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
|
|
Greetings from Dr. Russell ••
|
|
|
|
Dear District 58 Community,
School has been in session for nearly two weeks, and I want to thank our students, staff and families for doing a great job of following the COVID-19 health protocols while at school. If you have any questions regarding our COVID-19 protocols, I invite you to view the below COVID-19-related webpages for more information:
Please also read the "District News" section below for an update on our COVID testing program. If you have a COVID-related question that is not answered on our COVID-19 pages, please contact Megan Hewitt at mhewitt@dg58.org. |
|
I would also like to invite all of our parents and guardians to attend Curriculum Night this month at their child(ren)'s school(s). During Curriculum Night, teachers will give an overview of the class's curriculum, technology and instructional practices. Because there is limited space in each classroom, we respectfully request that only one family member per student attend each Curriculum Night presentation. This will allow us to maintain social distancing while accommodating attendance for each family. In addition, please remember that all visitors inside our schools are required to wear a mask.
Curriculum Night Schedule:
Note: schools will send detailed grade level schedules directly to families.
-
Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6-7:30 p.m.: Belle Aire, Henry Puffer, Highland, Lester, Pierce Downer, Whittier, O’Neill
-
Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m.: El Sierra, Fairmount, Indian Trail, Kingsley, Hillcrest
-
Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 5:30-9 p.m.: Herrick
I hope our parents and guardians can attend this important evening. As always, thank you for your support. Have a great rest of your week!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Russell
Superintendent of Schools
|
|
Back to school photo galleries and resources ••
|
|
It's been a great first two weeks of school in District 58! Check out our back-to-school photo galleries below for highlights. Check out our Back to School Toolkit for helpful 2021-22 school year information. |
|
District 58 will administer Illinois Assessment of Readiness this fall •
Assessment window is Sept. 20-Oct. 8
|
|
Each year, the State of Illinois has a series of required assessments for students. One of these is the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). In the Spring of 2021, school districts were given a choice to administer the assessment in April, or to postpone the assessment until the fall. Because our students were just returning onsite for a greater period of time in April 2021, we elected to maximize their onsite instructional time rather than take that time for the state assessment. As a result of that thoughtful decision, we now need to administer the assessments that we postponed.
|
|
Voluntary COVID-19 testing program registration coming this week •
|
|
District 58 will partner with Northshore Clinical Labs to offer voluntary PCR COVID-19 testing for District 58 students and employees. Northshore is a high-complexity CLIA-certified clinical laboratory that works closely with state/local health authorities to provide federally-funded COVID-19 services, supplies and healthcare personnel.
District 58 and Northshore are finalizing this optional testing program's details, and we will share more information and program registration/testing consent with families and staff later this week.
|
|
Heat relief and District 58's Master Facility Plan ••
|
|
Eleven of the District's 13 schools are not fully air-conditioned. In 2019, District 58 completed a Master Facility Plan that identified $244.8 million in needed facility updates. The plan includes air-conditioning installation and ventilation improvements, which alone cost about $50 million.
District 58 realizes that $244.8 million is a very large sum, so a Facilities Citizen Task Force (pictured, photo taken in winter 2020) is working to prioritize these facility needs. As part of this, District 58 will offer community engagement and education opportunities this school year. The task force will use community feedback to prioritize the work and inform a potential bond referendum for 2022. If community feedback shows support for air conditioning, it would likely be part of the referendum. Should a referendum pass in 2022, District 58 would be able to install air conditioning.
For now, District 58 continues to use its resources and building spaces wisely to provide heat relief for students and staff during these hot school days.
|
|
Why are students dismissed early on Mondays? •
|
|
After a one-year hiatus, District 58 resumed its Professional Learning Program. Every Monday, students are dismissed early (2 p.m. elementary/2:10 p.m. middle) so teachers can participate in 1.5 hours of professional learning. These experiences are carefully planned and evaluated to ensure they are valuable for teachers.
Each week, teachers participate in either a teacher-led, building-led or District-led learning experience.
For most teachers, Monday, Aug. 30 was a teacher-led professional learning day. Teachers collaborated on student goals, math curriculum, guided reading resources and more. Specialized teachers (art, music, EL, PE, etc.) collaborated with their individual specialty groups via a District-led learning experience. Afterward, teachers were invited to complete an exit survey, which helps District leaders evaluate the session's effectiveness and inform future planning.
