Welcome Back!

We are working hard to ensure all students are properly routed and we’re making every effort to accommodate everyone as quickly as possible. Our transportation team has processed over 700 route requests in the past few days and is working diligently to get all students placed on the correct routes. We understand that there may have been delays due to new drivers learning their routes and adjustments to last-minute changes. Please know we are committed to minimizing these delays and ensuring the safety of your children as we work through these initial challenges. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s building. Thank you again for your understanding and for helping us make this a smooth start to the school year!

After a successful launch of our new website, we are proud to be featured on Finalsite’s School District Website Inspiration blog this month. Some highlights from our new site include:

Engaging Homepage and Visual Design
Upon visiting the homepage, users are greeted with beautiful imagery and a welcoming video showcasing students from the district engaging in various activities. The design incorporates welcoming language such as "you belong here" to create an inviting atmosphere.

Improved Navigation and Mobile Responsiveness

Recognizing that over 50% of their visitors access the site via mobile devices, the district prioritized a mobile-first design, including streamlined navigation menus

Enhanced Accessibility and Inclusivity
The redesigned website takes strides to ensure accessibility for all users and even an enhanced translation menu that supports the 11 most popular languages spoken within the district.

Showcasing the District's Identity
The district's tree logo is found throughout the site, helping reinforce its visual identity in the header, footer, and within the different content areas.

Other Highlights

The "Proud to be 15" section features interviews with various district members, including a bus driver, a teacher, a principal, and assistant superintendent. It also includes a section for the latest news and updates, keeping families informed about important developments, an area that highlights upcoming school events, making it easy for parents and students to stay engaged and provides quick access to other popular links and resources.

Each year we update our Parent/Student Handbook to provide families with a quick reference to all things District 15. If you haven’t already done so, please make some time to review the Parent/Student Handbook.

The final round of new construction tours inviting community members to view new spaces at WRS and PG will take place on Monday, September 23 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

A self-guided tour will be offered with staff that have been involved in the project available to point out construction highlights. The new spaces are truly amazing and we look forward to showcasing them on 9/23.

Tip: Stay on top of your child's attendance by opting in to the district’s attendance notifications. Reply to the monthly text for updates and keep track of your student’s attendance progress. Let’s aim for fewer than 9 absences this year!

The safety of our students is always a top priority in District 15. Our goal is not only to provide a safe environment, but to also prepare our students, staff and school community to know how to respond if a crisis arises. To that end, each year, schools are required by Illinois School Code to conduct the following drills:

• 3 evacuation drills. One of the three drills must be supervised by the fire department;

• 1 bus evacuation drill;

• 1 severe weather/shelter-in-place drill; and

• 2 lockdown drills. One of which must be a staff initiated lock-down. Schools also conduct a drill in coordination with the building principal and under the direction of police department to continuously improve each school’s readiness to respond to an emergency situation.

House Bill 2400: School Safety Drill Act states:

• All lockdown drills will be announced to all school personnel and students prior to the commencement of the drill;

• Schools will provide sufficient information and notification to parents and guardians in advance of any lockdown drill that involves the participation of students;

• Schools will provide parents and guardians an opportunity to “opt-out “from having their child participate for any reason from participating in the practice lockdown drill; and

• Schools will provide alternative safety education and instruction related to an active threat or shooter event to students who do not participate in a walk-through lockdown drill to provide them with essential information and instruction through less sensory methods.

In addition to these drills, our schools also practice a relocation drill on a rotating basis every other year with students and staff. A relocation drill is used in the event a school has an emergency situation that requires the school to evacuate for reasons that may include fire, water main break, gas leak and necessitates a move to an alternate location. The school may “relocate” to a predetermined site via bus or walking, depending on the situation.

Building administrators will notify families of upcoming drills at least one week in advance of the drill. If you prefer your child does NOT participate in the yearly required lockdown drills, please submit this safety drill opt-out form. Please submit one form for each of your children you are opting out.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school with any questions you may have. Together, we will help make our schools engaging and safe places for our students to learn.

To ensure a smooth start, we kindly request that you help your child develop the habit of bringing their fully charged Chromebook to school every day.

A charged Chromebook is like a backpack filled with essential learning tools – it opens doors to interactive lessons, research projects, and creative activities. By having their device ready to go, your child will be well-prepared to dive into each day's learning adventures.

2024 Board of Education Meeting Date

Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Wednesday, December 11, 2024

2025 Board of Education Meeting Date
Wednesday, January 15, 2025* (date changed to accommodate for winter break)
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
*Change Proposed: from Wednesday, June 11, to Tuesday, June 10, 2025
(due to 8th grade graduation)

• September 10: Full-day Kindergarten Open House from 4:30-6:00 pm
  
• September 11: Board of Education Meeting
• September 26: Half Day Student Attendance

To view the full 2024-25 School Calendar, please visit our website.