Board Highlights

This newsletter features highlights from District 97 Board of Education meetings.

Click here to access full meeting agendas and packets. Recordings of our meetings are also available on our YouTube page. For more about our board, visit www.op97.org/boe.

How We’re Transforming Learning, Supporting Students, and Building a Stronger Community

At the October 8, 2024 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Ushma Shah shared District 97’s main goals for the 2024-25 school year. The presentation outlined the district’s commitment to improving student outcomes and fostering a positive learning environment through strategic initiatives in four key areas:

1. We Learn, Lead, and Celebrate Together
   We want to build a strong, positive school culture where everyone feels included and supported. This includes better communication and engagement with families and the community and providing professional learning opportunities for all staff.
   
   
2. We Design for All
   Our goal is to make sure every student gets the support they need to succeed. We're focusing on improving how we teach at both elementary and middle schools, redesigning our middle schools to better support students’ growth, and helping students through important transitions, like moving from elementary to middle school.
   
   
3. We Align Resources
   We’re committed to using our resources—like funding, staff, and facilities—wisely to support student success. This includes creating a long-term facilities plan to improve our schools and ensuring we have strong safety measures in place.
   
   
4. We Learn Everywhere
   Learning isn’t just limited to the classroom! We’re helping students grow in many ways, including through our "Portrait of an Oak Park 8th Grade Graduate," which outlines the skills and qualities we want all students to have by the time they finish middle school. We’re also strengthening early childhood programs to give our youngest learners the best start possible.
   

The four transformation goals are driven by eight "super subgoals," which involve careful planning, cross-functional collaboration, thoughtful allocation of resources, and engagement with students, families and staff. You can learn more about the goal areas by clicking the following link: 2024-25 Transformation Goals Presentation

The district is planning to provide ongoing updates on these goals throughout the school year. If you have any questions or feedback, we encourage you to reach out to the D97 team via Let's Talk.

Transformation Goal 1: We Learn, Lead and Celebrate Together

Subgoal 1A: Our District Culture

One of District 97's key focuses for 2024-25 is building a positive district culture through enhanced communication, transparency, community engagement, and celebrations. Key highlights from the Goal 1A presentation included:

1. Equity Policy Alignment: Stakeholder and Community Engagement
   The district's communication and engagement strategies are aligned with its equity policy, emphasizing transparency, accessibility, and inclusive outreach to all families, especially underrepresented groups.
   
   
2. Enhanced Communication and Transparency Tools
   The district has been working to expand accessibility to information and resources by improving its translation and interpretation services across the district. Additionally, new tools like the Diligent Board platform and Board Highlights newsletter have been launched to provide the community with easier access to board meeting materials and updates.
   
   *Coming Soon* The district is developing a new organizational chart and communications guide that will be released in the coming weeks. These tools will help everyone understand how to communicate with each other and will make sure that you'll know exactly who to reach out to when you have questions or need support!
   
   
3. Two-Way Communication with Let’s Talk
   The district continues to improve use of the Let’s Talk platform, which enables families and staff to communicate in multiple languages through several technologies. The platform fosters collaboration and improves customer service, ensuring timely follow-ups and building trust with our community.
   
   
4. District-Wide Culture Initiatives
   Ongoing efforts include the creation of an Annual Identity and Recognition Calendar to promote inclusion and culturally responsive celebrations, as well as updates to the staff and family handbooks to ensure clarity around district policies and expectations. We're also working to provide new opportunities for team-building and staff celebrations.

These efforts are critical to achieving our vision of a positive and connected school community where every member feels valued and heard. You can view the full presentation by clicking the following links: Recording | Slides

Transformation Goal 2: We Design for All

Subgoal 2B: Middle School Redesign