Volume 10, Issue 16 | Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Throughout this publication, you will see the following color-coded dots accompanying each article. They represent which strategic goal the article addresses.

Focusing on Learning Connecting the Community Securing the Future

Have feedback regarding Communicate 58? Click here!
Mark your calendars: Spring open houses are May 2 and May 8
District 58's elementary spring open houses will take place the evenings of Thursday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 8! During spring open house, parents will enjoy visiting their child's classrooms and seeing their work on display. Please attend! Here's the schedule:
Thursday, May 2:
Belle Aire: 6-7:30 p.m.
Fairmount: 5:30-7 p.m.
Highland: 6-7:30 p.m.
Indian Trail: 6-7:30 p.m.
Kingsley: 5:30-7 p.m.
Lester: 5:30-7 p.m.
Whittier: 5:30-7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8
El Sierra: 6-7:30 p.m.
Henry Puffer: 6-7:30 p.m.
Hillcrest: 6-7:30 p.m.
Pierce Downer: 5:30-7 p.m.
Professional learning in District 58
How will District 58's new professional learning model affect the student schedule?
District 58 is happy to provide teachers with weekly professional learning time next school year. This will help teachers implement new curriculum resources, improve their instructional practice, and better provide students with high-quality learning experiences.

To accomplish this consistent professional learning, District 58's   2019-2020 school calendar  includes a  2 p.m. early dismissal on Mondays  for students in grades K-8.

Learn more by reading the District's Professional Learning in District 58 FAQ sheet #2 and visiting the Professional Learning webpage
Two D58 students advance to national PTA Reflections competition
Sarah Richtman, Herrick eighth grader
Sienna Chansey, Lester first grader
Two District 58 students will advance to the national level of the PTA Reflections art competition. Congratulations to Sarah Richtman, a Herrick eighth grader, and Sienna Chansey , a Lester first grader, for earning their way to the highest level of PTA Reflections! The Illinois State PTA only selected 25 students statewide to advance to the national level.

This year's Reflections theme was "Heroes Around Me." Sarah wrote an essay about her personal hero: her uncle, a man who has persevered through significant physical challenges. Sienna choreographed an original dance to the song "Heroes." Learn more.
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
Today, Wednesday, April 24, is Administrative Professionals Day!

District 58 wishes a very Happy Administrative Professionals Day to all of its secretaries and support staff. You each make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students, families and fellow staff!

Thank you for your service!
Please register your child for the 2019-20 school year
Online registration for the 2019-20 school year is open now through Friday, May 17. The District emailed current parents registration information, including a personalized registration "snapcode" for each student, on April 9. Learn more.
Learn about beginning band, orchestra in D58
Attention parents of current 3rd and 4th graders! Attend a parent information meeting to learn more about District 58's band and orchestra programs on Thursday, May 16 at Herrick. The Beginning Orchestra meeting is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Beginning Band meeting is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Learn more.
Herrick and O'Neill will host summer sports camps
Herrick and O'Neill will offer co-ed Running, Basketball and Volleyball camps for incoming fifth-through-eighth graders. Registration will open online on Wednesday, May 1. Parents will receive an email with more information in the next week.
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District 58 will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 26
District 58 has partnered with the Downers Grove Park District to provide every third grader with a tree sapling this Friday in honor of Arbor Day. Third graders will view this video and enjoy tree-related educational activities. Thank you for your support, DG Park District! Learn more.
STEAM Studio class resources on display at ASC, library
STEAM Studio is a new exploratory class that will be offered to eighth graders next school year. Curriculum resources for this class are on display at the Administrative Service Center and the Downers Grove Public Library. Visit to check out these new resources!
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District 58 is hiring!
Looking for a job? District 58 is hiring for several positions, including a biliteracy coordinator, technician, classroom and special education teachers, part-time substitute custodian, registered nurse, school secretaries, instructional assistants and more! Click here to learn more.
SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS
Belle Aire, El Sierra and Henry Puffer students win fire safety contest
Congratulations to the three District 58 third graders who won this year’s Downers Grove Fire Department’s Home Fire Escape Plan contest! The winners are: Zoe S. from El Sierra, Alexa L. from Henry Puffer, and Mika U. from Belle Aire.

District 58 partners with the Downers Grove Fire Department on several educational initiatives, including the third grade Learn Not to Burn program. As part of the program, students use their fire safety knowledge to design a home fire escape plan and enter it into the contest. The Fire Department carefully reviews each plan and selects the winners. Learn more.
District 58 celebrates Earth Day!
See highlights from Kingsley, Highland and Henry Puffer
Happy Earth Day! District 58 students recognized Earth Day by participating in a variety of activities on Monday, April 22. Here are three examples:
Highland students conducted an Earth Day-themed cleanup to beautify their school!
Henry Puffer students organized an Earth Day book swap. Students brought in old books and traded them with peers.
Kingsley students conserved electricity by turning off their classroom lights and holding class outside!
O'Neill and Herrick students excel at American Legion speech contest
American Legion Post 80 recently hosted its annual oratorical contest. Middle school students were invited to give a 3-5 minute speech on a topic of their choosing related to the U.S. Constitution and amendments. Congratulations to the students who won this contest!

