About the cover photos: Left: Indian Trail preschoolers completed their clothing unit by hosting a Preschool Fashion Show last week! View this short video for highlights. Right: Highland's Mindfulness Club supports student mental health through breathing, affirmations, yoga, meditation and general mindfulness strategies. Learn more.

Throughout this publication, you will see the following color-coded dots beside each article. The dots represent which strategic goal the article addresses:

• Focusing on Learning • Connecting the Community • Securing the Future

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District 58 thanks the many staff and community members who participated in last week's Facility Visioning Sessions!

During the meetings, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell and the District's architect and construction management team gave a presentation that shared an overview of work planned, the targeted work timeline, and visual ideas for seven different topics.

Guests participated in three 15-minute rotational feedback sessions led by District 58 administrators on the seven topics from the initial presentation. At the end, administrators shared small group conversation highlights with the full group.

Want to provide feedback on District 58's facility ideas? Please take our Facility Visioning Follow-up Survey through Wednesday, Feb. 15. Visit District 58's Facility Planning webpage to learn more. Click here to view the photo gallery.

District 58 welcomed seven local and federal legislators, along with nearly 100 school and community leaders, to O'Neill Middle School for the annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 3.

The legislators answered full panel questions on the youth mental health crisis, school safety, and opportunities for school districts and elected officials to partner on solutions. Then, the elected officials and audience members participated in two small group breakout sessions. 

Participating legislators included: U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, Sen. John Curran, Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Rep. Terra Costa Howard, Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass and Rep. Anne Stava-Murray. The event's guests included the boards of education from District 58 and surrounding communities; District 58 staff and PTA leaders; District 58 Board committee members; leaders from surrounding school districts; and local community leaders. Click here to learn more and view a photo gallery.

District 58 is pleased to announce that 22 students will advance from the regional to the state level of the PTA Reflections arts recognition and achievement program.

Through Reflections, District 58 students in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to submit works of art in six areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The theme for the 2022-23 program is “Show Your Voice!”

Congratulations!

Learn more, including a list of advancing students.

This cold-weather season, Communicate 58 will highlight different FAQs from its winter weather procedures guide. Today's FAQ: How does District 58 communicate emergency closure information?

When a decision is made to close school due to inclement weather, the District will send an automated voice and email message to all parents and staff via the SchoolMessenger notification system. The communication will include whether District 58 will hold an e-learning day or a traditional emergency/snow day.The system will also send a text message to families and staff who have registered to receive texts. Sign up to receive District 58 text messages by texting YES to 68453 using a phone number that is on file with District 58. Opt out at any time by texting STOP to the same number.

District 58 also posts school closure information at www.dg58.org, on Facebook, Twitter and on the District’s answering machine at 630-719-5800. The District also notifies major news radio and network televisions stations.

After declaring an e-learning day, families would receive additional communication regarding how to access instruction from their child's school. All elementary students (including morning preschoolers) would begin their day by logging into a Google meet virtual session with their teacher at 8:30 a.m. Middle schoolers would similarly log into their first period class at 8:30 a.m.

District 58 community members may be accustomed to receiving emails, including this newsletter, from Community Relations Coordinator Megan Hewitt.

Mrs. Hewitt is expecting a baby and will be taking an extended parental leave starting later this month. In her absence, Faith Behr will be serving as the interim community relations coordinator. Ms. Behr served this role during Mrs. Hewitt's previous maternity leaves and has significant school communications and public relations experience. In Mrs. Hewitt's absence, please direct any communications or community relations questions to Faith Behr at fbehr@dg58.org or 630-719-5805. You will also see her name appear in your inbox, as she takes the lead on District communications!

The Board of Education will hold a regular business meeting on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Downers Grove Village Hall and a curriculum workshop on Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at O'Neill.

The Board agendas will be published on the Friday preceding each meeting on BoardDocs.

Congratulations to the 36 District 58 staff members who earned 42 Green Apple Awards this past holiday season! These awards raised approximately $1,500 in donations for the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58.

The Education Foundation invites community members to make a Green Apple donation to the Foundation in honor of an exceptional staff member. Every Green Apple Award recipient received a Green Apple certificate personally delivered by Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell, with a personal message from the donor, and they are celebrated on the District’s social media pages.

Congratulations to our Holiday 2022 Green Apple Award recipients! View our Green Apple photo gallery.

District 58 partners with many local organizations and individuals to help its families in need. We appreciate and thank all of our partners for their generosity, time and support!

For example, District 58 thanks Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for donating $1,600 in gas and grocery gift cards for District 58 families facing extreme hardship. District 58 worked with its social workers to place the gift cards with the highest need families. Thank you, Good Shepherd, for your kindness!

For other examples of community generosity, please view the "In the Community" section of past (and future) Communicate 58 issues!

District 58 includes relevant e-flyers in the Communicate 58 newsletter and online. Learn more.

• District 99 announces 2023 athletic summer camps for students in grades 1-12
• Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club invites seventh and eighth graders to enter Junior High Art Contest by Feb. 10
• Indian Boundary YMCA announces Spring Session 1
• Illinois Extension announces upcoming 4-H activities