Volume 11, Issue 7 | Wednesday, Nov. 6, 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!
Halloween fun in District 58!
District 58 schools earn high marks on Illinois Report Card
District 58 performed well on the 2019 Illinois Report Card, which was published last week. The report card evaluates Illinois schools on several metrics, including student growth and proficiency.

More than half of District 58 schools performed among the top 10% of all Illinois schools and earned an Exemplary designation! All other District 58 schools earned a Commendable state designation, which is the state's second highest rating. Learn more.

District 58 is hosting parent forums regarding each school's report card metrics and performance. Please attend! View the schedule.
District uses communication survey results to guide improvements
District 58 thanks the 636 community members who took the Communication Satisfaction & Preferences Survey this summer! Survey-takers provided thoughtful input regarding our strengths and areas for growth, and this feedback is already helping District 58 improve communications.

For example, some survey-takers asked District 58 to do a better job featuring all schools equally in our communications, so we set a goal to highlight each school in every Communicate 58 and to better track the number of mentions each school gets across all our communication channels!

FYI: A look at D58's curriculum timeline
As guided by the Strategic Plan, District 58's curriculum is undergoing significant revisions to ensure it appropriately challenges all students and aligns with state standards. Recent curriculum updates include:

  • 2018-19ELA implementation, Science pilot
  • 2019-20: Science implementation, Math pilot
  • 2020-21: Math implementation (expected), Social Studies pilot (expected)
  • 2021-22: Social Studies implementation (expected)

Read the Curriculum Workshop Board Briefs to learn more!
MAP and AIMSweb testing will take place this December
District 58 will conduct its winter MAP testing Dec. 2-20 and AIMSweb testing Dec. 3-20. The MAP test evaluates students in grades K-8 on Math and Reading skills. AIMSweb tests students on reading fluency; when students master reading fluency, they exit from taking this assessment.

SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS
Hillcrest second graders Skyped with Kevin McLean, an ecologist who conducts canopy research in Ecuador and Southeast Asia. During this virtual field trip, students learned about the interesting work Mr. McLean does in the rainforest!
El Sierra dads and their children had a blast at the Watch DOGS Pizza Night! This is the fourth year El Sierra has offered Watch DOGS, which is a program that brings positive male role models (mostly dads) into the school to serve as volunteers.
Rep. Anne Stava-Murray visited Herrick on Nov. 5. She spoke with students at lunchtime, read a story to students that contained SEL themes, and observed students as they investigated their peers’ plastic usage and sustainability practices in Science class. View photos!
During a STEM lesson, Grove Children’s Preschool students built structures using candy corn, pumpkin candy corn and toothpicks. They applied their fine motor skills to connect the candies to the toothpicks!
Belle Aire sixth graders are studying invasive species. As part of their investigation, they’re exploring the anatomy of a perch compared to a sea lamprey. The students did a fantastic job with this dissection! 
O’Neill is heating up! Check out this exciting – and slightly scary?-- Halloween chemical reaction experiment that Mr. Mueller and Mrs. Pinkus’s students conducted ( in this video, Mr. Neustadt is the test subject)!
What is D ía de los Muertos? Kingsley students explain in this video! The students did a great job explaining the traditions associated with this occasion!
Lester sixth graders created a giant web to learn about the food chain in a more visual, hands-on way. Very creative! 
School Board President Darren Hughes visited Highland and served as a guest reader for this year’s “One Book, One School” title: “Finding Gobi.” Thanks for visiting!
BOARD NEWS
Board of Education: Curriculum Workshop

District 58 shared curriculum progress and goals with the Board during the Oct. 28 Curriculum Workshop. Read the Board Briefs to learn more.
Looking ahead: Nov. 11 community coffee, meeting

The Board invites residents to a Community Coffee with the Board on Nov. 11 at 6:15 p.m. at Village Hall. Afterward, the Board will have their monthly business meeting. The Board agenda will be posted here on Nov. 8.
District 58 celebrates School Board Members Day!

In honor of School Board Members Day on Friday, Nov. 15, District 58 thanks its School Board members for their service and dedication to District 58!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Bonfield Express donates $13,000 to District 58 schools
District 58 thanks the Bonfield Express Foundation, a local charity, for donating $1,000 to each of its 13 schools this fall. Since the Bonfield Express Foundation was founded in 2004, it has given back over $660,000 in scholarships and funding to area schools.

The Bonfield Express’s capstone fundraising effort is its annual community Bonfield Express 5K. The race will take place on Thanksgiving morning in downtown Downers Grove. To learn more or to sign up for the Bonfield Express 5K, please visit www.bonfieldexpress.com .

Building Bridges brings parents, schools and community together

Building Bridges is a District 58 PTA group that aims to connect parents who have children with special needs with District 58, their school and the broader community. The group hosts parent education workshops and maintains a vibrant social media presence. "Like" Building Bridges on Facebook for news, resources and upcoming events!
Parents invited to "Vaping: The New Gateway" presentation on Nov. 21

Local nonprofit Raising a Resilient Child will host "Vaping: The New Gateway" on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Anderson's Bookshop. This presentation is free and will provide parents with information on the facts about vaping and marijuana.

E-FLYERS
CALENDAR
Friday, Nov. 8
7 a.m.: Board Financial Advisory Committee Meeting at the ASC

Saturday, Nov. 9
ILMEA District Festival - select students - at Joliet Township High School

Monday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day- School is in session
5:30-6:30 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Fairmount
6:15 p.m.: Community Coffee with the Board event at Downers Grove Village Hall
7 p.m.: Board of Education Meeting at Downers Grove Village Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 12
6-7 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Indian Trail
7:30-8:30 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Belle Aire

Wednesday, Nov. 13
7:45-8:45 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Hillcrest

Thursday, Nov. 14
6-7 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at O'Neill
7:30-8:30 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Whittier
7:30-9 p.m.: "Freaky Friday: The Musical" at Herrick

Friday, Nov. 15:
End of First Trimester
7:30-9 p.m.: "Freaky Friday: The Musical" at Herrick
Saturday, Nov. 16
ILMEA Jazz Festival (select students) at Oak Lawn High School

Sunday, Nov. 17
2-3:30 p.m.: "Freaky Friday: The Musical" at Herrick

Nov. 18-22
American Education Week

Monday, Nov. 18
3:45-5:15 p.m.: District Leadership Team Meeting at El Sierra
6:15-7 p.m.: Staff Meet and Greet with the Board at El Sierra
7 p.m.: Board of Education Financial Workshop at El Sierra

Tuesday, Nov. 19
7-8 a.m.: Board Policy Committee Meeting at the ASC
6-7 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Herrick
7:30-8:30 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Highland

Wednesday, Nov. 20
3:45-4:45 p.m.: Board Legislative Committee Meeting at the ASC
6:15-7:15 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Lester
7 p.m.: South Elementary Musical Performance at O'Neill

Thursday, Nov. 21
6-7 p.m.: ESSA Parent Forum at Kingsley
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