1/24/20
In This Issue

CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
Dear Friend of CCSD93,
CCSD93 Dual Language Program Teaches Students to Become Bilingual
CCSD93's Dual Language program teaches students to become bilingual in English and Spanish starting in kindergarten, with the goal of not only learning the lifelong skill of being able to speak and write in both languages, but also gaining a broader education about diverse cultures and backgrounds. Half of each Dual Language classroom is made up of students without Spanish language skills while the other half is comprised of native Spanish speakers.
The curriculum across all subject areas for students enrolled in the Dual Language program is the same as the rest of CCSD93's students, but those in the program have the added rigor of learning a second language through their lessons. Beginning in kindergarten, students acquire new language skills through immersion, with 80% of their lessons taught in Spanish and 20% in English. By 3rd grade, instruction evens out to closer to a 50/50 split.  

The program began with one kindergarten class in 2015-16. Since then, it's grown to include 221 students across five grade levels in 12 classes. View the video below to learn even more about the program. If you have a child who will enter kindergarten next year, please consider enrolling them in the Dual Language program!  
Para español, haga clic aquí­.

For even more on the Dual Language program, check out our latest Talk D93 podcast featuring a conversation with the program's Director Mireya Sanchez, which debuted last week.

Please review the rest of the information below to keep up with the latest from CCSD93!

Sincerely,

David H. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
CCSD93
Have a Young Child? Join Us for Let's Play on 2/1!
Every family in the area with children age 5 and younger is invited to bring their kids and attend the CCSD93 Birth to 5 Community Coalition's Let's Play! free indoor play and resource fair Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Stratford Middle School (251 Butterfield Drive in Bloomingdale, IL 60108).

Let's Play! is designed for families with children ages birth through 5 and will feature multiple indoor play stations with activities especially for young children as well as helpful resources from a variety of local organizations that provide care and services for young children and their families. 

Attendees will be able to:
  • Participate in fun events at Let's Play! including an obstacle course, giant block building, sensory walks, and dozens more
  • Speak directly with representatives from Birth to 5 Community Coalition member organizations like local park districts, libraries, health and wellness experts, preschool and childcare options, behavior specialists, and organizations specifically for young parents
  • Pick up giveaways and raffle prizes
  • Obtain helpful literature from the Coalition members.
CCSD93's Birth to 5 Community Coalition is a partnership between many local organizations that specialize in providing care and services for the community's children ages birth to 5. Its goal is to ensure all children arrive at kindergarten ready to access the high quality education that CCSD93 is prepared to provide them. Let's Play! is made possible by funding through the DuPage Foundation's Bright and Early DuPage Grant. For more on the Coalition, visit www.ccsd93.com/Birthto5 !
Elsie Johnson 2nd Graders Examine Selves to Inspire Change
Elsie Johnson 2nd graders presented to the Board of Education at last night's meeting about a project they took on with their teachers and Instructional Coach that called upon them to embrace their own identities to fuel them to inspire change by answering the question, "How can we be the change that we want to see in the world?"

After reading the books Being the Change by Sara K. Ahmed and This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World , students examined what makes them who they are by focusing on their identities, likes, dislikes, needs, wants, strengths, and challenges. They looked closer at what they like best about themselves, studied the origins of their own names, and were challenged to create an identity web to delve deeper into their personal strengths and how they can use them to impact the world around them.

By investigating who they are, the students became better equipped to understand themselves and make sense of the world with the ultimate goal of being empowered to use their own voice and perspective to more clearly comprehend, consider, articulate, and find solutions for social issues that matter to them.      

The students' engagement and enthusiasm for the project, which met several Illinois State Board of Education Social/Emotional Learning Standards, was apparent throughout their presentation.
Attend Free Parent Workshops 
Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) is offering the following upcoming FREE parent events throughout the next few weeks 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!
1/23 Board of Education Meeting Recap
Gavel
CCSD93's most recent Board of Education meeting was held Thursday, January 23 at Elsie Johnson School. The following occurred at the meeting.
  • There was a Board Salute to the winners from each elementary and middle school of the CCSD93 Seasonal Card Contest. They are depicted here with members of the Board of Education!
  • Elsie Johnson 2nd graders will presented the projects described in the article above. 
  • There were seven revised Board Policies for first reading:
    • 235 - Board Member Ethics
    • 275 - Board Policy Development
    • 240 - Board Member Conflict of Interest
    • 280.04 - Visitation to the Schools
    • 285 - School Board Memberships
    • 292 - Board Member Protection
    • 295 - District/Board Communications
  • The Board voted to approve schedules for Board of Education and Finance Committee meetings for the 2020-21 school year.
  • Dr. Hill reviewed CCSD93's progress towards achieving the Board of Education's goals.
  • CCSD93's Middle School Scheduling Committee updated the Board on its progress this year.
  • Assistant Superintendent for Business Services John Benedetti reviewed the tax levy process.
  • The Board voted to approve CCSD93's Budget Preparation Calendar for 2020-21. 
  • The Board voted to the approve employee conference expense reports.
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.