Talk203 E-Newsletter

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On Monday night, a recommendation was provided to the Board of Education including new start/end times for schools in the 2025-2026 school year. In the days before the meeting, during the meeting's public comment, and since the meeting, we have received questions and comments from our staff and community. It is important that our plans meet the needs of our students now and into the future. In response to the feedback from staff and community, we are working on plans for next steps now and will communicate them to all stakeholders as soon as we are able. We will also plan to give an update on the timeline and next steps for the Innovative School Experience to the Board at their February 18, 2025 meeting.

As mentioned at the end of the February 3rd Board of Education meeting, this will be a discussion item only and no action will be requested and no votes or formal action will be taken at the February 18th meeting. The next Board of Education meeting after February 18th is scheduled for March 10th.

🔗 Click to read our updated FAQ on the Innovative School Experience webpage.

Join Naperville 203 and Naper Settlement for a free virtual workshop on Thursday, February 20, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.

Discover Naperville’s connection to the Underground Railroad with expert historians, live storytelling, and interactive exhibits.

📅 When: Thursday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Online via Google Meet
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/NaperHistoryFeb2025

Presented by Dr. Andrea Field & Jeanne Schultz Angel.

Questions? Contact rbrodeur@naperville203.org. Don’t miss this powerful Black History Month event!

Naperville 203 will soon begin scheduling spring Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences, which will be held virtually, via Zoom, on Thursday, March 6, from 5-8:30 p.m., and on Friday, March 7, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. All Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place via Zoom. In the case that you are unable to participate via Zoom, please contact the teacher directly.

Registration for Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences will open at the following times:

Early Childhood/Elementary Schools:

Scheduling Portal opens Thursday, Feb. 20, and closes Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

Junior High Schools:

Scheduling Portal opens Wednesday, Feb. 19, and closes Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

Naperville North:

Scheduling Portal opens Tuesday, Feb. 18, and closes Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

Naperville Central:

Scheduling Portal opens Monday, Feb. 17, and closes Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.

Please note that parents must have a Campus Parent account before signing up for Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences.

Please see PTC Wizard Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Please remember this login information, as it will be used for other purposes throughout the school year (Example: Kindergarten Preview, Online Annual Update, Summer School Registration and Report Cards).

If there are problems establishing a Campus Parent account, please email Parent Support at parentsupport@naperville203.org.

To schedule conferences, parents/guardians will access the PTC Wizard Scheduling Site. The PTC Wizard Parent Guide (PTC Wizard Guía para los Padres) explains how to use PTC Wizard and answers login and other common questions.

Details regarding conference scheduling are:

1. Parents/Guardians will access PTC Wizard to schedule conferences.
2. Online conference scheduling is for grades EC-12.
3. Parents/Guardians will need to use their Campus Parent username and password to sign into PTC Wizard. (NOT their student’s name/password.)
4. It is recommended that parents confirm their ability to log into Campus Parent as soon as possible.
5. Parents/Guardians that do not yet have a Campus Parent username and password, or who have forgotten their username or password, should reference the Campus Parent Quick Start Instructions (Spanish)
6. PTC Wizard will automatically send emails to parents after scheduling conferences. Parents/Guardians should verify that their email address is correct in Campus Parent under the “Contact Preferences” section.

Each school will communicate additional scheduling instructions as needed. If you are unable to schedule conferences due to limited internet access, contact your school for assistance.

To enroll for kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year, children must turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025. Enrollment is now open, and we invite you to join us for the Kindergarten Preview on March 17. This event offers a chance to meet the school's administrators, kindergarten teachers, staff, and parent organization representatives.

Click to Learn More

We’re making it easy for you to register for Summer Learning 2025 in person!

🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 6
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: PSAC, Conference Rooms A & B (Naperville 203 Administration Center)

Don't miss this opportunity to secure a spot in our engaging summer programs!

Click to Learn More

Indian Prairie School District 204 is inviting you to attend the 3rd Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Metea Valley High School from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

The event will feature breakout sessions for both students and adults, a community resource fair, a book fair, and childcare services for children ages 3-10. This year, we are introducing new experience sessions for both adults and students, along with a complimentary boxed lunch for all attendees.

For more information, please visit the Mental Health Symposium webpage or Register Here.

