On a mission to ignite the power and potential of each student.
DISTRICT 20 eNEWS
September 2019
Teaching and Learning Across the District
Technology in the Classrooms
District 20 continues to work with students and teachers to integrate technology into their learning and teaching. We are excited about the learning opportunities that are available to our students through the use of technology!

Chromebooks have been distributed to each student in the District and parents of students Grades 2-8 should expect to see them coming home on a daily basis. Please remind your students to charge them every night as they are important tools used in the classroom daily. Students in Grades K-1 will keep their Chromebooks in the classroom.

Students continue to learn about how to be good digital citizens. It is important that we work together to encourage them to be good "citizens" both on and off their devices. Here are some resources that you might find useful:

Common Sense Media (reviews and ratings)
S.T.E.M. Activities
Math & Science
Eureka Math is in full-swing for our second year of implementation. Student MAP scores have dramatically increased over the last year and we are looking forward to continued student growth this year.

Please continue to talk to your child about what they are learning and doing in Math to reinforce classroom activities. Click here for fun Eureka fluency card games to play with your child at home.

In Science, we are excited to be starting our Mystery Science units. Each grade level has chosen to focus on a Next Generation Science Standard and will be doing some inquiry-based activities that support that standard. Be sure to ask your child about what they have learned!
Balanced Literacy
English/Language Arts
Elementary staff are learning about Balanced Literacy , which is a framework that allows for integrated emphasis on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This approach is about balancing explicit language instruction with independent learning and language exploration.

The teacher will use reading aloud, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, and word study in the classroom to actively enhance student understanding while they read and help them to become life-long learners. 
Responsive Classroom
Social Emotional Learning
" Responsive Classroom" is a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching. It is comprised of a set of evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classroom and school communities for both students and teachers.

One example of this approach includes the "Morning Meeting" which is a fun and engaging way to build a strong sense of community and set children up for success socially and academically. The morning circle time allows students to interact with each other focusing on greeting others, sharing information, a lively group activity, and a morning message written by the teacher.
Stay Connected!
The District and School websites are a valuable resource for information, news and events. If you have not yet visited www.esd20.org, please be sure to check it out to stay connected with us!

  • School and District News Highlights are found at the bottom of the home page and are updated regularly.

  • School News pages contain important dates and resources for your students.

  • D20 Virtual Backpack contains information about events and resources that impact the entire district.

  • Other important information found on the website include: District and School Calendars, Facility Use Forms and Calendars, Staff Directories, Student Activities, Health Care Forms and much, much more!
Healthy Meals for Our Students

District 20 partners with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which is a federally assisted meal program operating in the schools to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts and lunches to children each school day. All meals must meet Federal requirements and local schools make decisions about specific foods to serve and methods of preparation. District 20 ensures that the food provided to our students are highly nutritional and balanced meals.
To learn more about healthy options, weekly school menus, or to learn more about the National School Lunch Program please visit District Food Services .
District 20 Board of Education
The Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 Board of Education held a regular board meeting on September 26, 2019 at the Greenbrook Innovation Center. Meeting highlights are listed below. The next regular meeting of the District 20 Board of Education will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:00pm at the Spring Wood Middle School Library. Meeting information and minutes are located on the website, or click here . You can also view video recordings of Board Meetings on the Keeneyville YouTube Channe l .

September Board Meeting Highlights

A public hearing was held to present the final 2019-2020 Budget to the Board of Education, click here to view the budget that was approved.

The District 20 Board of Education presented a Board Salute (pictured below left) to Julie Beltramo, Carla Swaback, and Leslie Montalbano who have been paraprofessionals in the DESTINY Program at Spring Wood for the past 3 years. Teacher Justin Enzenbacher told the Board that working in this program can be very challenging at times due to the diversity of needs in the classroom, but these three staff members should be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the students and the program.

District Principals introduced new staff members for the 2019-2020 school year.

Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent (pictured below right) and Dr. Gail Fahey of DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) gave a presentation about Cycles of Inquiry, Instructional Leadership, and Grant Work.

Discussion items included:
  • The success of spreading out the dates for the two institute days this year.
  • Actual enrollment has decreased again this year which makes it important for the district to ensure that we are using our resources efficiently.
  • Student and Staff Attendance was reviewed.
  • Superintendent Castillo will again attend grade level/department meetings with all teachers beginning in October.
  • The District received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report FY18 by the Government Finance Officers Association.
  • Concepts Plans for Waterbury & Spring Wood Innovation Centers were reviewed.

Action items included the Approval of
  • 2019-2020 Budget
  • Resolution to move Working Cash Funds 
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School Highlights
Visit D20 Virtual Backpack for more information about district-wide events.
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
ECC hosted the first Parent Education Day of the year on September 13th. Preschool families were invited for breakfast, and attended presentations on speech and language development, motor skills, social emotional learning, and classroom centers by staff. Childcare was also provided for families who came. 

Many parents/guardiancs attended and ECC was very excited that so many families gathered together to learn more about the program. Parents left the day with a bound packet of information and ideas of things they can do to facilitate their child's development in these areas at home.

The next Parent Education Day will be held in December.
GREENBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Greenbrook welcomed the D20 Board of Education, administrators, school families, and community leaders to the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Sept. 18th for the official grand opening of the new Innovation Center. Many families attended and engaged in hands-on STEM activities in the makerspace. The response to the exciting new future-ready learning space was very positive and we are looking forward to continuing to ignite and inspire our students' innovative ideas!
WATERBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Waterbury celebrated a week of activities in mid-September, with a different theme each day - Wildcat School Spirit Day, Sports Day, Wacky Wednesday, Super Hero Day, and Walk-a-Thon Day where the students dressed in team colors by grade level. The Waterbury PTO coordinated the Friday fundraising event to help support school events for the entire year. All students and staff participated in the Walk-a-Thon and the event was a huge success! Go Wildcats!
SPRING WOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
T.E.A.M. School-Wide Activities

SWMS Students are engaging in regular "Teaching Everyone About Meaning" (T.E.A.M.) activities to focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Some of the grade level activities this month focused on responsible, respectful, and safe behavior and expectations in the hallways and in life, as well as an escape room challenge to facilitate and encourage teamwork.
Student Clubs & Activities

Many of the Student clubs and activities are already in full swing. Students have the opportunity this fall to participate in intramurals, Charger Changers (Student Council), Art Club, Choir, Dare to Dream, Social Club, Jazz Band, Anime Club and many, many more. It is not too late to get involved in school! Visit Student Activities for more information and events.

The Cross Country team has been working hard this season. It has been great to see students cheering on their teammates with such great school pride! Go Chargers!
Creative Hallways

When you walk through the halls of SWMS you might notice all the new creative bulletin boards. Two bulletin boards of interest are the Selfie Wall and the Staff and Student of the Month boards. As you are heading to the Thunderdome, check out the Selfie Wall where staff have put on display selfies that represent aspects of their lives for the students to see. Keep any eye out for the Staff and Student of the Month Awards that will be on the board near the main office.
Community Connections
Illinois Principals Association
Principal for a Day Program

Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman visited Waterbury on September 26th. Mrs. Mussman helped lead the Pledge of Allegiance, joined a classroom Morning Meeting, talked with 3rd Grade, and visited several classrooms. Students were very engaged, asked many questions, and learned more about what it means to be a community leader.
Bloomingdale-Roselle Rotary Supports ESD20 Students

Local community members collected numerous school supplies for Keeneyville D20 students this fall. The items ranged from backpacks, to pencils and markers, to notebooks and glue. All donated items were distributed directly to teachers for their classrooms and to the principals for their schools. D20 is grateful for the community support in helping to inspire our students!
Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 | 5540 Arlington Drive E | T (630) 894-2250