District 58 students continue high academic achievement  

District 58 continues its tradition of strong academic achievement with reading and math scores well above state averages, higher-than-average growth, and notable achievements on other assessments, as well. These achievements were accomplished in District 58 despite significant changes to the content of this year's Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) and the renorming of the scores.

"We are so proud of our students' continued academic achievement and growth. It truly is a testament to the strong curriculum, community support and excellent staff we have here in District 58," said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli.             

The ISAT measures students' progress toward the achievement of the state standards. All students are tested in reading and math, and fourth and seventh graders also are assessed in science.

The results of the ISAT, as well as other assessments administered to District 58 students, were presented during a curriculum workshop Oct. 28. Here are just a few of the highlights: 

• District 58 students met or exceeded state standards at a rate of nearly 20 percent higher than the state average, and even greater than last year's 15 percent differential with the state.

• Growth was a new measure added to this year's state report card, and here again District 58 significantly outperformed the state average. This means that District 58 students are academically much stronger than the state average, and also are growing at a more rapid pace than the state average.  It is very difficult to be both high achieving and high growth. District 58 is currently accomplishing just that!

• Strong math and reading performances indicate that District 58 students are ready for Common Core, and the District has been reviewing the item analysis provided by the ISAT related to Common Core.

• On the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment, District 58 students outperform the national mean in every area and at each grade level.  

• More significantly, by 8th grade District 58 students outperform the national 11th grade mean in all areas on the MAP assessment, including Reading, Mathematics, and Language

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• District 58 performed significantly better than the state as a result of the changes in cut scores and content of the ISAT test overall. Throughout the state, district percentages for students meeting and exceeding standards dropped by 20% on average as a result of substantial renorming and new content.  District 58's percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards was impacted by only about 15%.

Click here to view the Curriculum Workshop presentation that was shared on October 28.

Click here to view the district and school state report cards.   

In partnership with the Downers Grove Public Library, the district is hosting a series of parent education sessions focusing on how digital devices can be used to support learning. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the unique opportunities that digital tools provide, including executive functioning skills such as calendaring, task management, reminders, communication, and organization. Participants also can learn more about accessing the library's digital materials, as well as Internet safety and digital citizenship.

Digital Learning workshops are scheduled on the following dates/times at the Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St. 

• Friday, November 15, 1 p.m.
• Monday, December 2, 7 p.m.

The events are open to all interested parents and community members.   

 Visit our Parent Tech Support page to check out resources shared at previous workshops!  

Around the District

Rep. Sandack visits Whittier 

 

Illinois Rep. Ron Sandack, R-81st District, visited Whittier School November 1 as part of the Illinois Principals Association's "Principal for a Day" program.

 

During his time at the school that morning, Sandack, whose children attended elementary and middle school in District 58, greeted families, helped with the morning announcements and the flag salute, signed and distributed that week's "birthday books," visited with Whittier Principal Michael Krugman, toured classrooms, read to first-grade students and witnessed the launch of the fifth-grade catapults.   

 

The Illinois Principals Association's "Principal for a Day" program is a statewide initiative to provide state and federal elected officials with an opportunity to observe, interact, and serve as an administrator in schools within their legislative district. This activity is designed to promote continued collaboration among legislators, administrators, staff, parents, and students in defining the direction of education.

 

 Click here for more photos from the day! 

Happy Halloween from District 58!

Students and staff throughout District 58 donned costumes and participated in parades, parties, creative contests, pumpkin math and other activities the afternoon of Oct. 31. A wonderful time was had by all.

Click here to view photos from the day!  

Kingsley raises funds for Heavenly Hats

The Kingsley School student council recently raised $825 for Heavenly Hats, which donates new hats to cancer patients!  Students donated a dollar a day to wear a hat, and Friday's theme was Crazy Hat Day. The winner in each class got their picture taken with Principal Mark Stange, as well as a small prize. The student council officers also led an all-school "hat parade"! Heavenly Hats was started 13 years ago by a 12-year-old in Wisconsin. To date the organization has donated nearly two million hats, with all of the packaging and shipping done completely by volunteers.

Click here for more Kingsley hat photos!

In lieu of book reports, Fairmount fourth-graders participate in Reading Fair

This year for the first time, instead of writing book reports, Fairmount fourth-grade students are participating in a quarterly Reading Fair.  

Students choose a book to read from a list of genres specific to that quarter, identify various literary elements within the book, and create a tri-fold board similar to a science fair project to share their book with the class. Last week the students circulated among the three fourth-grade classrooms checking out the first-quarter projects, all of which were in the mystery/fantasy genre. They were asked to find ideas to improve their own projects for next quarter, and to choose three books they would want to read as a result of seeing their classmates' projects.  

Click here to view more photos from the day!  

Pierce Downer students inspired by assembly  

The old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover" holds true with respect to motivational speaker Lloyd Bachrach. Pierce Downer students heard his incredible story Tuesday morning during an assembly entitled Yes, You Can!

Bachrach was introduced to the audience and by all appearances was a tall, fit, middle-aged man who carried a cane. Yet there is much more to Bachrach than meets the eye. Having triumphed over many challenges in his own life, he delivered a motivational message to students about acceptance and the ability to overcome obstacles in their own lives. 

--Story by LaVonne Czech, photo by Amy Goray 

Click here for the full story! 

Puffer to host Toy Swap event 

  Do your children have a lot of toys? Do you want to get rid of some? Are they in good shape? Instead of throwing them away or donating them, consider exchanging them at the Henry Puffer School Earth Club's upcoming Toy Swap! Swappers can drop off toys at Puffer, 2220 Haddow Ave., on Friday, Nov. 22 between 1:30 and 3:30, and again between 6-7 p.m. Participants will get a ticket for each item dropped off. Swappers can come back on Saturday, Nov. 23 between 9 and 10 a.m. and exchange each ticket for a "new" toy. From 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 23, the toy sale will be open to the general public. All proceeds will go to Earth Club activities.  

Click here to view the event flyer for more information!  

Herrick set to perform 'High School Musical'

Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave., is proud to present three performances of "High School Musical" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 24.

According to the Musical Theatre International plot synopsis: "Wildcat basketball star Troy Bolton and brainiac Gabriella Montez raise eyebrows among their friends when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Cliques clash and friendships are tested in this modern take on Romeo and Juliet. The students of East High must decide whether to stick to the status quo or break free to find out what's truly important."

Tickets will be $6, and will go on sale Friday, November 15 at Herrick, (630) 719-5810.

Community invited to celebrate Kingsley's 50th anniversary

The entire community is invited to attend the 50th anniversary program at Kingsley School, 6509 Powell St., from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, November 24 -- exactly 50 years from the original dedication on Sunday, November 24, 1963.

There will be a short program re-dedicating the school, including musical performances by Kingsley groups. The program will be followed by light refreshments and an all-school open house.  All community members, as well as current and former students, parents and staff are welcome to attend.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Principal Mark Stange or Secretary Diane Glowicki at (630) 719-5850.