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Democracy Schools Network

Monthly Update

October, 2022

After a two year hiatus, the Illinois Democracy Schools sponsored its Annual Convening. Over 200 members participated in our gathering at the Doubletree Hilton in Lisle, Illinois on September 15. The theme of this year's program "Media Literacy and Civics Across the Curriculum" was underlined by an opening panel, facilitated by Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Superintendent of the DuPage Regional Office of Education. The group engaged in a discussion that provided the assembled audience a deeper understanding of media literacy. This was followed by three break-out sessions, where attendees heard from a diverse group of presenters, who further elaborated on this important theme. We also recognized three new schools and acknowledged our renewal schools from 2020 and 2022 (18 of them!). Billson Rasavongxay, Social Studies Department Chair at Maine East, was recognized for his contributions to the Democracy Schools Network, by receiving the Carolyn Pereira Civic Leadership award! Thanks to all of our presenters, our Advisory Council members, the Illinois Civics coaches, and many others who made this day a great success. And thank you to those who attended!

MORE MOMENTS FROM THE ANNUAL CONVENING


Checking in for a day of Media Literacy and Civic Learning Across the Curriculum. 

Dr. Darlene Ruscitti facilitates opening presentation, as panelists seek to expand our understanding of media literacy. 

Team Leaders from from 2020 and 2022 Democracy Schools Network Renewal schools. 

Our 2022 Democracy Schools!

Spoon River Valley High School

London Mills, Illinois

Central Illinois Region

Jen Burdette, Team Leader

Mendota High School

Mendota, IL

Central Illinois Region

Jason Artman, Team Leader

Warren Township High School

Gurnee, Illinois

Northern Illinois Region

Heather Stewart, Team Leader



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ON YOUR RADAR

DSN announcements, upcoming events, Professional Development opportunities, and information about activities in our Democracy Schools.


~ATTENTION SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS

If you would like to be kept current on current Social Studies standards, course mandates, and resources to support both, we invite you to sign up for the Illinois Civics Hub newsletter here.


~CONNECTING CLASSROOMS TO CONGRESS

This project will develop and test a social studies curriculum module that enables high school students to studythrough a bipartisan lensa pressing issue with which policymakers at the national level are grappling. Teachers will receive a $1,000 stipend for participation. More details are available here


~STREET LAW STUDY

Street Law is looking for ten teachers to participate in a study of their Deliberations curriculum. The study lead is Dr. Paula McAvoy, co-author of the Political Classroom. Teachers will receive $350 stipend for participation. Here is more information


~DSN Grants (formerly known as RFP Stipends)

The Democracy Schools Network (DSN) offers a grant program on a yearly basis so active Democracy Schools have an opportunity to apply for funds to support work that enriches the civic learning experiences of students and improves the school’s organizational culture to provide a more democratic landscape. This has been a very successful program and has enabled many of our schools to innovate in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. 


In order to reflect more accurately the timeline that our teachers work with, we have shifted the submission periods. This allows members to consider projects they would like to have in place at the beginning of the school year, as well as projects that will not be considered until after school has resumed in the fall. 

·     First funding period: May 1June 15

·     Second funding period: September 15November 1



We hope this shift will allow more of our DSN members to think about new possibilities for civic learning opportunities in their classrooms and schools. We look forward to hearing your ideas! You can access more details and the application here. (Note: There is a different form if you are planning a collaborative effort with one or more other schools.)


~CIVIC LEARNING ACROSS DISCIPLINES Webinar Series

Please join us as we explore Student Voice in this year's series—the second Thursday of the month (except December), from 45 pm. 


November 10 Civic Equity for Students with Disabilities: Leah Bueso, JD, Ph.D., from the Civic Engagement Research Group.

 

January 12– Helping Students Navigate the Public Policy Process: Dr. Shawn P. Healy, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy at iCivics.

 

February 9– Student Voice 360: Heather Van Benthuysen and Chicago Public Schools Department of Student Voice and Engagement.

 

March 9– Taking Informed Action with Data from the Illinois Democracy Schools: Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, Senior Researcher at the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement CIRCLE at Tufts University.


For detailed description of sessions and registration.


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PRACTICING CIVIC LEARNING ACROSS DISCIPLINES



~Many of our presenters at the Annual Convening generously shared their slide decks. Hope that you will use this new resource.


~As a follow-up to our Convening, please check out the resources at the Illinois Civic Hub that address many aspects of media literacy, especially the Media Literacy Toolkit. 

Enhance your classroom practice with these five-week, asynchronous, micro-credential courses hosted on Canvas. Explore strategies and resources to create a classroom climate in which there are equitable opportunities for ALL students to engage in the proven practices of civic education delineated in the middle and high school course requirements: current and controversial issue discussions, simulations of democratic processes, and informed action through service learning.


Learn from academic experts like Dr. Diana Hess, Dr. Paula McAvoy, Dr. Joe Kahne, Dr. Jane Lo, Dr. Walter Parker, and more! Collaborate with fellow participants to support brave, civil, and reflective civic engagement.


These introductory courses (Bronze level) will be offered in the fall: and winter:


For those who have already completed the Bronze level, additional courses (at Silver and Gold levels) are also being offererd.  Details on our website.


2022-23 DSN Advisory Council



John Aldworth, Maine West: North Cook and Chicago

Jason Janczak, Grayslake Central: Northern Illinois

Stacey Posey, Belleville West: Metro East

Pat Riley, J. Sterling Morton West: West Cook and Chicago

Nick Vassolo, Streamwood: Kane, Kendall and Will Counties

Deanna Wiist, Normal Central: Central and Southern Illinois

Whitney Wilda, Hinsdale Central: DuPage

Melinda Wilson, Curie: South Cook and Chicago

Check out our website for PD opportunities, resources and inspiration.

illinoiscivics.org