LIGHT Weekly Update

We incorporate a variety of themed instructional activities to celebrate holiday occasions. This year for Halloween, Tom’s Farm generously donated pumpkins to our programs, making it possible for even more of our students to enjoy pumpkin decorating and carving! We’d like to dedicate this week’s HighLIGHT to thank Tom’s Farm for their kindness and support of our program.

On a personal note, I was "today years old" to learn that a metal cookie cutter can be a fantastic pumpkin-carving tool—it makes creating fun shapes so much easier! I can't wait to try out this technique next year!

Parent-teacher conferences will take place on November 25th from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and November 26th from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

We will be using Sign-Up Genius to reserve a time slot. Click the link below to reserve your spot!

Click Here to Reserve a Time

The primary focus of the conferences will be supporting students and families with key post-secondary transition tasks and activities, ensuring students have access to the necessary adult services and supports after exiting the LIGHT program.

Conversations during the conferences will be guided by the results of the family transition survey, which has been featured in our past newsletters. Here's a link to the survey. Should you need assistance with the survey, please reach out to Jenny Golovin, our social worker, at jgolovin@district158.org, or Jill Shadel, our family liaison, at jshadel@district158.org.

In this Family Learning series, we will continue the conversation on meaningful inclusion. The Illinois Elevating Special Educators Network (IESE), will present on ways to carry out the district’s motto of supporting “All Students Always” and highlight the importance of understanding accommodations that support student success. The IESE Network will discuss what accommodations are and how they help promote a learning environment where all students are supported. They will also discuss how accommodations are supported in high school and on college and university campuses. All Huntley 158 staff and families are invited to join the discussion in-person or via Zoom. See details below.

Presenter: Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE) Network

Date: Wed. November 13, 2024

Time: 6:00-7:30 PM

Cost: FREE

Location: District Office, 650 Dr. John Burkey Dr, Algonquin, IL 60102 and Virtual (Click on the Zoom link: HERE)

Those who require any special accommodations or require a translator for this event can contact Kelly LaTour at klatour@district158.org.

We are excited to engage in this learning series together! Registration is encouraged, but not required. Click here to RSVP.

As part of the district's ongoing learning series for parents/guardians on planning for their student’s future, our Special Education Talk for November will feature a presentation focused on the area of employment. Our speaker will be Catherine Jones from the McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium. As students seek employment in their area of interest, the district is building relationships with community partners such as McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium. Manufacturing companies in McHenry County offer a wide range of competitive employment opportunities. The consortium seeks to educate high students and the community to these companies through job fairs, summer internships, and plant tours. The consortium works with school districts and the greater community to build a diverse workforce.

See event details below:

Event: Special Education Talk: Transitioning to Adult Services

Topic: McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Location: District Office Room 180

650 Dr. John Burkey Dr. Algonquin, IL 60102

Registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Please use this link below to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetqaoGFXh79l-bMMAW9yYWBR-A6J_nygRRWX4v-LMYRgapSw/viewform?usp=sf_link

This event will be recorded for future access and for those unable to attend. If you require any special accommodations or require a translator for this event, please contact Kelly LaTour at klatour@district158.org.

Thank you for partnering to prepare our students for their future. We look forward to expanding our understanding of these topics together.

Every 3rd Sunday of every month from 10 AM - 12 PM, the Volo Museum's Jurassic Gardens provides a sensory friendly opportunity! During this time, their entire indoor dinosaur park will be quiet and still! Click on the picture to the right for more information about the opportunity which includes an email address for a representative from Volo who can answer more questions you may have!

This organization uses a creative approach to engage young adults in social skills and therapeutic groups! If a student enjoys role play games like Dungeons & Dragons, then look no further! Below is an attached flyer for an RPG Therapy Group! Also, you can click on the image to the right to access the organization's webpage.

McCAP's mission is to provide a meaningful learning experience that will enrich and expand the lives of young adults with severe and profound disabilities. McCAP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves adults with severe and profound disabilities. With a 3:1 student to staff ratio, each participant is encouraged and supported to reach their full potential and improve the quality of life. The day program provides academic, social and vocational activities focusing on improving their daily living skills and independence. Click on the image to the right to access their website with more information!!

Student Attendance - Did You Know?

Children’s mental health is important. Students who miss just 2 days of school a month tend to be more stressed and anxious. Help lower student stress by encouraging attendance when your student is feeling well. #YourPresenceIsYourPower

The Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board (VBB) is a way to connect Huntley 158 families with enrichment and educational events and programs in the community. We encourage you to click the link and visit our new VBB page to learn about what’s happening for students and families in the community!

To submit a program or event for inclusion on the Huntley 158 VBB, organizations must be not-for-profit or a taxing body based in Huntley 158 boundaries or a surrounding community. Please email your event flyer in PNG or PDF format to kimoore@district158.org and include "VBB" in the subject line. To ensure accessibility for all, flyers must be accompanied by a brief description of your event that includes the name of your event, date, time, location, call to action/website link (if applicable) as well as contact information. Thank you!

Our Human Resources Department would like you to know that Huntley 158 still has open positions for employment across the district. You can find current openings here. If you have any questions, contact Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, Adam Zehr, at (847) 659-6150 or Director of Human Resources, Karrie Baughman, at (847) 659-6178.