River Forest
District 90  
Primer
February 2014    

Superintendent's Message
Roosevelt North Parking Lot Update

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members,

 

Over the last two years, River Forest District 90 has been focused on efforts intended to improve the functionality and safety of the Roosevelt Middle School campus for students, staff, parents and community members. While this process is still ongoing, it has highlighted several issues that the District intends to continue addressing, including the conditions in the Roosevelt north parking lot.

This parking lot is situated on the school site, and is located between Roosevelt and the River Forest Public Library. When it became apparent last February that the parking lot posed particular safety concerns, the school district implemented several solutions to mitigate the identified problems. These solutions included:

*    Adding a crossing guard to ensure the safety of students passing in front of the parking lot entrance/exit during student arrival and dismissal.

*    Placing parking cones in certain areas of the lot to prevent vehicles from parking in locations that are not designated for vehicles.

*    Installing additional short-term parking spaces for visitors to the school and library in the "middle" lot situated just south off of Lathrop Avenue.

We believe that these solutions have improved the conditions in the parking lot. Yet, we are aware that the parking lot presents some unique issues that we will investigate further. The lot continues to experience significant in-and-out vehicular traffic, including many vehicles exiting the lot in reverse. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles being double-parked in the lot at times throughout the day.   

As such, District 90 will be collaborating with a traffic analyst to gather and review additional data regarding the current use of the Roosevelt north parking lot. We also plan to investigate the possible implications of limiting vehicle access to the lot during the school day, and how that decision would likely impact parking and traffic circulation on adjacent streets during student pick-up and drop-off. If a review of the data indicates that vehicle access to the lot must be limited in order to improve conditions, we will communicate this as broadly and with as much advance notice as possible.

In the interim, we ask for the assistance of all parents and school visitors to avoid double-parking in the lot or leaving vehicles in areas not designated for parking. Please note that four 30-minute parking spaces have been assigned for short-term parking for parents and visitors in the "middle" lot situated further south, which can also be accessed off of Lathrop Avenue.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in support of our D90 schools and students. Please feel free to contact me at 708-771-8282 if you have questions or concerns.   

 

Respectfully,

 

Supt Signature  

Edward J. Condon, Ph.D. 

Superintendent
District News
Emergency Make-Up Dates

As you know, District 90 will be using two of its designated Emergency Days on June 9 and 10 due to the school closings on January 6 and 7. The weather-related closings on January 26 and 27 necessitate two additional make-up dates. This subject will be on the agenda for the February 4 Committee of the Whole meeting to allow for a discussion about the best course of action for making up these days. Please be assured that we will communicate the final decision about intended make-up dates to District families and staff as soon as possible.

Kindergarten Registration Begins February 7, 2014

Kindergarten registration forms are now available for current families to pick up in the Lincoln and Willard main offices, and for new families to obtain at the District administration office. For more information about the kindergarten registration process and dates,
click here.
"Big Hearts Little Hands" Moves to April 11
 
The often harsh winter weather in February has made it difficult for senior residents to attend this popular annual concert at Willard School in previous years. To better accommodate the many senior citizens who attend, Big Hearts Little Hands is being moved to April 11, 2014. This wonderful event features Willard's students in a vocal concert, and involves them in preparing decorations and gift bags, as well as serving as ushers and refreshment reception helpers. The theme this year is "April Showers of Love."
Students, Parents Enjoy Young Authors' Conference

More than 50 talented District 90 students from all three schools submitted original poems and short stories for the annual Young Authors' Conference, January 25, at Lincoln School. 

Author Tad Mitchell leads young authors in a Readers Theater activity

 Top honors went to Cameron (4th grade, Willard), Camila (4th grade, Lincoln) and Suleyman (6th grade, Roosevelt). They will now move on to the state YAC in May. 

Naperville author Tad Mitchell and illustrator France Mitchell gave a lively presentation about how to publish a book. 

France Mitchell explained how she created the illustrations and showed video of the printing process. (Photo courtesy of Matt Kosterman)

 

Students had an opportunity to ask questions and get autographed copies of their book, Where's the Sears Tower? Students then participated in a literary workshop, led by D90 teachers. 

Thank you to Pam Moriarity (Lincoln), Amy Driscoll (Willard) and Kathryn Locigno (Roosevelt) for organizing this very successful event! 

 

Curriculum Spotlight

Learn more about how District 90's new Instructional Specialists impact teacher professional development in this month's Curriculum Spotlight.  
Electronic Registration

Registration for all returning students will be completed electronically through the District 90 website for the 2014-15 school year. Watch for information about how to complete registration in May!
In This Issue
Emergency Make-Up Dates
Kindergarten Registration
BHLH April 11
Young Authors' Conference
Curriculum Spotlight on Instructional Specialists
Electronic Registration for Returning Students
 
Important Dates
February 4

Committee of the Whole

7:00 p.m.

Roosevelt Middle School Library Learning Center 

 

February 7

Kindergarten Registration Begins 


February 17  

No School

Presidents' Day

February 18 

Superintendent's Open Office Hours 

5:30-6:30 p.m.

District Office

 

Board of Education Meeting

7:30 p.m.

Roosevelt Middle School Library Learning Center  

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Mission
To deliver excellence in education through an unwavering commitment to the whole child.