On behalf of our District 58 teachers and staff, I want to welcome you to the 2017-18 school year! We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful summer, and we look forward to greeting your children as they return to school next week. I wanted to share a few reminders with you prior to the start of school.
Parents will receive an email on Monday, Aug. 21 after 4 p.m. with their child’s teacher assignment. To protect the privacy of students, class lists will not be published online. Bus routes are also expected to be finalized and posted at www.dg58.org early next week.
The first day of school is Thursday, Aug. 24. It is a regular, full day of attendance.
Parent Handbook and Annual Report:
We recently published our 2017-18 Schools of 58 Parent Handbook online. Please review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies. During school registration, you indicated whether you wanted an electronic or printed copy of the handbook. Parents who requested a print copy will receive it in backpack mail during the first week of school. Parents will be asked on Curriculum Night to confirm that they received the handbook, either electronically, as linked here, or in print.
We are mailing the 2017 Annual Report to the Community to all homes within District 58’s boundaries this week. This report highlights the many achievements that our students, staff, schools and district accomplished this past school year. We have a lot to be proud of, and I hope you take time to read this report with your family!
Curriculum Night:
Please plan to attend Curriculum Night at your child’s school this September. Parents can meet their child’s teachers and learn more about the curriculum, technology and instructional practice of each class. Please note the Curriculum Night schedule below:
Wednesday, Sept. 6:
- Herrick Eighth Grade: 7-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 7:
- Belle Aire: 6-7:40 p.m.
- Grove Children’s Preschool at Indian Trail: 6-7 p.m.
- Highland: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Henry Puffer: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Lester: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Pierce Downer: 5:30-7:50 p.m.
- Whittier: 6-7:30 p.m.
- O'Neill: 7-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 12:
- El Sierra: 6-7:30 p.m.
- Fairmount: 6:30-8 p.m.
- Grove Children’s Preschool at Henry Puffer: 6-7 p.m.
- Hillcrest: 5:30-7:15 p.m.
- Indian Trail: 6:30-8 p.m.
- Kingsley: 6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 13:
- Herrick Seventh Grade: 7-8:30 p.m.
New Staff:
This morning, 40 new teachers entered the Longfellow Center to begin the annual New Teacher Week orientation. We are very excited to welcome these new teachers as they begin their journey in District 58! We have a fantastic group of new teachers who are eager to get started! We also look forward to welcoming our new instructional assistants and other support staff during an orientation next week.
This summer, five new administrators joined the District 58 team. Please give a warm welcome to:
- Jose Anaya, Highland assistant principal and District English learner coordinator
- Bridget Moore, Highland principal
- Lisa Niforatos, Fairmount principal
- Bonnie Osborne, District special programs coordinator
- Haley Underwood, O’Neill assistant principal
District 58 is also proud to announce three administrative changes:
- Christine Clavenna, Pierce Downer principal (formerly Hillcrest/Pierce Downer assistant principal)
- Melissa Sawisch, Hillcrest/Pierce Downer assistant principal (formerly O’Neill assistant principal)
- Justin Sisul, District assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction (formerly Pierce Downer principal)
Strategic Planning:
District 58’s Board of Education approved its current Strategic Plan in 2011. Each year, District leaders review the plan, its progress and create annual goals that align with it. The District’s 2017-18 strategic goals are expected to be approved at tonight’s Board of Education meeting and will be posted online and in the August Board Briefs afterward. Tonight's Board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at Downers Grove Village Hall, 801 Burlington Ave.
Over the summer, the District 58 Board of Education also approved District 58 to initiate a new strategic planning effort during the 2017-18 school year. As strategic planning starts this fall, the District will announce opportunities for community members to get involved in the process, through surveys, workshops, focus groups and more. I hope you will consider participating in this important effort!
Thank you, parents, for your continued partnership in providing the best learning environment for your children as we embark on what will surely be a wonderful 2017-18 school year!
Sincerely,
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools