District 58's adaptive pause that was taken for logistical reasons has concluded. The District has shifted back to hybrid in-person learning this week. Specialized programs resumed the hybrid model Monday, and general grade K-8 students resumed today (Wednesday).

As a reminder, District 58 will continue to review COVID-19 metrics daily and meet virtually with the Health Department weekly. The District considers several metrics when deciding whether to move to a full-remote learning model or to continue with a hybrid in-person learning model. These metrics include:

You can learn more about these metrics in the Nov. 4 issue of Communicate 58.

District 58 will continue to send families and staff an email every two weeks (on Mondays) with the District's current learning model outlook. The email will communicate whether the District will stay in its current learning model for the foreseeable future, or if the District needs to shift models due to changing COVID-19 metrics. Unless circumstances require a quicker shift, the District will aim to give families and staff one week's notice before shifting models. Our goal is to keep students in a hybrid in-person learning environment (with full remote option), so long as it is safe and feasible. Our next biweekly update will be Monday, Dec. 7.

The community can visit District 58's Return to Learn webpage and COVID-19 webpage for helpful resources regarding both topics.

District 58 thanks the 1,643 parents/guardians and 287 staff members who completed the instructional model feedback survey this past week. The survey asked families and staff to reflect on their students' learning experiences this fall and share feedback on what worked well and areas of improvement.

This week, the School Board, administrators and teachers will review the results, using the feedback to guide improvements to the District's instructional models. A review of the survey results and recommendations will be shared publicly during the Dec. 14 School Board meeting.

District 58 asks all students to complete the self-certification form before school on every school day, including on days when students are remote. Having this information every school day will help schools accurately track COVID-19 metrics. Although our schools email the self-certification form to families every morning, the link to the self-certification form never changes. Families can re-use the link from a previous self-certification email at any time.

In order to keep students and staff safe and schools open, it is critical that this form be completed truthfully and consistently.

Additionally, keep your child home if he/she came in close contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. Someone is “suspected” to have COVID-19 if he/she is demonstrating symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (see list above) but has not yet received test results or doctor clearance. A “close contact” is considered:

If your child has COVID-19 symptoms or is a close contact, please begin to quarantine and follow the appropriate next steps. View the District's COVID-19 FAQs for Families to learn what to do for each scenario. Thank you for your willingness to follow these guidelines!

Interested in serving District 58 as a School Board member? District 58 residents will elect four individuals to the Board of Education next April.

District 58 invites prospective candidates to attend a virtual Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please complete this RSVP form, and a meeting link will be sent to you.

This forum will cover the school board election process, board member expectations and responsibilities, school board organization, school board meetings, school finances and school board governance.

Candidates may download a petition packet from the DuPage County Election Commission. Learn more.

The Illinois Music Education Association, or ILMEA, selected 41 District 58 students to participate in a virtual Fall Festival Masterclass Day in November. This event replaced ILMEA’s usual in-person music and jazz performance festivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to District 58 students selected to perform in the ILMEA Fall Festival Masterclass Day! View a list of selected students and learn more.

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 invites families to thank a special teacher or staff member with a donation to its Green Apple Teacher/Staff Recognition Program. Donations will support the Foundation's programs for District 58.

With each Green Apple donation received, the Education Foundation will send a specially-designed Green Apple Award card to the teacher or staff member the donation is honoring, with a custom message from the donor. Learn more.

District 58 thanks Knitting for Charity, a local group, for donating several hand-knit hats and scarves to District 58. The donations arrived before Thanksgiving and were immediately routed to students in need.

In addition, District 58 received a few coat, glove and other winterwear donations from local families who wanted to give back. Thank you for your generosity!

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