 D58 adopts 2012-13 strategic goals
The district goals for 2012-13, approved by the School Board Sept. 10, align with the four key areas identified by the community in the district's strategic plan: - Student Learning (Curriculum, Instruction and Programming)
- Student Well-Being/Social-Emotional Learning
- Technology for Teaching and Learning
- Facilities, Finance, Operations and Maintenance
This year's goals include: - Successfully transitioning to the new math curriculum
- Aligning the math and language arts curricula and assessments with the new, more rigorous Common Core standards
- Providing continued support for the development of programs to address students' social and emotional needs and the SEL skill development of students
- Continuing the review of facilities and developing a plan to address facility needs throughout the district
- Supporting teachers in integrated use of technology in the classroom
- Evaluating and renewing the district's gifted education and Bilingual/ELL programs
- Continuing to promote community awareness, support and engagement
Click here to view the full Strategic Goals Action Plan for 2012-13. |
 D58 ELL parent night a success
September 19 marked District 58's third annual Curriculum
parent night designed specifically for parents of students receiving English Language Learner (ELL) services. Parents from throughout District 58 attended the event at El Sierra.
The night featured a curriculum presentation in Spanish and a presentation in English, which took place concurrently, as well as a presentation in Spanish and English on the "Dream Act" by Jeremy Lime, an immigration attorney from Aurora. Families from a variety of cultural backgrounds attended the session offered in English.
Click here for more information!
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EVENT REMINDERS
Math in Focus parent nights
District 58 has planned a workshop to introduce families and the community to the district's new Math in Focus curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade. Each session is open to all parents and community members, and participants are welcome to attend whichever of the following is most convenient:
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., Belle Aire School, 3935 Belle Aire Lane
Thursday, October 11, 7 p.m., El Sierra School, 6835 Fairmount Ave.
Tuesday, October 16, 1 p.m., Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.
The workshops will feature a brief presentation, followed by hands-on activities. Click here for more details.
District 58 Education Foundation open house
Learn more about the District 58 Education Foundation at a special 10th anniversary Open House on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave.
The open house will take place from 6-8 p.m., and visitors are welcome to stop by at any time. A brief presentation regarding the Foundation's history, mission, activities and goals will take place at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact Foundation board president Jay Stocki at [email protected].
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 Puffer benefits from Eagle Scout project
After years of participating in Cub and Boy Scouts, Puffer alum and current Downers Grove North senior Ben Woods is in the process of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. As part of this process, Ben planned, organized and executed a thorough cleaning, repainting and installation of new shelving in the old coal room located under the kindergarten classroom at Puffer where the school, PTA and Scouts all store items. The project was completed in August.
"He chose Puffer School because he really wanted to do something for a school that he cares so much about," said Ben's mother, Jennifer, who teaches third grade at Puffer.
Puffer principal Todd McDaniel was thrilled.
"Thanks to Ben's efforts, our school,PTA and Scouts have an area for storage that is cleaner and highly organized,"McDaniel said.
Click here for a photo gallery of the team at work!
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Belle Aire gets visit from 'butterfly lady'
Kindergarten through third grade students at Belle Aire School learned all about monarch butterflies during a visit from Pat Miller,also known as the butterfly lady, on Sept. 14.
Miller presents programs regarding monarchs and monarch conservation to schools, libraries and garden/environmental clubs throughout the Chicago area. She talked about the path from egg to larva to chrysalis to butterfly, with examples of each for the students to examine; discussed the migration patterns of monarchs; and shared with the students ways they can help to preserve the monarch. Miller's visit tied in with the first-grade science curriculum; during a butterfly unit in the spring, they will hatch chrysalises in their classroom and then release the butterflies.
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Herrick teacher goes to Space Camp
Herrick science teacher Jill Henry had an out-of-this-world experience this summer. As one of just 185 educators chosen from around the world to attend this year's Honeywell-sponsored Educators @ Space Camp program in Huntsville, Ala., in June, Henry participated in a variety of hands-on educational experiences, including two simulated shuttle missions and building and launching model rockets.
New experiences in which Henry's students will participate this year, thanks to NASA, include creating their own constellations in a star lab and extracting DNA from fruit. Henry said the most important ideas she took away from her experience were the emphasis on the 21st century learner and the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
"Teaching the 21st century learner involves developing activities that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. I feel it is necessary to encourage the development of those skills to help prepare our students for the careers of the future that might not even exist yet," Henry said.
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 Community e-flyers available for viewing
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  The mission of District 58, in partnership with parents and community, is to challenge and engage each child by providing quality educational programs and support services in a safe, nurturing, and child-centered environment in order to prepare all students to be lifelong learners and contributing members of a global society.
Communicate 58 is designed to share timely, relevant information about District 58 with parents, community members, and others who are interested in how we are living out our mission. Questions and comments regarding this or any other District 58 publication can be directed to Communications Coordinator Jennifer Waldorf at [email protected] or (630) 719-5805.
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District 58 in the news
New photo galleries on our website
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Next two weeks at a glance
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Oct. 3
Math in Focus workshop -- first of three, Belle Aire School, 3935 Belle Aire Lane, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4
District 58 Education Foundation tenth anniversary open house, Herrick Middle School, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 8
Columbus Day--no school
Oct. 11
Math in Focus workshop (third of three), El Sierra School, 6835 Fairmount Ave., 7 p.m.
Oct. 15
Board of Education meeting, Lester School, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16
Math in Focus workshop (second of three), Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St., 1 p.m.
Click here to view the 2012-13 calendar. You can use the buttons to customize your view, and the drop-down menus to skip ahead to different weeks/months!
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Board Briefs
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District 58 posts news reports from its monthly Board of Education meetings on its website.
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Find District 58 on social media
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