District 58 is proud to announce that 24 students will advance 31 projects from the regional to the state level of the PTA Reflections arts recognition and achievement program.

Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition and achievement program for students. Through Reflections, District 58 students in preschool through eighth grade are invited to submit works of art in six areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. The theme for the 2020-21 program is “I Matter Because...”

As we approach the end of the second trimester (March 5), we wanted to share some information regarding assessments and reporting during this trimester. We have identified the Trimester 2 Essential Standards for all grade levels (K-8) and content areas; these are the learning standards that we believe are most critical for students during this time, and they will be reflected on the report cards. 

As with all aspects of instruction during a pandemic, there are some adjustments to certain areas of the report card. For additional information on reporting for the second trimester of this school year, please take a look at our Reporting Guidance for Families. For additional information on district report cards in general, please see the report card page on our website. 

This past week has brought frigid temperatures to Downers Grove, and the 10-day forecast offers little relief.

When would District 58 close schools due to cold temperatures? District 58 would likely close school and move to a full remote learning format if a wind chill warning is issued by the National Weather Service during the times students are traveling to or from school. A wind chill warning is typically issued when the wind chill will be -25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder or the actual air temperature is -25 degrees Fahrenheit.

When would D58 cancel outdoor recess due to weather? Grade K-8 students can go outside if the combined temperature and wind chill is 0 degrees or above, barring special circumstances, such as excessive ice. Please be sure to dress your child warmly! Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. They may want to bring an extra fleece to wear, as well as an extra pair of socks in case theirs get wet. Please remember to label these items with your child's name!

District 58 and nonprofit Darkness to Light will host a free virtual webinar, "Talk to Children About Sexual Abuse" on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. The Feb. 17 webinar filled quickly, so District 58 added the Feb. 24 webinar option.

To sign up for the Feb. 24 webinar, please click here. (If you previously signed up for the Feb. 17 webinar and would prefer to attend Feb. 24, simply complete the new registration form.)

Registrants will receive a Zoom link prior to the webinar.

The webinar will supplement the age-appropriate Erin’s Law sexual abuse lessons students receive at school and give parents tools to start these sensitive conversations with their children at home.

Grove Children’s Preschool is now accepting tuition applications for the 2021-22 school year. Grove is an award-winning preschool program located at Henry Puffer and Indian Trail schools and serves children ages 3-5 who live within District 58 boundaries. First priority registration is due on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Learn more and apply at www.dg58.org/preschool.

Registration for students entering grades K-8 will open online in April 2021. We will share more information on District 58 registration in the coming weeks!

The Math Learning Center, creator of District 58's math curriculum, recently featured District 58's dual language teacher Christina Diaz in their blog! They highlighted how Ms. Diaz creatively uses "remote learning resources intentionally to build classroom community, collaboration, and student sense-making."

Ms. Diaz did a fantastic job highlighting how she connects with students using Seesaw, even while remote, and how Seesaw helps enhance the District's math curriculum. Thank you, Ms. Diaz, for representing District 58! View the blog post.

During the Jan. 4 Teacher Institute Day, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell challenged District 58 staff to select one word to focus on in 2021. Many District 58 staff shared their #OneWord2021 on Twitter, and some even invited their students to participate as well! EL Coordinator Rozana Johnson created this 2.5 minute video highlighting some of our words for 2021! Check it out!

The Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club invites District 58 seventh and eighth graders to submit an original art piece, in any form, to the annual Junior High Art Contest!

To participate, students must create the artwork, make and upload a video of their artwork, and submit their written interpretation of their piece.

Please click here to access the art contest application. Submissions are due Wednesday, Feb. 17. Winners will be notified the week of Feb. 22.

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