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
In this issue:
- Superintendent's greeting
- Hybrid Plan
- District news
- Board of Education news
- Thank you
- Community News
- Calendar
|
|
Greetings from Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell • • •
|
Dear District 58 Families,
On behalf of all of us in District 58, thank you for your partnership as we prepare to resume onsite instruction for all of our students. Elementary school districts are built on a foundation of in-person instruction and we are very much looking forward to seeing our students return to our schools very soon. The District is also committed to offering a robust remote learning experience for those who are unable to return onsite.
I recognize many are excited for the transition to onsite learning while others have reservations. I also recognize that many feel the hybrid models are designed well and others wish they would look differently. For some families the transition cannot come soon enough and others wish that it would be delayed. Some families have shared that we are communicating too much and others have shared that they need more information. This pandemic impacts all of us differently and some more than others. I want to say we understand your concerns and are listening. There is not a learning model(s) that can be created that will completely satisfy everyone. The District has built hybrid models that meet the health and safety requirements called for by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD). Additionally, we have built these models to adhere to ISBE’s guidance that calls for prioritizing in-person instruction while also offering a remote option. Meeting these requirements may unfortunately result in schedule changes. While we are doing everything possible to minimize disruptions, there is no way to make everything work without making some changes.
Please know the District has taken the time to collaborate with staff and listen to the needs of families during the planning process. Fitting all of the pieces together under very tough financial circumstances and changing guidelines has been a daunting task. District staff continue to work around the clock to communicate, gather input from families and staff, and ensure that everything lines up accordingly.
The last several months have been stressful for all of us and there will continue to be tough times ahead. However, there will also be many opportunities for us to help our students learn and grow socially, emotionally, and academically. We are in this together and I am confident that the return to onsite instruction will greatly benefit our students. I am also confident that we will continue to meet the needs of our students learning remotely. The year 2020 has made us all much more resilient and I am so very proud of how our students, staff, and families continue to meet any and all challenges head-on.
Should you have any questions about the transition, please feel free to reach out to a member of our staff. You can also find a great deal of information on our website. Elementary families will be notified this Friday, October 9, whether they are in the AM or PM session. Questions about placement should be directed to your building principal. Additionally, updated schedules and/or teacher assignments will be emailed to you on Friday, October 16. Thank you for your questions, partnership, and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin B. Russell
|
|
Update on Hybrid Plan with Full Remote option • • •
Schools will welcome back students onsite on Oct. 20 as part of the Hybrid Plan for in-person learning. In addition, a Full Remote option is also available. While nearly all families have already made a commitment to either model (hybrid in-person or full remote), we are currently following up with families who have not submitted a choice.
Our goal in moving to the next phase is a robust dual option for families. We know that in-person instruction is optimal for learning and it is recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). With face-to-face learning, teachers are better able to gauge understanding and interest of students and it is easier to build a classroom community and to generate excitement about a subject. That being said, we are equally committed to a strong robust option that will feature both live and asynchronous instruction.
To provide both options, as you know, there may be a change in teacher assignments. We know this is disappointing but unavoidable as we transition students into two dual programs and try to balance numbers and student needs. We know the District has sent an exorbitant amount of information recently. We’ve consolidated it in one place on our web page. It includes details about the plan, FAQs and safety protocols for onsite learning. For future reference it is under “Academics” and “Hybrid Model.”
Communication Commitments
October 9 - AM/PM assignments will be sent to families
October 16 - Student groupings (teacher assignments) are finalized and shared with families
|
|
Building resilience in children • • •
|
|
As parents, we want to protect our children from seeing the difficulties, fear and uncertainties with this pandemic. We wish that there was not a major disruption to their education and their social activities. We cannot control these circumstances but we can help them build resilience and understanding. Here is an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to help children during uncertain times. Social emotional learning will remain a key part of our instruction in District 58. Teachers will implicitly teach skills to help children cope during this time as well as allow time for check-ins for students. Read article.
|
|
Work for District 58! • • •
Looking for a job? Work for District 58!