1st Place: Ben P., O'Neill
2nd Place: Mante V., O'Neill
3rd Place: Nick R., O'Neill
4th Place: Maddie D., Herrick

"The contest is intended to give students the opportunity to develop research, writing and public speaking skills and enhance their knowledge of the US Constitution," said O'Neill Social Studies Teacher Sarah Brost.
Hillcrest Girl Scout Troop 50972 recently earned their Bronze Award, the Scouts' third highest honor, by increasing play opportunities in Downers Grove. Congratulations! Learn more.
How does District 58 use large print books? Thorndike Press interviewed O'Neill Librarian Tasha Squires and Reading Specialist Bernice Homel to find out!  View the video interview here , and read the article here .
For 40 years, Highland has partnered with Good Sam hospital to show students that hospitals aren't scary. Students had fun learning about different medical professions!
Third graders at Fairmount enjoyed teaching their kindergarten buddies about the Calm app, which offers young children strategies to help them in the classroom!
Indian Trail third graders are learning all about the life cycle of bess beetles. This hands-on learning activity is always an exciting time for students!
Pierce Downer teachers and staff enjoyed welcoming families during the school's recent McTeacher Night fundraiser.
Lester kindergarteners are learning about shapes and using attribute blocks to create pictures and patterns.
Check out Whittier's hallways! They are all ready for spring open house, thanks to Art Teacher Mr. Belonio's work.
Grove Children's Preschoolers combined collaboration and creative thinking to create a complex structure. Good work!
BOARD NEWS
Board of Education: Upcoming meetings
District 58 will seat its newly-elected Board members Kirat Doshi, Emily Hanus, Steve Olczyk and Tracy Weiner during a reorganization meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. at the Longfellow Center.

The Board will host a Staff Meet and Greet on Monday, April 29 at 6:15 p.m. at Pierce Downer. Immediately afterward, at 7 p.m., the Board will hold a Budget Workshop. The agenda will be posted on April 26.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Author Fest: The District 58 PTAs invite families to attend Author Fest events this Friday, April 26! Meet your favorite children's authors, listen to them speak, and get your books signed. The author talks will take place from 5:45-6:45 p.m. at Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove, and the book signing will take place from 6:45-8 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library. Learn more.
Founder's Day: Celebrate Downers Grove's history during Founder's Day events! Of note, attend the Downers Grove Handmade Market on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at O'Neill. Ticket proceeds will benefit the District 58 Education Foundation! Enjoy a free Family Bike Ride on Saturday, May 4 at 9 a.m., starting at Fishel Park. Afterward, visit the Downers Grove Museum for Country in the Park! View more information.
CALENDAR
April 24-26

Wednesday, April 24
7-8:30 p.m.: Downers Grove Children's Choir Concert at Herrick

Thursday, April 25
5 p.m.: Board Reorganization Meeting at Longfellow
7-8 p.m.: Herrick Chamber Ensembles Concert at Herrick
7-8 p.m.: South 4th Grade and Chamber Strings Concert at O'Neill

Monday, April 29
6:15 p.m.: Staff/Board Meet and Greet at Pierce Downer
7 p.m.: Board Budget Workshop at Pierce Downer

Tuesday, April 30
7 a.m.: Policy Committee Meeting at the ASC
3:45-5:30 p.m.: Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony at Ashyana Banquets

Thursday, May 2:
Spring Open Houses
Belle Aire: 6-7:30 p.m.
Fairmount: 5:30-7 p.m.
Highland: 6-7:30 p.m.
Indian Trail: 6-7:30 p.m.
Kingsley: 5:30-7 p.m.
Lester: 5:30-7 p.m.
Whittier: 5:30-7 p.m.
May 6-24:
MAP and AIMSWeb Spring Testing Period

Week of May 6-10
Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 6
6-8 p.m. Select 58 at Herrick

Tuesday, May 7
6:30-8 p.m.: Board Tour/PTA Meeting at Indian Trail
7-8:30 p.m.: Sixth Grade Parent Night at O'Neill

Wednesday, May 8
Spring Open Houses
El Sierra: 6-7:30 p.m.
Henry Puffer: 6-7:30 p.m.
Hillcrest: 6-7:30 p.m.
Pierce Downer: 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 9
School Improvement Day - Half Day for Students
Kindergarten dismisses at 11:30 a.m.
OKEEP & Grades 1-6 dismiss at 11:40 a.m.
Grades 7-8 dismiss at 11:53 a.m.
6-7 p.m.: Biliteracy Registration Night at Kingsley
7-8 p.m. Vocal Recital Night at Herrick

Friday, May 10
7-8 a.m.: Financial Advisory Committee Meeting at the ASC
Downers Grove Grade School District 58, 1860 63rd St., Downers Grove, IL 60516
Community Relations Office: 630-719-5805 I mhewitt@dg58.org | www.dg58.org