Learn more about the Professional Learning Program.
|
|
Food services ••
District 58 serves more than 1,000 meals to students every day. If you receive free meals at District 58, visit our Food Services webpage for monthly menus and updates. As we shared on Sept. 3, this week's menu was altered due to a work stoppage at our food supplier. |
|
Assessment calendar •
Parents and guardians may access the District's assessment calendar, which outlines each assessment, its purpose, testing dates, target audience, and estimated length.
|
|
Preschool screenings •
District 58 will offer several free preschool and developmental screenings designed to identify young children who might have developmental delays and who would benefit from special education prior to beginning kindergarten. Learn more. |
|
Family handbook •••
Families, please read the 2021-22 Schools of 58 Handbook. It is important to annually review this handbook to understand District 58's procedures. Families who requested a paper copy (during registration) will receive it at Curriculum Night. |
|
Patriot Day ••
Since Patriot Day (Sept. 11) falls on a Saturday this year, District 58 schools will recognize this day on Friday, Sept. 10. Flags will be flown at half-staff, and schools will share a Patriot Day message with students and observe a moment of silence during the day.
|
|
Emergency preparedness ••
|
|
Give a staff shout out! ••
Has a District 58 staff member helped you start the school year right? Head over to the District 58 Facebook page to give him or her a shout out! Not on Facebook? Email your shout out to mhewitt@dg58.org. Thank you! |
|
Annual Report •••
District 58 published its 2021 Annual Report, which highlights District news and achievements from the past school year. Read the Annual Report. |
|
District 58 is hiring! •••
District 58 is hiring instructional assistants, subs, lunchroom supervisors and more! Learn more. In addition, the Village of Downers Grove is hiring District 58 crossing guards. Learn more. Aramark is hiring D58 food service workers. Learn more.
|
|
Highland opens new, accessible playground •••
|
|
|
|
Highland School officially opened its new, accessible playground on Thursday, Aug. 26.
“We are so excited to finally dedicate the new Highland playground!” said Highland Principal Zac Craft. “Words cannot express how proud I am of the Highland community. For the past three-plus years, this incredible community has worked hard to bring their vision of a new and accessible playground to life. We achieved our goal, and we have this fantastic new playground as a result.
"I want to thank Climb Higher at Highland for their vision and fundraising, District 58 and especially our Buildings and Grounds Department for their leadership, and the Highland community and our Board of Education for their support.”
The new playground equipment includes a climbing wall, a We-saw, an Oodle Swing and much more! These play structures are not only popular among children, they are all accessible for all! To save on costs, the Highland community united this summer to hold a community build, where they volunteered with the actual playground construction.
|
|
|
|
Follow the Board of Education •••
|
The District 58 Board of Education will hold a regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Downers Grove Village Hall. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Village's YouTube page. District 58 will post the agenda on BoardDocs and email a Board preview to families and staff on Friday, Sept. 10 in the evening.
|
|
|
|
Oktoberfest returns Sept. 17-18 •
|
District 58 invites the community to attend Downers Grove Oktoberfest on Friday, Sept. 17 from 3:30-11 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 18 from 12-6 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. It will take place next to the Downers Grove Main Street train station. The event includes family-friendly activities and entertainment. Hosted by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, all proceeds will benefit District 58 students through the Foundation's programs. This event's success relies on volunteers! Click here to sign up for a 3.5 hour volunteer slot. Can't attend but still want to help? Enter the Oktoberfest raffle for a chance to win $500 or a guitar signed by Sebastian Bach! Learn more.
|
|
|
|
District 58 receives school supply donations ••
|
District 58 thanks the many local organizations that generously donated school supplies to our schools this year! In particular, District 58 thanks Community Christian Church (pictured), which donated more than 75 backpacks, filled with complete school supply sets for a variety of grade levels!
In addition, District 58 thanks the Evan Melau Foundation, the Kim Moustis Group, Accesso Services, Globaltranz, and several independent residents for donating school supplies to District 58!
|
|
|
|
District 58 includes relevant e-flyers in Communicate 58 newsletter. Learn more.
|
|
Now Through Sept. 17
Fall MAP/AIMSweb testing period
Thursday, Sept. 9
6-7:30 p.m.: Curriculum Night for Belle Aire, Henry Puffer, Highland, Lester, Pierce Downer, Whittier and O’Neill
Friday, Sept. 10
7 a.m.: Board Financial Advisory Committee Meeting at the ASC
Saturday, Sept. 11
Patriot Day
Monday, Sept. 13
7 p.m.: Regular Board of Education Meeting at Downers Grove Village Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 14
5:30-9 p.m.: Curriculum Night for Herrick
6-7:30 p.m.: Curriculum Night for El Sierra, Fairmount, Indian Trail, Kingsley and Hillcrest
|
|
Friday, Sept. 17
3-11 p.m.: Downers Grove Oktoberfest at the DG Main Street Train Station
Saturday, Sept. 18
12-6 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.: Downers Grove Oktoberfest at the DG Main Street Train Station
Sept. 20-Oct. 8
Fall Illinois Assessment of Readiness Testing Window
Wednesday, Sept. 22
3:45-4:45 p.m.: Board Legislative Committee Meeting at the ASC
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