District 58 is hiring for substitutes, custodial maintenance positions, registered nurses, social workers, teachers and others. Check out the open positions on our website www.dg58.org.
|
|
Health exams •
Oct. 15 is the deadline for students in grades K, 2 and 6, and any new students to submit required health required examinations and/or immunizations. This is required by state law, even though the District is currently in remote learning. By law, students who do not have completed paperwork will be excluded from school. |
|
COVID and Transparency •
We are committed to communicating transparently about COVID-19 cases in District 58. We will continue to send information to parents on suspected and positive cases of COVID-19 in their student's respective school. We will also post this information on our website under COVID-19 Communications. Previously, we had posted the letters in Finances and Transparency.
|
|
Creative tech to engage students • • •
Teachers have been very creative in their classrooms, sometimes using multiple devices to display and model instruction and keep students engaged and participating at the same time. In these examples (from left to right) you see Belle Aire Kindergarten teacher Amanda Woo using an iPad to give the kindergarten students a close-up view of information behind her while she is engaging with students on a laptop; 4th grade teacher Rachel Latus is sharing her screen with students on a laptop and using her projector to see and engage with students; and 2nd grade teacher Bradley Linko is using an iPad to model work while he is using a laptop to see and engage with students.
|
|
Pack Pride
Highland families have a visual reminder that they are "One Pack,Together." The PTA sold yard signs with the theme and also hung a banner displaying Highland pride.
|
|
Math Explained
When you can explain math, you really know it! Here, Indian Trail students explain the why of their problem solving during 3rd grade math using the new Bridges curriculum.
|
|
Authentic Writing
Alison Glennon’s 2nd grade class at Fairmount took a virtual field trip to the school office with a special note for the principal. Authentic writing is key in getting students motivated to write. And, a special field trip helps too.
|
|
Wheel of workouts
Herrick students participate in Zoom workouts during PE. Here the mascot helps choose which workout using the Wheel of Workout. Students find it fun to switch things up.
|
|
Science life cycles
Hillcrest 1st graders enjoyed a virtual visit from the DuPage County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom program. They learned some science about the parts of the apple and the life cycle of an apple.
|
|
Student teacher
El Sierra is excited to welcome Downers Grove South senior working with Megan DuPass's 1st grade class this year.
|
|
Essential Superheroes
Whittier celebrated its "essential workers" Maria Ramirez and Mike Murphy during National Custodians' Day. Thanks to Maria and Mike for keeping Whittier spotless and sparkling and safe!
|
|
Honoring students
Principal Leland Wagner recognized students showing some Pierce Downer Pride and featured them on his Twitter account. He partnered with the Downers Grove Park District. Teachers nominated students and the principal delivered a certificate.
|
|
Spreading the love
Remote learning hasn't stopped these Kingsley Kindergarten students from spreading their love for each other during their classroom meeting.
|
|
Constitutional Letter Writing
Henry Puffer 5th grade students have been writing letters pretending they were at the Constitutional Convention.
|
|
Celebrating Fall
Grove Children's Preschool is getting into the fall spirit today in Audrey Barc's classroom with some leaf painting!
|
|
Special Meeting • • •
The Board met Sept. 28 and held a public hearing on the 2020-21 budget and subsequently adopted the budget. The goals of the budget are to navigate the costs related to the pandemic, provide consistent services to students and staff, manage the deficit, and put the District on a path back to balanced budgets. Costs related to the pandemic are for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, and rental of tents and storage containers.
The Board also approved the recommendation to move to Phase II of learning with a Hybrid Model that offers part-time onsite student attendance in school with asynchronous learning at home, as well as a Full Remote option for families to choose.
Upcoming Board of Education meeting
Wednesday, October 14 - Regular Board Meeting, 7 p.m, Downers Grove Village Hall
|
|
|
|
Custodian Appreciation Day
Our schools celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day Oct. 2. For everything they do, these men and women are superheroes to our schools. They work hard to keep our buildings clean and safe and to prepare for onsite learning later this month. Make every day custodian appreciation day by taking the time to say thank you.
Donation Thank You
Thank you to Pierce Downer parent Brian Mavraganes who donated 2,000 80-count cylinders of sanitizing wipes to the District. They are very much appreciated and will be put to good use.
|
|
Free flu vaccines and face masks •
Free flu vaccines and free face masks are available for low income and uninsured DuPage County residents. Here are vouchers for the vaccines in both English and Spanish. Click here to learn more. |
|
E-Flyers •
District 58’s E-flyer Program helps us “go green” by permitting approved non-profit organizations to post flyers online. Here are the most recent flyers since the last issue of Communicate 58. Visit our webpage to see all e-flyers.
|
|
Monday, Oct. 12
No School
Wednesday Oct. 14
Board of Education meeting
Friday, Oct. 16
No Student Attendance
|
|
Monday, Oct. 19
No Student Attendance
Friday, Oct. 23
No Student Attendance
Tuesday, Nov. 3
No School: Election Day
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
