3/5/21 Enews From CCSD93

Dear Friend of CCSD93,

Messages From

Superintendent Hill:

As I shared with you a few weeks ago, CCSD93 and its schools are in the process of reviewing this year’s Satisfaction Survey data. This annual survey helps us understand what is working well within the district and better target where to focus efforts for improvement to provide the very best education to the children of our community. Principals and school Building Leadership Teams (BLTs) utilize their school's data to develop action plans and yearly School Improvement Plans, and our administrators use all of the data to inform decisions.

Today I share our middle school student data. All middle school students are given the survey. Questions were adjusted this year to reflect the remote learning experience as middle school students had not attended school in person at the time of the survey. With a confidence level of 99% and a margin of error of 1%, the data should very accurately reflect the feelings of our middle school student population. Here’s an overview of this year’s middle school student data.

Comparing this year’s results with the results from the 2019-20 school year, we observe no decreases in satisfaction ratings across any category we track. We do see noteworthy increases for the categories of school atmosphere, principal, and nearly all subject area teachers, while overall satisfaction and computer technology remained stable.

Looking further into the data, we find that our middle school student responses reflect an attitude of feeling even more supported by their teachers than previously during this most unusual year. When averaging response data regarding all subject area teachers, we find a notably higher percentage of middle school students than last year agree that their teachers give them individual attention (+5.81%), make learning interesting (+4.56%), and help them understand what they need to do to be a better learner (+5.22%). As with this year’s elementary student data, this is a direct result of the outstanding dedication and commitment of our teachers to forge bonds with students and make learning interesting and fun while adjusting substantially to the method of educational delivery. It also speaks to how incredibly our students and families have been able to adapt to the events of the past year.

While we are pleased with these results in general considering the circumstances, we know that these results do not speak for each individual student. We are also aware that attitudes may have shifted in the months since the survey was taken. We continue to work to support students and families as best we can moving forward.

The data will be used as described in the first paragraph above to help the district to improve. You will begin to see general results appear on school and district websites. We are grateful for each parent, student, and staff member for taking the time to give us feedback.

Please Continue to Practice Safety

While DuPage County's COVID-19 data continues to trend in the right direction, please continue to stay vigilant in practicing the three W's of wearing a mask, watching your distance, and washing your hands frequently to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and contributing to conditions conducive to in-person learning.

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Lynne Holy

It is with a deeply saddened heart that I share with the CCSD93 community that Mrs. Lynne Holy, Heritage Lakes School Specialized Academic Classroom Teacher, passed away on Wednesday of this week after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mrs. Holy was a dedicated member of the CCSD93 family beginning in 2008, serving students first at Elsie Johnson School for six years and then Heritage Lakes School for the past seven. We are devastated by this news.

Mrs. Holy was an incredible, positive person. Her passion for her students was immediately evident to anyone who saw her teach. She knew her students and their families very well. Mrs. Holy was an exemplary educator who projected a sense of strength, calmness and control no matter what circumstances she faced professionally or personally. We are better for having known her, and she will be truly missed.

I invite you to take a moment to honor her by listening to her favorite song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, which is linked here.

Please join me in sending thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Holy's family.

Please review the following for more updates from CCSD93.

Sincerely,

Dr. David H. Hill

Superintendent of Schools

CCSD93

Save the Date: Preschool Registration 3/23

Parents of students who will be three or four years of age on September 1, 2021 are invited to attend CCSD93’s virtual Preschool Registration for the 2021-22 school year at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at www.ccsd93.com/preschool.

During the week prior to Preschool Registration, families can visit the website for an informational video about attending preschool at the award-winning Early Childhood Center and even more about the program. At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, an online pre-registration form will be activated on the website. Families should only complete this form if they intend to register for CCSD93’s preschool program. Form submissions will be time stamped and processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. CCSD93 will follow up with those who make submissions in the days following March 23, and families are not necessarily guaranteed a slot by submitting the form.

Please note, the Early Childhood Center will be reaching out to families of current students and tuition students who were enrolled for the 2020-21 school year prior to COVID-19 measures causing CCSD93 to suspend tuition enrollment for the school year.

Save the Date: Kindergarten Registration 3/15

CCSD93 Kindergarten Registration will be held online at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15 at www.ccsd93.com/kindergarten. Save the date if you live in CCSD93’s boundaries and have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2021! You'll learn about kindergarten in CCSD93 through a video from your child's principal, learn about a follow up Zoom opportunity, and be asked to submit basic information to begin the registration process.

Please FORWARD this email on to anyone you know who has an incoming kindergartener. If you're unable to attend in real time, you will be able to access the information and resources after the fact.

Please Take DuPage County Health Department Survey

The DuPage County Health Department has asked school districts and other community organizations to help obtain data regarding public perception surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations. Please consider taking a moment to complete the survey here.

Mobile Food Pantry 3/17

In need of Food? Attend this local mobile food pantry event on March 17.

3/11 Board of Education Meeting Preview

CCSD93’s next Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at CCSD93's District Office, 230 Covington Drive in Bloomingdale. All community members are invited to attend. The following are among the agenda items.

There will be a presentation on the CCSD93 hiring process and diversity initiative by Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Julie Tobin.
The Board will vote on the approval of the construction management agreement for the Western Trails School front entrance and Innovation Center projects.
The following revised Board Policies will be available for first reading:
710.14 - Alcohol and Drug-Free Schools
715.10 - School Choice
720.01 - Student Welfare Services
720.11 - Exemption from Physical Activity
465.11 - Child Sex Offender and Murderer Community Notification Law
720.30 - Notice to Parents Regarding Sex Offender Information
The following revised Board Policies will be available for second reading:
645.01 - Instructional Materials
645.15 - Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Programs
705.07 - Student Residency
Dr. Hill will review the 10-Year Life Safety Findings report, which is a state of Illinois requirement.
Dr. Hill will provide an update on the work of the committee investigating ways to increase in-person learning time for students and provide a recommendation regarding the elementary and middle school student schedules for after spring break.
The Board will review the Employee Work Year Calendars for 2021-22.
The Board will vote on the approval of CCSD93’s Interest-Free Loan program for staff members’ continuing education.

CCSD93 strives to maximize the academic, social & emotional potential of each student.

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