Weekly Update
October 2, 2024
NO SCHOOL: Monday, January 13 (Teacher Work Day)
Winter Weather Reminder
District 204 follows a plan whenever there is consideration of holding an e-Learning day or canceling school due to weather conditions. If the district holds an e-Learning day or cancels school completely, the information will be announced by 6 am on www.ipsd.org. The district will also make a 204 Connect phone call by 6 AM to alert parents and guardians of the information. Parents and students can also check the Emergency Closing Center for school closings.
For more information, visit the district’s e-Learning webpage
Communications Survey
To improve our communication with district families, IPSD 204 is conducting a communications survey to better understand how district stakeholders currently receive information from their child’s school and the district, and to understand their preferences on receiving information going forward. Please take a moment to share your perspective on communications you receive from your child's school and the district by completing this survey. The survey will be open through Wednesday, January 29.
Explore 204: Culture Night
Volunteer Recognition
District 204 extends our sincere gratitude to the 3,306 active volunteers who helped support our schools from September 2 to December 31, 2024.
For the month of December, we want to recognize our top volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our students and staff:
- Julie High – 57 hours (Graham Elementary School)
- Diana Elbert – 44 hours (Peterson Elementary School)
- Virginia Witte – 41 hours (Spring Brook Elementary School)
We appreciate everyone who volunteered or signed up to support our schools—your time and effort make a big difference!
We’d also like to thank GreenState Credit Union for sponsoring our Volunteer Program.
SAVE THE DATE!
2025 Mental Health and Wellness Symposium
District 204, in collaboration with five neighboring school districts, will hold the 3rd Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Metea Valley High School. The keynote will be presented by Doug Bolton, author, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Director of School Consultation for Formative Psychological Services. The symposium will also include breakout sessions for students and adults, a community resource fair, a book fair, and childcare for ages 3 - 10. The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is the Title Sponsor for this event.
Safety & Security
Safety Contest - Safe Schools Start with Us!
With the rise in school threats locally and nationwide, it's important for us to foster a culture of safety and responsibility among our students. Later this month, IPSD 204 will launch a student safety contest titled "Safe Schools Start with Us". Students will be invited to create posters, digital designs, or PSAs to raise awareness about the importance of alleviating school threats—whether real, hoaxes, or made in jest—reporting any threats to law enforcement or a trusted adult, and recognizing the vital role everyone plays in keeping our schools safe.
Students with winning entries will receive prizes and their contest submission will be featured on the district's social media and website, helping to spread awareness around this important topic.
A special thank you to Rival5 for their generous sponsorship of our safety contest.
Watch for additional information in the weeks ahead!
WVHS Planetarium Family Night January 24, 2025
Discover the beauty of a sky without light pollution in the WVHS Planetarium! The Family Night topic for Friday, January 24 is light pollution and how it negatively impacts organisms. Family Nights are monthly public programs for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Programs start at 6 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are only available online at store.ipsd.org Sold-out programs will disappear from the webstore. Visit ipsd.org/planetarium for more information or email stephanie_rybka@ipsd.org.
Next Board of Education Meeting: January 13, 2025
The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Meeting agendas and documents will be available online prior to the meeting. Video of the regular meeting can be streamed live or viewed the following day at the District’s YouTube channel.
IPEF Presents the 2025 Inspire: Explore IPEF Breakfast Fundraiser
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) invites you to our annual Inspire Breakfast Fundraiser from 7-9 AM on Tuesday, March 18th, at the White Eagle Golf Club. Guests will enjoy a vibrant morning of coffee and networking, followed by a full breakfast and an engaging presentation highlighting various impactful District 204 programs supported by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. Sponsorships and discounted early-bird tickets are on sale now! See our Inspire Breakfast Event Page for more information. If you have questions, please contact Trudie Ranson at trudie_ranson@ipsd.org.
Resources for Parents
Thursday, January 9 | Noon and 7 PM
Dr. Ellen Braaten
Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less: Tools for Tackling Motivation
Details
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | Noon and 7 PM
What Happened to You; A Shift from "What is Wrong with You?"
Details
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | Noon and 7 PM
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Guided Journal: A Workshop for Parents
Details
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | Noon and 7 PM
The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens
Details
Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 7 PM URDU & HINDI ONLY
B-PAC in Urdu and Hindi: مثبت والدین کی ضروریات / The Essentials of Positive Parenting
Details
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | Noon and 7 PM
The Changing Landscape of the Drug Epidemic: Fentanyl Poisoning, Meth and More
Details
Thursday, January 30, 2025 | Noon and 7 PM
Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent
Early Childhood Event -- The Way of Play: Little Moments -- Big Connections
Third-Party Educational Programs
The following companies have rented space in our schools to offer an after-school educational program for students. The distribution of this material is in no way an endorsement of programs, services, activities, or products by District 204. For more information, visit programs.
Young Elementary - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
White Eagle - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Welch - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Steck - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Spring Brook - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Owen - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
McCarty - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Kendall - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Gombert -Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Fry - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Cowlishaw - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Clow - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
Brooks - Young Rembrandts Drawing Class
This Week's e-Folder
This week's e-Folder has been updated with information on community programs. For more information about the programs listed below, visit the 204 e-Folder.
Calendar
January 10: End of Semester
January 13: No School (Teacher Work Day)
January 13: Board of Education Meeting
January 20: No School (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
February 3: Board of Education Meeting
February 17: No School (President's Day)
February 24: Board of Education Meeting
February 27: No School (Parent/Teacher Conferences 1 - 8 PM)
February 28: No School (Institute Day)