• Curriculum Corner - including a new video!
  
• Important March dates
  
• 24-25 registration information
• 112 shoutouts
• Social and emotional learning (SEL) resources
• Board of Education news
• Safety and security update
• And more!

Welcome to Curriculum Questions! Each month, we'll delve into the what, how and why of our school curriculum. This month...how does the district ensure a consistent, guaranteed and viable curriculum across all of its schools?

If you are unable to view the video here, you can find it on our Vimeo page.

Do you have a question about the curriculum at North Shore School District 112? You've come to the right place! Submit your question in a Google form and we may use it in a future video. Questions are anonymous. Thanks for your interest in learning more about our curriculum!

North Shore School District 112 partners with Varsity Tutors for Schools, which offers private and group tutoring for students. Students in the district, kindergarten through 8th grade, can take advantage of learning resources at no cost. Access includes On Demand 24/7 Chat Tutoring, essay Editing, live online classes, and self-study resources like recorded content, practice problems, and adaptive diagnostic tests.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Logging in via Clever for student
• How to chat with a tutor in English
• How to submit an essay for review
• Register for a live class
• Logging in via Clever for teacher

3/12: Regular Board of Education Meeting

3/14: Committee of the Whole Meeting

3/21: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release)

3/22: Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students)

3/25-3/29: Spring Break (No School)

4/1: School Resumes

Kindergarten Pre-Registration is now open for 2024-2025! If your child will be entering kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year, you can now begin the registration process. The first step is to fill out a pre-registration form. Once you have completed the form, we will share the next steps with you.

Registration for all other grades will open on May 1, 2024. If you have questions about registration, please email parentportal@nssd112.org or call 224-765-3052.

As we welcome the arrival of March, our district proudly observes Women's History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vital role women have played in shaping our history, culture, and society. This special month offers us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of women throughout history, acknowledging the barriers they have broken and the strides they have made in the pursuit of equality and justice. For our district, Women's History Month is not just about looking back; it's also about inspiring our students, staff, and community to continue advocating for equity and to recognize the contributions of women in every aspect of life. Celebrating Women's History Month aligns with our district's commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world, highlighting the importance of understanding our past to build a better future for everyone.

• National Women's History Museum
• WomensHistoryMonth.gov
• Women's Soccer Team Takes a Stand
• Kids, Allowance and Gender
• Sexual Harassment and the Next Generation: How to Talk with Young People
• How Can I Prevent Gender Bias in Young Children?
• How Sexist Name-Calling Hurts All of Us

A big shoutout to five District 112 staff members who received special recognition this past month.

Christy Tortorello, a kindergarten teacher at Sherwood, was chosen as one of the 30 finalists for the esteemed 2024 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition places her among an elite group of educators acknowledged for their remarkable impact on early childhood education, demonstrating exceptional commitment and making positive influences on students' growth and learning.

Also in February, four of our outstanding staff members were honored with the Illinois State Board of Education's "Those Who Excel" awards. Emily Crutchfield, music teacher at Wayne Thomas; Mollie McDougall, band and orchestra teacher at Edgewood; and Stephanie Just, instructional coach at Oak Terrace, were awarded the Those Who Excel Award of Meritorious Service. According to ISBE, this honor is awarded to those who “have shaped their school community for the better” and who “frequently employ their talents and passions, but also strive to be of service in unfamiliar domains.”

Jocelyn Stolberg, a speech-language pathologist at Wayne Thomas, was honored with the Those Who Excel Award of Special Recognition. This award goes to those who “have connected with their school community and made a positive impact.”

Congratulations to all five educators and thank you for making a difference in our students' lives!

Meeting agendas can be found on our website.

(Posted at least 48 hours prior to a meeting)

Livestream feeds for regular meetings can also be found at nssd112.org.

There is also a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, March 14. This will be the sixth equity session with Dr. Sarena Shivers and will include discussion about culturally responsive leadership and teaching.

Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our school board.

No Place for Hate is an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) initiative that provides Pre-K–12 schools with an organizing framework for students, administrators, teachers and family members to develop long-term solutions for creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable school climate. The No Place for Hate framework helps schools to:

• Build inclusive and safe communities in which respect and equity are the goals and where all students can thrive.
• Empower students, faculty, administration and family members to take action against bias and bullying by incorporating new and existing programs under one powerful message.
• Send a clear, unified message that all students have a place where they belong.

This year and next, all nine of our schools are committed to achieving the designation of being a No Place for Hate building. This effort involves collaborating with the ADL and fulfilling a series of steps throughout the academic year. We will keep you informed about the progress of each school as they move closer to this important designation.

We need your input. Throughout the next several weeks, students, teachers, parents, and guardians across Illinois are being asked to participate in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent or guardian, this is a chance to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness. You can find the survey at https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. The five indicators that positively affect school success are:

• Effective Leaders

• Collaborative Teachers

• Involved Families

• Supportive Environments

• Ambitious Instruction

For the survey to be validated, we need at least 20 percent of our parents and guardians to participate. Your input will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and never connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for parents and guardians is open through March 31 at

https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/.

In this section, you will find several events and programs for parents/guardians and students. You can also find more information about these and other social and emotional learning (SEL) resources on our website.

Throughout the year, our district is partnering with ParentGuidance.org and the Cook Center for Human Connection to deliver presentations developed by licensed therapists. These events are virtual, interactive and designed to help parents and guardians support students. Registration, attendance and interactions are kept completely anonymous from other viewers.

The next event is on Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. It is called "De-Escalating Cycles of Conflict." Anyone interested in joining the webinar can register right up until the last minute by visiting https://cookcenter.info/Mar7NSD. You can register for the Spanish version at https://cookcenter.info/Mar7NSDSp.

We will share a recording of the webinar with the whole district, in case you are unable to join live. If you have any questions about these events, please contact Dr. Holly Colin at hcolin@nssd112.org.

• Supporting Your Child's Mental Health (English)
  
• Supporting Your Child's Mental Health (Spanish)
• Bullying - Stop the Cycle (English)
• Bullying - Stop the Cycle (Spanish Subtitles)
• ABCs of Substance Abuse and Vaping (English)
• ABCs of Substance Abuse and Vaping (Spanish)
• School Avoidance (English)
• School Avoidance (Spanish Subtitles)
• Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What's Wrong (English)
• Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What's Wrong (Spanish)
• Helping Your Child Succeed (English)
• Helping Your Child Succeed (Spanish)
• Effects of Screen Time and Children's Mental Health (English)
• Social Media: Protecting Your Child (English)
• Social Media: Protecting Your Child (Spanish)
• Compassionate Parenting and Self-Compassion (English)

Discover the secrets to family happiness! In March’s Family Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish), the Cook Center delves into the profound insights from the Harvard Happiness Study and how they can transform your family's well-being. Learn how to nurture strong bonds, manage stress, and create a positive environment where happiness thrives. From teaching your kids the power of positivity to embracing change and resilience. Keep your family smiling by fostering happiness at home!

ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff and community in finding local mental-health and substance use related treatment. The service complements the district's existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow up care.

School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:

• Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options.
• Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/NSSD112 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously.

The State of Illinois has developed a school safety program called Safe2Help Illinois in an effort to raise awareness of 21st-century threats facing schoolchildren in Illinois. It is available 24/7 and offers students a safe outlet to share information on school safety issues in a confidential environment. It can be accessed via a free app, text/phone, and website (Safe2HelpIllinois.com).

The purpose of the NSSD112 BPAC is to advocate for academic excellence in all programs serving English learners. BPAC strives to provide family support, communication and information regarding the district’s Dual Language and ESL programs. BPAC is a multilingual space where members can access information, voice priorities and take steps to strengthen our schools and community.

Learn more about BPAC on our website.

