
The RISE Report
March 28, 2025
News You Can Use
Congratulations to our Distinguished Service Award Nomiees!
The 2025 District 58 Education Foundation Distinguished Service Award program received a record-setting 56 award nominations recognizing 51 staff members and two groups of staff. This is double the number of nominations we typically receive! In addition, this year's nominees represent all 13 District 58 schools, including the Grove Children's Preschool program.
Congratulations to our RISE 2025 District 58 DSA nominees!
Audrey Barc, Pierce Downer
Kevin Bowser, Pierce Downer
Stacie Hamilton, Indian Trail
Crystal MacNamara, Pierce Downer
Lara Marlowe, Indian Trail
Allison Wrolson, Indian Trail
Grand Opening of our RISE Resource Library!
Are you looking for additional parenting resources tip to support your child at home? Interested in learning more about your child's unique developmental needs? Check out our amazing RISE Resource library that was
developed by the RISE team through a generous grant from the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club (DGJWC)!
Within the library you will find 20 books on various topics related to executive functioning, play, building connections, and behavior. These books are available to both staff and families to check out for a 3 week period. The website includes pictures of all of our book options with a drop down description of each. Please use the linked Check Out form to borrow a book. We hope you enjoy this resource!
2025-2026 School Year Information
Important Information for 6th & 7th Grade Parents
Does your student plan to participate in a fall sport in middle school? A completed sports physical is required for all middle school athletes—even for practice before tryouts.
Since fall sports practices begin before the school year starts, we strongly encourage you to schedule your child’s sports physical as soon as possible to ensure they are eligible to participate. Sports physicals are valid for 13 months from the exam date, so be sure your child’s physical is up to date. Our health offices are currently accepting physicals dated after September 2nd, 2024.
Please submit completed sports physicals to Michelle McGarry- mmcgarry@dg58.org before the first practice. If you have any questions about requirements, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your attention to this important step in preparing for a great season!
Attendance Makes a Difference!
Related Service Resource Corner
Looking Ahead
Important Dates!
March 31 - April 4: No School- Spring Break
Monday, April 7: School Resumes
Monday, April 14: Board of Education Regular Meeting
Friday, April 18: No School
Monday, May 12: Board of Education Regular Meeting
Friday, May 23: Last day of School
Mindful March
Parent Trainings and Resources
Weekly Learning Highlights
RISING Stars at Indian Trail Elementary
Mrs. Kollintzas & Miss Broughton's Classroom
Ms. Price & Mrs. Wanderer's Classroom
Mrs. Hamilton's Classroom
Mrs. Bundren's Classroom
Community Group for 3rd- 6th, worked together to create a rainbow water walk.
RISING Stars at Pierce Downer Elementary
Mrs. Acevedo's Classroom
Miss Barc's Classroom
Mrs. Billotta's Classroom
RISING Stars at Herrick Middle School
Mr. Klebenow's Classroom
More Learning Fun!
Community Resources
Share the Find Food IL Community Food Map
The Find Food IL Community Food Map is an excellent tool for individuals to find places offering free food or meals; school and Summer Meal programs; and grocery stores and farmers markets accepting SNAP/Link, WIC, and senior vouchers. ISBE partnered with the University of Illinois Extension to help families identify what is available in their community more easily.
Many students rely on school for access to meals. Especially as we enter the summer months, you can help by sharing the Find Food IL Community Food Map with your students and families. Those interested in linking to this resource can download hosting guidelines on the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs website. Contact Caitlin Kownacki or read the press release for more information.
Building Bridges
To learn more about Building Bridges:
Building Bridges is a parent group under the Downers Grove D58 Area PTA Counil. Building Bridges works on building relationships between families with children who have special needs and our school community.
Whether you are a parent/guardian of a child with an IEP or 504, sibling, caregiver, teacher, librarian, or community member... Building Bridges would love to see your participation in our event for the 2023-2024 school year!
Please join our Facebook Page (Building Bridges Parent/Teacher Group)
Dr. Jackelyn Cadard
Email: jcadard@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org
Location: 1436 Grant St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-719-9478
Special Programs Coordinator Downers Grove Grade School District 58