District 58 reminds parents, community about inclement weather notification procedures

Should it become necessary to close school for the safety of our students, District 58 utilizes numerous tools to notify parents and community members.  

District 58 utilizes an automated calling system to alert parents of school closings. Parents are encouraged to make sure that their child's school(s) has their most up-to-date contact information. New this year, District 58 is also offering parents the option to receive a text message, in addition to a phone call and e-mail, in the event of a school closure. To opt in, simply text YES to 68453.  

In addition to the automated calling system, District 58 also posts information on its Web site, www.dg58.org, and places a message on the district's answering machine, which can be accessed by calling (630) 719-5800. The district also notifies the following radio/TV stations from which the official announcement is made: WBBM (780), WGN (720), CBS Ch 2, NBC Ch 5, ABC Ch 7, WGH Ch 9, FOX 32, and CLTV.

Parents may also check the status of the district or their school by going to emergencyclosings.com and searching for the school facility or school closings. Parents are asked not to call their child's individual school to check on whether classes will take place.  

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

Around the District

Puffer students tape kindergarten teacher to the wall for a good cause

Henry Puffer School kindergarten teacher Carolyn Murphy recently got taped to a wall -- for a very good cause. During the week of November 4, students could purchase pieces of duct tape for $1 apiece, or six for $5. During the lunch hour on November 8, they got to use their pieces to tape Murphy to the wall. The goal was to raise at least $200 to purchase gift cards for needy families in the school community for Thanksgiving. This year's event raised $450. Click here for more photos from the activity!

Fairmount first-graders 'eat' a whole plant

 

Students in Alicia Micele's first-grade class at Fairmount School recently "ate" an entire plant, with various vegetables standing in for different parts--carrots representing roots, celery representing the stalk, etc.!

Click here for more photos from the activity! 

Lester first-graders nurture seedlings in plant unit 

 

First-graders at Lester School have been learning all about plants by growing and caring for their own. As part of the class's plant unit, students spent one morning last month with the help of numerous parent volunteers planting a variety of seedlings. This included fast-growing brasica, alfalfa, rye, radishes and sweet potatoes. They also got to learn about various vegetables, plant part of a potato, and unearth pumpkin seeds to take home. The students have been watering their plants and checking on their progress regularly. Their study of plants concludes with a trip to Lyman Woods to participate in the Little Sprouts program, in which all District 58 first-graders take part. Click here for more photos from the activity! 

 

Highland students bring Gilbert and Sullivan to stage 

On November 19, the fifth and sixth grade classes at Highland School presented a musical featuring the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, who were responsible for the transition from opera only to musical theater in the 1800s. Songs in "Gilbert and Sullivan Rocks!" included spin-offs of well-known Gilbert and Sullivan tunes--such as "Modern Major Principal."  Many sixth graders had speaking parts, and they were able to use their iPads to consult their scripts. The fifth and sixth grade classes at Fairmount and Whittier also presented the musical the week of Nov. 18. Click here for more photos from Highland's production! 

Hillcrest students participate in The Great American Challenge: Geography!

What were the three ships that brought Columbus to America? Is a twister the name for a hurricane or a tornado? What are the states that border Lake Michigan? These were just a few of the questions posed to Hillcrest students on November 15 as part of the game show-style assembly called The Great American Challenge: Geography. Students were randomly selected from each grade level to compete on two teams to answer various grade-appropriate geography questions. This activity was an opportunity for Hillcrest students to shine and for teachers to appraise their students' knowledge of geography. Students also had great fun watching Hillcrest teachers compete against each other and attempt to answer a variety of obscure trivia questions. Who knew that the name "James" was the most common name for American presidents? The assembly was sponsored by the Hillcrest PTA. Click here for more photos from the event! 

Last month the El Sierra student council organized a walk-a-thon to benefit the PACT Humane Society. Walkers got pledges to take laps around McCollum Park, and some students and staff even had own their four-legged friends participate! The event raised more than $360 for the PACT Humane Society. Click here for more photos from the event!

Indian Trail fifth-graders share stories at Family Tea

Fifth-grade students at Indian Trail School had some very special guests of honor join them in class last month. As part of their study of the story "The Memory Box," each student was asked to interview a family member and write an essay based on the person's answers. Many students interviewed grandparents.  

