Weekly Update
April 17, 2024
Funding Proposal Informational Meetings
District 204 is hosting a series of informational meetings to discuss funding of our Facilities Master Plan. The plan was presented and accepted by our Board of Education this past December. It identifies and prioritizes districtwide facility needs and proposed solutions. Throughout the plan there is a special focus on safety and security, reducing class sizes, building infrastructure, and classroom upgrades. The District will be gathering the community’s feedback on a funding proposal that may appear on the November 2024 ballot to address these important building and operating challenges, without imposing a net tax rate increase. Many months of planning have gone into this proposal, and we are excited to share it with you.
For more information and meeting dates, visit www.ipsd.org/SaferStronger204. Watch the Facility Improvement Overview Video.
Parent University: Becoming an Elementary School Parent
Parent University: Becoming an Elementary School Parent is an interactive presentation geared toward incoming kindergarten and first grade parents and guardians to better prepare them for this new transition in their child's life. The purpose of this presentation is to share what to expect as your child enters school full time and how parents can support their child’s emotional development throughout the early school years. A panel discussion among Indian Prairie School District 204 staff members will round out the evening.
Please note: This presentation is open to any IPSD 204 parent/guardian of an incoming kindergarten and/or first grade student. The information presented will not address any individual elementary school's policies or procedures.
The presentation will be offered both in-person and virtual. The content presented will be the same at both sessions.
In-Person Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Time: 6-7 PM
Location: Welch Elementary School, 2620 Leverenz Road, Naperville
Childcare will be provided for children ages 3-10 by District 204 high school students. Children must be able to use the bathroom independently.
Virtual Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 7-8 PM
The webinar link will be sent to registered attendees prior to the event.
Register here.
Graduation Skybox Auction Ends Friday
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) is hosting an online auction featuring two Graduation Skyboxes for each high school graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb. Winners will receive 20 graduation tickets, access to a private suite one hour before the ceremony begins, and the option to purchase food and drinks. All winners will be required to fill out and sign the NIU Suite Policy Agreement to redeem their tickets. The auction closes on Friday, April 19 at 9 PM. Thank you for your support of the district-wide programs of the Foundation! Visit 2024 Graduation Skybox Auction to register and place your bid.
Teacher Appreciation Gift Card Orders
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC) is partnering with local businesses to recognize District 204 teachers and staff members for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 - 10. Parents and community members can honor school personnel who have made a difference this year, while also supporting students in need. Each $25 donation allows you to honor your favorite teacher with a heartfelt note and a $20 gift card that you select from the list provided. Your note and gift card will be delivered to your teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. $5 of your donation will help support the IPPC annual school supply drive to assist students in need. Orders are being taken through April 19, 2024. There is no limit on the number of teachers or staff members you can recognize. Monetary donations to the school supply drive can also be made in honor of a teacher or staff member. Order gift cards here. For more information about the Teacher Appreciation program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to IPPC 1st VP and Unity Chair, Robin Schmidt at ippcpta@gmail.com
Equity in Action: Updates on the Equity Plan & Conversation with Dr. Najjar
Are you curious about the district's equity plan? Join Dr. Nader Najjar, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Innovation, for an engaging conversation! Dr. Najjar will share updates on the "Equity in Action" plan and answer your questions on restorative practices, culturally responsive instruction, and more. Enjoy coffee and light breakfast while getting involved, asking questions, and providing valuable feedback that will help us create a more equitable learning environment for all. Register for Equity in Action here.
PDAC News
Join PDAC on April 18 from 7-9 PM for a discussion on Recitatif by Toni Morrison and The Inclusive Mindset by Justin Jones-Fosu. The meeting will be in-person at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Dr., Aurora or online at PDAC 4/18 Virtual Meeting. Don't worry if you haven't read the books, just join the conversation!
You're also invited to the Mental Health Forum with the DuPage County Board of Health on April 25 from 7-9 PM. Join PDAC to explore the complexities of anxiety, depression, and bullying among our youth. Learn tools to identify early signs and provide essential support. The meeting will be in-person at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Dr., Aurora or register to get Zoom link.
Do you want to recognize someone who has gone above and beyond to make our diverse district a more equitable and inclusive place? Whether a teacher, staff member, administrator, parent, or community member, let's show them their work does not go unnoticed! Submit your equity award nominations here.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
District 204, in partnership with KidsMatter, will hold a Youth Mental Health First Aid training on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM – 1:30 PM at Waubonsie Valley High School. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This 6.5-hour training gives adults the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
The course covers the topics including common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use, how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis, how to connect the individual with help, trauma, addiction and self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.
For more information and registration, visit Youth Mental Health First Aid Registration. Please Dawn Forkner (IPSD 204 Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Coordinator) with questions.
