of CCSD93,
Jay Stream STEM Wing to Offer Thrilling New Learning Opportunities Starting in 2020-21
With career opportunities abounding in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, starting next school year, Jay Stream Middle School students will have access to an all new STEM Wing built specifically for STEM learning.

To accommodate the updated educational areas, the four classrooms currently along the school's east side will be renovated, and a 5,000 square foot addition will be built off of that space.
The resulting STEM Wing will include: 
  • Six STEM labs
  • A domed virtual reality room
  • A dedicated research and design space
  • A collaboration area for staff 
Built for flexibility with embedded technology and modern and future STEM concepts in mind, the space will fit the needs of any learning opportunities our students will be challenged to take on. Students will be able to seamlessly work on independent or collaborative projects that require them to design and build, interact with robotics, apply computer coding skills, and more.

The STEM Wing was designed by a committee of school staff, CCSD93 administrators, a CCSD93 School Board member, and the project's architect to best meet Jay Stream's needs. It comes after a 2016 CCSD93 survey found that 85% of parents and 75% of community members surveyed supported the addition of dedicated STEM learning spaces in its middle schools.

This $5.85 million project aligns with CCSD93's strategy of proactively renovating common educational areas to create optimal learning environments that will meet the present and future academic needs of students. It follows Jay Stream's Innovation Center redesign from the summer of 2019, Stratford Middle School's STEM Wing and Innovation Center renovations from 2018, and systematic renovations of elementary school Innovation Centers.

As previously shared, the project's construction schedule has been set to not interfere with student learning. Early foundation work took place through winter break, the next phase of construction will occur during the week of spring break, and then the bulk of construction will take place during the summer of 2020.
 
The new space will help CCSD93 achieve our Mission and Strategic Plan Goals, and I could not be more excited for the opportunities it will afford Jay Stream's students. View renderings of the project below!
Two STEM labs opened to create one space
Aerial view of STEM Wing addition 
Research and development room
Reminder: Former CCSD93 Safety Tipline  
Replaced By Improved Version  
As of January 1, 2020, CCSD93 has fully transitioned from its former safety tip line, SafeSchools Alert, to the improved safety tip line called the Safe School Helpline. Despite the similar name, Safe School Helpline is an entirely new and separate service. 

Like the previous helpline, Safe School Helpline enables students, parents, or staff members to submit bullying and safety concerns anonymously via website, text, or phone call. In addition, the new helpline offers an app, and a counseling and crisis call center that features trained counselors available 24/7/365 for individuals seeking assistance in coping with harmful thoughts, depression, or feelings of loneliness and loss. 

While updated messaging has been placed throughout the district and online, please note that the Bullying/Safety Reporting Service section on page 30 of the printed 2019-20 CCSD93 Parent Handbook now contains outdated information. You can access the correct helpline through the methods described in the image above, and you can always find it linked on CCSD93's district and school websites. For even more information about Safe School Helpline, view this informational pamphlet.
Check Out CCSD93's Week in Review to See Students Making Connections!
Every day, there are literally thousands of crucial moments throughout CCSD93 when students engage in relevant learning opportunities and make critical connections with their coursework, with their teacher, or with one another. While we can't capture all of those moments, you can find some terrific examples of them in our Week in Review, which is a compilation of tweets made by our educators throughout the week.

Check out this week's linked here to learn about dozens of moments and events throughout CCSD93, including students making connections at Carol Stream School, a Chess Club gathering at Stratford, and much, much more! 
Attend a Free Parent Workshop
Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) is offering the following upcoming FREE parent events next week as part of its ongoing series geared toward helping adults navigate parenthood in modern times.

They're terrific resources for our community, and even though it has Glenbard in its name, CCSD93 parents with or without students in high school absolutely are invited to attend.  Visit www.glenbardgps.org for more!
Register Your Child for Preschool on 1/16!
Preschool Registration for the 2020-21 school year will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2020 at CCSD93's Early Childhood Center (280 Old Gary Ave., Bloomingdale, IL).

If you're in need of a preschool for your child for next school year, then look no further than CCSD93's award-winning Early Childhood Center (ECC)! The ECC provides a play-based environment that helps students of all backgrounds develop independent thought, problem solving, a sense of self worth, and successful group interactions in a safe and nurturing space designed just for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Registration is open to any interested community members with children who will be age 3 or 4 by September 1, 2020. Space fills up quickly, so attending Preschool Registration is your best chance at a spot.  If you know someone who may be interested, please FORWARD this email on to them! 

Be sure to RSVP to CCSD93's Preschool Registration on Facebook to be reminded of the event.  For more details on all of the amazing ways CCSD93's ECC prepares preschool students for kindergarten and beyond, view the video below!
1/9 Board of Education Meeting Recap
Gavel
The most recent CCSD93 Board of Education meeting was held Thursday, January 9 at CCSD93's District Office. The following occurred at the meeting.
  • CCSD93 Director of Communications Ryan McPherrin presented the results of the 2019-20 Parent, Student and Staff Satisfaction Survey.
  • There were five revised Board Policies for first reading:
    • 720.05 - Psychological & Social Services
    • 720.07 - Social & Emotional Development
    • 720.31 - Suicide & Depression Awareness & Prevention
    • 720.14 - Administering Medicine to Students
    • 270.07 - School Board Meeting Procedure
  • There were seven revised Board Policies for second reading:
    • 250 - Board/Superintendent Relationship
    • 251 - Educational Service Region Communications
    • 255.01 - Standing Committees
    • 255.02 - Superintendent Committees
    • 259 - School District Business Official
    • 260 - School Attorney
    • 270.11 - Distribution of Materials
  • There was a discussion on the School Maintenance Project Grant.
  • The Board voted to approve the sale of MacBook computers to graduating 8th grade students. 
  • The Board voted to approve conference expense reports for employees and Board members.
High-quality communication is one of our goals.  We welcome your feedback. Please call  630.539.3001 or  email us with your comments or suggestions.  Tell us what kind of news you'd like to read more about.