Superintendent Update

from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

February 28, 2025 Superintendent Update

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

Greetings Urbana Family and Friends,

Our first Strategic Planning “Growing Together 2025” survey engagement #1 will close today! If you have not taken the survey, please do so this evening. I would like to thank the almost 300 parents/guardians, faculty and staff, students, and community members, who have completed the survey. We will use the common themes from the survey responses to guide the discussions at our upcoming neighborhood Community Meetings. Join us for the “meeting” that works best for your family’s schedule or location. You do not need to attend the meeting at your child's school. Middle and high school families can participate in any meeting location. The night will start with “Supper with the Super”, a shared meal to connect and engage with one another before transitioning to the “share and tell” facilitator-led small group discussions. We will discuss the priorities and themes taken directly from survey engagement #1 in these groups. This is a more personal opportunity to share your ideas, thoughts, and concerns so they are included in the strategic planning data.

As Black History Month comes to a close, I want to reflect on its importance and the ongoing celebration of Black history, culture, and contributions throughout the district. Our students have engaged in meaningful discussions, activities, and learning experiences that honor the achievements and resilience of Black leaders, past and present. These conversations and lessons extend beyond just one month—they are essential to our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful community where all voices are valued and celebrated. By learning, sharing, and growing together, we strengthen and empower the diversity of our school community.

I continue to receive questions and inquiries from concerned parents, staff, and community members regarding recent changes in federal guidance. This week, Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders provided state guidance and told school districts and superintendents to continue teaching Black, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ history, and to provide education to students regardless of their citizenship status as required by state law. In his weekly message, Dr. Sanders said Illinois law prohibits discrimination against marginalized groups and noted that these topics are required by Illinois mandates for classroom instruction. Sanders' message to school leaders was a response to a “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education.

I look forward to greeting UECS and DPW families and neighbors at our first neighborhood Community Meeting on Monday, March 3, at 6:00 p.m. Thank you for your continued partnership in making our schools a place where every student feels seen, heard, and inspired to make a difference.

We are Better and Stronger Together!

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

MARCH IMPORTANT DATES

March 4: Board of Education Meeting | 6 p.m.
March 6: Sixth Grade Center Family Orientation | 6 p.m.
March 8: Read Across America Day at Lincoln Square Mall
March 11: Board of Education Meeting | 6 p.m.
March 12: French Dual Language parent forum for incoming kindergarten families
March 17-21: Spring Break

UPCOMING EVENTS

Top Highlights

KNOW

Strategic Planning is underway. Please attend one of the upcoming Community Meetings to share your thoughts. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

March 3 | Dr. Williams
March 7 | Yankee Ridge
March 12 | Leal
March 13 | Thomas Paine
April 2 | Dr. King

DO

Take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your student's school.

SHARE

Check out this powerful performance by DPW students during their AMAZING Black History Month Program. Check for more photos/videos coming soon on our social media channels.

Strategic Planning

Friday is the last day to share your thoughts and opinions on this first strategic planning engagement opportunity. Your input will help us identify what is most important to the USD116 school community.

Fill out the Strategic Planning Survey

Urbana High School CCPE

Urbana High School students can now earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) in Education and Training.

CCPE’s are a sequence of courses that prepare high school students for college and career success. The Urbana High School Career and Technical Education Department has been working on offering this endorsement since 2021.

For a student to earn the endorsement, they need to take a series of classes at UHS and Parkland College, participate in two career exploration activities, have 60 hours of supervised career development experiences, and participate in team based challenges.

Students who complete these requirements will earn a seal on their diploma.

Sixth Grade Center: Family Orientation Night

Rising 6th Grader Students and Families, join us to learn more about what to expect at the Urbana Sixth Grade Center. Sixth Grade Center Administrators will review daily school procedures, learn more about AVID schoolwide, hear elective options, and explore other important topics. Representatives from MTD, Quest Food Services and First Student will also be available. Thursday, March 6, 2025 6-7 p.m. Urbana Middle School

Rising 6th grade students and families, join us to learn more about what to expect at the Urbana Sixth Grade Center. Sixth Grade Center Administrators will review daily school procedures, discuss AVID school-wide and elective options, and explore other important topics. Representatives from MTD, Quest Food Services and First Student will also be available.

Thursday, March 6, 2025
6-7 p.m.
Urbana Middle School

Dual Language for 2025-26

If you are interested in learning more about the French or Spanish Dual Language Programs offered at Yankee Ridge Multilingual School, please attend one of the upcoming informational nights. The French DL Program is offered for students entering kindergarten or 1st grade. The Spanish DL Program is offered for students entering kindergarten.

The French DL Program informational night is on March 12 from 6-7 p.m.
The Spanish Dual Language Program informational night is on March 24 from 6-7 p.m.
Both will be held in the library at Yankee Ridge.

The deadline to apply for the dual language program is April 23, 2025. Applying for the program does NOT guarantee a spot. For incoming kindergarten students, in order to be included in the application lottery Urbana School District 116 must also receive your kindergarten registration information by April 23, 2025.

Spanish DL Application
French DL Application

Student News

UHS Diver Headed to State

UHS Junior Max Kooper qualified for state in diving. Max is the first UHS diver to head to state in 12 years!

UHS Student Earns NHS Scholarship

UHS senior Mycal Turner has been named an National Honor Society Scholarship National Semifinalist. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their dedication to service and leadership.

What's Going On In School

UHS - Theatre

Urbana High School Theatre Students put on amazing performances of "Attack! Of the Killer Man From the Sun" last weekend.

Don't miss their next production, Ride the Cyclone (high school edition) May 1-4.

p/c: Corrie Proksa

UHS - Black History Month

Urbana High School held its culminating Black History Months events this week. On Thursday, students were invited to an assembly focused on Educational Excellence, while highlighting the 70th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling. The assembly included poetry, performances and reflections.

Dr. Williams - Black History Month

Dr. Williams students worked hard for weeks rehearsing for the school's Black History Month assembly. The powerful program included students from all grades. Kudos to Dr. Williams students for their hard work!

King School - Young Authors

King School had the highest number of students enter the Young Authors contest than ever before! They celebrated the students during a morning assembly on Friday. The overall winner for King School was Timothy Adeyemo. He will join four other King School students at the District celebration in April.

Winter Guard Showcase

Come one, come all to the end-of-season Winter Guard showcase. Urbana High School will perform along with Champaign Central's Winter Guard on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. in the main gym at UHS.

Board News

Two Urbana School Board Members are hosting "Coffee and Conversation" on Monday, March 3, 2025 from 10-11 a.m. in the community room of the Urbana Wellness Center.

Members Sheri Langendorf and Jennifer Hixson will be available to speak with anyone interested in filling the anticipated vacancies on the Board of Education. They will discuss their experiences and roles as Board Members and share information about Urbana Schools in a casual setting. Applications for the vacancies open on March 3.