Parents/guardians often wonder how early they should chat with their children about alcohol and drugs. Honestly, it's never too early. It does not have to be a long conversation, but rather lots of short conversations. Our children are watching us. According to a study by SAMHSA, 80% of young people ages 10 to 18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision not to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of drugs.

Kids are more likely to listen to you, if they feel like you are on their side. Don't know what to say or how to talk to your children about drugs and alcohol use? Take a look at this resource from Community The Anti-Drug (CTAD) that has age-appropriate talking tips no matter the age. CTAD also offers additional resources for parents and guardians.

Solvei Jurmu

Director of Safety and Security

Our staff works hard to create schools where students want to learn and teachers want to teach. High-quality materials and technology give our staff and students the tools needed to be innovative and highly engaged. As a member of District 112, you’ll be working to advance yourself as well as fulfill a long legacy of District 112 being the home of pioneering educators, dedicated staff, and innovative instructional practices. Visit careers.nssd112.org to learn more!

Ravinia Elementary School is inviting applications for a 3rd grade teaching position for the 2024-2025 school year. Ideal candidates should possess a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with appropriate endorsements, have excellent communication skills, appreciate cultural diversity, and be skilled in incorporating instructional technology. Join our mission to provide a world-class education, fostering innovation, respect, engagement, and intellectual inquiry. We offer competitive salaries, outstanding benefits, and a supportive environment focused on professional growth and development. Apply for this position

Sherwood Elementary School in the North Shore School District 112 is actively seeking an enthusiastic educator for grade 4 for the 2024-2025 school year. Ideal candidates should hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with appropriate endorsements, demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and possess a strong appreciation for cultural diversity. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a world-class education system, fostering innovation, respect, and intellectual inquiry. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive environment for professional development. Apply for this position

Edgewood Middle School is seeking a passionate mathematics teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. This opportunity is perfect for a dedicated educator with a valid Illinois Professional Educator License endorsed for middle school math. We provide competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a commitment to professional development. Join our mission to nurture every child into an inspired learner within an innovative and respectful environment. Apply today and make a lasting impact in a community that values engagement, diversity, and intellectual inquiry. Apply for this position

Join the passionate team at Edgewood Middle School where innovation and commitment to diversity shape our educational approach. We're seeking a teacher with a valid Illinois license and LBS1 endorsement, offering a competitive salary per the NSEA New Teacher Grid 2023-2024, exceptional benefits, and professional growth opportunities. Apply now and contribute to a nurturing environment where every student's success is our priority. Apply for this position

Oak Terrace Elementary School is looking for a dedicated resource teacher for the 2024-2025 academic year. Ideal candidates will hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an LBS1 endorsement and, preferably, be bilingual in Spanish. Oak Terrace offers a supportive community and a commitment to innovative, respectful, and engaging learning environments. We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Apply today to join our mission to nurture every child into an inspired learner and a well-rounded individual within a global community. Apply for this position

Do you want to choose your own hours and make a difference in our students' lives? Consider becoming a guest teacher (substitute) for North Shore School District 112. Rates were recently increased to $150 a day for guest teachers. Please feel free to reach out to Valerie Kilen (vlariviere@nssd112.org) with any questions or apply to be a guest teacher today!

Having an issue with your student's device? Need assistance with district software, such as Infinite Campus? Submit a support ticket and a member of our tech team will reach out as soon as possible.

ParentSquare is North Shore School District 112’s primary communication tool. It is used by the district office and schools to send emails, text messages and phone calls to parents/guardians, staff members and the community.

Visit the ParentSquare page on our website to learn more or access your account.

Address: 445 Sheridan Road, Highwood, IL 60040

Phone: 224-765-3000

Website: nssd112.org

Facebook: facebook.com/nssd112

Instagram: instagram.com/nssd112

Twitter: @nssd112

If you have any questions about the newsletter, please contact Ben Finfer at bfinfer@nssd112.org