Wednesday, Oct. 4

Board of Education Legislative Committee

3:45 p.m. O’Neill PDC

Friday, Oct. 6

Financial Advisory Committee

7 a.m. O’Neill PDC

Friday, Oct. 6

Online sign-up for Parent-Teacher Conferences

closes at 11 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 9

District Leadership Team

3:45 p.m. O'Neill PDC

Monday, Oct. 9

Board of Education Meeting

7 p.m. Downers Grove Village Hall

Thursday, Oct. 12

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Click here to view the 2023-24 calendar.

A message from Dr. Russell ••

I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It's hard to believe we're already into October and getting ready to celebrate fall and Halloween. Our students are well into their routines, have made friends and are applying things they've learned the first month of school. Although we've been in school only five weeks, we're also seeing some concerning trends.

Since the pandemic, student absences from school have increased across the country and here too in District 58. Already, we have seen sizeable absences from school. While I know that some absences are unavoidable due to illnesses or family obligations, it’s important to understand the impact that absences have on a student's education. This can have a negative effect on student learning. As a District, we want to emphasize the importance of regular student attendance. If a student is absent it’s difficult for them to keep up with the lessons in their classrooms and connect with their classmates. When they're trying to catch up, they often feel overwhelmed and stressed and this can affect their confidence.

As we move forward, we want to encourage all parents to prioritize regular attendance for their children. Sending your child to school consistently can make a significant difference in their educational journey.

If your student does need to miss school, please make sure to communicate with their teachers and stay involved in their learning. This way, we can work together to provide the support needed to keep your student on track.

I also wanted to let you know how attendance impacts a school's state rating. A student is considered chronically absent by the state if they miss 10% (18 days) or more of the school year regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.

The state will release its 2023 school report cards later this month. Included in the school report cards is a school's rating. The state calculates these ratings using a variety of factors, 20% of which is based on its chronic absenteeism rate. Even if a school is strong academically, if it has a high chronic absenteeism rate, its overall score will be affected. Many families review these ratings before considering whether to move to an area.

I appreciate the strong partnership District 58 has with families. Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring the best education for our students. Please view the District's Family Handbook for more information on attendance and absenteeism and the graphic below.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin B. Russell

Superintendent of Schools

Columbus Day is

attendance day ••

Please note that this year Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 9 is a full day of school. To maximize the summer of 2024 construction window, the 2023-24 calendar eliminates some single days off, like Columbus Day, while maintaining typical break periods so we are in alignment with District 99. Students will still attend school for the same number of days of instruction as in the past.

District offices closed for

1 1/2 hours Oct. 9 ••

The District offices will be closed Monday Oct, 9 from 2:00-3:30 for District office staff training.

If you are calling the District office at 630-719-5800, please leave a message on the voice mail system and we will return your call following the training. 

Calling for volunteers ••

The Reading Games are in need of volunteers to write questions for the 2024 student competition. You will work in pairs to develop a set of 15 questions for a book. You can grab a friend or pick a book and be paired with a partner. Questions are due Jan. 7, 2024. Details and sign up are here: Questions? Email rgquestionwriters@gmail.com. For more information about the Reading Games click here.

PTA Reflections: Calling Student Artists! ••

Calling on DG58 student artists! Express your artistic talent by participating in the National PTA Reflections program. You can submit art in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Art and Special Artist category. Entries are due by October 27. For more information, go to the Downers Grove Area Council website or contact Council Chairs Johanna Lewandowski and Jacque Morgan at dgareflectionscouncil@gmail.com.

PHOTO GALLERY: Belle Aire Playground Ribbon Cutting••

Thanks to the Playground Committee, the Belle Aire PTA, state funding and District 58 funds, Belle Aire School has a brand new accessible playground. The school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 2 with families and students in attendance. A huge thank you goes out to all of the families, State Rep. Stava Murray, Rep. Terra Costa Howard (pictured in middle left photo below with Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell and Principal Brent Borchelt), Belle Aire PTA and District 58 who worked together to make this happen. 

Preschool Staff Surprised with Celebration for Earning Gold ••

The Grove Children’s preschool staff were honored with a surprise party last week after earning a Gold Rating from the Illinois State Board of Education – the highest honor that a preschool can receive. “I know how very difficult it is to earn this and I thank the staff for the hard work, passion and commitment they show every single day,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. See more photos from the celebration here.

Math at the Farmer's Market ••

Students could play math games at the Downers Grove Farmer's Market on Saturday thanks to some math teachers and interventionists.

Creating Culture and a Community at Herrick ••

Improving school culture and building community was the goal. But Herrick students would say loads of fun was the outcome. First, advisory classes created flags identifying a mascot and a name. Then they held friendly competitions, winning trophies for their advisory. “Building trust and leadership, highlighting team building and cooperation is so important, especially in middle school,” said Principal Dr. David Norman. “We’re having fun but we’re also creating important life skills and building our own community here at Herrick,” he said. The event began by recognizing and congratulating the Cross Country team and Girls’ Volleyball team for their hard work. The assembly was organized by Assistant Principal Samantha Inglima and the Herrick Student Council. More on the Photo Gallery page.

Indian Trail Read S’More Literacy Night ••

Camp Read S’More at Indian Trail featured a book talk by Downers Grove Librarian Erin Linsenmeyer, fishing for words and letters, reading by flashlight in tents, and much more. It was the school’s Family Literacy Night and also the launching of the One Book, One School initiative, where everyone is given a copy of the same book “A Boy Called Bat.” Students were given multiple ways to read and listen to the book as well as activities to go along with the book.

Oct. 6 is last day to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences ••



Parent-teacher conferences are coming up and parents can sign up using the online PowerPTC conference signup system up until 11 a.m. Oct. 6. To use the sign up system, parents must be users of PowerSchool. Here is more information and a guide on how to use the sign in system.

Conference dates:

• Preschool through sixth-grade conferences:
• Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:45-8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:45-8 p.m.
• Middle school conferences:
• Thursday, Oct. 12, 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Please share with a friend or family member! We are still hiring! •••

District 58 is hiring several full-time and part-time instructional assistant positions at various schools. Instructional assistants help supervise students and support classroom teachers through small-group or individual student instruction, under the teacher’s guidance. The starting salary is $16.80 an hour. Some instructional assistant positions that work in specialized programs also will receive a $2,000 stipend. Learn more and apply at www.dg58.org/employment.

Parent workshops by Glenbard Parent Series ••

• Noon and 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 5.

Work, Parent, Thrive! How to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm and Grow Connections, Dr. Yael Schonbrun, Link at GlenbardGPS.org

• Noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11

What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing; a Shift from "What is Wrong with You?" by Bruce Perry M.D. Link at GlenbardGPS.org



Programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required. Click here to see the 2023-24 schedule. 

Flu Vaccines, Health Resources for Uninsured or Underinsured ••

• Free Flu Vaccines
• DuPage Health Coalition Resources

Thank you for supporting our students!

Thank you to Downers Grove Jewel, which has been supplying fresh fruits for some of our students who are food insecure. This makes a big difference in our students' lives and in their learning. Thank you!

Downers Grove Grade School District 58

2300 Warrenville Road, Suite 200NE, Downers Grove, IL 60515

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

STAY CONNECTED