Wednesday, May 21

7 p.m.: Herrick Band, Choir and Orchestra Concert at Herrick

Thursday, May 22:

Last day of school for eighth graders (full day)

5 p.m.: O'Neill Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony at Downers Grove North High School

7 p.m.: Herrick Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony at Downers Grove North High School

Friday, May 23: 

Last day of school for grades preschool through 7

11:30 a.m. dismissal for grades K-6

11:45 a.m. dismissal for grade 7

Preschool will run a modified morning schedule.

Monday, May 26

Memorial Day - All District offices and schools are closed.

Tuesday, May 27-Wednesday, May 28

Teacher Institute Days (No school for students)

Friday, May 30

Extended School Year starts

Friday, June 6

Last day school offices are open for the school year.

Monday, June 9

Summer School starts

Click here to view the 2024-25 calendar.

Click here to view the 2025-26 calendar.

District 58 congratulates its 15 employees who will retire this school year. The District thanks its retirees for their numerous contributions and hard work, and wishes them the best in all their future endeavors!

District 58 employees retiring during the 2024-25 school year:

• Lori Bjes, Kingsley instructional assistant, 24.89 years
• Diane Claver, El Sierra third grade teacher, 23.5 years
• Tina Dobias, Henry Puffer instructional assistant, 15 years
• Patricia Doll, Highland instructional assistant, 24 years
• Todd Drafall, District assistant superintendent for business, seven years
• Christine Fiorenzi, Kingsley first grade teacher, 25 years
• Kimberly Fisher, Lester first grade teacher, 29 years
• Leslie Hesterman, Hillcrest teacher librarian, 13 years
• Debra Miller, Indian Trail instructional assistant, 24.5 years
• Joan Mommsen, Belle Aire teacher librarian, 20 years
• Dana Murphy, Hillcrest sixth grade teacher, 20 years
• Cathy Patti, Lester instructional assistant, 35 years
• Duane (Dave) Rempert, District maintenance mechanic, 16.62 years
• Jac Steele, Hillcrest head custodian, 5.5 years
• Joanne Steichmann, Lester instructional assistant, 20.4 years

View photos from the Board of Education's annual Retiree Luncheon, held May 9.

District 58 will email a special end-of-year edition of Communicate 58 on Friday, May 23. This newsletter will feature:

* End-of-year greeting from Dr. Russell

* Helpful end-of-year reminders

* Summer learning opportunities

* Summer construction in District 58

* Curriculum and other updates for the 2025-26 year

* Back-to-school toolkit, which includes school supply lists, calendar, health requirements and more!

Be sure to check it out!

The Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) awarded District 58 Assistant Superintendent for Business and Chief School Business Official Todd Drafall with the prestigious Michael A. Jacoby Advocacy Award. This award is given to Illinois school business officials who exhibit a passion for improving educational legislation and advocacy efforts, among other attributes.

Through his work with IASBO, Mr. Drafall led a multi-year legislative advocacy effort to improve the quality of public school food in Illinois. Thanks to his efforts, Illinois House Bill 4813 was passed in 2022. This bill gave Illinois school districts, including District 58, the ability to consider food quality, food taste, vendor reputation and other variables when reviewing school district food service bids. Prior to this bill, school districts were required to accept the lowest food service bidder, which did not necessarily yield the most nutritious or desirable food options.

Congratulations to Mr. Drafall, and thank you for your hard work and advocacy to improve the quality of food for not only District 58 students, but also all students in Illinois! Click here to learn more.

Herrick and O'Neill middle schools joined a new sports conference (SDEAA) this school year, which offered new athletic opportunities! Here's a recap of the middle school spring sports seasons.

Scholastic Bowl:

Herrick and O'Neill finished their inaugural Scholastic Bowl seasons tied for second place in conference, with 5-2 records. In the Regional tournament, both schools performed very well and faced each other in the thrilling final round. O'Neill ultimately won 320-200 and moved on to Sectionals. In the Sectional tournament, O'Neill won the first two rounds but lost in the final round.

Boys Volleyball: Both O'Neill and Herrick had terrific first-ever boys' volleyball seasons! O'Neill finished the season in second place (8-2 record) and Herrick ended in fourth place (7-3).

Boys and Girls Soccer:

2025 was also the first year District 58 participated in soccer. Herrick and O'Neill's girls' soccer teams had tremendous seasons, and tied for third place in conference, with identical records of 7-2-1. Boys' soccer also did well for their first-ever season, finishing in the middle of the pack. O'Neill came in sixth place (6-4-1 record) and Herrick finished in ninth (2-8-1 record).

Boys and Girls Track and Field:

The track and field season is still taking place! Two O'Neill seventh graders qualified for the state track and field tournament, which will take place this weekend. Congratulations to Molly, who qualified for girl's high jump, and Cole, who qualified for the boys' 1600 meter run. Best of luck at state!

District 58 congratulates its eighth grade dual language students. These students successfully completed learning in both English and Spanish throughout their District 58 journeys, and they will have the opportunity to continue this learning and seek their Seal of Biliteracy in high school. Way to go!

The Henry Puffer Podcast Club was invited to the Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day in Springfield, Illinois, last week. This annual event was hosted by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA). It aims to give students a platform to voice the importance of innovative learning to state legislators. Students must apply to the program. This is the second year that the Podcast Club was selected! 

Henry Puffer Podcast Club members enjoyed the opportunity to share their incredible work with our state's elected representatives, including Senator John Curran (pictured) and Rep. Nicole Laha.

Great work, students! Thank you, Podcast Club Sponsor/Henry Puffer Fifth Grade Teacher Christine Reynolds and District 58 Instructional Coach Lauren Prosser, for coordinating this trip!

Recent Board Meetings

The Board of Education held a Reorganization Meeting on Wednesday, May 7, where new members took the oath of office and departing members were thanked for their service (pictured). View the Board Briefs.

The Board also held a Regular Business Meeting on Monday, May 12. This meeting featured a Hillcrest report, spotlight on the sixth grade transition to middle school, and a construction update, among other topics. View the Board Briefs.

Looking ahead

The Board of Education will hold a Regular Business Meeting on Monday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Civic Center, 850 Curtiss St.

The Board meeting agenda will be posted on BoardDocs on Friday, June 6.

The entire District 58 community is invited to a special ceremony on Tuesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at the Kingsley playground. During the ceremony, the community will dedicate a playground wheelchair spinner in honor of a treasured and very beloved third grader, Bradley Burton, who sadly passed away earlier this school year. All are invited to the ceremony. As the flyer above shares - please wear yellow and bring bubbles in memory of Bradley. Thank you.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58

850 Curtiss Street, Suite 200, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Community Relations Office: 630-719-5805 I mhewitt@dg58.org | www.dg58.org

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