Throughout this publication, you will see the following
color-coded dots accompanying each article. They represent which District strategic goal the article addresses. Learn more about District 58's Strategic Plan at
www.dg58.org/vision58.
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Focusing on Learning
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Connecting the Community
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Securing the Future
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Greetings from Superintendent Dr. Cremascoli
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Dear District 58 Community,
Tomorrow will mark the conclusion to this school year's first trimester. Our students, staff and community have accomplished a lot since August! From implementing new English-language arts resources district-wide and a pilot of new science resources, to enhanced 1:1 technology use and strategic planning achievements, it’s an exciting time in District 58!
This week is also American Education Week, a national occasion to celebrate public education. Here in District 58 we have a lot to celebrate! The 2018 Illinois Report Card gave all District 58 schools the highest ratings from the State - with 11 of our 13 schools performing among the top 10 percent of all schools in Illinois and two additional schools earning Commendable ratings! This is an incredible accomplishment, and one that was achieved by the collective hard work of students, teachers, staff and families. But state ratings only tell one part of our story. What matters most is not state ratings or report cards. Rather, it is what our students are learning in the classroom; how our students are growing each and every day and how our students feel inspire, engaged and valued by their teachers, their peers and the community that surrounds them. These celebrations are absolutely the result of our exceptional teachers!
Classroom visits and personal connections are a priority for all of our administrators, as we support and celebrate the excellence that occurs within our classrooms. When I visit classrooms, I enjoy hearing from students about their learning and watching their collaboration, creativity and problem-solving. Our students are always so proud to share their discoveries with me. I am continually impressed with their natural curiosity and excitement about learning, and with our teachers’ ability to spark passion, excite minds, touch spirits and challenge abilities! I am impressed with our dedicated teachers and staff who work hard every day to challenge each child to reach his or her potential. I've tried to capture highlights from these classroom visits in my new “
Excellence in DG58
” video series. I hope you tune in and watch!
As we prepare for Thanksgiving break, I give thanks for our outstanding teachers and staff, our incredible students, and the wonderful community that envelopes us all with care and support. As always, I appreciate your support for our district, and I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
With gratitude,
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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District 58 celebrates Veterans Day!
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District 58 schools observed Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12 with educational activities and celebrations. Watch this
one-minute video
to view Veterans Day celebrations from
Whittier
and
Pierce Downer
schools!
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District shares snow day procedures, winter tips
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If hazardous winter weather prompts District 58 to cancel school, the District will notify parents, staff and the community using a variety of communication tools. Learn more about
District 58 snow day procedures
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District 58 administers parent, teacher and student surveys
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Last week, we shared that District 58 would administer the State's 5Essentials Survey to teachers and fourth-through-eighth grade students starting Nov. 15. This week, the State delayed the opening of its student and teacher surveys to Tuesday, Dec. 11. These surveys will be open until Feb. 15.
Learn more about District 58 surveys.
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District 58 schools perform well on state report card
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All District 58 schools earned high marks on the State's 2018 report card, with 11 of the District's 13 schools performing among the top 10 percent of all Illinois schools and an additional two schools earning Commendable ratings!
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What's a growth mindset?
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District 58 is focused on having a growth mindset! Using a growth mindset, students are better equipped to persevere through challenges. Watch this
short video
to learn more about praise and growth mindsets. It's a fascinating watch!
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Water testing update
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District 58 recently conducted
water testing at its schools. The District expects to receive test results within the next week. Once received, parents and staff will receive an email with their school's test results and remediation plans, if necessary.
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Apply to be an instructional assistant!
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Looking for a job? District 58 seeks instructional assistants to join our team! Instructional assistants perform a variety of tasks to support classroom instruction.
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Parents receive student assessment results
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District 58 recently provided parents with their child's fall assessment results, as well as instructions for accessing their child's assessment results and other data on SQUIRREL.
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Science Fair registration will open Nov. 30
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Heads up: After Thanksgiving break, parents will receive information on the 2019 Science Fair! Registration will open online on Friday, Nov. 30. The Science Fair will take place on Feb. 2, 2019 at O'Neill Middle School.
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Excellence in DG58:
Lester first graders write about Halloween
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Superintendent Dr. Cremascoli visited Mrs. Szczurek's first graders at
Lester
. The students practiced writing about their Halloween costumes in their graphic organizers. View this
short video
to learn more!
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Excellence in DG58:
Highland kindergarteners sing, sort and practice phonics!
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Dr. Cremascoli visited Ms. Sanfillippo's kindergarten classroom at
Highland
! She joined the students while they sang songs and practiced sorting words and learning phonics. Watch
this video
to learn more!
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District 58 schools celebrate Halloween!
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View this
short video to see Halloween highlights from
Hillcrest, Indian Trail and
Belle Aire schools!
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58 Doing Good: Pierce Downer joins Operation Christmas Child
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Pierce Downer families are bringing joy to needy children worldwide! At a recent Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party, 32 Pierce Downer families decorated 52 shoeboxes and filled them with toys, functional items, a handmade craft and a special note for the child. The shoeboxes will be sent to children in need across the globe.
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Fairmount fifth graders studied famous landmarks and presented their research to not only their classmates, but also to their pen pal classroom in the United Kingdom! As part of the project, they filmed themselves at their landmarks using a green screen and their iPads. Very cool!
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Mr. Mueller's science students at
O'Neill demonstrated convection, conduction and how heat rises.
Here's a video that shows how conduction can make hot air rise in a water bottle!
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On Veterans Day Observed,
Henry Puffer first graders drew pictures and wrote letters to veterans, thanking them for their service.
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The reviews are in: Alice in Wonderland, Jr. was a huge success! Last weekend,
Herrick performed the classic Lewis Carroll tale during three performances.
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El Sierra
students heard an amazing message about accepting those who are differently abled, positive thinking and the power of “Yes You Can” with Lloyd Bachrach. Thank you, PTA!
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Kingsley third graders think that geology rocks! As part of a science unit, they're studying all the elements of rocks. Great work!
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November Board Meeting
The Board of Education held a regular meeting on Nov. 12, which included a spotlight on professional learning.
View the Board Briefs.
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Interested in running for the Board?
The Board of Education invites prospective Board candidates to attend its Financial Workshop at Kingsley School on Monday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. Immediately following the workshop, the Board will hold a candidate forum to explain the role of a Board member and answer any questions prospective candidates might have about this service position.
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Bonfield Express donates $13,000 to District 58 schools
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District 58 thanks the Bonfield Express Foundation, a local charity, for donating $1,000 to each of its 13 schools this fall. The Bonfield Express Foundation made this donation to support additional educational resources, as well as to recognize students who display extra effort and citizenship.
The capstone fundraising effort of the Bonfield Express Foundation 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
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Community e-flyers
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District 58 emails parents relevant e-flyers on the
first and third Monday of the month.
Learn more about e-flyers. Here are the Nov. 5 e-flyers.
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Please mark your calendar:
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Nov. 19-23
Thanksgiving Break - No School
Monday, Nov. 26
Teacher Inservice Day - No School
7 p.m.: Board Financial Workshop and Candidate Forum at Kingsley School
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Classes Resume
3:45-5:30 p.m.: Board District Leadership Team Meeting at Longfellow
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Wednesday, Nov. 28
4:15-5:15 p.m.; Board Legislative Committee Meeting at the
6:30-8 p.m.: Board Tour and PTA Meeting at Hillcrest
Wednesday, Dec. 5
6:30-8:30 p.m.: PTA Reflections Ceremony at Herrick
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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
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