11/1/19
In This Issue
CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.
Dear Friend of CCSD93,
CCSD93's Schools Receive Exemplary & Commendable Designations from ISBE
This week, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the Annual School Report Cards for all public schools throughout Illinois, including all of CCSD93's schools. The Report Cards provide easily understandable breakdowns of how well our schools are progressing on a number of educational goals and gives thorough data on each school's student and staff populations as well as financial information. 
As part of the Report Cards, each school is given a summative designation of Exemplary, Commendable, Underperforming and Lowest Performing. These designations are calculated using the following factors: 
  • Math proficiency and growth
  • English language arts proficiency and growth
  • Science proficiency
  • English language progress to proficiency
  • Chronic absenteeism
  • Climate survey data
I'm very proud to share that Cloverdale Elementary School has earned the designation of Exemplary, which means that its performance is in the top 10% of Illinois schools, and all other CCSD93 middle and elementary schools have earned the designation of Commendable! Note that preschools do not receive designations, so the ECC is not listed.  
You can find more information about how these designations are calculated here. The designations not only account for how the school's students as a whole perform on the factors above, but also how state-identified demographic groups within each school perform. The Exemplary and Commendable designations that we've received indicate that all of our schools and each of their demographic groups are performing above a state-established threshold for success. This reflects the work CCSD93's dedicated staff members, students, and parents are doing every day to meet the needs of all of our students and is another indication that we're achieving our Mission of maximizing the academic, social, and emotional potential of each student.

You can view full Illinois School Report Card data by searching your school or the district (using the search "CCSD 93") at www.illinoisreportcard.com.  You can also find summary snapshots for the district and each school's Report Card linked to www.ccsd93.com/transparency. Congratulations to our entire community for these results, and a special congratulations to Cloverdale for its Exemplary status! 

While these designations are positive, it is important to note that CCSD93 measures success across a broader range of criteria, which you can find outlined in our District Scorecard on the last page of our 2018-23 Strategic Plan document here. We recognize there is always room for improvement, and CCSD93 school and district administrators are placing a greater emphasis than ever before on student growth data. We will continue to use information from the School Report Card and other data to drive improvements in our schools. 

Please be sure to read the articles below to keep up with the latest from CCSD93.

Have a terrific weekend, and stay warm!

Sincerely,

David Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
CCSD93
Students Engage in Immersive Learning with Stratford's Virtual Reality Dome 
This week, 8th graders in Mrs. Bruning's science class at Stratford Middle School studied life on other planets in Stratford's Innovation Center Virtual Reality Dome! Watch the video below to learn about how the Dome provides especially engaging and immersive learning experiences for students and how these 8th graders will apply their lesson to relevant, real-world happenings. A similar space will be included in Jay Stream's STEM Wing, which will begin construction this winter. 
Bands & Choirs Participate in Middle School Music Festival at GBN
Students in CCSD93's Band and Choir programs at Stratford and Jay Stream participated in the Middle School Music Festival on Tuesday of this week at Glenbard North High School. They had the opportunity to perform under the brighter lights and bigger stage at their future high school and even played under guest conductor Ms. Whisnant from Glenbard North! Jay Stream's Bands also held their fall Band concert on Wednesday.

Next week, Glenbard North will host a similar event for CCSD93's Orchestra students, and Stratford will hold their fall Band concert!
Halloween a Success Despite Wintry Conditions
Despite the wintry conditions, all of CCSD93's elementary schools held fun-filled activities for Halloween yesterday! For even more, view our Facebook page!
Winter is Coming: Make Sure Your Contact Info is Up to Date with CCSD93
With winter closing in, it's important that our parents know what to expect if there is an emergency school closing due to weather conditions. If weather keeps CCSD93 from holding school on any given day, parents will receive notification from the District via the following methods:
  • Automated phone call
  • Email
  • Text message
  • Pushed to the CCSD93 app
School closing information will also be found prominently placed on:  
  • School websites
  • CCSD93's website
  • Our Facebook page
  • Our Twitter account
  • Our Instagram account
  • Local television stations
  • Local radio stations
  • At www.emergencyclosingcenter.com
Every effort is made to have a decision on whether or not to close schools by 5:30 a.m. While the District determines if schools should be closed due to weather, the decision to send a child to school in severe weather is always ultimately the choice of the parent. Parents who feel it is unsafe for their child to attend, even if school is open, should keep their child home that day and call the school office to notify the school of this decision.

We will contact you at all of the phone numbers and email addresses you supplied for parents of the child when you completed your online registration. If you think your contact information may need to be updated, please contact your child's school office after break during regular school hours to update it.
You're Invited to Attend  
Tastings of Bloomingdale Tomorrow (11/2)!
CCSD93 parents and other community members are invited to attend Tastings of Bloomingdale from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 2 at Stratford Square Mall.

The event, presented by the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce and formerly known as 50 Men Who Cook, features prominent men and women from our community who will prepare tastings of a wide variety of entrees, main courses, and desserts for attendees to sample and judge. In addition to the delicious food, guests will also enjoy: 
  • Raffles
  • Musical entertainment
  • A new family-friendly kids activity area
Stratford Principal Patrick Dawson will represent CCSD93 with a prepared dish.
 
For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit this webpage! A portion of the proceeds will go to CCSD93's Bloomingdale schools, Stratford Middle School and the Early Childhood Center.
Daylight Saving Time Ends 11/3 - Set Clocks Back
Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour on Sunday, November 3, as Daylight Saving Time will come to an end.
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.