District Digest
Glen Ellyn School District 41
In this issue…
Message from the Superintendent
- Next Board Meetings
Calendar Reminders
Feedback Opportunity
Winter Weather and E-Learning
Sinfonietta Percussionist Performs at Hadley
Hadley Orchestra & Ensemble Festival
D41 Educator of the Year Nominations
Maintaining and Promoting Bilingualism
Author Mary Laura Philpott To Present
GPS Offerings / Zaretta Hammond Feb. 1
Message from the Superintendent - Mental Health Support
Earlier this school year, I submitted a proposal to Congressman Sean Casten’s office as part of his Community Project Funding Grant for the 6th District. I am pleased to share that District 41 was approved for $250,000 to fund more mental health support for our students.
“After an extremely competitive project submission process and many months spent advocating tirelessly for our community, I am proud to deliver over $15 Million in Community Project Funding for Illinois' 6th district,” said Rep. Casten. “From helping local schools provide mental health support to students and modernizing community centers to speeding up our transition to clean energy and helping our police departments keep our community safe, this funding will make a significant impact in the 6th District.” Click here to read the press release from Casten’s Office.
We will be working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and possibly other organizations on how to best use these funds to support students. Mental health continues to impact all of us. We need to continue to provide wrap-around services to families that will have a great positive impact on our student’s lives. Priority will be to make services available outside of the school day so that we can minimize loss of instruction while meeting the therapeutic needs of students and families.
More information will be forthcoming. Please know that when I know more about the logistics of the funds, we will provide updates about the new support services for our students and families.
Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski
Superintendent
Calendar Reminders
- Friday, February 17 - SIP Day (11:30 a.m. dismissal for grades 1-8. No PreK/EC or Kindergarten student attendance)
- Monday, February 20 - President's Day (No School)
Feedback Opportunity! Take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey
All parents are encouraged to participate in a brief survey to help District 41 gather valuable data to inform school improvement. The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is administered annually by the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey is open January 24 - March 31, 2023.
Please CLICK HERE to take the survey and choose “Parent Survey.” The deadline is March 31.
Each school needs at least 20 percent parent participation for a data report to be provided for the school. For more information about the survey, see below. Thank you in advance for your participation. Your feedback is very much appreciated!
WHAT IS THE 5ESSENTIALS SURVEY?
The 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.
The five indicators that positively affect school success are:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
Research derived from the Five Essentials for School Success has proven that schools strong on at least three of the 5Essentials are 10 times more likely to improve student outcomes.
Schools across Illinois participated in the Ninth annual 5Essentials Survey of Learning Conditions: Organizing Schools for Improvement this past academic year. This survey generates valuable data that districts can use to guide their ongoing efforts to improve schools and to offer students an excellent education. The survey is another improvement tool that allows districts and the state to share data as a means to inform parents and community members about the school’s learning environment. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by Chicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. Data and indicators are a result from an anonymous administration of the survey instrument.
For questions regarding the survey, please call Department of Wellness at (217) 782-5270 or email 5Essentials@isbe.net.
Winter Weather and E-Learning
Being Prepared for Possible School Closures
Every winter, District schools face the possibility of school building closures due to inclement weather. In order to be prepared for this possibility, please note the following: In the event that schools need to close for the day, District 41 will communicate the weather-related closure to families and staff as early as possible. If you need to update your contact information in Skyward CLICK HERE.
School closures due to weather will be communicated in the following ways:
Email, robo call and text message (To sign up, CLICK HERE)
E-LEARNING DAYS: A decision about e-learning due to weather would be communicated to students and families that day as well. During e-learning students will follow their daily schedule corresponding to the day of the week the emergency day falls on. Students will be provided access to the Google Classroom from the teachers they were assigned to see on the missed day from multiple subject areas that equate to no more than 5 hours of participation. Core teachers will either livestream or provide recorded video of the lesson in Google Classroom. Specials teachers will provide an assignment for the students that day. Information about e-learning will come directly from the teachers to the students and parents.
