About the cover photos: Left: It's all about relationships! One of Kingsley's amazing custodians, Jac Steele, walked a student back to class. "He knows and cares about all of the students and treats them like his very own," said Principal Charles Brewster. Right: Fairmount students enjoy an author visit with Laura Smetana.

Throughout this publication, you will see the following color-coded dots beside each article. The dots represent which strategic goal the article addresses:

• Focusing on Learning • Connecting the Community • Securing the Future

Have feedback regarding Communicate 58? Click here!

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, District 58! This celebration annually takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, District 58 Instructional Coach Lauren Prosser recently interviewed students and staff from the District's Dual Language program to learn what they like about their culture and what it means to them. View the video here.

Did you know: District 58 offers a Dual Language Program for native Spanish speakers in grades K-8. Students learn in both English and Spanish. New this year, District 58 started a Two-Way Dual Language Program for both native English and Spanish kindergarteners. This program will grow one grade level per year in the future. 

Please consider attending District 58's upcoming Referendum Open Houses:

District 58 Referendum Open Houses

Thursday, Oct. 13 from 6:30-8 p.m.

O'Neill Middle School, 635 59th St.

Monday, Oct. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave.

The open houses will include a brief presentation, tour and a question-and-answer opportunity. To learn more, please visit District 58's referendum information website at www.dg58.org/referendum. This website includes links to the Master Facility Plan, facility presentation, videos, frequently asked questions and much more. Plus, later this week, we will post photo galleries for each District 58 school highlighting areas that would be addressed if the referendum is successful.

Pictured: Herrick's boiler room -- see it in person if you attend the open house!

District 58 often receives questions about its finances. This week, we are emailing one short, easy-to-understand finance topic each day that we hope will help inform our community about District 58's current finances. We hope you follow along!

We will post the entire series on the District 58 Finance Facts webpage.

The Reading Games will return for its ninth year on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at O'Neill Middle School. The Reading Games is a fun and friendly reading competition open to District 58 students in grades 3-8.

Start forming teams now! Team and individual registration is open now through Nov. 2. Please click here for general Reading Games information, including team and individual registration links.  Visit www.readinggamesdg58.com for detailed information.

The Reading Games also seeks question writer volunteers! Click here to learn more information and to sign up to volunteer.

Parents and guardians may sign up for fall 2022 parent-teacher conferences at www.PowerPTC.net any time between Thursday, Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. and Monday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. Parent-teacher conferences will be held in person. There will be a remote option for parents/guardians who are unable to meet in person.

Conferences will take place Oct. 18, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Click here to learn more.

District 58 invites parents and guardians to take a short survey on this year's Curriculum Night by Wednesday, Oct. 19. We will use your feedback to inform improvements for next year. Thank you for your time!

• Curriculum Night Survey - Elementary Families

• Curriculum Night Survey - Middle School Families

Reminder: Friday, Oct. 14 is the deadline for students in grades K, 2 and 6, and any new students, to submit required examination and/or immunization forms.

Please visit the "Health Form Information" section of District 58's Registration webpage to access the forms. Your doctor's office also likely has the forms.

This past summer, District 58 completed several of its most critical facility projects. These projects were funded through proceeds of its January 2022 Longfellow Center property sale. The projects included:

* Masonry remediation at Fairmount and Kingsley (pictured)

* Asbestos abatement and flooring replacement at Henry Puffer

* Paving improvements at Henry Puffer and Hillcrest

* Exterior door replacements at Fairmount

* Miscellaneous painting at several schools

* Energy-efficient lighting improvements in Herrick’s gyms/band room and O'Neill’s band room (partially funded by ComEd incentive program)

There were a few additional projects planned for summer 2022 that were not completed due to a labor shortage and supply chain delays. The following work has been rescheduled for spring/summer 2023:

* Masonry remediation at El Sierra, Henry Puffer and Highland

* Fire alarm system replacement at Henry Puffer and Highland

District 58 also discovered a significant leak in Highland’s roof and hired a contractor to complete an emergency repair of the affected section of Highland’s roof.

If you, your child or someone you know needs help, please access the following resources:

• Dial 911 immediately for any situations where someone is in danger of being harmed or harming themselves. Do not hesitate to make your call; doing so could save lives.  

• Click here to connect with Safe2Help Illinois. Students can contact Safe2Help Illinois to safely and confidentially report a crisis or threat involving themselves or someone they know. Safe2Help is monitored 24/7 by trained crisis professionals. District 58 staff will receive an alert after the Safe2Help professional provides support. Through Safe2Help, students can report a crisis or threat through the following ways:
• Website: https://app.safe22helpil.com
• Text: SAFE2 (72332)
• Phone: 844-4-SAFEIL (844-472-3345)
• App: "Safe2Help Illinois" app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
• Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com
• Call or text "988" and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will provide 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. 
• Text “ACT” to 741741: The National Crisis Text line will connect you with free, confidential assistance.

Are you or someone you know seeking a job? Please consider District 58! District 58 is still hiring for several positions, including:

• Full-time instructional assistants (multiple schools)
• Part-time instructional assistants (multiple schools)
• Curriculum Office secretary (District Office)
• Business Office secretary (District Office)
• Elementary English learner teacher (multiple schools)
• Part-time art teacher (El Sierra)
• Night custodian (Herrick and O'Neill)
• Speech-language pathologists (Temporary leave of absence positions)
• Substitute teachers and custodians

Please visit www.dg58.org/employment to learn more and apply.

The Indian Trail community hopes to build a new, accessible playground next summer that can be enjoyed by all of its students, including its preschoolers and students with special needs. Indian Trail is one of only two District 58 schools with a preschool; the school is also home to the RISE special education program.   

But, in order to achieve this goal, they still need to fundraise approximately $95,000 by the end of 2022. District 58 community members are invited to participate in one of the Indian Trail Playground Fund’s upcoming fundraising events:

• Dine and Donate: Gatto’s on Oct. 12; City Barbeque on Oct. 27 and Noodles and Company (75th Street in Woodridge) on Nov. 29 -- just say you’re connected to Indian Trail’s Playground Fund, and a portion of your bill will be donated!
• Village Greens Golf Outing on Oct. 16
• Indian Trail Bags Night on Oct. 22 (21+ event)

Community members can also make a general donation directly at https://www.itpta.org/newplayground/. Watch this video (also linked above) to learn more about Indian Trail’s playground fundraising efforts! Thank you for your support!

First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove recently donated eight $25 Target gift cards to each District 58 school to be discreetly given to families in need to support their basic needs, such as school supplies and groceries. Added up, their donation totaled $2,600 across all 13 schools!

Thank you, First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove, for your generous support!

District 58 includes relevant e-flyers in the Communicate 58 newsletter and online. Learn more.

• District 58 will hold Referendum Informational Open Houses on Oct. 13 and 17
• Downers Grove Fire Department will host Night at the Firehouse Oct. 12 and Annual Silent Parade Oct. 14
• Indian Boundary YMCA will host Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 15
• grit2 invites community to "Let's Start Talking: A Forum on Youth Mental Health in Downers Grove" Oct. 12
• District 99 flyers
• Downers Grove South will host Halloween Fun Fair and Trunk or Treat on Oct. 26
• District 99 will host "Board Basics Workshop" on Oct. 18
• Check out what West Suburban Community Pantry provides
• Faith United Methodist Church will host free Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 23