D102 Newsletter-The latest news for you

Superintendent Message

District 102 Families,

I am Thankful for...

My incredible wife and amazing son;
The joy of life and the sorrow of passing;
The opportunities I have had to say hello and goodbye;
Being a part of something bigger than me through my work and my music;
Working within a community that values its children and community members and is willing to problem-solve through disagreements;
Walking into a classroom, or streaming into a classroom and seeing kids engaged in their work and excited to be learning;
Being alive and healthy, walking in the rain and sun, and experiencing the bad times to appreciate the good times.

This is always a difficult time of year for me. Not because I am not thankful, I seriously am, but because I know of all the suffering that goes on around us. I feel guilty for what I have. How can I talk about giving thanks when I have a former student who is struggling with persistent visits to Lurie's due to a serious medical condition? Or I know a family has lost their income and struggles with making rent each month? Or what about the families who have been impacted by the death of a loved-one due to this heinous virus. Or, or, or....The list could go on.

Yet, in each of those examples, I have heard stories of thankfulness. Thankful for families that support each other, thankfulness for doctors and nurses who continue to fight for an answer, thankfulness for the time that people had with the relative/friend/colleague who passed.

Even in the darkest hours, in the times when we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and can't take it anymore, I encourage you to find something to be thankful for. It may actually be hard sometimes. But I am confident that for each person that reads this, at the very, very least, someone is thankful for YOU!

Enjoy your break, but please, please make safe and healthy choices over your break...wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands...

See you on November 30.

Kyle

Board Meeting Review

Last night at the D102 Board of Education meeting, several topics were discussed including a detailed update from Ogden Principal, Joe McCauley, Asst. Principal Lynette Campbell and Instructional Coach Jen Meeker. Principal McCauley was proud to report how the staff, students and families of Ogden Elementary have responded to a new learning management system (Canvas), the dual learning platform, and working through the occasional tech glitch. The hard work has paid off with some impressive testing results through the first fifty-seven days of the 2020-21 school calendar.

Ms.Toni Sibley reviewed the LY21 Tax Levy information with the intention to move forward for a vote from the board at the December 10 meeting. If approved, it will be filed with the Cook County Clerk before the end of the calendar year.

Dr. Schumacher provided the current COVID19 metrics for the region and the district and also an update on the D102 Saliva Screenings and the updated schedule for the next three weeks. He stressed how quickly the circumstances can change from hour to hour and the importance of everyone continuing to follow safety protocols during the holiday break.

David Holt and Mark Viniard updated the board on the current marketing pieces and communication plan regarding the recently adapted Equity Policy.

You can listen to the full board meeting here.

D102 Selects New Board Member

District 102 would like to welcome Dorren Gertsen-Briand as the newest member of the Board of Education. Ms. Gertsen-Briand replaces the seat vacated by Michael Thomas who resigned in October when he was appointed to the LTHS Board of Education.

Dorren is a resident of La Grange Park and has been involved in District 102 for more than twelve years as a parent. She enjoys interacting with the students in the many volunteer opportunities afforded by the PTO, especially as an art mom, mystery reader and member of the Science Center Parent Advisory Council. She has held public office before, serving five years on the library board of trustees, and is in her second term on the vestry of her church.

Dorren’s interest in education stems from her career in museums, and from her lived experience. She’s a lifelong learner who finds sustenance in questioning life around her. She’s thankful to live in an area where residents participate in community life, as evidenced through our vibrant business, not-for-profit, and community organizations.

"Our schools, along with its families, are the gateway to life for our children. I'm honored to be working with the dedicated Board of Education members in supporting the future of our children."

Ms Gersen-Briand will finish Mr. Thomas' term that ends in April 2021.

COVID Screening Schedule Update

District 102 will be shutting down the COVID Screening Lab during the week of November 23-27. Our lab crew has been going non-stop since school started and they have earned a much deserved break. Thanks for all of their time and dedication since late August.

We encourage everyone to continue to practice social distancing and mask-wearing through the Thanksgiving Holiday Break. We are thankful for the ability to keep our kids in school so thanks in advance for following safety protocols this time of year.

Testing will resume on November 30. We will be screening TWICE a week for the weeks of November 30 and December 7 with the following schedule:

Monday - PJH (collect on campus); K-3 kits distributed
Tuesday - K -3 kits will be collected; 4-6 kits distributed
Wednesday - 4-6 kits will be collected
Thursday - PJH (collect on campus); K-3 kits distributed
Friday - K -3 kits will be collected; 4-6 kits distributed
Saturday - 4-6 kits dropped off at the Science Center (Barnsdale) in the drop box by 10am. (Must be done by a Parent/Guardian)

If you have any questions, please contact Kelli Kalata, District 102 Certified Nurse.

Thanksgiving Week Schedule

Just a quick reminder about the schedule during Thanksgiving Week:

November 23 - P/T Conferences

November 24-27 - No Classes

School will resume November 30.

LTHS Superintendent Survey

As you are aware, the Lyons Township High School (LTHS) Board of Education has initiated its search for a new superintendent of schools, and we want to hear your thoughts about the strengths of our high schools and communities, the challenges LTHS is currently facing, what the new leader’s priorities should be, and what are the professional and personal characteristics you would like LT’s next superintendent to have.

To assist us in this important process, we have retained the services of our firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA). They specialize in assisting boards with the identification and selection of candidates after we hear from all stakeholder groups in the community. To this end, working with HYA, LTHS developed a short survey that we are sending district wide and respectfully request you to take it. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and we encourage you complete it on or before Wednesday, December 9th. The link to the survey is located here.

The LTHS Board of Education welcomes and appreciates your input and looks

forward to your thoughtful feedback in both the forums and the survey. HYA will

compile all of the feedback and prepare a Leadership Profile Report that will be presented to the Board and Community in December.

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