District 58 students and staff had fun celebrating Halloween at school on Friday, Oct. 29! This one-minute video features Halloween photo highlights from each of our schools.

The FDA and CDC recently approved emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. District 58 has received several family requests for a school district-organized vaccine clinic, and we are proud to partner once again with Kodocare Pharmacy, District 99 and District 99’s other feeder districts to offer an opportunity this fall! This is an optional clinic open to any community member; at this time, there is no COVID-19 vaccine mandate for children. 

The District 99 COVID-19 Community Vaccine Clinic will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Downers Grove North High School Learning Commons at 4436 Main St. Please use the Main Street entrance. The second dose will be offered on Sunday, Dec. 12 during the same timeframe and location.

Vaccinations are by appointment only on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may register yourself and your family members for a vaccine. Community members will not be denied a vaccination for lack of insurance.

 

The Illinois State Board of Education released the 2021 Illinois Report Card on Friday, Oct. 29 at www.illinoisreportcard.com. The Illinois Report Card annually highlights how well all Illinois districts and schools have progressed on their educational goals.

This year’s report card for District 58 includes enrollment, demographic, attendance and financial data. Due to the pandemic, several metrics are not included, including assessment data, summative designations and climate survey results.

Also due to the pandemic, the State gave school districts the option to defer the 2020-21 state testing from spring 2021 to fall 2021. District 58 chose this option, and fall 2021 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR), Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), results will be available on April 27, 2022.

If your child has lice or nits, it is important to let your school know and begin treatment quickly!

If there is one confirmed case of lice in school, District 58 will notify families in the affected child's grade.

If there is more than one confirmed case in a school, across multiple grade levels, the District will send an email to the entire school.

Visit the Health Office's Lice page to learn more information and find resources about lice.

For the past year, families and staff could easily access District 58 COVID information and resources by visiting www.dg58.org and selecting an option from the "COVID-19" homepage drop-down menu.

This year, District 58 will be launching a facility planning public information campaign. Later this week, we will be removing the COVID-19 dropdown button to make space for a Facility Planning button on the menu bar.

However, our COVID-19 resources and weblinks will not change! To access the COVID-19 checklist, COVID-19 FAQS for Families, our archive of COVID-19 positive case communications and the COVID-19 dashboard, simply visit www.dg58.org/covid-19. You may also visit District 58's homepage at www.dg58.org and access COVID-19 information under the "About" dropdown menu or under the "Families - Tell me about" section beneath the homepage photo slides.

The Illinois Music Education Association, or ILMEA, selected 29 District 58 students to participate in the District 1 Junior Concert Festival at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

 

The ILMEA Festival takes place each year and features talented musicians from across Illinois selected by audition. This year, the students participated in a virtual audition process. 

Students will participate in a day-long festival experience with over 500 student musicians from this area. The rehearsals and performance will be led by master educators and conductors in the fields of Orchestra, Choir and Band. Congratulations to all selected students! View a list of students here.

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 will fund 22 teacher grants totaling nearly $12,000 through its 2021-22 Teacher Grants Program. The Foundation annually awards grants to teachers and staff for projects that support student learning.

“On behalf of District 58, I would like to thank the Education Foundation for their continued commitment to the Teacher Grants Program. I also would like to thank and congratulate our staff for envisioning instructional enhancements and taking the initiative to apply for a grant. Finally, I would like to thank our community for supporting the Education Foundation. By participating in events like Oktoberfest, the Harlem Wizards, the Green Apples and, new this year, the Grove Express 5K, you are providing our Education Foundation with the funds needed to allow the Teacher Grants Program to thrive,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell.

Photo caption: Grant Coordinator Briana Richardson (left) joins El Sierra Principal Jason Lynde and Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell in surprising El Sierra Teacher Librarian Mary Loversky (middle left) with the news that she received a grant!

District 58 thanks the Bonfield Express, a local charity, for donating $1,000 to each of its 13 schools this year. District 58 is fortunate to have incredible community partners like the Bonfield Express here in District 58!

After 17 successful years, the Bonfield Express has retired its Bonfield Express 5K race. Fortunately, the Thanksgiving Day Downers Grove race tradition will continue! Three local nonprofits -- including the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 -- collaborated to establish the new Grove Express 5K race.

The Grove Express 5K can only be successful with volunteers! Sign up to volunteer!