JCS Chicago Sinfonietta World Music Presentation to Hadley
Hadley Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Festival
The orchestra department at Hadley Jr. High School held their Annual Solo & Ensemble Festival on January 27. Hadley orchestra students had the opportunity to perform with piano accompaniment in front of an experienced judge/professional musician, including Mr. John Fitchuk, retired Orchestra Director from Wheaton Warrenville North and South High Schools.
Constructive feedback was given to help improve performance skills. Within the festival an 8th grade concerto competition was held. 8th grade string players competed with each other for an opportunity to perform a solo at the Spring Hadley Orchestra Concert that will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Congratulations to Nicholas Millan, 8th grade cellist, for winning first place at this concerto competition!
Ms. Georgia Alemis, Hadley Orchestra Director, stated, "This type of learning experience helps students develop performance skills as a musician. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to display their talents in a recital format." Congratulations to all the performers!
D41 Educator of the Year
Nominations for the Glen Ellyn Community Awards recognizing the exceptional contributions of the Glen Ellyn community during 2022 is now open.
Nominate your choice for the District 41 Educator of the Year! The submission form is open until Friday, February 10.
CLICK HERE to submit your nomination.
"Maintaining and Promoting Bilingualism" February 9th
Come and join the "Maintaining and Promoting Bilingualism" event to learn how we can promote bilingualism and learn how we can communicate in other languages.
WHAT: Maintaining and Promoting Bilingualism with Dr. Kim Ptowski
WHEN: Thursday, February 9th 6:30 PM
WHERE: Churchill Elementary School 240 Geneva Rd, Glen Ellyn Rd IL 60137
Services: Spanish, Vietnamese and Urdu
Childcare will be available.
'Bomb Shelter' Author Mary Laura Philpott To Present at GECRC Fundraiser
Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center welcomes acclaimed author Mary Laura Philpott to its annual Literary Event Fundraiser, held on Thursday, April 6 at Glen Oak Country Club. Proceeds will support GECRC’s efforts to empower more than 300 under-resourced children living in the greater Glen Ellyn community to realize their full potential through after-school and summer tutoring and mentoring programs. The event is held in partnership with The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn with support from generous long-time GECRC sponsors, Marcel’s Culinary Experience, Marché and Maison, as well as other local businesses and community partners.
Tickets are $75 in advance or $85 at the door, and include light bites and two drinks. A cash bar and exciting raffle items will also be available. The event takes place Thursday, April 6 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm at Glen Oak Country Club, 21W451 Hill Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL. Tickets can be purchased online now at https://literarygecrc.givesmart.com or www.gecrc.com, or in person at The Bookstore, 475 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL. The Bookstore will offer 25 percent off the purchase of Bomb Shelter when bought in conjunction with a ticket to the event. All proceeds will benefit Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center.
Glenbard Parent Series Offerings
Stay up to date on the upcoming offerings from the Glenbard Parent Series HERE
Zaretta Hammond
- Motivating, Supporting and Expanding the Capacity of All Students
Wed, Feb 1 -- 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dr. Catherine Newman
- Essential Communication and Life Skills: A Kid’s Guide to Growing Up
Wed, Feb 8 -- 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Gina Biegel
-Take in the Good: Skills for Staying Positive, Reducing Stress and Living Your Best Life
Wed, Feb 15 -- 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Zaretta Hammond
In honor of Black History Month, One Community is delighted to partner with Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) in bringing to the community the expertise and insights of Zaretta Hammond. She will discuss creating an environment of care and belonging, that ensures diverse young people are seen, valued, and heard – and prepares them to become independent lifelong learners.
Culturally responsive instructional skills have shown great promise in optimizing student engagement and facilitating deeper learning to help all children achieve at the highest levels. Ms. Hammond will share cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction.
Event Specifics
Motivating, Supporting and Expanding the Capacity of All Students
Speaker: Zaretta Hammond
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location (virtual): https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/89374340200
Details: https://www.one-community.org/event-details/expanding-capacity-of-all-students
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1245724069676611/
Glen Ellyn School District 41
Email: webmaster@d41.org
Website: www.d41.org
Location: 793 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630.790.6400
Facebook: facebook.com/glenellynd41
Twitter: @glenellynd41