To help students prepare for their oral history assignment, the class brainstormed topics and potential interview questions such as where the person went to school, their favorite/least favorite subject in school, where and when they were born, the costs of items such as movie tickets and gasoline, how kids dressed, and what they liked to do in their free time. The interviewees were invited to be guests of honor at an afternoon Family Tea. They were introduced to the class, after which everyone enjoyed refreshments while the students read aloud the papers they had written. Click here for more photos from the day! 

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. Sunday's performance will be a children's/community performance, in which children under 12 are admitted free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Tickets will be $6, and are available at Herrick, (630) 719-5810, and at the door.

Herrick to host Family 'Fun'draiser 

            

On Saturday, November 23, Herrick Middle School and the Herrick PTA will host a fundraiser at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St.  The event will feature the seventh grade and eighth grade Herrick Middle School Spartans taking on the Jefferson Junior High Wolverines basketball teams. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the games start at 6:30 p.m. The Herrick band will perform. Admission is $5 per person or $15 per family. There will also be a raffle for prizes and split the pot, as well as half-court "lottery shots." Proceeds will benefit the Herrick PTA, which sponsors assemblies, field trips and programs at the school.   

 

 

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.

Lester PTA to host Holly Days shopping bazaar

 

Lester School, 236 Indianapolis Ave., will host its third annual Holly Days Holiday Bazaar from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

 

The event will feature festive, unique and handmade items from more than 25 local vendors and craftspeople including jewelry, clothing and accessories, desserts and food, candles, home accessories and more. Bring your camera for a visit with Santa! There will also be more than $600 in raffle prizes for kids and adults, mini manicures, chair massages, a kids activity area, haircuts for the whole family, complementary gift wrapping, food and drink, entertainment, and free goodie bags for the first 50 guests. A portion of all sales fund academic enrichment and community building activities provided by the Lester School PTA. For more information, contact Pamela Nicholas at pamelanicholas7@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the District 58 Special Services Parent Group, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m., will feature a presentation by a panel of District 58 teachers and social workers about Social-Emotional Learning programs in District 58.

A District 58 education focuses on the whole child, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important component. SEL, as defined by the not-for-profit Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), is ''the process whereby children and adults develop essential social and emotional skills, knowledge and attitudes'' related to the core areas of social and emotional competency:

• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Social awareness
• Relationship skills
• Responsible decision-making

Over the past few years, District 58, led by its Social-Emotional Learning committee, has focused on incorporating SEL at the district, building and classroom levels. District 58's goal is to create a learning environment where students show up eager to learn; feel a sense of connectedness to their school and teachers; feel safe from being treated poorly; perform to their fullest potential; treat all others with respect; and contribute to the well-being of the community.

The Special Services Parent Group meeting will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. December 10, at Indian Trail School, 6235 Stonewall Ave., Downers Grove. Pizza and pop will be served at 5:15 p.m. Please RSVP to Cindy Gilbert at (630) 719-5824 or cgilbert@dg58.org.

District 58's Special Services Parent Group, facilitated by the District 58 Office of Special Services, offers an opportunity to meet in an informal setting and hear from speakers, share special education information and learn about new resources.

Four preschool screening dates remain in 2013-14; next screening set for Dec. 16

Each year, District 58 offers free preschool screenings designed to identify three- to five-year-old children who might have developmental delays and who would benefit from special education prior to beginning kindergarten, as well as identify children who might be at risk due to environmental, cultural or socio-economic factors. Preschool screenings are available free of charge to District 58 residents, and are designed to evaluate development in children ages two years and 10 months to five years old. The screening will examine development in the following areas: speech/language, vision, hearing, cognitive/pre-academic, self-help/independent living, fine motor, gross motor and social/emotional/behavior skills.

Remaining 2013-14 preschool screening dates and locations are as follows:

Date                                                   Location

December 16, 2013                           Indian Trail

January 13, 2014                               Henry Puffer

February 3, 2014                                Indian Trail

March 17, 2014                                  Henry Puffer

Preschool screening takes approximately 90 minutes. Parents are required to attend with their child. For more information about District 58's Grove Children's Preschool program, please call (630) 968-0454, e-mail klazzarotto@dg58.org, or visit  www.dg58.org/preschool to check out our Preschool Guide and watch our Education Foundation-sponsored informational video.