Superintendent Update

from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Superintendent Update from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

September 13, 2024 Superintendent Update

To view past superintendent updates, please visit District Updates on our website.

Greetings, Urbana Family and Friends,

It is a great time to be part of the Urbana School District, and we want your student(s) to experience all the learning opportunities we are planning for them this year! In Urbana 116, every minute of every day matters!


As we move further into September, the month dedicated to Attendance Matters, let's remember our theme for this month - “Be Present, Be Powerful.” This theme, adopted from Attendance Works, underscores the importance of good attendance in the early days of the school year. Even a few missed days, whether excused or unexcused, can mean missed opportunities for learning, socializing, and building relationships. Whether you are a parent, caregiver or staff member, your role in this is crucial! We know there will be times when your student is sick or unable to attend school for health reasons, but we want to see them at school as much as possible. View my Tiger Minute Message - Get to School - Be Present, Be Powerful.


Research shows that missing just two days of school a month can significantly impact a student’s learning and future success and increase their likelihood of not finishing high school. We believe in the potential of every Urbana 116 student to be college, career, and life-ready when they leave our schools. This can only happen if our schools, families, students, and the community work together to make sure every minute of every school day matters.


Be Present, Be Powerful,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Attendance

Strong attendance has a proven impact on student success. Our goal this year is to decrease our chronic absenteeism by 15 percent. Help us by making sure your student is in school EVERY DAY, in order to achieve academic success. Please let us know how we can support you.


Students who miss TWO DAYS of school a month…

  • Will miss 20 days per year
  • Will miss 30 hours of math
  • Will miss 60 hours of reading and writing


We know that some absences are unavoidable. We understand kids get sick and occasionally need to stay home. The important thing is to get your student to school as often as possible. We are here to support you and assist in removing barriers that interfere with your student’s attendance.


USD #116 Attendance information

Safety Drills

At Urbana School District 116, we take our responsibility to keep our children and youth safe from threats and hazards very seriously. In collaboration with our local police and community partners, we continually review our safety plans and procedures to take the necessary steps for potential emergencies while also complying with school codes and laws. These precautions are in keeping with school code 105 ILCS 128/ School Safety Drills as a response to acts of violence in schools.


In collaboration with the Urbana Police Department, USD116 will hold intruder drills during the week of September 16. Urbana Police, in conjunction with the USD116 administration, will make planned visits to every school campus. The drills will be brief and result in very little loss of instructional time. Our drills are planned as preventative activities to help us implement the necessary measures needed to stop an emergency from happening or reduce the impact of an incident through drill and practice. As with all safety drills, staff and students will be required to follow established safety procedures and evacuation plans just as they would in a real-life intruder alert situation.


As always, the safety and security of our students are of utmost importance, and we appreciate the support of the Urbana community during this time of review, drill, and practice.

AVID at Urbana High School

Urbana High School students and staff celebrated their first AVID day this month. This event was created to honor and celebrate the contributions of AVID educators, schools, students, and districts across the country.


Students and staff shared their statements on how they plan to make an impact with AVID, and are excited to bring this college and career readiness program to Urbana High School.

Curriculum

The Urbana School District is implementing new elementary curriculum and is getting ready to dispose of its previous elementary curriculum, including Words Their Way in English and Spanish, Fountas and Pinnell reading interventions, and reading kits for varying grade levels.


The community is invited to come to Urbana High School on September 14 from 8-11 a.m. to review and take any materials they’d like.


If you have any specific questions, please contact the Director of Curriculum and Student Learning, Jessica Bradford at jbradford@usd116.org

Tiger Pride

Pride Week in Champaign-Urbana is September 16-21. Pride Week is an opportunity for us to come together and affirm our commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, staff, and families. You are invited to show your pride on Thursday, September 19 for the USD #116 Pride Day by wearing one of our district or GSA pride shirts.


Several staff and students will be participating in the Pride Parade on Saturday, September 21. It starts at 1 p.m.


Parade information: https://www.unitingpride.org/paradefair24.html

C-U Marching Showcase

Save the date for the annual C-U Marching Showcase!

  • Monday, September 23
  • 7 p.m.
  • Urbana High School
  • Admission is free (donations accepted)


Come support the Tiger Marching Band and the Central and Centennial Marching Bands. This year, the Marching Illini are making a special appearance.

Illini Football Players Visit King School

Fighting Illini Football Wide Receiver Pat Bryant and Linebacker Kenenna Odeluga visited with students at King School and delivered school supplies, backpacks and gift cards. The players used a portion of their name, image and likeness earnings to purchase the supplies.

2024-25 Calendar

September Dates

  • September 20: UECS and Elementary: No School | UMS and UHS: Early Dismissal
  • September 27-28: UHS Homecoming weekend

In The News

Community Events

From the Urbana Park District


FRESH Crew nature stewardship days on Saturdays from 2-4 p.m. at Perkins Rd. Prairie: https://www.facebook.com/share/BaQ9nWY9Vr5E69tW/

    • Oct 5
    • Nov 2
    • Dec 7

FRESH Teen Hangout Zones are happening monthly at the Phillips Recreation Center on Fridays from 3:30-6 p.m.:
  • Sept 27
  • Oct 18
  • Nov 22
  • Dec 13
Urbana School District #116
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