New State of Illinois funding will help District 58 ensure that all of its elementary school playgrounds are updated, improved and accessible for students.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a capital projects bill, House Bill 62, into law in 2019. Thanks to Rep. Anne Stava-Murray’s advocacy, this bill included nearly $1.5 million for playground improvements at several District 58 elementary schools.

Last year, District 58 received the first disbursement of this funding, which helped build El Sierra School’s new playground. Recently, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) informed District 58 that it had approved a second funding disbursement, totaling $1,171,200 for an additional seven schools. A third disbursement of $137,200 for two more schools is still planned for the future. Please note, DCEO determines which schools are selected to receive funds, and the District has no control over how the money is awarded.

While this State funding is significant, its allocations differ from school-to-school. Some schools are receiving less than others, and one school is outside of the legislative district, and as such did not receive funding.

District 58 aims to provide an equitable educational experience -- and this extends to the playground as well. Due to budget constraints, the District lacks funds to fully renovate its playgrounds. Thanks to this State funding, District 58 will be able to supplement any gaps and ensure that all District 58 elementary school playgrounds are updated to an appropriate standard. The District anticipates that this work will take place over the next two school years.

“On behalf of the District 58 community, I am very thankful to the State for awarding District 58 this funding and to Rep. Stava-Murray for her advocacy,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “Last year, we combined the State’s funding with District and PTA support to build the new El Sierra playground, and it turned out great! I am excited to continue this momentum to ensure all District 58 playgrounds are modernized and accessible!”

As District 58 continues to see a return to more typical environments in our community and schools, the next area we plan to address is elementary school lunch.

After spring break, District 58 elementary schools will start to transition their school lunch routines to the way they operated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because each elementary school has different spaces and logistics, each school will complete the transition in a manner that is most efficient and least disruptive for their community. This might mean that some elementary schools will return to a pre-pandemic lunch environment more quickly than others.

This week, school principals will email their families with more information on their individual school's transition. Please be on the lookout for this message, if you haven't already received it!

If your child’s school or classroom has snacktime, after spring break, District 58 asks families to please start packing a healthy snack for their child to eat at school, similar to before the pandemic.

 

District 58 can no longer provide free snacks to all students due to changes in the way that the federal government reimburses meals. Thank you!

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education released updated joint recommendations on COVID-19 prevention in schools yesterday, March 22. Per their recommendations, District 58 will begin accepting both PCR and antigen COVID-19 test results, including at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test results. All other existing District 58 COVID-19 mitigations will stay in place (per the above story, lunch mitigations will start to transition after spring break). Click here to view the State’s updated recommendations.

The Downers Grove Roadrunners Soccer Club donated $12,500 to District 58 to enhance the District’s Developmental Learning Program, or DLP, classrooms.

“Thank you, Roadrunners Soccer Club, for your continued generosity and support of District 58. This donation will absolutely enhance our DLP students’ learning environments,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell.

District 58 congratulates Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds Geoff Neustadt for earning the Chief’s Award from the Downers Grove Fire Department (DGFD). This honor is annually presented to a firefighter, village employee or civilian for his or her continuous cooperation and support of the DGFD.

District 58 recently mailed a survey to registered voters to gain input on the District's facility plans. Please consider completing this survey! In addition, next month, the District will complete a phone survey of representative District 58 households to gain additional input.

If you haven't already, please visit the facility planning page to learn about District 58's facility plans. If you have any facility questions, please complete this question form. An FAQ document will also be shared next month.

In 2018, District 58 set three ambitious goals as part of its Strategic Plan: Focusing on Learning, Connecting the Community, and Securing the Future. On a quarterly basis, the District Leadership Team, a Board committee, reviews the District's progress toward each goal.

View our Strategic Plan dashboard for the latest updates!

District 58 thanks the 1,902 parents and guardians who completed this year's School Environment Survey. This is the highest response rate that this survey has received since it was first offered in 2011!

District and school leaders will use survey feedback to inform improvements. In addition, survey results will be presented to the Board in May. Afterward, the survey presentation and results (with identifiable information redacted) will be posted to the Survey webpage.

The Board of Education approved the 2022-23 school year calendar. Calendar highlights include:

First Day of School: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022

Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-25, 2022

Winter Break: Dec. 19, 2022 -Jan. 2, 2023

Spring Break: March 27-31, 2023

Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (if no emergency days are used)

District 58 invites families to register their student(s) for the 2022-23 school year using the District’s PowerSchool Enrollment Express system! The District asks all returning students to please register by Monday, April 4. New student registration is open indefinitely. District 58 encourages families to register their student(s) in a timely manner, as early registration helps the District determine its staffing, classroom and transportation needs for the upcoming school year. Learn more and register.

The District 58 Board appointed Tracey Ratner to the Indian Trail School principal position, effective this July.

“I am very happy to recommend Mrs. Tracey Ratner to the Indian Trail School principal position,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. “The interview teams described Mrs. Ratner as student-centered, supportive, outgoing, a strong leader, experienced, collaborative and knowledgeable.”

Welcome, Mrs. Ratner, to District 58! Click here to learn more about Tracey Ratner.

This April, students in grades 3-8 will complete the state-mandated Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). Additionally, some time in the next several weeks, students in grades 5 and 8 will take the mandated Illinois Science Assessment. Building principals will share detailed testing schedules with families.

Please click here to read a message from Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul about District 58's approach to these assessments.

Do you know a District 58 employee who goes above and beyond? Please consider nominating that individual for a Distinguished Service Award by today, Wednesday, March 23!

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 annually hosts the free Distinguished Service Awards program to recognize the remarkable contributions of District 58 employees. Click here to learn more and access a nomination form!

Looking for a job? District 58 is hiring for several positions that fit a variety of schedules, including Summer School teachers and instructional assistants! Summer School will take place in June and July.

Visit www.dg58.org/employment to view all jobs, learn more information, and apply!