The RISE Report

Are you looking for additional parenting resources tip to support your child at home? Interested in learning more about your child's unique developmental needs? Check out our amazing RISE Resource library that was

developed by the RISE team through a generous grant from the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club (DGJWC)!

Within the library you will find 20 books on various topics related to executive functioning, play, building connections, and behavior. These books are available to both staff and families to check out for a 3 week period. The website includes pictures of all of our book options with a drop down description of each. Please use the linked Check Out form to borrow a book. We hope you enjoy this resource!

RISE Resources

We are excited to announce plans for our 2025 Autism & Developmental Differences Expo. This year it will be held on Saturday March 15th from 10am-1pm, at Proviso Math & Science Academy. Join us for live parent workshops/panels, free developmental screeners, a large exhibitor hall featuring Chicagoland's premiere service providers, and a passport contest with raffles! Attendee registration is free, and we have discounted exhibitor fees for early bird subscribers (register by February 28th) and for nonprofits! To register, visit chicagoautismnetwork.org/expo!

Will your child be 3 or 4 years old this August? Do you have a neighbor or friend with a future preschooler? Please share! Grove Children’s Preschool will hold an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Henry Puffer School, 2220 Haddow Ave. Parents and guardians may tour the preschool, meet the staff, hear an overview of the program, and ask questions.

Grove Children’s Preschool tuition applications for the 2025-26 school year will open online at www.dg58.org/preschool on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 8:00!

Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

· Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough

· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

· Headache

Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:

· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)

· Vomiting (even once)

· Diarrhea

· Chills

· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches

· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

· Shortness of breath

· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage good hygiene habits:

· Wash hands frequently

· Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

· Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick

The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.

Monday, February 17: No School- Presidents Day

Friday, February 28: No School- Teacher Institute Day

March 31 - April 4: No School- Spring Break

Monday, April 7: School Resumes

Monday, April 14: Board of Education Regular Meeting

Friday, April 18: No School

Monday, May 12: Board of Education Regular Meeting

Friday, May 23: Last day of School

February 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm

ONLINE – Zoom Links will be sent after registration complete REGISTER AT: https://bit.ly/40cRodE

Would you like to learn more about AAC tools and strategies to support your child’s communication and language development? If so, please join us for a free, family friendly webinar. Questions? Contact Heather (hmiller@ucpnet.org).

Description

You and your educational team have identified that your child may benefit from AAC, what is next? This family-centered workshop will discuss what to expect during the AAC assessment process and explain the law that protects access to AAC in the public school setting. Participants will discuss the steps to the feature - match assessment, strategies that you can employ while trying systems at home, and helpful definitions to know along the way.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Heather Miller Schwarz, MS, CCC-SLP

speech-language pathologist who has had experiences in public school, private practice and non-profit settings.

assistive technology lead at UCP Seguin- Infinitec where she collaborates with educational teams to provide AAC support through student assessment and communication partner training and coaching.

University of Iowa (1993-1997), St. Xavier (2000- 2002), University of Illinois Chicago (2023-present)

Vanessa Aceves, JD

EJW Fellow sponsored by Aon and Kirkland & Ellis

Attorney in EFE's Special Education Clinic

Loyola Law School Class of 2023

Former EFE Intern for 1.5 years

The Find Food IL Community Food Map is an excellent tool for individuals to find places offering free food or meals; school and Summer Meal programs; and grocery stores and farmers markets accepting SNAP/Link, WIC, and senior vouchers. ISBE partnered with the University of Illinois Extension to help families identify what is available in their community more easily.

Many students rely on school for access to meals. Especially as we enter the summer months, you can help by sharing the Find Food IL Community Food Map with your students and families. Those interested in linking to this resource can download hosting guidelines on the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs website. Contact Caitlin Kownacki or read the press release for more information.

Building Bridges is a parent group under the Downers Grove D58 Area PTA Counil. Building Bridges works on building relationships between families with children who have special needs and our school community.

Whether you are a parent/guardian of a child with an IEP or 504, sibling, caregiver, teacher, librarian, or community member... Building Bridges would love to see your participation in our event for the 2023-2024 school year!

Please join our Facebook Page (Building Bridges Parent/Teacher Group)

https://www.facebook.com/pg/buildingbridgesDG58/

Email: jcadard@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org
Location: 1436 Grant St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-719-9478