Naperville 203 is excited to be hosting our annual Naperville 203 Accounting/Finance Career Conference this year on Thursday, March 13! The goal of this conference is to provide students from Naperville Central and Naperville North the opportunity to expand their knowledge of various accounting and finance professions and trends within the field.

We are seeking additional professionals to share their unique insight and expertise in the accounting/finance field. If you are interested in joining us as a presenter, please click here for more information. Thank you for considering this opportunity to inspire our students!

Calling all entrepreneurs and business experts! Share your expertise with our aspiring entrepreneurs by joining our team of mentors. We are seeking mentors for our 8th grade FACS mxINC Entrepreneurship class. In this trimester class, students engage in an authentic, collaborative, business experience by journeying through the entrepreneurial process with their own idea for a product or service.

To learn about how you can become a mentor and support their business ventures, sign up to attend one of our virtual informational sessions. Questions can be directed to Sue Striedl at SStriedl@Naperville203.org.

Scholarship applicants must live within the attendance boundaries of Naperville School District 203 or Indian Prairie School District 204 and must graduate from high school during the academic year of application. Local parochial high school seniors who reside in Naperville school districts 203/204 are also encouraged to apply. Scholarship candidates may not be related to a member of The Rotary Club of Naperville.

Email Questions/Concerns to Maria Caselli, Chair, RCN Scholarship Committee, mcaselli@napervillerotary.com

Apply Here: https://rotaryclubofnaperville.org/grants-scholarships/

World-renowned authors and clinicians present relevant, research-based information to support positive youth development. Our free programs empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities by sharing practical strategies to help humans of every age thrive.

Explore upcoming events here: https://gpsparentseries.org/upcoming-events/

Thursday, Feb. 6

7–8:30 P.M.

Dr. Edith Treviño
B-PAC in Spanish: Positive Parenting Mindsets -- A Guide to Mental Endurance
SPANISH ONLY

Thursday, Feb. 13
Noon & 7 P.M.

Amy Blankson
Digital Thriving: Technology and the Future of Happiness in a Hyperconnected World

Tuesday, Feb. 18
Noon & 7 P.M.

Dr. Amishi Jha, Glenbard South graduate, with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl
Peak Mind: Enhance Your Attention, Focus, and Performance to Become Your Best Self

Tuesday, Feb. 25
7 P.M.

Duncan Kirkwood
IN PERSON - LIVE LIFE WELL WEEK -- The Critical Skills to Unleash Perseverance, Passion and Purpose

Thursday, Feb. 27
7–9 P.M.

Sarah Ward and Dr. Jessica Minahan
HYBRID EVENT -- Practical Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Executive Function Skills (Organization, Time Management & Task Completion)

Vote for Alive in Target Circle™ – Support Teen Empowerment!

Alive is a Target Circle™ nonprofit partner! 🎯 Cast your votes for us when you shop at Target and help fund programs that empower teens. Every vote counts toward prevention, leadership, and connection. Cast your votes by selecting our organization.

www.target.com

Support Youth & Gain Exposure at Alive's Masquerade Jubilee

Join us for Masquerade Jubilee: A Decade of Dreams as we celebrate Alive’s 10th Anniversary. Sponsor this unforgettable evening to showcase your brand while supporting teen leadership, belonging, and mental wellness.

https://bit.ly/alivemasquerade25

Purchase a Cocoa & Kindness gift box to deliver or be donated on your behalf! It’s win-win-win: your gift helps kids learn and practice empathy, kindness & acceptance; the recipient receives a kind surprise; and, it just feels good to give to others!

https://www.insideoutclub.org/cocoa-kindness

The Spring 3-day student retreat is next month!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tCgeyvBA45StE54u7

Bus seats and cabin bunks are filling up for the iconic high school overnight retreat known as Snowball. The upcoming weekend retreat is March 21-23 at Camp Henry Horner. This teen-led/adult-guided retreat offers students the opportunity to discover something about themselves, make friends, relax and have some fun. Each Operation Snowball event is unique, and this weekend’s theme “Count On Me” focuses on how we create a community and be someone that can be counted on! Registration closes Monday, March 3rd, so don’t wait!

https://360youthservices.org/snowball-registration/

This week's Virtual Backpack has been updated with new information on community programs.

Visit our website to learn more!