This January, attend a community forum & take the strategic planning survey
Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will launch its Vision 58 strategic planning process this January with community forums, focus groups and an online survey designed to obtain input from a broad cross-section of the District 58 community. The District will use the feedback provided to better understand the community’s aspirations for its schools and to inform its new Strategic Plan.
“We are excited to launch this inclusive strategic planning process that will help envision the future for our district and schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli.
Community forums are open to all District 58 residents -- including parents and residents without children enrolled in District 58 schools -- and will take place on:
- Monday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at O’Neill Middle School, 635 59th St.: Southside Residents
- Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave.: Northside Residents
- Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Longfellow Center, 1435 Prairie Ave.: Open to All Residents
Two additional daytime community forums specifically designed for District 58 parents will be held on Monday, Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 8:30 a.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library.
“Excellence in education requires a community-wide commitment,” Dr. Cremascoli said. “The involvement of stakeholders from every corner of our district will result in a long-term framework for decision-making that builds upon the common values and aspirations of our entire community.”
The community forums will complement nearly 50 focus group meetings that will be held with varied local stakeholder groups. Focus group invitations will be sent to stakeholder groups later this month.
District 58’s strategic plan survey will open online in mid-January at www.dg58.org. Paper copies of the survey will also be available at school and district offices. The survey offers parents and residents an opportunity to share their perceptions of District 58 and their vision for its future. The survey will take participants to a third-party website and all responses will remain anonymous.
“Whether you are a District 58 parent, staff member or taxpayer, you have a stake in the future of our schools,” Dr. Cremascoli said. “By sharing your thoughts about community values, District strengths and challenges, and significant issues you think District 58 should address, you can play a part in shaping the plan that guides our schools into the future.”
Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), an independent research firm, is conducting the surveys, community forums and focus groups. HYA will analyze responses and prepare a Strategic Plan report for the District to share with the community in spring 2018. HYA is an established leader in the areas of educational assessment, research and strategic planning.