BPAC Newcomers Resource Fair
Join the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council on Wednesday, April 17 from 5:15 – 7:15 PM for the Newcomers Resource Fair. The event will be held in the board room at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Families of students in the ELL program who are new to the country and/or IPSD 204 will receive information about different organizations and the services they have available for you at low or no cost. Spanish, Russian, and Uzbek interpreters will be available. BPAC Resource Fair Registration is not required, but those who register will receive a raffle ticket.
BPAC Newcomer Resource Fair - English
BPAC Newcomer Resource Fair - Russian
BPAC Newcomer Resource Fair - Spanish
School Spotlight - White Eagle Elementary & Georgetown Elementary
Resources for Parents
Webinar - Virtual
Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Title: Navigating Your Emerging Older Teen/Young Adult Towards Independence
- Speaker: Carissa Sabal, MA, LCPC, CADC
- How to recognize when your older teen/young adult is struggling and needs support.
- Identify and learn how to set healthy boundaries with your older teen/young adult.
- Learn how to communicate your support.
- Register » VIRTUAL WEBINAR
Dr. Ferney Ramirez
Thursday, Apr 18 | 6 – 7 PM
Estrategias para ser la madre/el padre que quieres ser / Strategies to be the mother/father you want to be
Dr. Robyn Silverman
https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/85211731412
Tuesday, April 23 | 12 – 1 PM
How to Talk to Kids About Anything and Make Tough Talks Easier
Dr. Robyn Silverman
https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/84396303569
Tuesday, April 23 | 7 – 8 PM
How to Talk to Kids About Anything and Make Tough Talks Easier
Power of Choice Campaign
Middle School Parent and Student Surveys, High School Student Surveys
Your input is needed on the Power of Choice campaign! The Power of Choice is a project of 360 Youth Services and works collaboratively with Districts 203 & 204 to provide campaigns for youth, parents, and the schools. One campaign is focused on supporting parents in talking with their middle schooler about not using alcohol; one is focused on educating 6 - 8 grade students to correct misconceptions regarding e-cigarette/vaping; and another focused on supporting high school students in making healthy choices regarding alcohol and other substance use. The Power of Choice is asking middle school parents, middle school youth, and high school teens to participate in one of the three quick surveys below, to provide feedback regarding where they receive information. The deadline to take these surveys is by Tuesday, April 30.
My Sister Liv
Max's Mission and KidsMatter invite you to a special showing of the award-winning documentary "My Sister Liv" at Metea Valley High School on Tuesday, April 23 from 7:00-8:30 PM. The film is approximately an hour long followed by a panel discussion with experts in the field of suicide. The film is open to anyone in the community ages 14 and up. Please note that the content is not appropriate for children. The film is powerful, engaging, and honest about mental illness, suicide and the aftershocks that occur when a family and community lose someone they love to suicide. The showing is free but seating is limited. Register at My Sister Liv Registration.
KidsMatter Senior High School Board for 2024-25
Applications are open for KidsMatter Senior High School Board! This leadership opportunity is for students currently in grades 9-11 who want to organize initiatives for their peers while having fun and building relationships. Apply here by May 19!
Teen Philanthropy Initiative Applications Due May 3
Sophomores can apply for the next cohort of the Teen Philanthropy Initiative, which begins in Fall 2024. Get experience in grantmaking and fundraising, while supporting local nonprofits and developing leadership skills. Learn more and apply here.
Safety Reminder
Safety Reminder: If an emergency occurs in your child’s school, the district may contact you via phone, email, and/or SMS messaging. To ensure you will receive these emergency communications, update your contact information in ParentVUE. To receive text messages, you must have a designated phone number listed in Parent VUE for SMS messages. Please see the SMS Messaging Setup Instructions. Check the district’s Safety & Security Webpage for more helpful safety information.
Next Board of Education Meeting: May 6, 2024
The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, May 6, 2024 at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Meeting agendas and documents will be available online prior to the meeting. Video of the regular meeting can be streamed live or viewed the following day at the District’s YouTube channel.
In Case You Missed It...
Third-Party Educational Programs
The following companies have rented space in our schools to offer an after-school educational program for students. The distribution of this material is in no way an endorsement of programs, services, activities, or products by District 204. For more information, visit programs.
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - White Eagle
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Kendall
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Young
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Welch
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Steck
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Spring Brook
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Owen
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - McCarty
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Gombert
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Fry
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Cowlishaw
Young Rembrandts Drawing Classes for Kids - Clow
This Week's e-Folder
This week's e-Folder has been updated with information on community programs. For more information about the programs listed below, visit the 204 e-Folder.
BrightSide Theatre Youth Project Summer Camps- Little Mermaid Jr.
WAA Summer Programs & Team Chicago Tryouts!
My Sister Liv
CAP Safety Series
Resource Fair for New Families
Neuqua Valley Guys and Dolls Musical
YMCA Summer Camps
Naperville Public Library Grade School Programs
Ray Chinese Summer Camp
STEMCON at College of DuPage
STEMCON at College of DuPage Spanish
Naperville Summer Camps College of DuPage Youth Academy